Elder Payne's letter to the Academy Heights Ward - Primary Children

Dear Primary!                                                             September 11, 2014

First, here in Chuuk we greet each other with 'Ran Allim'!  I am sorry that it took me so long to write back to you guys.  It has been quite busy here teaching the people of Chuuk about Jesus Krist and everything He did for us.  I love it here in Chuuk.  It is hot but it rains a ton here so sometimes it gets a little colder, ha ha.

I have eaten dog, but other people usually save it for birthdays or other special occasions.  Some other things I have eaten, octopus (in Chuukese - nipatz), shark (poko), turtle (pwapwa (with long A sounds)), coconut, and crab (amatang).  We eat tons of bananas and drink lots of coconut water.  I love coconuts!

The people here really love and respect the missionaries and they really love Jesus and want to do what he wants them to do.

I will end with my testimony.  I know that this church is true and that God's Priesthood or His power and His authority to baptize and act in His name is in this church. That means that this church, Ewe Mwichifenen Jises Krist ren Aramas mi Pin non Fanson Spodon (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) is the true church of Christ, me wa apasa ekkei mettoch fan itan Jises Krist, amen.

Love Elder Payne

Elder Payne and Chuuk Primary Children

Elder Payne and even more Primary Children

Sunset in the State of Chuuk, Micronesia

The church building on the island of Moen in Chuuk

Beautiful Chuuk Lagoon

Typical hike to visit the people on the island

Elder Payne visiting the children on the island of Uman

Fish and rice for dinner.

Letter from Uman

Dear Family,                                   Sept. 10, 2014

Super sorry for not "snail mailing" recently, it has been long busy days here in Uman.  I am doing good, just working and trying to baptize all of Uman...  That plan is moving slow but will happen at some time, Ha ha.  No, but really, Uman is a cool place.  It is interesting having a whole island as my area, ha ha.  Kind of makes me feel like a missionary way back in the day when they had whole countries or states as their missions.

Well chuuk is still the same except for President Zarbock is really cracking down on mission rules.  All the missionaries in Chuuk came in for a Zone Conference where the president reminded all the missionaries of the rules.  It was way super good because wee needed the reminders.  It's been hard to hard to keep the schedule.  Also socks are extremely hard to wear because they get dirty and destroyed fast.  Now the zone is being very obedient and it is bringing huge blessings (still not sure what blessings come from wearing socks, but there must be some, ha ha).

Change of subject... Christmas is coming! It hasn't gotten any colder here, which is definately wierd and makes me miss the different seasons.  No change in seasons means there isn't a break from mosquitos, but that's life here in Chuuk.  Mom asked what I want for Christmas, and thinking about it, maybe ties and pictures would be about it for this year (of course food and candy will always be gratefully appreciated).  I am very excited and nervous for my first Christmas away from home.  Excited because I get to spend Christmas here in Chuuk, nervous and kind of bummed that I don't get to spend it with all of you guys.  But I do send my love with this letter, ha ha.  I will call from a cell phone at the appointed time, ha ha, no early call this year so I can talk to you guys with no osukosuk (problems).  I wont even try to skype because it was too stupid last time.

Well I will wrap this up with my testimony of obedience.  I know that blessings only come when we obey.  If we are disobedient we do not receive blessings, it's as simple as that.  There is not grey lines in this principle because you personally know what is right and what is wrong.  When you disobey no one is responsible but you. You made the choice and that is beautiful and comforting to me personally because that means that even Satan in all his power can do nothing to "force" you to sin.  The choice is always yours and God will not let any temptation come to us that is too much for us to say "no" to (see 1 Corinthians 10:13).  I love the gospel  and I love our Lord and Savior.

I love you guys and always pray for you!

Love Elder Jeff Payne

There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

1 Corinthians 10:13

Home in Uman.

Jeff's source of electricity - solar panels outside the apartment charges the batteries during the day.

Multi-purpose furniture.  A bed and a table.  IKEA eat your hear out!

Elder Fermanis preps the firewood.

Elder Payne cooking rice over a fire (they were out of propane that day).

Elder Payne on P-Day relaxing.

What's for dinner?

Let's eat!

Elder Payne in Uman.

Pictures from Zone Conference - September 19, 2014

Jeff still hasn't had a chance to send us an e-mail since being transferred to the island of Uman.  But President Zarbock posted some pictures from the Zone Conference they just held.

We are still waiting for any letter via regular mail.   But it great to see him!

Thanks President Zarbock we love the pictures!

The Elders practice teaching and role-play different scenarios.

Elder Payne studying the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Just a little break from their studies.

They hold Zone Conference at the Chuuk Blue Lagoon Resort.

Chuuk Zone - September 2014

Elder Payne Transferred to Uman

Jeff wrote a short e-mail this week to let us know he has been transferred.  His new area is the small island of Uman.  South of the island of Weno.  His new companion is Elder Fermanis who is from New Zealand.

He will only be able to e-mail us about once a month.  Continue to send regular letters to the main Chuuk Zone post office box:

Elder Jeff Payne
P.O. Box 861
Moen Chuuk, FSM   96942

We had sent Jeff a package a while ago and he let us know that, "The Red Robins Salt is like gold here".  He is in need of some new pants because he has lost a lot of weight.  Something more sturdy like Dickies.  We will have to get them in the mail - they might make it to him by Christmas.

That's the report for this week.  The rest of this week's e-mail was just answers to other personal questions.

Stay tuned...  He promised a 'big letter'.