A ton had happened. But I have a story that will probably take the time to say, so i'll go ahead and write it down.

Theres a family here, a partial member family, that is incredible. The Guinot family. The father comes from France and is not a member, and the mother is a native and a member. We spend a lot of time with them because they are awesome. We spend a lot of time with them during the week because they really help us out and they love the missionaries.

One day we were at a members house with them when their son-in-law came barreling down the road, horn blazing. As we went out to meet him, he yelled to us, saying that their house was on fire. In a panic, the Guinots left.

Later on in the day, they came back to the members house. We spent some more time consoling, but after nearly 5 minutes, their normal spirits were back, regardless of their misfortune. And thats when they told us the condition of their property.

There was nothing left. The whole house completely burned. A car on the side of the house is no longer usable. There is a platform which holds coprah nearly 2 yards away, and the near side was burnt. All the glass inside had melted due to extreme heat, and their son, who lives 30 ft away from them, had to go around the house out the back door because the heat was so extreme. Rummaging through the wreckage, they found something incredible. She recalled that she put her bag which she takes to church near the door. The bag was completely burned, nothing left. However, there, on the floor, was a partially burned hymnbook, a partially burned Liahona magazine (a church publishing), a partially burnt Bible, and a partially burnt Book of Mormon. They were slightly charred, but completely intact. Completely readable. The only damage they had recieved were on the covers.

Its amazing to think that the only things that survived were those things. The only things, not even the house survived. To me, this testifies truly, that the same power which protected the Bible also proteted the other materials. How grateful I am to hold the truth, to know that this is the power which has called me here, and how grateful I am to have been reassured that He is forever behind me. How grateful I am.

If you're looking for the pictures and movies, please click on the link to the left in the "Links" box, or just click on the following link:

Go To Pictures and Movies

Check back now and then. I'm planning on adding more pictures and movies when I have the time.

Thanks!

So a TON has happened.

Horton has left, and Récio has come here. Hales has replaced Maoni and is currently with Temarono. We are again on bikes, and covering the world and a half. Phew. no wait, its more like 'fiu.'

But yeah, things are going well. I'm starting to burn off some of the fat that i've gained from all the eating.

Anyways, yesterday, we missed the bus, because the guy told us 7 and it came at 6.45. lame. so thats why were here today.

But now i gotta go. I love you all!

Sorry, but i havent been able to post here for a while. Just to let everyone know, yes i do see your comments here, and no i havent forgotten you renabette, and i'm sorry because i've probably forgotten everyone else ;P je blague.

anyways,
alot has been happening lately. theres a bunch of huge groups finishing their missions, and theres not many coming back out, so theres a ton of changes going around. first off, mission president has to close 8 areas, and hes already started. he's closed tahaa, tons of other areas, and opened Rurutu. Lucky Elder Martinson....first transfer. pshhh.

anyways, this is my last P-Day with Elder Horton. He goes home this Friday, and i get my new companion on Thurs. Elder Hales, from my MTC district, will be replacing Elder Maoni, who is going to Faaa again. Hales will be with Temarono, my second companion. My new companion is a Farani (French dude), s'appelle Elder Racio. Sad thing is he doesnt speak too much Tahitian, and neither do i. We have tons of people in my sector who speak only Tahitian, and then tons who only speak a mix of the two, French and Tahitian. Oh well, I guess i will have to learn quickly.

But yeah, I don't know what'll happen now, especially since our car has been taken away again. I dunno. Phew. Love y'all!
~Tama

Tama hasn't had the time to post for a couple of weeks, so here are a few lines from his letters:

i heard an old guy listening to a french [radio] station the other day, and charlie parker came on playing ornithology. oh man, i only heard the head and the solo's intro line, but it almost made me cry.

i heard the new recording of IN A MELLOW TONE. it made me happy all day. phew.

I heard it on the website. one day, i thought, hey wait a sec, theres the choir stuff. so i just hit play and did email with them in the back ground. then i noticed as i scrolled down... whaaaa? mellow tone!!!! so i played it.

awww man, an earthquake. i forgot about those. its all about storms and winds out here. strong strong winds right now. e mea puai roa te matai e teie nei. seriously.

Translation: The winds are very strong right now.

Its interesting the way the world is working these days, and how the moral values work out here. For instance, there is a Brazilian soap opera, translated into French, that is HUGE out here. 'Marina' - How mush i hate that show! You could be talking to someone and as soon as you hear that theme song, the conversation is over. its really hard trying to find people to talk to during those hours. grrr. Anyways, as we were teaching some people about adultery and why it is bad for the familial structure, they, finally grasping the concept behind adultery, said "Oh! Like on Marina!" Oh my goodness, they didn't even know the term adultery, and yet it was all over the things they watch and adore everyday. *sigh*

Took a hot shower last night. It was divine. Truly. Ahhhh the little things that I miss....

This week went by pretty fast. It consisted of the same old stuff, and i am sure that this upcoming week will be the same again. Oh yeah, have another baptism on Saturday! hooray!

~Tama

sorry about not posting last week. i ran out of time ;P

and yesterday, everything was closed. it was a national holiday yesterday, and seriously, our trip to the other side of Raiatea was a total waste, so we had to come out again today. oh well.

right now, things are kida difficult. we have a leader who is somewhat nul. and by somewhat, i mean he is the biggest hypocrite that i have ever seen. Not to mention everyone is busy with the month-long party that is July.

Things are moving slowly, but they are moving. The languages are coming, and we are discovering a little more on how to better our situation out here. other than that, its gorgeous, the people are nice, and the weather is great.

good news and bad news. well, alot of both news, so i'll start out.

We had our zone conference with our mission president, President Tarati. It was his last one ever as our president. It was pretty awesome. Our new president, President Smith, arrived last night with his family.

We got a car! No more riding those hills in the rain! It has already helped alot, it makes contacting alot easier, and now we can make a ton more appointments. Its awesome having a car.... seriously.

But the bad news, Elder Maoni and Elder Temarono came to live with us while their house is being redone. The maintenance guy first said, One week. later he told us 4 months. WHAAAAA???? Its tough being with Elder Temarono, and you'll have to ask me why later ;P no pessimism allowed here on this blog!!

Anyways, things are going great. Were making more contacts, and the languages are finally coming well, but this time of the year here is party time. seriously, all of July is one huge party. phew.

I hope all is well at home! I miss you all!

~Tama