TAHITI!
Last week, the last thing we heard from Mickey was her crying. She was scared and nervous to leave a place of familiarity and family, but excited to go to Tahiti to love the people and teach them about Jesus Christ.
SHE ARRIVED.
Since we hadn't been able to talk to her all week. (TORTURE - just so you know!!) we were anxious.
Brad and I knew being in Tahiti would be an adjustment for Mickey and we had our ideas of what would be big changes, but we needed to hear from the source (Mickey!) how she was doing.
When "P" Day FINALLY arrived - my patience turned into agony as
I waited
...and waited
...and waited
to hear from Mickey. With the 4 hour time difference - it seemed like the hours doubled and tripled as we had to patiently wait for her to make contact. She eventually did and it was like music to my ears until I heard this:
When "P" Day FINALLY arrived - my patience turned into agony as
I waited
...and waited
...and waited
to hear from Mickey. With the 4 hour time difference - it seemed like the hours doubled and tripled as we had to patiently wait for her to make contact. She eventually did and it was like music to my ears until I heard this:
"MISSIONS ARE HARD"
"That's all I have to say."
It has been a hard week for Mickey (and us) -
^^If this makes you want to grab a tissue, you're not alone!
We continually prayed for her as we knew she would have to make the necessary adjustments from the MTC to being a real life missionary in Tahiti.
...a life we knew would be so different than what she has EVER seen.
"Seriously, it's hard.
Missions are not for the faint hearted."
The adjustment has been hard.
Before I go into what life has been like for her - let me tell you a little bit about the area she is in.
Sœur Wright has been assigned to a little "commune" on the northern coast of Tahiti named Mahina (about 25 miles from Papeete). It's only about 9 meters above sea level and its' area is roughly 20 square miles. Mahina is the third largest city in French Polynesia with a population of just over 14,300 people and even more dogs.
"Oh yeah, and I can wait to have a dog that isn't trying to kill me.
There are SOOOOO many dogs here. Like everywhere."
When I asked Sœur Wright about the area, she said:
"It's a little area. Like 2 streets.
I am currently serving in the ghetto.
Literally, culture shock is real. I'm not even kidding. Culture SHOCK.
They are sooooo poor here. Most people don't even have running water. It's so gross. No one uses soap to wash their hands. Not even in the church. You never find napkins. Also, most people don't have toilet paper. Lizards are everywhere."
Mickey lives in a humble little house with 5 other sisters. Luckily, they have two bathrooms!
(Can you imagine 6 girls sharing one bathroom?!)
"NO TOILET SEAT, JESS.
NONE. NOT EVEN ONE.
I might cry every time I sit on it.
...and most people don't even wipe.
"I've had diarrhea all week.
ALL WEEK."
"My bed is not comfy - worse than the MTC
...but it's super poor here, so I'm just grateful to have a bed."
"I guess it's a fairly nice house, but I really don't think it is."
"We get fed every night and sometimes for lunch too."
Mickey hasn't had to cook yet. "We eat a lot of leftovers, which I'm not a fan of.
I miss home food more than ANYTHING. No joke."
The supermarkets are like "Lins" but the meat is hanging raw and the eggs aren't refrigerated. All the breads are out for anyone to touch.
"It is a bit of culture shock."
^^Poisson Cru - raw fish served in coconut milk.
Mickey said it pretty much tasted like a REALLY chewy salad. Sœur Teahu has Steak Fritte.
They eat a LOT of fruit. Below is Ranbouton. It's a goopy, sweet. It's good.
Sœur Teahu is Mickey's first companion and is a native Tahitian. She has been out for 10 months and speaks English only because her companions have taught it to her on her mission. Mickey says she probably speaks the same amount of English as she does French and it works.
When I asked Mickey how she liked Sœur Teahu she said,
"She's wonderful! Change for me is really difficult, however, she's been very welcoming and comforting. Every morning when I cry, she tries to comfort me and tells me that I can do it!"
Mickey said she really doesn't know any of the other sisters living in their house (yet) but they all seem nice. The sisters she shares a home with are:
>>Sœur. Garbutt (new and from Tahiti)
>>Sœur. Mendenhall (from St. George, Utah!)
>>Sœur. Kenney (from New Zealand)
>>Sœur. Barton (from Colorado)
We don't have a picture of them all yet, but hopefully next week.
They all get along so far and even cleaned together. Mickey said it was good and they are all nice to each other - but it's only been a week. One sister is pretty messy, but other than that, they are all good.
On a more positive note:
I asked Sœur Wright to tell me what she has enjoyed. This was her response:
"Jess, I know I am serving in paradise, and it is pretty, but it is SO hard!
There is a new girl in our house. I really love her, but she doesn't speak any English.
I have enjoyed how happy the people are here and the food is good. They have so much flavor.
I can't stress enough how hard of a change it is. However, I did invite someone to be baptized this week, and she said yes, so that was cool. I guess this is a really high baptizing area because everyone is so poor. I really do love it here. It is great, but every morning, I wake up questioning EVERYTHING, but it's not worth going home. I'm trying."
Mickey's day consists of a LOT of study time which she was surprised by. She does at least 4 hours of study, teaches about 5 lessons every day and walks a LOT. She has a biking mission, but she hasn't gotten her bike yet. She did borrow a bike from someone, but it got a flat tire the first time she rode it. She also said, "You don't know how hard it is until you ride a bike in a SKIRT." haha! I'll bet! On a good note: They have 3 investigators getting baptized on Tuesday (TODAY!). I'm excited about this for her and I'm hoping it will bring perspective and remind her that though she is experiencing hardships, she is helping to be a tool for others to experience the joy the gospel brings. To me, it's irony. Jesus Christ suffered so that he could not only know what each of us goes through, but so he could give us the opportunity to return to our Heavenly Father's presence. She is smack dab in the middle of that. Going through hard times as He did but also she's the tool to help so many others come unto Him. What a gift she will be to the people of Tahiti. What a blessing this is for her life as she gains wisdom and knowledge. At times, it's hard to see when we are right in the middle of it all, but I know she will get through the hard stuff like she did in the MTC and each day and week will get easier and before she knows it, she will be sad to leave this culture and people that will no doubt grow on her. We are so blessed in this gospel (and to live in the Promised Land!).
I can't help but wonder if we take time to realize that often enough?
Sunday, Mickey was able to go to a "mission concert" (which is a devotional where the missionaries get to perform for the members.) She was able to see all the people from her MTC district and see how they were doing. They all sang songs as a mission. She said all she got from it was that Jesus gave his WHOLE life for her. The least she could do was give a few months of hers. ♥ She said she was grateful to be there, but it is FAR from easy. She decided that the hardest part is not knowing French. She just wants to know it so she can share the gospel effectively. That being said, she knows it will come. Everyone tells her she is doing a great job and that it will come a little at a time.
I reminded Mickey that she was very intelligent and to trust in that gift as well as the gift of tongues (which she has also been blessed with!) I also reminded her that she is a hard worker and doesn't give up easily, to which she replied, "If I gave up easily, you'd best believe I'd be home already. Guaranteed." ...thank goodness Mickey's not a quiter! (That's for sure a Wright gene!)
Sœur Wright came into the mission during the middle of a transfer period so transfers will happen in 3 weeks. She's hoping not to get transferred.
I will end with my most favorite thing Mickey said - it's testimony if you ask me. ♥ I asked her to tell me of a time when she felt the Spirit the most in the past week. She answered: "Last night (this would have actually been Sunday). Singing in French. I am so glad to be here. I am doing the Lord's work!! I am WORTHY and I am willing (most of the time!) It is an honor to be here!
^^my FAVORITE picture this week! I love that smiling face! ♥
Brad and I are proud of Mickey. Sure, she has some frustrations - but wouldn't we if we were put in her same circumstances? She is trying to have a positive outlook and one day she'll be able to look back on these thoughts and know that they are what helped her develop a stronger testimony and a deeper love for our Savior, Jesus Christ. Please continue to pray for Sœur Wright!
Je T'aime,
Aunt Jess♥
By the way, In case you are wondering: Mickey didn't have time to write a group letter so she asked me to. I didn't want to "pretend" to be her so I took most all of our conversations and put it into this format.
^^ Sœur Wright's first day in Tahiti.
^^Mosquitos love "Popaa" (white people)
It has been a hard week for Mickey (and us) -
We continually prayed for her as we knew she would have to make the necessary adjustments from the MTC to being a real life missionary in Tahiti.
...a life we knew would be so different than what she has EVER seen.
"Seriously, it's hard.
Missions are not for the faint hearted."
The adjustment has been hard.
Before I go into what life has been like for her - let me tell you a little bit about the area she is in.
Sœur Wright has been assigned to a little "commune" on the northern coast of Tahiti named Mahina (about 25 miles from Papeete). It's only about 9 meters above sea level and its' area is roughly 20 square miles. Mahina is the third largest city in French Polynesia with a population of just over 14,300 people and even more dogs.
"Oh yeah, and I can wait to have a dog that isn't trying to kill me.
There are SOOOOO many dogs here. Like everywhere."
When I asked Sœur Wright about the area, she said:
"It's a little area. Like 2 streets.
I am currently serving in the ghetto.
Literally, culture shock is real. I'm not even kidding. Culture SHOCK.
They are sooooo poor here. Most people don't even have running water. It's so gross. No one uses soap to wash their hands. Not even in the church. You never find napkins. Also, most people don't have toilet paper. Lizards are everywhere."
Mickey lives in a humble little house with 5 other sisters. Luckily, they have two bathrooms!
(Can you imagine 6 girls sharing one bathroom?!)
"NO TOILET SEAT, JESS.
NONE. NOT EVEN ONE.
I might cry every time I sit on it.
...and most people don't even wipe.
"I've had diarrhea all week.
ALL WEEK."
"My bed is not comfy - worse than the MTC
...but it's super poor here, so I'm just grateful to have a bed."
"I guess it's a fairly nice house, but I really don't think it is."
"We get fed every night and sometimes for lunch too."
Mickey hasn't had to cook yet. "We eat a lot of leftovers, which I'm not a fan of.
I miss home food more than ANYTHING. No joke."
The supermarkets are like "Lins" but the meat is hanging raw and the eggs aren't refrigerated. All the breads are out for anyone to touch.
"It is a bit of culture shock."
^^Poisson Cru - raw fish served in coconut milk.
Mickey said it pretty much tasted like a REALLY chewy salad. Sœur Teahu has Steak Fritte.
They eat a LOT of fruit. Below is Ranbouton. It's a goopy, sweet. It's good.
Sœur Teahu is Mickey's first companion and is a native Tahitian. She has been out for 10 months and speaks English only because her companions have taught it to her on her mission. Mickey says she probably speaks the same amount of English as she does French and it works.
"She's wonderful! Change for me is really difficult, however, she's been very welcoming and comforting. Every morning when I cry, she tries to comfort me and tells me that I can do it!"
Mickey said she really doesn't know any of the other sisters living in their house (yet) but they all seem nice. The sisters she shares a home with are:
>>Sœur. Garbutt (new and from Tahiti)
>>Sœur. Mendenhall (from St. George, Utah!)
>>Sœur. Kenney (from New Zealand)
>>Sœur. Barton (from Colorado)
We don't have a picture of them all yet, but hopefully next week.
They all get along so far and even cleaned together. Mickey said it was good and they are all nice to each other - but it's only been a week. One sister is pretty messy, but other than that, they are all good.
On a more positive note:
I asked Sœur Wright to tell me what she has enjoyed. This was her response:
"Jess, I know I am serving in paradise, and it is pretty, but it is SO hard!
There is a new girl in our house. I really love her, but she doesn't speak any English.
I have enjoyed how happy the people are here and the food is good. They have so much flavor.
I can't stress enough how hard of a change it is. However, I did invite someone to be baptized this week, and she said yes, so that was cool. I guess this is a really high baptizing area because everyone is so poor. I really do love it here. It is great, but every morning, I wake up questioning EVERYTHING, but it's not worth going home. I'm trying."
Mickey's day consists of a LOT of study time which she was surprised by. She does at least 4 hours of study, teaches about 5 lessons every day and walks a LOT. She has a biking mission, but she hasn't gotten her bike yet. She did borrow a bike from someone, but it got a flat tire the first time she rode it. She also said, "You don't know how hard it is until you ride a bike in a SKIRT." haha! I'll bet! On a good note: They have 3 investigators getting baptized on Tuesday (TODAY!). I'm excited about this for her and I'm hoping it will bring perspective and remind her that though she is experiencing hardships, she is helping to be a tool for others to experience the joy the gospel brings. To me, it's irony. Jesus Christ suffered so that he could not only know what each of us goes through, but so he could give us the opportunity to return to our Heavenly Father's presence. She is smack dab in the middle of that. Going through hard times as He did but also she's the tool to help so many others come unto Him. What a gift she will be to the people of Tahiti. What a blessing this is for her life as she gains wisdom and knowledge. At times, it's hard to see when we are right in the middle of it all, but I know she will get through the hard stuff like she did in the MTC and each day and week will get easier and before she knows it, she will be sad to leave this culture and people that will no doubt grow on her. We are so blessed in this gospel (and to live in the Promised Land!).
I can't help but wonder if we take time to realize that often enough?
Sunday, Mickey was able to go to a "mission concert" (which is a devotional where the missionaries get to perform for the members.) She was able to see all the people from her MTC district and see how they were doing. They all sang songs as a mission. She said all she got from it was that Jesus gave his WHOLE life for her. The least she could do was give a few months of hers. ♥ She said she was grateful to be there, but it is FAR from easy. She decided that the hardest part is not knowing French. She just wants to know it so she can share the gospel effectively. That being said, she knows it will come. Everyone tells her she is doing a great job and that it will come a little at a time.
I reminded Mickey that she was very intelligent and to trust in that gift as well as the gift of tongues (which she has also been blessed with!) I also reminded her that she is a hard worker and doesn't give up easily, to which she replied, "If I gave up easily, you'd best believe I'd be home already. Guaranteed." ...thank goodness Mickey's not a quiter! (That's for sure a Wright gene!)
Sœur Wright came into the mission during the middle of a transfer period so transfers will happen in 3 weeks. She's hoping not to get transferred.
I will end with my most favorite thing Mickey said - it's testimony if you ask me. ♥ I asked her to tell me of a time when she felt the Spirit the most in the past week. She answered: "Last night (this would have actually been Sunday). Singing in French. I am so glad to be here. I am doing the Lord's work!! I am WORTHY and I am willing (most of the time!) It is an honor to be here!
Brad and I are proud of Mickey. Sure, she has some frustrations - but wouldn't we if we were put in her same circumstances? She is trying to have a positive outlook and one day she'll be able to look back on these thoughts and know that they are what helped her develop a stronger testimony and a deeper love for our Savior, Jesus Christ. Please continue to pray for Sœur Wright!
Je T'aime,
Aunt Jess♥
By the way, In case you are wondering: Mickey didn't have time to write a group letter so she asked me to. I didn't want to "pretend" to be her so I took most all of our conversations and put it into this format.
^^ Sœur Wright's first day in Tahiti.
^^Mosquitos love "Popaa" (white people)
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