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Show Elder Writes From Far off Tonga Mission The following letter was recently recent-ly received by Bishop Fred B. Baugh of the Logan Sixth ward, from Elder John Shepherd, son of Mr. and Mrs. P. L. Shepherd, of 96 East 3rd South St. Elder Shepherd Shep-herd is laboring on the Tongan islands which are a group of small islands situated approximately approximate-ly 4500 miles southwest of here. His letter follows: Fagat, Ha'apai July 29, 1938. Dear Bishop: Yesterday we landed in Ha'apai where I expect to be for some ' time. Ha'apai means many islands of which there are several in this 1 group. The mission home is locat-; locat-; ed on the largest island, which is ' only about one mile wide and I four miles long. The elders tell 1 me we go to three other islands, which are about 10 miles apart, in a sailboat and if the wind isn't very strong it takes several hours to go from one island to the other. We left Nukualofa, Tonga, July 27th about 4 o'clock in the afternoon after-noon Pres. Dunn, Sister Dunn, Hyde, Karen and I. Pres. Dunn and family were giong to VaVa'u to build a new church house. VaVa'u is about 180 miles north of Tonga. Ha'apai is not quite half way, about 80 miles north of Tonga. Ton-ga. There were about 20 or 25 young Tongans on board the small ship and during the night as we were gliding along these young Tongans sang romantic songs. Sister Dunn made the comment. "This is something that you read about in story books." We had to anchor out about 3 A. M. until day break as there are bad reefs and it is a little dangerous dan-gerous trying to go through them at night. The Tongans singing as we waited just in side of the open sea was certainly 'an ideal dream of the South Seas. Here in Ha'apai it is "all native". There are only about a dozen white people in the group of islands. This will be a good place to learn the ways of the Tongan people. who are very kind. They just live for today and don't seem to worry very much about tomorrow. 1 have enjoyed my work very much so far and I'm trying to master the Tongan language at the present time. I am very happy to have the privilege to come on a mission from such a good ward. It frightens fright-ens me sometime to think I might have missed the opportunity I want to thank you very much for what you have done for me. I wouldn't have been here if it hadn't been for you. I want to extend my appreciation to all the people in the ward. I am sure the Lord will bless you and the saints in all their daily tasks. Your humble brother, Elder John Shepherd. |