Tragedy and Healing

I'm pretty sure the weeks just fly faster the longer you are in an area. I'm going on week 32 right now...take that Elder Miller!

I spent a lot of time writing in my journal this week. It was a big week in the history of Kiribati. I don't know how well-known it was outside of the country, but it was quite the week here. Here's the story:

A few weeks ago a ship was hired by the government to go to a few outer islands to pick up the schoolkids before the start of school. The ship went to a few outer islands, then began the return trip to Tarawa. It was a two-day journey.

However, eight days later, the ship still hadn't arrived to port. And it still hasn't. It was reported missing to New Zealand, then NZ sent our planes to search for the lost ship. Only debris was found, along with one life raft of seven people. There were an estimated 100 passengers. The survivors told their story over the national radio for the country to hear. It was a devastating and bothersome story to hear. There are many more details, but this gets the point across. Apart from the battles that took place here during WWII, this event is the biggest tragedy to happen in the nation of Kiribati.

It is a difficult situation. Elder Murri and I were in the last island that the ship went to when it was there: Nonouti. We met the kids that were getting on the boat. We shook their hands, we wished them luck, we joked with them. There were a few adults that we chatted with as well before they boarded the ship. It's rather startling to think that I was one of the last people they spoke with.

This week was when the searches were called off and the remaining passengers pronounced dead. There was a national day of mourning where all workplaces were closed. The schools that lost students each did their own memorial ceremony, including Moroni High School which lost 4 students. Last night, after church, there was a stake fireside to remember those from our stake that were lost. Seven of them were members of our ward. There were some touching testimonies shared from family members and many tears shed. The six elders in our ward sang a musical number. We sang an arrangement of "Nearer, My God, to Thee" that we came up with. I really felt peace as we sang that hymn. Even though we sang in English, I hope that the people felt some of that same peace.

Although we all feel sadness at the loss of lives, it is comforting to know that there is a plan for those lost at sea. It is God's plan, and it is perfect. Although we don't understand everything that happens to us and our brothers and sisters now, we can trust God and know that he has a reason for everything. Not only that, but he has provided a way for those schoolkids to meet with their families again. Through our knowledge of the Plan of Salvation and the blessings of temples, we know that they are not lost; they have simply moved on. There is so much more to come!

I'm grateful that I am here at this time to help share that message with the people of Kiribati in their time of sorrow. That is one of my favorite reasons for serving as a missionary. The newfound peace that I am able to see in peoples' lives after learning of our Heavenly Father's plan for us is one of the greatest feelings in the world. It strengthens my belief that our Father in Heaven loves us and wants us to be happy - not only in this life, but in the life to come. I know it without a doubt!

However can we thank Him?

Elder Barker