Tonga Week 2

Dear Family and Friends,

I saw my first spider here about two minutes ago. I still have the chills. I thought it was fake and plastic so I went to grab it and it crawled right next to this computer. They make tarantulas look small! It's like a giant hobo spider the size of your palm and legs like your fingers!! Also found a dead molokau on the grass in front of our MQ two days ago. Those are scary!! Also, the dogs here. They are crazy. I have began to carry a club in my bag to hit them on the head with when they try to bite me.

In regards to the missionary work, this week had a huge pick up. All the missionaries think I have to much energy because I always like to be out trying! My companion said he had never had numbers as high as what we have. We have four progressing investigators and about 15 appointments with different people set up for next week. I am excited to be out.

The language is going slow. I am trying my best but still get frustrated because of the slang I did not expect. They always use it and it doesn't really make sense. I went to church for the first time yesterday because conference was last week. I also gave my first talk. I have never been so nervous. It was only about 5 minutes long and i don't think I made many huge mistakes!

Now for everything else: The MQ here was super dirty so I have cleaned it. I also make my bed and put a Book of Mormon on it every day. My comp hasn't ever done that and I'm pretty sure he thinks I'm the weirdest person ever. Also, I get up at 5:30 still to workout. That doesn't help the weirdest companion ever thing!

Love you all,

Elder Lundskog

Jacob has also befriended a puppy named Peanut who goes on his morning runs with him every day, and the elders have gotten a computer installed nearby so that they no longer have to walk an hour to have access to their emails.  It sounds like he is really starting to adjust to the area, and though he does still see some food that is a little unusual, he is adapting to that as well.  He's excited to see the work moving forward, and he's working very hard to help it along.

Tonga Week 1!

Jacob has arrived safe and sound in Tonga, and it seems as though he's already in for quite the adventure.  For one thing, the food is very different.  He described it as "chainsaw butchered" because the animals seem to be cut up and served as is-bones, sinew, fur and all, and they are expected to eat all of it.  He doesn't quite speak Tongan on the level that he can communicate effectively with the native people, but it's off to a good start and I think he will be able to speak with them before too long.
He will be starting off on the island Tongatapu, which is the main island, in Longolongo.  He says it is about the size of a smaller Utah town, and doesn't feel much like he is in one of the most remote places in the world at all.  The buildings themselves are very different from those in the states.  He is staying in a fairly minimalist house with floors that tilt back and forth.  When he first got off of the plane, he thought that the airport was a barn.  Many of the homes are four plywood walls with a metal roof.  There are animals that no one really owns all over in the streets, and when you get hungry, you just go pick one up.
It sounds as though it will certainly be an adjustment, but he is eager to see the work there move forward.

MTC Week 6 and On to Tonga

Well, Jacob is officially off to Tonga!  He departed the MTC on Sunday and traveled until about Tuesday morning.  He had about a twelve hour layover in New Zealand, so he had plenty of time to call home and give me a call as well.  He definitely seemed excited to be out of the MTC and on to his next adventure!  The language is still a little tough, but he is getting a handle on it, and his testimony was clearly strengthened by his time in the MTC.  I believe he's going to be a wonderful missionary to the people of Tonga, and that he is fully prepared to serve them with all of his heart, might, mind, and strength.  More to come when I hear back from him about his experiences in Tonga-Hopefully via email this Monday.