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Before Elder Tulane left for Vava'u there were various threats of tsunami and earthquakes.Elder Tulane wrote:
October 1, 2009
"Hey yeah it was kinda funny. Yesterday morning I was laying in bed and thought I felt a kinda weak earthquake and then a few minutes later our ZL's came over and told us about the tsunami. They were going to come back in a few minutes to take us to mission headquarters. Well we went to a store while we were waiting for them to come back and the radio was on so we heard about Samoa and stuff...I'm OK though so don't worry. Everything is fine. As far as I know nothing happened to Tonga at all."
So Elder Tulane had a few tsunami adventures, and then got sent to Leimatu'a, Vava'u, which, as you can see in the pictures, was breathtakingly beautiful!
(click to expand)"Hey. Vava'u is good. The boat took a full 24 hours and we made a few stops at islands along the way. I got a little more sea sick than I thought I would but nothing bad. There were a few hours when there wasn’t any land in sight. It was crazy. There are hills up here and I like that better than flat. It’s hard being senior companion. I’m constantly learning patience in this mission and how to deal with people."
Video of the boat ride:
November 11, 2009
"My week has just been normal. We have had a few teachings but I don't know how serious the people were about it. We spend most of our time just visiting members and asking them if they need help with anything...Oh yeah I forgot you asked about my living conditions. They are probably the worst I've had yet but I don't even care. I love it. I want to be able to say I lived like a barbarian on my mission haha."
December 9, 2009
"Hey thanks! I cant believe it's already been a year. I am very warm, the weather almost never goes below 80 haha. I don't miss the snow at all. The work is OK. Not teaching anybody at the moment but I love my companion. Today was zone conference and it was really good."
January 2010 came around, and so did transfers. Elder Tulane got some exciting news.
January 12, 2010
"Hey I'm so glad you wrote early because I have some big news. Transfers were on Monday and I'm moving. I didn't want to leave Vava'u so soon but I'm really excited about my new area. It's a little island called Ha'afeva. Its in the Ha'apai island group and about an hour long boat ride to the nearest missionaries. I will eat almost entirely fish and might get to even go to a few of the close islands for a few days at a time. There is no electricity so I won't be able to email so expect this to be the last one you get from me for a few months.
It's going be really tough but this is what I've been waiting for ever since I got my call to Tonga. I think I'm leaving tomorrow. Well I love you and am going to miss not being able to talk to you every week but I am very excited for the adventure ahead. I hope everything is going well. Love ya."
Elder Tulane
Elder Tulane
