Wow, what a flash back.

in the little computer lab where we do our emails, theres a radio thats always on, and it usually plays the songs that i've forgotten from yesteryear. Hah, it was playing Ace of Base 'Dont Turn Around.' I remember that song from pretty much the last time i came to Tahiti. Oh that and the Cranberry's 'Zombie' which i happen to hear nearly every week. Oh yeah.

Anyways, thats enough reminiscing.

We had a Zone Conference this week. it was kinda odd for me, as the only sectors left in our zone are the sectors in our district. that means that out of all of Raromatai, there is only one island, Raiatea, which is open. Bora Bora, Huahine, Tahaa, Maupiti, they are all closed. Phew, we need more missionaries out here for sure.

But yeah, things are going well. President is a beast, and so is his wife. and when i say that, i dont mean literally beastly in appearance, because thats actually the tahitians most of the time. But yeah, theyre awesome.

I dont have too much time, and what time i have is expensive, so thats my little spiel for today.

Love you all, hope all is well.

so yeah, stuff has happened this week. no transfer, not yet. so i don't know how long i will stay on Raiatea.

there have been a ton of people ending their missions lately, one elder who started with us went home, and there are a ton who are finishing soon. a large group has just finished, that's elder Temarono's group, and there are 4 new Americans coming soon. Tubuai has been opened, and Huahine and Bora Bora have been closed. So that leaves Raiatea in all of Raromatai. Our district is now the same as our Zone. weird.

So yeah, not much else has changed. Still on a bike, and still in the same sector. we are, however, looking at changing houses, since the owner of our current one is a thief. No joke ;P exploitation to the max!

anyways, i gotta go, i hope you are all doing well, and i think of you all often!
~Tama

In the absence of a post from Tama, here are a few more pictures:

More pictures

or if that link doesn't work, click in the sidebar to the left.

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.