Serving the Lord in Samoa: What is wrong with my skin?

This week was amazing! Tu'i and Misiluki's Baptisms both went well. The Relief Society President came in clutch with the food afterwards. This week we had an Elder from the Book of Mormon stand with us for 4 days because his Companion got transferred to another island and was waiting for a new companion. It was really good having him with us, I feel like I learned a lot from him. He was born in Tonga but lived in American Samoa most of his life. His name is Elder Kaufusi. Also, he made us french toast one morning so that was what I want. This last week we saw so much progress! We had our two baptisms and we set two kids on a baptismal date for next month from this part member family. Their family is huge there are like 30 plus people and some are baptized and some are not so we are really trying to work with them. We have an FHE with them on Friday. We also set this girl who is like 20 years old on date for next month as well. And then we set this Woman named Aiga on date for next month. We took Aiga and her kids to the Visitors Center to do a tour and she talked about how she wants an eternal family so we talked about temples and such but told her the only way for that to happen is through baptism first. So both her and her 8 year old daughter accepted baptism. We have no baptisms this week sadly. Koko was supposed to get baptized but she is making no progress in getting married which needs to happen first. Next week Moore and Alex will get baptized. Then on the 17th of March we have 5 people on date.

Yesterday we talked to this kid on the street as he was walking home from school and we walked home with him. Little did we know he lived on top of the mountain. We got to the mountain and then starting going up on this small trail and just kept walking up and up and up. I didn't even know the houses back their existed so now we know of a new part of our area. We talked to their family though and I guess missionaries talked to them way long ago but they seemed really interested in what we have to say and we are taking the family to the Visitors Center this Saturday. They have I think 11 people that are baptismal eligible so we have high hopes for them. Being up on top of the massive hill was cool seeing the ocean. So many trees were down and most of the power lines were down still from the cyclone. They got it way worse up there.

Last week we were walking down the street and talked to this teenage guy. He ended up being Tu'i's brother! We are taking him to a ward concert thing tonight and then we are going to the visitors center with him as well tonight. The Lord truly does just put people in our way. I know he prepares people to hear the message of the Restored Gospel, we just need to have our ears opened to hear the spirit to guide us.

Haha Last Friday I woke up with what I thought was ringworm on my face. I was SOOO mad. I was not about to get ringworm again. I called the mission nurse right away and she came over and took a picture of my face and sent it to a doctor in New Zealand. 3 hours later I got a call, it was not ringworm, BUT it was some skin infection. I forgot the name it was really long. Basically the next three days of my life were horrible. I could barely sleep the first night because my face hurt so much and itched a lot. They put me on some hardcore pills though and it is mostly gone now. I was pretty impressed with how good of treatment I got for being here in Samoa.

All is well here in Samoa. I am really looking forward to these next couple weeks. I am extremely grateful to be here on the Lord's errand. I know this is his work I am extremely grateful for this church and the knowledge and peace it gives me. I have seen this gospel change lives and it is just remarkable. I know this church is 100% true!

Elder Roberts