Hello Everyone,

Koe faingamalie fakaofaofa ko eni ke fai ha kii tohi atu ka moutolu. (I'm grateful for this opportunity that I'm able to write to you guys).

oku tomua fie tuku ha fkmalo ki he Tamai Hevani ihe ngaahi tapuaki kuo Ne tuku mai kiate au pea moe faingamalie nau ma'u ke taa'i ki api he sapate kuo osi. (First of all, I want to thank our Heavenly Father for the blessings and the opportunity to speak to my family on Mother's Day)

I want to wish my mum a happy mothers day as well as all the aunties and grandmas in my life. Thank you so much for your sacrifice and the wonderful job you have all done in raising me and raising your kids. 

It was great to call home and talk to the fam. In which during my call I felt like I just needed to put a little more effort into writing my emails so... I guess I'll do that - haha Nah, jokes. 

But this week has been full of change. I got a new comp and a new area. I am comped with a palangi (white guy) named Elder Earl and I'm serving in Maufanga. So I will have now served in every area in this vahe (area). First in Popua, then in Houmakelikau and now in Maufanga. I am pretty sure the Lord has me here for a reason if I keep coming back and I can't leave hahaha Nah it's pretty slick here. I am also right next to the Tonga Fit Club where I can lift to get some masolos (muscles) lolz.

My area is real small but the work I heard is rollin' and I think I'll also just finish here as well. There is one guy here named Kung and this guy half Asian half Tongan and he is really spiritual.  I was told he was able to go from a pack a day I guess to one cig a day - I was like dang bruh he must really wanna get papied  (baptized)but the only thing is the mom is like nuh he needs to be fully converted and not just taught then baptized which  is alright so you know we're working with that guy. He's a good bloke honestly. 

But man my testimony has really been strengthened in the gift of the Holy Ghost and His role in our everyday lives. 

I noticed that, and I'm sure many of you can relate, but when I read my scriptures I feel such a strong spirit of what I am reading is true and the doctrines and the teachings found in the scriptures.  What's interesting to me is I don't really notice I need to read the scriptures until I actually start reading. Like for example through out the day I'll do my thing and vilo (prosylete) and talk with members and eat fafangas and what not but then when I sit down either in the morning or at night to read my scriptures I feel like that was the thing that was missing for me even though I felt the Spirit that day or did some service, when I read my scriptures it brings a whole different perspective into my life.  I'm not just thinking about the work or the people or myself, I'm feeling like I'm being taught. I know that the scriptures are the word of God and that He set them here on this earth not to just read and hear stories about people coming from Jerusalem to America and people burying their swords, but to be taught and study and to hear the words directly from the Lord. Even though there's not a conversation with anyone during scripture study, I feel the Lord answering my questions and more or less having a conversation with me in a way through the scriptures. I wish I could explain it better in English, haha but I know that the scriptures are true and I know that it is through them we receive truth and when we study with an open heart and you are open to learn and hear the words of the Lord, you will gain great knowledge and answers and "all manner" of things. I just hope that you all continue to read your scriptures prayerfully and stay on the path to eternal life.

Ofa lahi atu

Love Elder Mafi

(sorry for spelling and slang haha)

Dearest Family and Friends,

It is with a thankful, enlightened heart that I add a few words to Kalisi's blog today. 

As most of you have undoubtedly heard, Tonga suffered a category 4/5 cyclone last week.  The worst in the history of the island. Cyclone Gita passed directly through where Elder Mafi is serving at this time. 

February 11th/12th (Washington's Sunday, Tonga's Monday) I received a brief message from Kalisi saying he was at the church building where the missionaries were told to take refuge in the hopes that they would be protected. They took nothing except their scriptures from their MQ as they were told to get to the church immediately. He even left his uke.

In response to his message, I asked if he was scared he said, " ...the sea is very angry...I'm right on the sea...I hope I live...I could die, but I think if I follow the Spirit, I won't..."

We joked around a little bit back and forth, mostly because we were worried. Then he dropped off. Neither of us got to say, "I love you."

Much of the night was restless, I played games on my phone to occupy my mind in between sleep and prayers. Intermittently, I would see posts from the Kapps, a Sr. couple serving on Kalisi's Island. For some miraculous reason, they never lost power or internet connection. They documented the storm all through the night as they battled an insurgence of water through their doors and windows.  

(kennybecky.blogspot.com for real videos and post-storm pictures)

I felt in my heart that Kalisi would make it through and be alright. 

The next couple of days were filled with faith. Faith in the Lord and faith in the feelings that I had. Faith in what church leaders were relaying to us from Tonga, all the missionaries were accounted for and safe. But I still hadn't heard directly from Kalisi.

On the 13th Elder Kapp messaged me and said he had a short email from Kalisi (below).

Hey mom what's up?
I'm here at the chapel with the Kapps andI'mm emailing you on his i pad thing. Anyway how are you guys? Hope everything is good. We're here just cleaning up and picking up all the trash, reroofing homes and putting in house walls. But the storm was insane! I have lots to tell you but for now I gotta make it quick cause I gotta let my comp email.
Ofa lahi atu and no need to worry I am ok, haha.
Love you mom and fam

I'm not going to lie, I wept. 

Relief is a powerful emotion. 

Anyone who's stuck with this story so far I want you to know that my faith is strong in the promises of our Heavenly Father. It did cross my mind that I may not see my son again in this life,
when we said goodbye at the Sea-tac airport August 2016 nobody handed me a signed paper that said, "your son will come back to you alive and well." I have always been right with that. When a child goes on a mission, everyone in the family makes sacrifices. For me it's been like laying a piece of my soul on the altar. I smile when I say this, but why didn't anyone tell me it would be so hard? It wasn't even this hard when I was on my own mission. I have been honored to do it, Kalisi is not my possession to hide or keep to myself. 

What I want to convey most of all is this: we all live by faith. Faith that the food we eat will help us maintain energy. Faith that if we go to work we'll make money. Faith that if we give love, we'll get love. Faith that planting seeds in springtime will bring vegetables and berries in the summer. Faith that our lives will be better guided as we read the scriptures. Faith that if we simply do what is right, despite what others may think, it will be worth it.

I boldly testify that like the relief I felt in receiving a tangible, bonafide email from Kalisi, will be the same relief we will feel when we see our Savior Jesus Christ again because He is real.  In that same moment I felt relief about my son, I knew that the faith I strive to live by would come to pass and be a reality as I touch the nail scars in the hands and feet of Christ.  That day will come.  It will come for all of us. 

Kalisi's mission has made me painfully yet wonderfully aware of what I lack. It has been in my spiritual shortcomings that I have grown. I could use some great pottery analogies right here, but I'll let you imagine them for yourselves...haha.

Let us all be thankful. Let us recognize our blessings. Our devoted friends. Our loyal family. Our Heavenly Father who, I declare, in faith, allows us to choose for ourselves what we will become, and who will guide us in all our righteous hopes and desires. 

With Love, Heidi jo

Kalisi and companion after Gita. (Note: Vienna Sausage can haha)

Family & Friends,


Transfers just happened and I am still here in Navutoka, Tonga'tapu. I am still working as the district leader for my district. Navutoka is kind of a beachy area, we're right on the shore. It's pretty cool "for-shore," hahaha jokes!

But I got a new companion aye? Pretty excited to work with him here. His name is Elder Hirinuki from New Zealand and we're teaching many discussions and have a few baptisms lined up so the Lord for sure been helping out a lot with the work here in Navutoka. The only struggles here are small ones. Like fafanga not being lava (dinner appointments not happening) and the people of other churches being fakamahuahu (snobby, or sticking their nose up) to us just stuff like that and that's not even bad you know? So like im just really happy. The people that aren't stuck up are really nice and love us and we love them, well, we even love the stuck up ones (maybe not as much but still, haha). 
But this area is fakalata atu (very enjoyable). 

There was this one time this past week, it was interesting what the Spirit whispered to me.  We were walking to the different member's homes and the Spirit was like, "hey you should go see your family over in Manuka" (manuka is another area we cover about 2 km from where we live), but then the Spirit said, "but they don't really wanna see you, but you should just drop by anyway." I was kinda laughing to myself like ah that's kinda silly. Why would the Spirit say that? But I was so curious to see if He was right and so we walked all the way to tbe family's house and it was EXACTLY like how He said it would be! We were asking how their day was and if there was anything we could help them with, but they were just sitting there watching their Indian movie, not really caring that we were there to see them.
The thing I learned is, I feel there is always a reason for the Spirit to lead you to do something so follow it whenever it prompts you to do it. Because even though the people I went to see didn't want to see us, the Spirit was still right, you know, big picture-wise.
This experience has helped me become more familiar with the Spirit and get to know who he is and how the Lord works through him. 

I'm so happy to be working here again in this area and to be here to serve the Lord.

I wish all you guys a great week.
Ofa lahi atu kiate kimoutolu ( I love you all)

Elder Mafi

Kalisi has been transferred from the small island of Eua to the main island of Tonga' tapu. He is currently the district leader in his area. This means he helps support and guide other missionaries and the work in that particular part of the island.

What it do cuzzies?

We do a lot of walking in my new area and it's pretty good cause I can stand to lose some kgs. 

There have been some rule changes, one, for example, is that we're going back to wearing sandals...too bad I gave mine away at the beginning of my mission. haha

Being district leader is a new experience. It's kind of like raising a puppy. You have to take care of that little puppy, even in the middle of the night, not because you have to, but because you want to see that little puppy grow.

It's crazy how the time just floats on past and you're like, whoa, aye, almost done! I'm on my last 6 months. I feel bad for my momz though, and the rest of the fam. My grandma was saying it feels like I've been gone forever. What's short for me seems long for the fam. This week has been extra special because we were able to baptize 3 people, teaching makes the time fly. I am loving life here.

 I just want to say if you're reading this on the blog, whoever you are, think about the first person that pops into your head, you should get a hold of them and do something Christ-like for them. Your out of the blue service will let them know you care and because of your willingness to serve, the Lord will open up the windows of heaven. 

That, I testify to you in the most humble way I can.

Love you guys! 

October 8th, 2017

Malo e lelei 

Kou fie fakamalo atu ki heetau Tamai Hevani i he ngaahi tapauakii kuo Ne tuku kiate au mo ku famili. Pea moe malui mei he kovi i he mamani he taimi ko eni.

He uike kuo oc, na ma takai holo pe ki he kaingalotu.... ka oku ikai iai ha mea mahuinga nae  fakahoko he uike kuo oc.

Nae lava ke mau sio konfelienisi lahi aneafi. Mani nae lava lelei aupito he ngaahi malanga nae lava o fakahoko ai. Oku lahi ku notes ki ai haha. Ka... io ko ia pe.

So this week we just did proseyliting.

Conference was amazing though I loved all the talks. What I got out of conference was to make Christ central in your life and do all that is necessary to do so. Reading scriptures, fulfilling your calling brings blessings and partaking of the sacrament helps us have Christ with us always.

Hope everyone is doing fine. Keep praying for those you love and don't be afraid to lend a helping hand to those who need it even though they might not look like they want it.

My love goes out to all my family and friends who have been blessed with safety from the outside world and the terrible things that have happened.

Ofa lahi atu ka moutolu

Elder Mafi

October 17th 2017

Aye hows it!

Hope everything is alright back at home...

I am grateful for all the love from you guys and I love you all equally as much.

As far as the mission goes, I have a new companion and I am still here in Eua but all goods cuz its pretty lata (chill, nice) here. I am training someone and he should be coming in tomorrow. Hopefully, the Lord will help guide me as I do my best to set an example for the person I am training!

There is a baptism this week or next..., not ours but someone's in our district. I am glad to see the work is still progressing other places even though it hasn't been as fruitful for us in our area. 

Anyway, that's all the news I have for you all at this time... if you feel like it, inbox me, if not all goods. Just would like to hear from yalls if you can.

I just wanna leave you guys with a quick like thing. One thing I wish I would have done back at home more often and maybe this is just me, but I found solace in reading the general conference talks after conference. In the moment of watching them, you feel such a strong spirit and testimony of truth radiating from the words they say, and I thought why can't I always feel this truth outside of conference time? 

So if you are ever in need of encouragement, feel spiritually hungry, or you feel just kinda like you're existing and not living, read a talk! you know?

Kou ofa lahi atu kiate kimoutolu 

Elder Mafi 

Preparing to baptize a beautiful family

Kou fie tuku hoku fkmalo ki he Otua a etau tamai i he langi ki he ng mea naa Ne ai kitae au pea hoku famili foki

Fakamalo atu eku famili e ofa. Kou ilo koe Otua oku ofa lahi atu kite kitautolu.

Fank you for all da tings.... haha jokes, I'm not that fob lol (not yet ;) )

I am so thankful for this opportunity I have to write to yall today. This will be shortish but a little something aye?

This week has been really great in terms of work!! As some of you may know we have had the opportunity to teach a family and also another girl named Na'a. 

Although na'e faingata'a ke ako'i ka Na'a, we have made some really nice progress with the family and honestly, this is one of my most favourite families I have ever met. They are very anga-lelei, very kind, and really funny. They have this little daughter, dude, I am telling you the freaking funniest girl you will ever meet in your entire life - hahaha. 

Anyway, it's this father with four girls and the mom is already a member but the kids he had with another wife... but anyway, they were super into the lessons and taking everything in... SO, in the morning on one of the days, a car pulls up and it was our...fkfeohi...fellow-shipper (a man from the ward that will help teach and help the family be comfortable in the congregation). He pulls up in his rickety old car and is like, "so Mafi done with all the lessons?" I tell him,  "yes sir we are!" "He's like ight lets get these sweet souls baptized!"

Four days later and after a lot of hard work and a few complications we baptized them. It was so great to see them come out of the water and to see them beaming with a bright new countenance!

We are working with them and things are progressing ultimately the Lord is really the only one that moves this work forward.

Ofa lahi atu ka moutolu 

Thank you all for writing me and being here for me. 

Love you all, 

Elder Mafi

Elder Mafi stays in Eua for another month!

Elder Mafi with other Elders on the little island of Eua where he's serving right now.

(I love how they're all wearing sweatshirts and coats...it's probably 70/75 degrees! haha. Brrr!)

What it do fam?

I'm so thankful for this opportunity I have here to write to ya'll. 

I just want to say thank you all for the emails ya'll have sent to me and the countless letters that you mail to me as well. I know it's a sacrifice to do things for others so thank you all so very much. It's hard to convey my true appreciation through this email here but thank you all. 

As far as updates go, we are still teaching this family of five and another girl. All the lessons have been completed and now we are just going back over the lessons a second time trying to find things that need re-explaining and what not... they are participating in the lessons however which is good news for us because participation means there is interest in getting baptized... so I'm crossing my fingers and knocking on wood...or a coconut tree harharhar - Palangi (American) joke. 

Anyway, that's about it. We have set up a date for October so I hope and I pray that some day there will be a vision of eternal happiness for them. 

But other than that...pretty much it! 

It's getting pretty warm here and a bit stormy but not as bad as I heard America is right now... looks like America has some repenting to do!  Haha! Jokes - Jokes!

Hope yalls are safe tho. 

Love you all and keep those who are in danger in your prayers. Love, Elder Mafi

Down time at the MQ (apartment) working on those UNO skills.

I thought I'd share a few uplifting things that Kalisi has shared in his personal emails to me over the last couple of months:

Me: Any experiences to share?

Elder Mafi: No outstanding experiences. But there is a guy we're teaching who got deported back to Tonga. he was a gang member but since then he's straightened up and has a family, but he is a drinker and he desires to stop because of his two little girls. he wants to stop to set the example and be a better father. This really hit me and it made think like you know? There is good in the hearts of men. People do want to change. There are always points in peoples lives to change. You know the Spirit always whispers in people's ears at some point and it's our jobs as members of the church to be there to answer their plea to change.

Acting on every prompting you're given. 

Me: What have you learned from being a missionary for a year so-far?

Elder Mafi:

I love my mission...the work is good and it was meant for me, to stand up and learn integrity. To be obedient even though people aren't watching...I've been learning a lot and adapting.