Rodents of Unusual Size?

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! This week has started off the New Year with a bang.

Tons of crazy stuff has happened. For example, pretty much the whole

island shut down this week because they ran out of gas (including jet

fuel), so nobody could come or go. So I'm still in Betio until

tomorrow!

There have been six Elders staying with us this week. There was one

night where we were sleeping outside and we heard something in the

house. (I often sleep in a hammock) It sounded big; we thought it might be a person. We went inside

at 3 AM to check it out. It was coming from the attic. We opened the

door thing, and it was a rat. Not just any rat, though...This rat was

literally the size of a cat. I'm not exaggerating at all. Rodents of

unusual size? I don't think they exist. But this one definitey did.

Three of us went up there with our machetes to try to kill it, but we

couldn't find it. It was kinda hard because we had to balance on the

beams so we didn't fall through the quicksand...I mean, ceiling. (you

catch that, dad?) So yeah, we have a new friend in our attic.

We had a Christmas devotional this week with a member of the Quorum of

the Seventy, President Haleck. He is touring all the Pacific

missions. All the missionaries went to Moroni High School in Eita.

There were over a hundred missionaries there. Guess who they asked to

play the piano? That's right, this guy. So I learned the songs the

morning of and played them for President Haleck. It actually went

pretty well. The training he gave us was pretty good too. He told us

that in the past year, we have had over 1200 baptisms in Kiribati.

There are only like 150,000 people here! So the work is hastening. I

know that a handful of 19 and 20 year-olds couldn't do that for any

other organization other than this church. Why? Well, it's true!!

Simple as that!

Something else way crazy happened this week. We ate dinner with the

President of Kiribati, Taneti Mamau, and his cabinet. Like, the real President of the

country. He invited us to his house for dinner on new Year's Eve. It

was so cool. I got a fancy personal invitation that I had to show at

the gate to get in. It was by far the nicest house I've been to here.

There was a ton of food, including an entire pig that you just walk up

to and rip off a chunk. I ate so much. There was also a traditional

Kiribati dancing group. They were really good and it was cool to see.

The President gave a speech. In it, he talked a lot about Jesus Christ

and the reason for the holiday season. He told us that he had a really hard time convincing his

cabinet to make it a non-alcoholic party, but he did in honor of us.

He thanked us for our work in his country in promoting healthy

families, self reliance, and improving the lives of his people. He

told us he would like to have lessons, but not until after his term

ends. Afterwards, I walked up to him

and asked him and his wife for a picture. So I got a picture with the

President of Kiribati!!!!!!!!

Well, tomorrow morning I leave for my new area. There have never been

missionaries there before, so it should be pretty interesting. I'm

kinda nervous. It's so different from Betio. When I first got to

Betio, it was a difficult change. It's dirty, stinky, and really crowded. But now I

love it. The people here are awesome. I've discovered my favorite

Kiribati foods here (limited options, but still). Now, just when I am

getting used to it, I'm leaving. The Lord understands better than I do.

Wish me luck! I'm going to spread the good news of the gospel of Jesus

Christ to another area. Despite all the stories and pictures, I am not

on vacation. Trust me. I am exhausted every night from working all day. But that's why I'm here! I know I am doing God's work, and I know he helps me.

Until next time (which could be a while, I don't know),

-Elder Barker

(Elder Barker has been assigned to a new area in North Tarawa and will be working with Elder Peeti, from New Zealand. He told us he will be living in a bouia (boo yah) -hut and it is quite remote.)