Stake Cultural Day and a visit to the island of Manono……

Another busy week has passed and here it is time to post another blog. We started our week with our route and this week we were look at each church owned apartment and see what needs to be fixed. These building have been neglected sometimes and are pretty worn out. This is one set of Elders accommodations here in Samoa. First, we laughed when we inspected their fridge, only water and a margarine container. They hope for dinner appointments to eat. Then you can see Gramma with the p-day Elders, you can see their apartment to the side. Their outside door and bathroom door were falling off and didn’t shut. The church hopes to tear it down and replace next year if their budget will allow it. 

On Wednesday night we attended a missionary testimony meeting for all Elders and Sisters going home (there was 13 in this group). Our new mission president wants the Senior Couples to be there if we can. They share their testimonies and then the native missionaries leave for home with their families who also attend the meeting. The others fly out the next day. It is pretty special. 

On Friday morning we went to the Institute for Gramma to direct their choir. Here is a picture I took at the beginning, about 12 more students showed up later. 

Our stake, Apia Central celebrated pioneer day with a world culture activity. They presented costumes, a song, and dance from China, Egypt, Africa, Korea, and Mexico. Samoans love to perform, sing and dance in front of people. China: 

Mexico:

Egypt:

Africa:

Korea: there are more Korea pictures because that is our ward and we thought they were the best. 

On Saturday we went with 8 other couples and the Pesega Lima (5^th) ward to Manono island west of Upolu. Here is Gramma, Elder Stonehocker and I waiting for the boat ride over (its 4 kilometres away).

We load the boat (it’s not too big or well built).

Here is the boat behind us. 

Manono is a small island with only five families that are LDS they ride this same boat on Sunday to go to church. The missionaries, 2 Elders, go out each Thursday on the boat and teach there. They had just received word that the Church was going to build a small building there this coming year. We walked completely around the island it took about 2 hours going slowly. They have no dogs, cars or roads on the island, only a path. Pigs are allowed but have to been in a pen. The tour was by the village talking chief (he is in the red) and the guy in the blue interrupted for him. This village chief thing (Matai) here in Samoa is a big deal, still.

This boy is picking up dried palm leaves so they can weave mat with them. 

  Gramma loves pigs, here are two pig pens with pigs. 

The colors were glorious, of course they always are.

This is not the boat we rode in on. 

When we got back they were preparing a meal for us. Taro, breadfruit, roasted bananas, fish, pork, rice, and some kind of noodle sauce.   

We waited for the boat to go home. 

These three Samoans laid around and sang songs and relaxed, it was quite nice. 

This glamorous lady is my missionary companion.   

Then back we went that afternoon and the ocean back was rough, the tarps are down because of waves crashing into the boat and putting water in it. The boat driver and I bailed water out of the back of the boat with a large empty corn beef can. If we had went much further there would have been a lot of sea sick couples.

Well another busy week, our Saturday activity was a good change of pace for us. We are looking forward to this coming week and see what the Lord has for us to do besides the full schedule He has already given us. We miss you and hope you’re having an enjoyable summer. It is a great opportunity to be a missionary and pray the Lord will be with you always. Gramma’s email should give some additional insights, Tofa Soifua. Elder and Sister Hammond.