Wow where do I even start? So... so I’m currently
serving in good old Papakura, South Auckland so that’s cool. Honestly it’s so
wild it rains like probably 89.5 times a day and it’s winter over here (ya
weird right apparently it has something to do with weird sciencey stuff and the
equator who knows?)
Anyway these past two weeks have been really weird. We were
chillin doing our comp study like one does and out of no where, we get a call
from our Tongan ward relief society president and she was freaking out and was
like “come here now”. So she sent us this address and so we skirted on over and
we got there, and in her broken English basically said something along the
lines of “okay you eat now” and points to a giant party and then leaves. And we
tried to explain to her that we can’t go to parties and Tongans get rEALLy
offended if you don't eat their food so long story short we showed up to this
giant Tongan luau with the biggest pig I’ve ever seen, roasted whole on a
skewer and none of them spoke English and we don’t speak Tongan. So we can’t
leave but no one knows why we are there, and long story short the dj stopped
playing the screamo music for a couple minutes because they started digging a
giant whole in the middle of their lawn, and then everyone started cheering and
ya. Then we ate the pig eyes. They made us. It was very sweet, and honesty
tasted kind of like sweet shrimp, but I might have thrown up for like three
hours after a and had nightmares for two days. So that was cool. Anyway
I love the Tongan ward, they are so so so amazing. Honestly the sweetest, most
humble people I have ever been able to meet with. Such love for the missionary
work, and an incredible culture. I just wish I could understand what they are
saying so we don’t accidently show up to another hole digging party again.
Anyway moving on, what’s next on the list? Oh right so fun
story. We got a call from another friend of ours in the Tongan ward (again love
them) and basically she goes “hey can you come to the chapel right now?” and
since our appointment just got cancelled so we were like, “Eh why the heck
not?” so we went over and well our good ol pal Latai was like hey my uncle just
decided to get baptized and Bishop says the missionaries have to be here, can
you watch? So uh in case you’re wondering, that’s not how it’s supposed
to work. They have to go through all the lessons from the missionaries (aka us)
and then have an interview, and then they can be baptized. But again, language
barrier. Yay. So we came mid baptism and he was already in the water, and
it would be kind of awkward to like yell at him from the other side of the font
and be like “Hey ya you can’t do that”. So we kind of just let it happen, and
then decided we would talk to him after. So that was cool. Anyway most awkward
conversation ive ever had in my life. anyway.
Moving on, Die for Tonga. So there are SO many Tongans in NZ
like a lot - a lot. Anyway they love Tonga. Like I’ve never seen so much
patriotism in a group of people ever. Maybe it’s just cause no one really
boasts that they are from Arizona cause like Arizona is cool and all, like I
love living there, but it’s just a big piece of dirt, so... But here no joke,
you know if a family is Tongan because they will have a huge flag in their
front yard. anyway i kid you not anytime one of them sees a Tongan flag they
literally YELL this thing, “Mate ma’a Tonga” but it basically translates back
to DIE for Tonga. So now you know.
And last fun weird story of the week is I have this good ol’
pal Glen. I love Glen. He’s honestly such a great person with such a desire to
draw nearer to his Savior but he keeps calling us at the weirdest times. He has
a hard time setting an exact time for his return appointment so he usually just
calls us whenever he is free. And well good old Glen, got to love him, called us
and was like “Yo I’m free right now can you come over?” and we were like, “ya
we are on our way. Your house right?” and he goes, “Oh I forgot to tell you, no
I’m at the pool.” So to all you either current or returned missionaries
before you start panicking and quoting the white hand book (missionary rule
book), no we didnt get in the pool, yes he was wearing normal clothes. Anyway
gosh y’all are so judgey. So yes being the good missionaries we are dropped our
plans to actually do our weekly planning on time and went to the pool. 5 stars
for Gryffindor. Anyway so ya that’s basically the coolest part fo the story we
just taught a regular lesson in the waiting area at a public pool, but you know
I thought it was cool so thought I’d share. OH also fun fact after serving as a
missionary for almost four months seeing people in skin tight wet clothes is
scarring. it was hard to make eye contact with Glen because I just wanted to
look at the ceiling. DO THESE PEOPLE EVEN RECOGNIZE THAT THEIR CLOTHES ARE
TIGHT? AHHHH its okay. I’m fine. Also shout out to my mom who said
one day I’m going to look back at all those times i decided to wear leggings
out in public and question all my life decisions, and you know what mom...as
much as it pains my prideful self to say it.. you were right... anyway moving
on.
Life is good I hope every one back at home is amazing :)
thanks for all your emails they make my day.
Much love, Die for Tonga, -Sister Berrett
Picture 1: my good ol pal Latai she's putting in her papers
soon soo exciting!
Picture two: we might really love NZ and Tonga but it's fine
it's not excessive I don't know what you’re talking about
Picture three: my sweet friend Kura who's actually getting
baptized on the tenth!!!
Pictures four and five: my area ❤️
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