Visitors from the East…….

Yes, we had visitors from the east. The problem was that their flight got in a little early and while we went up to the observation area and waited to see them get off the plane, they were going through customs. So they set in the waiting area wondering where we were and we were in the observation area wondering when they were coming in. There are no electronic screens letting you know about flights in Samoa. Thirty minutes later I found them, they were going to take a Samoan Taxi if they had waited much longer (that would have been interesting).

As soon as they settled in (got some Samoan funny money) and got lunch, they were ready to hit the beach, insect repellent and sunscreen and they were ready. Notice the van in the back ground? We put 650 kilometers on it in seven days.

 Everyone hit the water, and then Joy sat in the shade and Gramma search for shells.

The tide was very low so Gramma looked harder for shells.

On Sunday we went to the English Ward Sacrament meeting and then went to the Motootua Ward Sacrament meeting, the ward that we are assigned. Sunday afternoon we went to Sauniatu because our class had been canceled the coming Thursday and it was the only day we could go there. I forgot the camera, but Matt got some good pictures. Monday started the first week of school for teachers. They had meeting all week. We had to teach three in-service lessons and attend a video conference with school leaders in New Zealand. In between we entertained. They were on their own at the Robert Louis Stevenson home one day and the sliding rocks another.

 They were lucky because this little cottage was available to sleep at while they were here.

We went on the coastal walk.

 The Togitogiga water falls (it had rained and the water was a little dirty, but Wayne and Matt couldn't resist).

Then a hike to the Ma tree. 

The next day after Gramma and I taught another in-service, it was off to the beach again. This time we went to the Lalomanu beach on the far eastern part of the island. We rented a beach fale and stayed there several hours. 

 Thursday it was a visit to the cultural center program, sliding rock, and Fia Fia show and dinner. The new missionary couple the Stevens went with us to the show.  

I had to get reservations to this show and I laughed when we saw the reservation card. There are no “d’s” in the Samoan Language. 

We think our visitors from the east had a good time, and apparently the “old people” wore them out. 

 It rained on the way to the airport, but a mile before we go there is stopped. We said our sad goodbyes, and then on the way home is rained very hard for about the next twelve hours.

 

We enjoyed the visit very much, but now back to work and our goal is to teach as many classes as we can between now and the end of our mission. We love you all and wish we could have seen you all, but this short visit helped us remember how much we do miss each and every one of our family members. We love you and ask the Lord to bless you each day. Tofa Soifua, Gramma and Grampa Hammond