Hey everybody, I'm sorry I haven't posted anything new for a month. It's not that Elder Winget hasn't been doing anything interesting, it's just that I had some trouble with our photo storage on the computer and Rusty and I finally took the time to sort it all out. NOW I can post new pictures that Collin has been sending us, along with the stories that go with them. And there's a lot of them! So, let's get started...
Here's part of a letter he sent to Rusty early in August:
The weeks are indeed flying by.. it weirds me out that I've got only 30ish weeks left-- I remember when I was dealing with 104 of them and it sounded like an eternity... But really it was pretty short. The MTC was still pretty dang long though. Eugh.
Fast and testimony meetings here in New Caledonia are always a missionary's nightmare. People get up there and say n'importe quoi! (that means... whatever. random stuff. crap. etc.) They get up there and sing, tell stupid meaningless stories, and link strange scriptures together and somehow get to their point. But somehow, our investigators seem to love fast and testimony meeting. I think the thing is that I'm just horrified at what unorthodox things people are saying but the spirit is there regardless because it's sincere and from the heart. It will almost be boring to go home to Orem Utah where people follow the book... you know, don't pop balloons or answer their cell phone during sacrament talks and don't sing or yell during testimony meeting. Oh well. :)
People in New Caledonia always dump their TVs outside on the street. I see probably 10 a day- either TVs, computer monitors, etc. People also dump fans out on the street, and missionaries pick them up and fix them. It's silly and fun. Also this entire country is still on strike- apparently I found out that the strikers are actually blocking roads and getting violent with people trying to go to work and so the store shelves are getting kind of bare- the trucks bringing stuff into town can't get through. And also, the GARBAGe people are on strike.. So Noumea is very stinky these days. Oh well, what can you do.
Well I hope all is well with you. Papa Winge as Elder Ammundsen says. :D I love you. have a great week.
Love,
Elder Winget
Also a big American Navy ship came into Dock in Noumea.. It was awesome. When we came around the corner and saw that American flag, it was amazing. Not a lot of American ships come in.. Once every few years maybe. A Mormon guy got off the ship and said hey elders! He explained their mission and stuff- he's a navy doctor stationed in Guam, and they are touring the really poor islands to give free medical care.. Noumea is just a "fun stop" he said. But I was really amazed at what cool stuff the US Navy does for people.. We hear about the crappy stuff on the news every day "spun" to make the US sound horrible.. But really they're doing good things for people every day.. And we don't ever hear about it. I love america.
...
So I had a bunch of CLB rings.. I found some in my apartment and I rounded up all the ones you sent me, and I ended up with 21 rings. So I wear one on my pinky all the time and whenever any kids comment on it I give it to them. So I've been giving them out from time to time. So I think I told you about the drunk guy on the street, whose name was "Manos"... (hands..??) who said Hey, give me that ring! And I'm like okay... here you go. He said he'd give it to his daughter. Anyway, that was a few weeks ago. So this monday we were walking back from internet to our house, and this drunk guy sitting on a wall was like hey! stop! Who are you guys? etc etc. We told him a little bit and he told us our religion was a cult and that we're satan's friends and stuff and we're like yeah yeah okay. And he's like hey! I hear you give out rings! And i'm like... What?? You mean like.. this one? And I held up mine and he's like yeah! And i'm like woah, woah, how'd you know I have a ring? And he's like... My friend told me! And i'm like whoah, is this.. Manos!? And he's like yeah!! SO i said well, if I give this to you, you have to choose the right! And he said yeah I'll do it.. blah blah so I gave it to him. I thought that would be the end of it.... But then last night we were walking down our street on our way home, it was about 9:00 and this lady comes running after us and was like hey!! Do you give out rings?! ANd I'm like..... Yeah.. I guess so... And she's like hey, I want one! And I'm like.. Well, do you know what it means? This says CLB- Choisir le Bien. When we look at it, it reminds us to keep God's Commandments. If you want to do something bad, look down and it will remind you to keep the commandments. If I give you this ring, will you choose the right? And she promised me she would... So i gave it to her. So weirdly enough, there are 3 grown people running around Noumea wearing children's CLB rings. I hope it helps them to choose the right.
....
Now, here's some news from Aug. 9 :
Let me tell you about my week.. We didn't get very many lessons, but we did get a baptism. It went well and everything worked out. No I didn't get to use my white pants- although I actually did use them for when Soane got baptised last August. Ausia is a very large guy- my companion says he'd be a good NFL linebacker. But he's a very gentle giant. And then the guy who baptised him is also very very large. So they got out the big jumpsuit tihngs. It went very well - All the missionaries came, besides those out in Exile (Paita, Boulouparis, Borail) and they all brought amis. There were about 15 or so at the baptism.. That's always really good because the spirit is relaly strong at baptisms- and feeling the spirit is the most important thing for an ami to feel. Our amis didn't come, but one got baptised so that's good enough, eh? :)
So everything went according to plan. Almost boring when that happens- but I'm not complaining. :) Other than that, not a whole lot happened. My shoes are on their last stretch- My 1st pair of sandals died months ago and I bought some new ones and THOSE died- and now these ones have huge holes in the bottoms and hurt my feet. BUT I made insoles for them out of tape and cardboard, and it actually works really well. I am in the middle of sewing them together too- there is a part that completely blew out so I have to sew it. I already sewed it once but it didn't stay so this time I'm sewing heavy duty. It's amazing that my silly little needle can cut all the way through leather and rubber.. It's a little bent, but it works. :D I'm happy they're not completely dead though- and I'm not spending more money on stupid shoes. Blah. Other than that, at the baptism on saturday- --- we were talking to a member and she asked us which members fed us this week and we said well... Only the Sekeme family. And she was like whaT?! The members aren't feeding you? I have to buy you dinner! And we're like oh no, we're fine.. She's not in our area but she's in our branch- so we can't relaly go eat at her house. But she said woah no I have to feed you-- can I buy you groceries? Make a list and I'll buy it. And we're like no, we don't need anything.. don't worry about us.. And then that night at about 9:00 she pulls up with about 50 dollars worth of food and says I didn't know what you liked so I hope this works!! She bought us frozen pizzas, ice cream, ham and cheese and bread and butter and.. hmm.. oh yeah chocolate. And we're like oh no we can't take this-- but she insisted and so we're going to eat well this week. :) We started marinating our stake on Friday night and still haven't had the chance to make it- so we're going to eat really really well marinated stake on Tuesday night.. :D
So, are you still with me? You haven't fallen asleep yet? Well if you're still reading, you must really be an Elder Winget fan! That makes me happy :) Okay, on to more stories and pictures, which I will put in another post.
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