I see Tongan in you!

MOM , DAD
 Ahhhh, I miss you guys!

So,  first I sent a letter today for the twins and Walker! So,  if timing
is correct it should arrive in about 3 to 5 weeks..... short, right?

No, unfortunately, I have not received the letters yet, but every time
the zone leaders come down the road I'm at a full sprint running at
their car,  asking them if they have letters for me! I'm so excited to
receive them!

Now,  the reed thing around my waist is called a ta'ovala and its just
really significant. The people here have always worn them.
To be honest, I don't know why they are so important.  By the way,
that reminds me,  I need everyone's waist sizes, EVERYONE'S because it
takes a long time for them to be made and I'm getting one for each family
member, hand made to wear at my home coming and that will take all 2
years to gather! So, I need waist sizes now!!! Hayley and Kade, too!

Okay,  so onto the questions:)

1. My week was awesome! It went by wicked fast and I absolutely love
the people here.  They amaze me every single day. I experienced my first
Vilohoa this last Wednesday which is basically a Companionship
exchange! And that was really fun.

Now, something funny here that has been occurring lately.
There are now two gangs that have risen in the streets on my areas....
One is called the Ngaahi Puaka and the otheris called the Nghaahi Kuli.
 Now here is the actual scary part: It's actually the animals!  Puaka (pigs) fight the Kuli (dogs)
and its always at night! All of sudden at 2:30 AM, I hear right outside
my window, a symphony of dogs barking and whining and pigs whining and
snorting. Seriously,  I can't help but laugh every time I hear and
see it! The animals go at it outside! They fight with all they
have! It is the greatest thing to watch I about die laughing
every time I witness the dogs and pigs fighting!


Parental comment: My favorite line of the week "Seriously, I can't help but laugh!"

2. This week lesson wise there weren't that many. To be frank here, in
comparison to other missions, the work here is super slow. To have
amount of investigators that we do right now, which is only 3 is an
incredible blessing! We usually have about one teaching a night. Most of
our lessons fall through so,  I had the idea to get a sheet with less
actives names on it from the Bishop. So, hopefully this next week we
will have a lot more teaching to do! The mission president has called
this mission the self revelation mission because we get A LOT of time
to study! My companion and I though are out every night until 9:00 even
if we are just walking and talking to random people on the street.

3. So our area covers two wards. In the Houmakelikau ward there's
about 150 active members who come every Sunday. In our other ward Nukua'lofa 4th Ward there's about 100 active members who come every Sunday!
We have quite a few people that come to both wards!

4. Now the youth! We have basically none... it's pretty much primary
kids! But our neighbors have a little son, he is 2 years old, his name is Mo and is the seriously greatest little kid ever! I was able to watch Sunday conference in English yesterday! During it Mo
stands up and in English starts singing "I Am a Child of God"! The best
moment ever! I'll send a picture of him soon enough!

5. Ok So to answer all the rest of the questions! Walker,  I am really
missing sour patch watermelon.... and you! You should just send
yourself out here and be my new companion and teach with me! I see
Tongan in you!
My shirts are amazing! They hold up beyond nicely!  They are such a
pure white! It's incredible!

Well, I love all of you! and I hope you are all safe and having fun!
You are always in my daily prayers! and I miss you! I always look
forward to PDAY to see how all of you are!

Love,
Elder Sheppard!!!