Testing for Fiji ... and "I Love Tacitos!!!"

Hello again!

It’s my turn to write this week’s letter. Rather than re‑telling all the routine things we do each week, I’ll just say that our days continue to be filled with teaching Succeed in School (SIS), supporting seminary teachers, preparing lessons for SIS and Institute, and meeting with leaders. Those efforts keep us busy, but they are also deeply rewarding.

The picture I used in my Friday Institute lesson where I was 
talking about women that are my heroes.  My mom and Darleen
are at the top of the list.   This was taking last May when we
visited mom for Mother's Day.

This week I’d like to share a few highlights of our week. We’ve mentioned before how excited we are about the opportunities opening up for youth here in Vanuatu to attend the Church’s Fiji School in Suva. This school, run by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter‑day Saints, provides an incredible blessing: if students qualify, the Church covers everything—flights, food, uniforms, books, and more. It’s a life‑changing chance for these young people to receive a strong education while also deepening their testimony of Jesus Christ.

One of our main focuses this week was learning how to administer the test that determines acceptance into the school. On Monday we met with the Area Education Specialist, and later with the Pacific Area Education Specialist who oversees several of the 19 Church schools in the region, including the Fiji school. She shared valuable guidance on how to run the testing properly and gave us more details about the acceptance criteria. We came away with a clearer understanding of how we can help support this process and, ultimately, help more youth access this wonderful opportunity.

The testing itself is divided into three parts. First is the Secondary Level English Proficiency Test (SLEP), which includes both Listening Comprehension and Reading Comprehension. Second is the Math section, focused on place value, fractions, decimals, percentages, and basic multiplication and division. Finally, there is the Writing portion, where students respond to two short essay questions—one timed at 10 minutes and the other at 20 minutes. We were told the entire process should take about two and a half hours. However, when we administered the test, the students used every bit of the time available, which meant the session stretched closer to three and a half hours.

Before I share more about the testing we administered on Saturday afternoon, let me mention a few other experiences. As we’ve discussed before, we continue teaching the YSA Institute class focused on Church History. Darleen had been preparing a Saturday In‑Service lesson, so I stepped in to teach. The topic was women in the latter days and the Relief Society. You might think Darleen could have taught it better, but for me it was a wonderful chance to reflect on the remarkable contributions of women. I began the lesson by showing a picture of two of my heroes—my mother and my wife. Both have taught me countless lessons: how to serve others unconditionally, how to love as the Savior loves, how to enjoy life fully, and much more.

We had eight YSAs join us, which is more than we’ve seen in quite some time. Everyone seemed to learn something, and Darleen kindly told me I did a good job—even though I suspected she was more qualified to teach. I left the class feeling deeply grateful for the influence of women and for the examples I’ve had in my life of those who lead with goodness in their families and communities.

In preparation for Saturday morning’s Seminary & Institute monthly In‑Service meeting on our island, Darleen volunteered to provide lunch. She decided on sloppy joes, potato salad, fruit, and cookies. She began making the sloppy joe mix on Thursday between meetings and SIS classes, then finished the potato salad and cookies on Friday. My contribution was simple but important—I cut up 30 oranges into slices. It was the one task I could do without making a mess, and together we had everything ready for the meeting.

Darleen teaching the S&I teachers about "Our Roles
as Teachers"... she did a great job.

Besides preparing the food, Darleen was also asked to teach one of the training sessions for the teachers. Her assigned topic was “Our Roles as Teachers.” She spent much of the week thoughtfully preparing, and by Saturday her lesson came together beautifully. She began by sharing about the call she received as a missionary, then explained that each of us receives a similar call to serve—even if it doesn’t come with formal paperwork. We are all asked to minister and bless others. To make this point tangible, she prepared a personalized letter for each teacher about their calling, along with a name plaque showing their current Seminary or Institute assignment.

Katimal, our S&I leader wrapping up the training session for 
our monthly Seminary & Institute In-Service Meeting.

Part of her message emphasized the importance of giving our best in our callings—being committed and dedicated while we serve. She referenced Matthew 23:11–12, where the Savior taught that “the greatest among you shall be your servant” and reminded us that exaltation comes not through pride but through humility. It was a powerful lesson, and the teachers who attended were both spiritually and physically fed.

At 1:00 p.m. that same Saturday, we began the Fiji acceptance testing. Twenty‑three potential students arrived. Because the test requires spacing between participants, I was up at 5:00 a.m. gathering tables from two other buildings to supplement what we had at the Stake Center. I led the administration of the three test sections we described earlier, while Darleen and a young service missionary, Sister Taravaki, ensured that each student had what they needed and kept everyone focused on their own work.

The first part of the SLEP test—Listening Comprehension—started out fairly straightforward. But about 24 questions in, new speakers began talking much faster than normal English conversation. Not only was the pace challenging, but the passages were long, with details woven into broader discussions. A typical question might ask, “What did Jane eat for lunch at school?”—but that detail was buried in a larger conversation about the day’s events. If students weren’t listening carefully, they could easily miss it. Darleen and I exchanged glances, wondering how well the youth managed that section.

Testing view of the Stake Center set up for the Fiji test.
We had to spread them out to no more than two per
table.  Required me to run around to the other chapels to 
try and get enough to fill the room.

I look forward to seeing how each student performed. Darleen and I will be grading all but the writing portion of the exam. Several of those who tested are students from our weekly SIS classes, so I’m hopeful that some—if not all—will qualify to attend the Fiji school. Next Saturday we’ll hold two more sessions, morning and afternoon, for different wards and branches across Efate. We’re also coordinating testing for other islands, including Tanna and Santo, in the coming weeks. Our Saturdays may be filled with testing and very few P‑days, but that’s a sacrifice we’re happy to make if it means more students can be eligible.

Some of the students who took the Fiji entrance exam showing
off their applications to attend.   All but two of the boys ran
out of the room after the testing was completed.

If Saturday wasn’t busy enough, by 5:30 p.m. we had three YSA young women—Chrissy, Josephine, and Kayla—over for dinner and games. Given the long day, we kept the meal simple: sloppy joes, potato salad, and cookies for dessert. None of them had ever made chocolate chip cookies before, so Darleen taught them how, while I warmed up the food. They loved learning, and each took home a small bag of cookies. Thankfully, that kept me from eating them all myself!

Dinner with YSA's (Josephine, Chrissy, and Kayla)

Darleen teaching the YSA's how to make chocolate chip
cookies (Kayla, Chrissy, Josephine - Left to Right)

After dinner, Darleen taught them the card game Three to Thirteen. Explaining the rules in English was a bit tricky since it isn’t their first language, but with some guidance they caught on quickly. Darleen sat beside Josephine, while I sat next to Kayla, offering tips as they played. It was delightful to watch their joy in simply being together. We felt privileged to host them. Chrissy is visiting from Santo for work, Kayla leaves this Thursday for her full‑time mission to Ghana, and Josephine is completing paperwork for her own mission. They are remarkable young women, and Darleen commented that we should continue inviting YSAs into our home—this was our second gathering in two weeks, and it has been a blessing.

(Left to Right) - Chrissy, Kalya, and Josephine.  Some
great YSA's spending a Saturday evening with us.

We closed the week on Sunday by visiting our little unit in Eton. This small branch of 60–70 members is dear to us. After sacrament meeting, Darleen and I led the Primary class for children ages 3 to 10. They love singing, and Darleen led them in favorites like Do As I’m Doing, Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes, I’m All Made of Hinges (which always brings laughter as she acts out the motions), Book of Mormon Stories, A Child’s Prayer, and Tell Me the Story of Jesus. Afterwards, I taught the story of Naaman, who came to the prophet Elisha seeking healing from leprosy. The children learned how he had to humble himself and wash in the River Jordan to be healed. They then colored pictures of Naaman, which they thoroughly enjoyed. We ended with a final song and prayer, and I handed out small suckers—a rare treat in this humble community. Even the missionaries, young women, and adults joined in the coloring and singing. It was a joyful way to end the week.

Eton church unit primary children enjoying coloring a picture
of Naaman being cleansed.   They LOVE coloring pictures.

The primary children in Eton holding up their
pictures of Naaman being cleansed in the River Jordan

One last thing I want to share is the service Darleen gave to Sister Bertelson before she returned home Friday morning to Utah and her family. As we mentioned, Sister “B” fell last Sunday at church, slipping off a stair and breaking her left humerus. Despite the injury, she managed the week with her arm in a sling, packing and preparing to leave. In between lesson preparation, food assignments, and everything else, Darleen spent Wednesday and Thursday helping Sister B pack and get ready. It was a small but tender act of love, and a privilege for us to serve her after having known her these past ten months. We will miss her, but we feel blessed to be surrounded by such faithful senior missionaries.

Tonight (Sunday) we gathered again with the other senior full‑time missionaries. Our discussion centered on how the Lord calls each of us from different places and backgrounds, yet places us perfectly in our assignments. We reflected on how, when it is time for one of us to go home, another steps in with their own gifts and abilities. With Sister B’s departure, Sister Carpenter now takes over missionary travel and the Pathway program. She won’t do it exactly as Sister B did, but she will do it in the way the Lord needs during her 18 months of service. That is how it is for all of us—the Lord puts us where we are today, and if we allow ourselves to be taught, He will use us as He sees fit.

Sister B arriving back in Salt Lake City after serving
18 months.  Notice all that came to welcome her home
had their arms in slings to make her feel welcomed with
her recently broken arm.   Nice touch!!!  

To end with a lighthearted story from our week—today at our visit to the Eton church building, Sister Lovelace kept being approached by one of the full‑time elders serving in that unit. Each time he came up, he would say something like, “I love tacitos.” He explained that another elder in the mission had told him to say this to her, but Darleen couldn’t make out the name and had no idea what he meant. Throughout the morning service and Primary activity, he repeated the phrase several times, leaving her completely puzzled.

Later that evening at our senior missionary gathering, Elder Meyer asked if anyone had said anything unusual to her that day. Darleen wasn’t sure at first, but then remembered the elder’s repeated phrase and mentioned that someone had told her, “I love tacitos.” Elder Meyer burst out laughing. He explained that he had told this missionary—who was soon to be transferred to our unit—to go up to Sister Lovelace and say, “I love cookie dough.” That’s a phrase Elder Meyer often says to Darleen, since he loves cookie dough and is always hoping she’ll make some. He even had the elder write it down. Somewhere along the way, though, the message got mixed up, and what came out was “I love tacitos.”

It gave us all a good laugh. These young elders and sisters come from all over the world, bringing different languages and accents. This particular elder’s native language is French, and he comes from Congo—so his thick accent definitely transformed the phrase. It was a funny, joyful way to end the day and a reminder of the diversity and good humor that blesses missionary service.

Well, we love you and think about you often when we aren’t busy with the work here in serving the people of Vanuatu.  😊

Now onto another week.  

Love,

Darleen & Mark Lovelace (aka: Nana & Papa, Mom & Dad, Sista and Elda Sista Lovelace)