ELDER SAYLIN..... GUAM SERVING THE LORD. Send packages and Letters: Elder Saylin P.O. Box 861 Moen, Chuuk FSM 96942
Monday, February 20, 2017
A few more pictures!
A letter from January 29, 2017
Dear Mom and Dad,
How are my mom and dad doing?? I know it's a no-brainer and unnecessary to say because you already know, but I miss you so much!! It's been over six months and I'm still not used to having you around. I probably never will be. Can you believe it's been that long? Does it feel like it's been that long? Has it been fast or slow for you? Sometimes I'm like, holy cow, it's already been 6 months and then other times I feel like I've lived here my whole life and was born and raised on Chuuk. It's hard to explain, but you served missions, too, so you understand. I'm sorry for no big letter to everyone this week. I haven't had time because I was trying to write the whole family letters.
Last week we had six baptisms!! It was super awesome. Fenter, Fency, Don, Akwil, Eswi, and Aisi all got baptized. I love them sooo much. Akwi is like my mom here. She's my favorite and super funny. She even washes all of my clothes for free! She is so awesome and so strong in the gospel. She even follows us around sometimes and comes teaching with us. She is 37. Her husband Don is the same way. They're my favorite! We still didn't get permission to have baptisms on our island or any small island off of it, so we had to boat everyone over to Romolum, an island in my district. It is the smallest island in the whole world that have missionaries!! The island is gorgeous. Eswi is 18 and she's soooo cool. She wants to go on a mission now super badly and last month she had never even heard of the church before. She knows all the lessons super well and wants me to teach her more stuff so she can teach, too. She's legit.
The area has been doing pretty well here. I'm absolutely in love with my village. These people are the best. I couldn't have a better area in the whole world. I'm so blessed to serve these people. It's been a little hard leading the area, being senior companion, bit I've loved it. My Chuukese has improved like crazy. I've been very blessed. I know lots of that has to do with your prayers, so thank you! It's helped tons.
I have to say that being on these islands with crystal clear waters just KILLS me not being able to swim! Maybe we can come back here together someday.
I really liked your spiritual thought, Dad, from your January 1 letter. I like where you said to try and know Christ, and that as His servant I should be able to see the one person who is pleading in his/her heart to be reached and loved and saved and healed. As I have been trying to do that more this last month, Heavenly Father has seriously led me to so many investigators. I love being able to help them and bring happiness to them. The truth of the gospel teaches us the plan of happiness from God! As the people change their lives and become so happy, it is what makes me fall in love with my mission, as hard as it may be at times.
I love your advice. Anything about anything would be awesome to hear from you. I always can take your word and input about anything and I know it will end up good. I look up to you so much. Thank you again for everything you do for me and the examples you are to me.
I love and miss you,
Elder Saylin
How are my mom and dad doing?? I know it's a no-brainer and unnecessary to say because you already know, but I miss you so much!! It's been over six months and I'm still not used to having you around. I probably never will be. Can you believe it's been that long? Does it feel like it's been that long? Has it been fast or slow for you? Sometimes I'm like, holy cow, it's already been 6 months and then other times I feel like I've lived here my whole life and was born and raised on Chuuk. It's hard to explain, but you served missions, too, so you understand. I'm sorry for no big letter to everyone this week. I haven't had time because I was trying to write the whole family letters.
Last week we had six baptisms!! It was super awesome. Fenter, Fency, Don, Akwil, Eswi, and Aisi all got baptized. I love them sooo much. Akwi is like my mom here. She's my favorite and super funny. She even washes all of my clothes for free! She is so awesome and so strong in the gospel. She even follows us around sometimes and comes teaching with us. She is 37. Her husband Don is the same way. They're my favorite! We still didn't get permission to have baptisms on our island or any small island off of it, so we had to boat everyone over to Romolum, an island in my district. It is the smallest island in the whole world that have missionaries!! The island is gorgeous. Eswi is 18 and she's soooo cool. She wants to go on a mission now super badly and last month she had never even heard of the church before. She knows all the lessons super well and wants me to teach her more stuff so she can teach, too. She's legit.
The area has been doing pretty well here. I'm absolutely in love with my village. These people are the best. I couldn't have a better area in the whole world. I'm so blessed to serve these people. It's been a little hard leading the area, being senior companion, bit I've loved it. My Chuukese has improved like crazy. I've been very blessed. I know lots of that has to do with your prayers, so thank you! It's helped tons.
I have to say that being on these islands with crystal clear waters just KILLS me not being able to swim! Maybe we can come back here together someday.
I really liked your spiritual thought, Dad, from your January 1 letter. I like where you said to try and know Christ, and that as His servant I should be able to see the one person who is pleading in his/her heart to be reached and loved and saved and healed. As I have been trying to do that more this last month, Heavenly Father has seriously led me to so many investigators. I love being able to help them and bring happiness to them. The truth of the gospel teaches us the plan of happiness from God! As the people change their lives and become so happy, it is what makes me fall in love with my mission, as hard as it may be at times.
I love your advice. Anything about anything would be awesome to hear from you. I always can take your word and input about anything and I know it will end up good. I look up to you so much. Thank you again for everything you do for me and the examples you are to me.
I love and miss you,
Elder Saylin
Monday, February 13, 2017
Dear Family and Friends! (Snail Mail)
Amy ouo fet ikenei? Ai nuku ouo chol asoso menomnom pwan mommot pun amy mi chipwong. Nge Semei, ka fokkun sinei angang weires.
Whatssssipp?! This week has been a little crazy. It's been both sad, but also good. Hard, but also worth it. There have been lots of osukusuk (problems) this past week. We weren't able to have all the baptisms, but we have moved them to next week so that will be good. So this Saturday we have Fency, Fenter, Fineina, Akwi, Don, Ngeni, and Eswi getting baptized, and maybe Siwando, but we haven't seen him in a week. Also, Atk and Atari will be baptized if they get married before Saturday! Some of our investigators were a little bummed they weren't baptized last Saturday, but they understand so it's all good.
Every once in a while Elder M has this problem where he can't feel anything in his body. It's like his nervous system stops working. He always says it's fine and he won't let me call the zone leaders and tell them. Last Monday, he was sick and slept all day. Tuesday when we woke up, he was super hot and sweaty (more than normal haha!) and he couldn't feel his body. So I called the zone leaders and they called our mission nurse and the President. They told us he needed to go to the hospital in Wanu, the main island. So Tuesday we boated in to go to the hospital. They took his blood and gave him some medicine. The doctor of Chuuk is Mormon and called President Zarbock and said he isn't allowed to go back to outer island and needs to stay close to the hospital. We were both pretty crushed when we heard that. Wednesday we got a call that there's another emergency transfer! Elder M is no longer my companion. I was pretty sad because we loved eachother and had a bast together everyday. I felt way bad for him because we both love Tol so much here.
The happy side of my story is that my new companion is Elder Floyd!! I love him! We've been wanting to be companions ever since we met. He was in my last district when I was in Sapuk and we went on tons of exchanges together. We are the exact same person. haha It's too good to be true. He's from Idaho and loves football and working out. Wednesday night we boated back to Tol and have been all over the place teaching. We work well together, too. I seriously love my area and never want to leave. The people are amazing. Everyone in my village is so humble and loving. We are all just one big family here. My Chuukese has gotten so much better the past few weeks. I'm now senior companion and lead my area. It's a blast finally knowing enough Chuukese to talk to anyone about almost anything and understanding so much of what people say. I still have lots to learn, but Heavenly Father has also blessed me so much and helped me learn so much Chuukese these past 6 1/2 months. Tol's accent is still a little bit hard and they speak sooooo fast here! It's insane, but I am getting used to it. I love it. I love it here so much! The good days and the bad-- wouldn't trade it for the world.
I love you,
Elder Saylin
EMAIL FROM LAST WEEK: (Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2017)
Love you!
Amy ouo fet ikenei? Ai nuku ouo chol asoso menomnom pwan mommot pun amy mi chipwong. Nge Semei, ka fokkun sinei angang weires.
Whatssssipp?! This week has been a little crazy. It's been both sad, but also good. Hard, but also worth it. There have been lots of osukusuk (problems) this past week. We weren't able to have all the baptisms, but we have moved them to next week so that will be good. So this Saturday we have Fency, Fenter, Fineina, Akwi, Don, Ngeni, and Eswi getting baptized, and maybe Siwando, but we haven't seen him in a week. Also, Atk and Atari will be baptized if they get married before Saturday! Some of our investigators were a little bummed they weren't baptized last Saturday, but they understand so it's all good.
Every once in a while Elder M has this problem where he can't feel anything in his body. It's like his nervous system stops working. He always says it's fine and he won't let me call the zone leaders and tell them. Last Monday, he was sick and slept all day. Tuesday when we woke up, he was super hot and sweaty (more than normal haha!) and he couldn't feel his body. So I called the zone leaders and they called our mission nurse and the President. They told us he needed to go to the hospital in Wanu, the main island. So Tuesday we boated in to go to the hospital. They took his blood and gave him some medicine. The doctor of Chuuk is Mormon and called President Zarbock and said he isn't allowed to go back to outer island and needs to stay close to the hospital. We were both pretty crushed when we heard that. Wednesday we got a call that there's another emergency transfer! Elder M is no longer my companion. I was pretty sad because we loved eachother and had a bast together everyday. I felt way bad for him because we both love Tol so much here.
The happy side of my story is that my new companion is Elder Floyd!! I love him! We've been wanting to be companions ever since we met. He was in my last district when I was in Sapuk and we went on tons of exchanges together. We are the exact same person. haha It's too good to be true. He's from Idaho and loves football and working out. Wednesday night we boated back to Tol and have been all over the place teaching. We work well together, too. I seriously love my area and never want to leave. The people are amazing. Everyone in my village is so humble and loving. We are all just one big family here. My Chuukese has gotten so much better the past few weeks. I'm now senior companion and lead my area. It's a blast finally knowing enough Chuukese to talk to anyone about almost anything and understanding so much of what people say. I still have lots to learn, but Heavenly Father has also blessed me so much and helped me learn so much Chuukese these past 6 1/2 months. Tol's accent is still a little bit hard and they speak sooooo fast here! It's insane, but I am getting used to it. I love it. I love it here so much! The good days and the bad-- wouldn't trade it for the world.
I love you,
Elder Saylin
EMAIL FROM LAST WEEK: (Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2017)
Momma!!
How are you!!! Hey, so I guess that today is our new p-day!
Thanks for your email! I am so glad you like your presents and the pictures! You sent me a box!? YES, I can't wait to get it. haha It's much needed:) That's so good to hear about Seth! That's super awesome.
AHHHH I'M FREAKING OUT ABOUT SCOTT! That's so lame . I was so pumped to find out where he's going today. I think about it everyday hahaha --so pumped for him!
My area has been super good. More and more people are coming to church and we are getting people callings. Last week we had over 50 at church! Super awesome. We had 6 baptisms again and we're going to have about 25 more this month. It's been so amazing to be a part of this great work in Tol. I could for reals live on that island forever. I'm so in love with the people. They are all just family to me.
Thank you for all the prayers and everything that you have been giving me! Y'all are the best.
Oh and the ukelele "Donner" is supposedly a good brand. Thanks so much! I for reals can't wait to get it. There is not too much to do on p-days haha.
I miss you tons mom!
Elder Saylin
Monday, February 6, 2017
Pictures!!
It's a mission rule to wear life jackets. Grandma Saylin would be happy. In the background is the church on Chuuk where I email home. We come back to this island once a month to email.
Our hut.
Monday, January 23, 2017
Finally, snail mail from Keith!
Hi! Nequnion allim! Amy kich meinisin me, pwan!
Happy new year. How are you guys? Long time no see! I'm living on my island with zero stores or electricity, or really any sign of real life. It's still going to take some time to get used to. Only having sixty minutes to email y'all once a month is a little hard, but I will do my best to write once a week. I want to apologize for not writing more this past transfer. Now that we can only email once a month, I will write snail mail. Outer island is crazy and everyone goes to bed at 8pm. It's soooo hottt. We are exhausted at the end of the day, but that shouldn't be an excuse. I am trying my best. I promise. We boat into zone conference tomorrow so I want to get this to you before we boat back Tol. I guess this letter is my weekly update!
Here's an update on my new area. My village is called Fara. We also teach in the village next to us called Nechocho. Our area is on fire right now. For reals, the people of Fara are amazing. They are some of the most humble, kind, and loving people I have ever met, which even seems to be a little rare in Chuuk because lots of the people here are just crazy and fight. Right now there are so many people to teach so we have just been focusing on Fara. We have 28 inviestogars with a baptismal date right now! This Saturday 14 of them are getting baptized. We have been so busy with trying to teach everyone all the lessons in time so we only have 14 ready. We also have about 20 investigators that want us to teach them so they're on a waiting list. We have zero time to teach more!
My island is pretty much a steep mountain and literally no one lives close to each other so we hike everywhere. Everything is so steep! Legit our legs are jelly at the end of the day. We also sweat buckets because it's either a billion degrees or raining super hard or humid as can be. It's fun. It's a good work out at least.
We also are going to boat out to this super small sandy island off of Tol to have the baptisms or we might go near Wanu, the main island. We can't have them off of Tol because the water is gross unlike the other islands in my district which are gorgeous, paradise islands. My island is still the best. I love it here.
We had a district P-day last Monday. It was for reals the sickest thing ever. We boated to this super tiny island off of Romoluan. Our district went for the whole day with light
blue water and palm trees. I could run around the whole thing in like 30 seconds. Elder I. bought a pig a few weeks ago and has just been feeding it so it got all plump. We brought it with us, killed it, gutted it, and roasted it over a fire. It was so good. We just hung out on the beach all day and found super cools shells and coral. So much fun. Y'all got to see the pictures.
Today we threw a party here in Fara. Yesterday we boated into Wanu and the church gave us $200 to spend on the party. We bought tons of chicken, turkey-tail, Kool_Aid, rice and bread. We boated back with it all and cooked it today at our investigator's house where we hold church. We cooked it all morning until lunch and they also supplied tons of Chuukese food. Probably 70 people came which is pretty much the whole village. It was super fun. We got even more potential investigators. All of our investigators came. We taught ten lessons today and finished teaching everyone for their baptism Saturday.
So you asked about my investigators. The males aren are Ngoni, Nonis, Iwo, James, Oug, Anto, Antion, Antonni, Anton, Siwando, Adk, Serfi, Anti, and Fenter. The women and girls' names are Tawana, Umumuch, Fineina, Sophie, Fian, Fiem, maurin, Petnin, Akwai, Atari, Fenes, and Ataki! Good luck praying for all of them individually. They keep most of their commitments, especially prayer. They all love God here. They struggle with the Word of Wisdom. (Kapasen Emirit). Actually, most of them have already completely stopped drinking. Like I said, people of Fara are the best. Getting permission for baptism from family here is super hard because it's not just the parents that must say yes. It has to be uncles, aunts, grandparents, brothers and sisters...legit everyone. So you either have the whole family or nobody.
Some people can read, but lots can't so we always just read to them. Church is different, but now that we are about to have members and give callings so it will get lots better. Church usually goes for about 20 minutes. haha My companion is branch president and I am first counselor. He leads church, except I think we are going to start switching off every week. It will be hard but it will get me to learn more. We have church under a tarp we hang from a tree to our investigator's tin hut way up the mountain with a beautiful view. We just cut down coconut tree leaves and everyone sits on them. We sing, I bless the sacrament, and Elder M passes it. We both give like three minute talks, we sing, and church is over. It is super cool, though, because it focuses all so much on the sacrament and the people love it. The spirit is super strong. Church is the best part of my week.
We see President Zarbock once every three months when he comes to Chuuk. The 4 zone leaders from Chuuk fly to Guam once a month with all the other zone leaders from outer islands and they see him and have ZLC with them.
You asked what we do after 6pm when we are back to our hut. We have little light. ha It's not the most fun time of my life. We have one light that runs on a car battery. It's usually just so dark. Then we plan and eat something small. We eat everything out of a can. It's an adventure of a lifetime here. I eat the same three things every breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Then I write in my journal. I still haven't missed a day and am still taking on Dad's challenge! Then I have some language study for an hour and then go to bed at about 8 or 9pm. So at the beginning of the month when we go to Wano on our boat, we take out all of our money and buy so much food, spending it all for the month. We put it on the boat and take it to our island and make it last for the month. We just eat canned fruit, Ramen, spaghetti, beans, potatoes and spam. Oh, and pancakes. That's legit it. Everyday.
We can get mail in if zone leaders give it to the boat drivers to give it to us when they pick us up for exchanges or district meetings every week. Lots of time they don't, though. Elder M has been serving 1 1/2 years and finishes in June. So, one package a month should be good. Can you send powdered yogurt and eggs? An Elder had that and you just add water. The yogurt was pretty good. Also powdered mashed potatoes? Also, some sort of flavored water packets. The water is gross. Y'all are the best. You spoil me way too much. Other than that, I am good. I have adjusted to living like a Chuukese person. It's hard but I love it. I just try not to think of everything I used to have and focus on the things I do have. I'm so grateful for everything I have right now. It's way more than anyyone on this island. I am so blessed. You really don't need very many things in this world to be happy: food, a change of clothes, supportive family and friends, and the Gospel of Jesus Christ is all you need. I'm so lucky to have all of that. I couldn't be grateful enough.
I love you.
Elder Saylin
Happy new year. How are you guys? Long time no see! I'm living on my island with zero stores or electricity, or really any sign of real life. It's still going to take some time to get used to. Only having sixty minutes to email y'all once a month is a little hard, but I will do my best to write once a week. I want to apologize for not writing more this past transfer. Now that we can only email once a month, I will write snail mail. Outer island is crazy and everyone goes to bed at 8pm. It's soooo hottt. We are exhausted at the end of the day, but that shouldn't be an excuse. I am trying my best. I promise. We boat into zone conference tomorrow so I want to get this to you before we boat back Tol. I guess this letter is my weekly update!
Here's an update on my new area. My village is called Fara. We also teach in the village next to us called Nechocho. Our area is on fire right now. For reals, the people of Fara are amazing. They are some of the most humble, kind, and loving people I have ever met, which even seems to be a little rare in Chuuk because lots of the people here are just crazy and fight. Right now there are so many people to teach so we have just been focusing on Fara. We have 28 inviestogars with a baptismal date right now! This Saturday 14 of them are getting baptized. We have been so busy with trying to teach everyone all the lessons in time so we only have 14 ready. We also have about 20 investigators that want us to teach them so they're on a waiting list. We have zero time to teach more!
My island is pretty much a steep mountain and literally no one lives close to each other so we hike everywhere. Everything is so steep! Legit our legs are jelly at the end of the day. We also sweat buckets because it's either a billion degrees or raining super hard or humid as can be. It's fun. It's a good work out at least.
We also are going to boat out to this super small sandy island off of Tol to have the baptisms or we might go near Wanu, the main island. We can't have them off of Tol because the water is gross unlike the other islands in my district which are gorgeous, paradise islands. My island is still the best. I love it here.
We had a district P-day last Monday. It was for reals the sickest thing ever. We boated to this super tiny island off of Romoluan. Our district went for the whole day with light
Today we threw a party here in Fara. Yesterday we boated into Wanu and the church gave us $200 to spend on the party. We bought tons of chicken, turkey-tail, Kool_Aid, rice and bread. We boated back with it all and cooked it today at our investigator's house where we hold church. We cooked it all morning until lunch and they also supplied tons of Chuukese food. Probably 70 people came which is pretty much the whole village. It was super fun. We got even more potential investigators. All of our investigators came. We taught ten lessons today and finished teaching everyone for their baptism Saturday.
So you asked about my investigators. The males aren are Ngoni, Nonis, Iwo, James, Oug, Anto, Antion, Antonni, Anton, Siwando, Adk, Serfi, Anti, and Fenter. The women and girls' names are Tawana, Umumuch, Fineina, Sophie, Fian, Fiem, maurin, Petnin, Akwai, Atari, Fenes, and Ataki! Good luck praying for all of them individually. They keep most of their commitments, especially prayer. They all love God here. They struggle with the Word of Wisdom. (Kapasen Emirit). Actually, most of them have already completely stopped drinking. Like I said, people of Fara are the best. Getting permission for baptism from family here is super hard because it's not just the parents that must say yes. It has to be uncles, aunts, grandparents, brothers and sisters...legit everyone. So you either have the whole family or nobody.
Some people can read, but lots can't so we always just read to them. Church is different, but now that we are about to have members and give callings so it will get lots better. Church usually goes for about 20 minutes. haha My companion is branch president and I am first counselor. He leads church, except I think we are going to start switching off every week. It will be hard but it will get me to learn more. We have church under a tarp we hang from a tree to our investigator's tin hut way up the mountain with a beautiful view. We just cut down coconut tree leaves and everyone sits on them. We sing, I bless the sacrament, and Elder M passes it. We both give like three minute talks, we sing, and church is over. It is super cool, though, because it focuses all so much on the sacrament and the people love it. The spirit is super strong. Church is the best part of my week.
We see President Zarbock once every three months when he comes to Chuuk. The 4 zone leaders from Chuuk fly to Guam once a month with all the other zone leaders from outer islands and they see him and have ZLC with them.
You asked what we do after 6pm when we are back to our hut. We have little light. ha It's not the most fun time of my life. We have one light that runs on a car battery. It's usually just so dark. Then we plan and eat something small. We eat everything out of a can. It's an adventure of a lifetime here. I eat the same three things every breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Then I write in my journal. I still haven't missed a day and am still taking on Dad's challenge! Then I have some language study for an hour and then go to bed at about 8 or 9pm. So at the beginning of the month when we go to Wano on our boat, we take out all of our money and buy so much food, spending it all for the month. We put it on the boat and take it to our island and make it last for the month. We just eat canned fruit, Ramen, spaghetti, beans, potatoes and spam. Oh, and pancakes. That's legit it. Everyday.
We can get mail in if zone leaders give it to the boat drivers to give it to us when they pick us up for exchanges or district meetings every week. Lots of time they don't, though. Elder M has been serving 1 1/2 years and finishes in June. So, one package a month should be good. Can you send powdered yogurt and eggs? An Elder had that and you just add water. The yogurt was pretty good. Also powdered mashed potatoes? Also, some sort of flavored water packets. The water is gross. Y'all are the best. You spoil me way too much. Other than that, I am good. I have adjusted to living like a Chuukese person. It's hard but I love it. I just try not to think of everything I used to have and focus on the things I do have. I'm so grateful for everything I have right now. It's way more than anyyone on this island. I am so blessed. You really don't need very many things in this world to be happy: food, a change of clothes, supportive family and friends, and the Gospel of Jesus Christ is all you need. I'm so lucky to have all of that. I couldn't be grateful enough.
I love you.
Elder Saylin
OPENING THE ISLAND OF TON
It has been a while since I've updated Keith's blog. He has been transferred to open a small outer island called Ton (pop. 1,700) where people only speak Chuukese. His companion is from Tonga. We now will only receive an email from him once a month! The church hasn't been on this new island for more than a decade and there is not an organized branch. It is 2.5 miles long and 1.5 miles wide. They meet for church under a tarp they hang and sit on banana leaves. They have a waiting list because so many people want to be taught; there isn't enough time! Many people are being baptized! It is extremely primitive--no running water nor electricity. They cook on a fire outside, boil their drinking water, and live in a tin hut infested with rats. At Christmas he said, "I live with absolutely none of the comforts of the world, but I am so happy!" Well said. The Savior said, "For whosever will save his life shall lose it; and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it." (Matthew 16:25) I believe Keith has found his life and the joys that come from sharing the truths of the gospel and from serving others. ~Jen
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