Birthday in Maningrida

Hi everyone! What a roller-coaster of a week. It started with us having an amazing lesson with Derek and Mavis, and then the next day their family kicked them out, so they moved back to community. We'll see if we can teach them over the phone. Then Elwin and Polly got back but they moved to Darwin, so sadly we won't be teaching them. But enough of the frustrating things. 

This week we made a proposal to go out to an Aboriginal community called Maningrida. They have about 50 members and President wants us to strengthen the members and support them. And we have heaps of friends we teach over the phone. We put the date for two weeks but the office couples misunderstood and got our plane tickets for Thursday to Monday. So we quickly got permits to go on Aboriginal land and packed. 

Before Maningrida we had MLC Wednesday. Northern Territory had to zoom which was ok. Would definitely prefer to be in person but we work with what we got. But it pays off because of Maningrida!

Our flight was Thursday morning, so we got dropped off at Darwin airport and we got on our bush plane. We made a stop at Elcho Island and then flew to Maningrida. We stay at a lodge that provides breakfast, lunch and dinner. The food was pretty good. We went out the first day to visit Tommy, Michelle, Pansy, grandpa Jackie and then Lyle and Mia. So they are family and the super strong members (except for grandpa Jackie, but I'll make sure he gets baptized soon:)). Lyle is the unofficial group leader and then Tommy is the other Melchizedek priesthood holder with Lyle. This trip we were focused on getting the members focused on church. So that's what we did as we went out.

We went one morning fishing with Lyle and Ben. They speared a stingray and a crab. We went back to the lodge for lunch and next thing we know they're pulling up in a car with a pot. They saved us some stingray to try. It was pretty good. On Friday we were able to visit Ezekiel and his family. They're doing pretty good. Their dad is bringing up a bunch of anti questions to them so we spent a while clearing those. After that we visited this family who aren't members but came to church with Lyle a little while back. The parents are Sam and Carissa and they are all super keen. We then visited heaps of members like Barnabus, Carol, Matilda, Latisha and her family and so many others. 

A couple of friend visits I was stoked for were our friends Patricia and Ziggy, then Beth Stewart, and also Sharona. We were able to watch the zoom for church in the morning with Patricia and Ziggy. They absolutely loved it. Then we were able to have a couple of lessons with Beth. She is doing amazing. She loved watching church and our messages. She is very humble and really wanting Jesus to help her life. Then Sharona is the daughter of Dennis back in Palmerston. We had a message with her and her partner. She's doing good and she has a pet pig. So that was cool. 

So, every other week here they have a shipment of alcohol get delivered Saturday. So, Saturday and Sunday are drinking days. What's nice is the whole shipment of alcohol is gone by Sunday. A lot of people hate these days. While we were leaving for a movie night some people at the lodge didn't want us to go because it was unsafe. But everyone here knows the missionaries and would never mess with us. So, all was good. 

Sunday we had Sacrament at Tommy's house. We had 17 there in person. Carissa, Sam and their family came and then also came to movie night. It was a very special sacrament meeting. Seeing Lyle and Tommy bless and pass was just amazing. The saints here are like none other. There is no greater faith out there. They are truly blessed and prepared. Another amazing experience was being part of a blessing that Tommy gave to his wife Michelle. He did the start in English but the blessing part in their language. We couldn't understand the words but the spirit was so strong. It was so amazing. Maningrida is such an amazing and special place. 

A spiritual thought comes from the talk by Elder Donald L. Hailstorm titled: "I Am a Child of God." The part I liked was, "A correct understanding of our Heavenly heritage is essential to exaltation." Knowing we are a son or daughter of. Heavenly Father is one of the most important truths for us. It's been one of my favorite things as a missionary is to share that with people.

Well today our flight is in the evening, so we've been at Tommy's with his family just sitting and sharing stories. This morning Lyle wanted to say goodbye, so we went to his place and walked to his work with him and talked a bit. What a perfect way to end a trip to Maningrida. 

Well I love you all and I'm so happy to spend my birthday in Maningrida. It'll definitely be one I'll never forget. Well, I'll talk to you all next week!

I found the Garden of Eden

Maningrida

Church

Lyle

Maningrida

Lyle and Ben

The ocean

Elcho Island from plane 

Sharona's Pig

Matilda

Barnabus and Andrea

Maningrida Airport

Plane

Coconut and Emu

 Hey Everyone!

   My emails have been all over the place. So I had to redo my email list and all that. But hopefully this week everything will be normal. 

   Well this week was super fantastic. We had to cover two areas again but saw great miracles from it. One great thing this week was our friends Derek and Mavis want to be baptized! They have been seeing a lot of opposition but their faith is strong. We had a lot of good lessons with them so they should be alright. During the week we also had a couple of lessons with Linda and her household. They're doing well. We went over and there was a group of people outside their house so we went in and started our lesson and some people outside came in to hear it. It was cool to see them choose Jesus Christ over the worldly things.

   During the week we also had some lessons with Kay. She's doing good, she's usually between two houses so if she's not at one then she'll be at the other. Her daughter absolutely loves the Book of Mormon stories book and has Kay read it to her. We're glad she's excited because she helps her mom keep her commitments. 

   A really cool part of the week was doing service for sister Backers. She lives out in Humpty Doo a ways and has a massive property. But with that she has a literal zoo there. She has an emu, wallabies, heaps of dogs, so many birds, cows, horses, and fish. So we were literally cutting plants with an emu. It was pretty cool. 

   Two weeks ago we got a referral for this guy named Adam but sadly he's been sick. But he and his family came to church Sunday. They absolutely loved it, and they have a little daughter who loved primary. We have a lesson with them Saturday which we are very excited for. And lastly is about Nancy's family. We see them once to twice a week. This week we had a great lesson with them. The kids love missionaries and this week we told them if they sat in the whole lesson then we'd play soccer. Let me say, I've never had such good participation in a lesson. So of course after we played soccer. Such a good family.

   This week, Agnes and Dennis came to church. It was great to see them there and see the smiles on their faces. Then today we played basketball with the Katherine and Darwin district and then just hung out the chapel. Fun time with the zone.

 Spiritual Thought: Alma 37:36 

"Yea, and cry unto God for all thy support; yea, let all thy doings be unto the Lord, and whithersoever thou goest let it be in the Lord; yea, let all thy thoughts be directed unto the Lord; yea, let the affections of thy heart be placed upon the Lord forever."

 Super excited for this next week. We won't be covering two areas this week so we should get a lot done. Well hope you all enjoy this second email this week. Love y'all.

Wallaby

Irwin Rd

Dwayne and Stacy during soccer

Baby Wallaby

Emu

Don't be Cheeky

  Let me say, this week was packed. Since we're double covering two areas we've had a jammed pack week. Which is a very good thing. For a couple of days, we were in the other area which was good. We were able to teach a lot of friends and members which was good. 

    This week we had Derek, Mavis, and their daughter come to church which was amazing. We had a lesson with them during the week which was good. This next week we're planning on going over baptism with them which I'm excited about. They've come to church the past month and have loved it. 

   A lot of our friends are going out to community for funerals these next weeks. So that means we won't be able to teach in person for a while. But we work with what we got. Before Elwin and Polly left we taught them the ten commandments and some actions to help remember it. They absolutely loved it. They thought it was so fun and they remembered them very well. 

   We had a couple of lessons with Linda and her family. We found out that Terisita was on date for baptism and the only reason it didn't happen was because she went to a funeral. So we're going to work with her with setting baptism as a goal. So hopefully that goes well and she doesn't leave again.

   The remainder of the week was spent with lessons and member visits. We've been working with Dennis and he was going to come to church but the member didn't show up to pick him up. But he wants to come so that's a big step. Our friend Kay has been hard to catch but we've been making it work. And then the rest of the week was spent in the other Palmerston area. We had a lot of visits and lessons which was good. Just working with the time we have.

   Today we went bowling and played pool with the district which was fun. I did horrible in bowling but we won pool. Definitely wasn't because of me but hey I'll take the win.

   Spiritual thought: "We are God’s children, set apart for immortality and eternal life. Our destiny is to be His heirs, “joint-heirs with Christ.” Our Father is willing to guide each of us along His covenant path with steps designed to our individual need and tailored to His plan for our ultimate happiness with Him." -Elder D. Todd Christofferson

   Sorry this email is a week late. Hope you all are doing well. Give me an email if you want. Love ya.

-Elder Kapp

Brother De Guzman

Service

District

A tree

Biking in the NT

Hello everyone! A week done of biking in Darwin. Let me say, it's definitely an experience. By that, it has its ups and downs. For example, a positive is I'm exercising and I love that. A negative, it is hot, like crazy hot. But overall, I enjoy it. It's frustrating we can't see as many people but the work continues. 

Some things to note from this week start with exchanges. I was with Elder Burgess in the other Palmerston area. The exchange was great. We had heaps of lessons which was great but that night we had dinner with a member in Darwin. We got a ride over and the other Elders biked. For your information it took them and hour and a half to get there. So we decided to be decent and we took the bikes home and they got a ride. Let me say, biking in the pitch dark was pretty good. So good, we did it a second time later in the week coming back from Humpty Doo. So yes, biking is great.

Elder Wijaya has finished his mission and goes home this week. So he's in South Australia, and that means Elder Burgess is with us for two weeks. I'm honestly excited because I love trios. And it's been way fun and productive. 

Some miracles, Mavis, Derek, Barbara and her family came to church. We had an amazing lesson with Dennis who's the member we've been working with. We we're sharing a message and them his grandkids came in and he was so excited for them to hear our message. We also had some amazing lessons with Derek and Mavis, Elwin, Linda and her family, and Barbara and her mob.

Overall being up here has been amazing. We're just super busy with teachings and member work. I absolutely love it. 

Spiritual Thought:

Mosiah 5:7

"And now, because of the covenant which ye have made ye shall be called the children of Christ, his sons, and his daughters; for behold, this day he hath spiritually begotten you; for ye say that your hearts are changed through faith on his name; therefore, ye are born of him and have become his sons and his daughters."

Well I hope you all have an amazing week. Thanks for everything y'all do. Talk to you next week!

Some nature

Bike Riding

Dennis Family

More Nature

Week of Miracles, and The Unexpected

 Hi everyone!

There was lots of excitement and good things this week. Ranging from lessons, to zone conference, to member visits. It was just a great week overall!

So to start with Tuesday. We had a literal 10 minute service we had to drive about an hour total for. So that was something. After that we had Palmerston district council and got lunch after. A sister tried beating me in a pizza eating competition, but you know I won. After that we went out to Caroline and had a great lesson with her. After we had a great lesson with our friend Barbara and her family. Then such a great lesson with their neighbors Elwin and Polly. They accepted baptism so we're now preparing them for that. Then in the evening we went to Nancy and her huge family. We had a great lesson with them. It was honesty super cool to teach so many people at once. 

Wednesday we had an exchange with the Darwin Elders. Elder Mafi came to Palmerston with me. We had a lesson with our friends Derek and Mavis who came to church this past Sunday. The lesson was very good. They'll be going out to community soon so we're trying to teach as much in person as we can. After that we had a lesson with Kay and then with Linda and her family. Then we went to a member who was less active but has been coming back. His name is Tevita and he's from Tonga. He gave me a haircut and we talked a lot about his mission experiences. It was great to see his testimony and the growth he's had. Elder Mafi is a great missionary and we had a good exchange.

The rest of the week was just filled with lessons. We went and saw Agnes, she's doing amazing. We had more lessons with all the friends from earlier in the week which was great. 

So Saturday was zone conference which was great. President Standley knows how to get missionaries motivated and excited for the work. After zone conference and before the dinner with the zone, we went out with the Katherine Elders for a lesson. We went to see Linda and her partner John. So we had a lesson about the Plan of Salvation which was good. They were really understanding it which was great. At the end of the lesson John like groaned and I asked if he was ok and he said they were waiting for an ambulance! Like what! We just had a 45 minute lesson and the whole time you've been bleeding out. An ambulance came but we found out the next day, he died. At least he got to learn about where he's going. 

Then to add to that, Sunday evening we got in a car accident with an Aboriginal lady. We had to sit there, in Gray, at night, for three hours. We'll be without a car for six months. So yeah, that's about the week. 

Today we went fishing for a little with some missionaries and then spent the day in the Emergency Room. 

Spiritual thought: Take Up Our Cross By Elder Ulisses Soares

"My dear friends, we must remember that taking our cross upon ourselves includes being humble and trusting in God and in His infinite wisdom. We must acknowledge that He is aware of each of us and of our needs. It is also necessary to accept the fact that the Lord’s timing is different than ours. Sometimes we seek for a blessing and set a time limit for the Lord to fulfill it. We cannot condition our faithfulness to Him by imposing upon Him a deadline for the answers to our desires. When we do this, we resemble the skeptical Nephites from ancient times, who mocked their brothers and sisters by saying that the time was past for the fulfillment of the words spoken by Samuel the Lamanite, creating confusion among those who believed. We need to trust the Lord enough to be still and know that He is God, that He knows all things, and that He is aware of each of us."

Everyone on this email, I hope you know how grateful I am for you. Family, friends, missionaries, whoever, I'm glad to have you in my life. If you're bored then send me an email. Love you all!

Darwin District Lunch

New shoes just dropped (thanks to little Kiana)

Agnes

Elder Mafi with Derek and Mavis

Katherine, Fishing, Spears

Alright now email number two this week. So this week was pretty great. One of the highlights was going out bush in Katherine. Katherine is a couple hours south of us and we did an exchange there. I was with Elder Harper visiting one of their bush communities. We ran into a member there who was taken to the temple. It was amazing to talk with her and hear her story. Katherine is such a cool place and has great Elders there.

In our area we have a member Linda and her mob who we teach a couple times a week. They're doing well. They're a super keen family to listen. We also have Elwin and his mob, and their neighbor Barbra and her family. Elwin kept his promise and came to church this week and said he'd come this next week. 

Also huge miracle on Saturday. We went to visit some aboriginal members but they weren't there. But we taught a couple from the household and they also came to church. We went to wake them up in the morning but they were showered and at the gate waiting! Like what a miracle. 

Something fun, we were visiting our member Dennis and he was telling us of a gang war that happened the night before. Well when we went to leave there was a group with guys throwing broken metal poles at houses and what not. But they saw we were missionaries and respected us so that was cool.

Our member Agnes got out of hospital this week so we visited with her. She's trying to get healthy enough to fly to the temple. So keep her in your prayers.

Honestly we've only door knocked a total of 45 minutes since I've been in this area and it's super cool to be teaching so much. We'll just go to contact someone and end up teaching their whole family. Darwin has a very special place in my heart already.

Well that's all I got time to write. We've been fishing today. I've speared a bunch of crabs and a venomous snake. And I taught Elder Campbell to fish and he caught one. #proudcomp. 

Spiritual thought: “No matter how serious the trial, how deep the distress, how great the affliction, [God] will never desert us. He never has, and He never will. He cannot do it. It is not His character [to do so]."

Alright well I love you all and hope you have a great week!

Croc

District Lunches

Me, spear, snake

I'm a spear master

Cool tree in Katherine

Elder Harper

Caroline

Members? Maybe?

Almost got turned into Abinadi

I just wanna start by saying I love Darwin. It was such a great week. With that, I can also see why it took them so long to send sisters back to Darwin. But overall, this place is great. 

This was a very good week. A lot happened. First things first, Monday night. We had the Katherine Elders with us staying the night, and they wanted to see one of their new member families who's visiting Palmerston. All we knew is they were staying in Gray. Now Gray is a suburb with the nickname "sin city". It's a place where you don't visit at night. So what did we do, we walked around Gray at 8:00 at night looking for the members. We found them and had a great lesson. But after came a bunch of drunks. They just wanted a prayer and gave us sweaty hugs. So overall it was a good experience.

The next day we were in that area and while in our car one of the members from Katherine named Clay came to our window asking if we could share another message with his family. So we did, and then after played five minutes of Australian Football. After that we went to see one of our members named Dennis. We're trying to get him back to church. After that we went and saw Agnes who's a member. The senior couple was there helping her prepare for her patriarchal blessing. Then after that we went to a members house with the Darwin Elders. They were a Tongan family so that means good food. 

Other things this week, we had a great lesson with an Aboriginal family this week. We're seeing them again this week which I'm stoked about. We also had a great lesson with our friends Polly and Elwin. They were supposed to come to church but had family over. But we got a handshake promise they'll be there this next Sunday. 

Something amazing about the week was with our newer member Agnes. The Branch had one of Adelaide's Patriarchs fly out and was able to give Agnes her Patriarchal blessing. She asked my companion and I, and the senior couple to sit in on it. It was such a spirit filled event. I know that's a given but it was very special to be part of it. She has a lot of of health problems but she won't let anything stop her. She's our favorite mantanga.

Now the fun part. There's a town camp in our area that is really talked up. Let me say, it's the literal worst place I've been. Not to be rude or anything. But by 2 pm everyone is already not in the right mindset to say. So what did we do? We went around 7:30 at night. At first it was amazing. We sat around a fire talking to two people and it was great. But then drunks came. One of course approaching us with a shank. But we're missionaries so what's the worst that could happen? Answer: almost getting lit on fire! So the drunk dude's son took his shank and I got him to sit by me for a prayer. While praying, someone threw a ton of cardboard boxes on the fire. So while I was sitting there (against the fence) I was getting hot. I opened my eyes and see my legs about to catch fire. So me and another missionary moved but the drunk guy was too drunk. We literally had to pull him away. Long story short, we ain't going back.

Overall, it was a great week. I absolutely love the NT and love the work. It's now a week after my last email and I can say, I didn't win mini golf. So bummer, should’ve just written the email. 

Spiritual thought: "With all the energy of my soul, I invite all of us to learn, live, and love principles of righteousness. Only gospel truths can enable us to “cheerfully do all things that lie in our power” to press forward on the covenant path and to “see the salvation of God, and for his arm to be revealed.”"

-Elder David A. Bednar

Alright I love you all! Have a great week!

-Elder Kapp

Member dinner

How many Elders do you see?

Driving to appointments