Nathan baptism, Cultural Day, Primary, MOS

Nathan's Baptism 

Nathan is a student in one of Bud's carpentry classes.  He was also in one of the Seminary classes we taught while the Starke's were in Tonga.  We have enjoyed getting to know him.  We even got the opportunity to attend one of his traditional dance performances at a local restaurant.  We were excited to find out that he wanted to be baptized.  

Elder Starke baptized Nathan.  Elder Starke teaches Seminary 

Nathan and his cousins 

The 'Red Tie Club' . 

Elder Starke had matching ties made for the three of us.  

Teaching Primary

Our friends the Kinghorn's had to go to Savaii for mission business.  We got to teach their Primary class.  

Cultural Day

At the end of the term the school had a Cultural Day.  The students were divided into houses.  Each house put on a traditional Samoan Dance.  It was amazing.

Herani is the one standing.  He is a non-member and was in our Seminary Class.
His Dad is a minister of another church. 

TV Coverage 

The school Cultural Day was even covered on the local TV station.  

Microsoft Office Specialist classes

On Saturdays we offer a Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) class.  We had over 40 students attend each Saturday in preparation for their Microsoft exams.  

Samoan Qualifications Authority (SQA) Outing 

We have been working with the SQA group to certify our Vocational area as a Post High School institute.  They are a Samoan government agency.  Karen took a group a students to one of their open houses to help with their Post High School options.   

Stake Bazaar and Virgin Cove

Stake Bazaar 

This year our Stake has been stressing Self Reliance.  The Stake sponsored a bazaar in the town square for members to sell some of their handicrafts, foods, etc.  

Setting up the booths 

Each ward was provided a booth for members to set up and sell items.  

Bud can't resist items had made by the youth.   

This young women made a necklace out of nuts.  

Karen couldn't pass by the Christmas booth.  

Yes, even in Samoa we have Christmas snowmen!!  Of course, Karen needed to support the local economy by purchasing a hand made wooden snowman.  

A Sister and her niece with their crafts.   

Virgin Cove

A favorite beach site is Virgin Cove, which was originally a backpacker hostel.  A Canadian now leases the property and plans to develop it into a resort.  At the end of his 40 year lease he must turn the land back over to the village.

The area has lovely fine sand beaches.  It was used to film Survivor Australia this year and last.

 Pools with coral and fish

At low tide small fish get trapped in this pool area, and we could just watch them without masks or snorkels (and feed them a bit of bread, too).  

Crab holes 

We saw tons of holes in the beach, which are homes to crabs.   

Fallen Tree

 This huge tree blew over years ago; yet it continues to sprout branches and leaves.

Senior Missionary bunch posing in front of tree.  

Bud by fallen down tree

Teuila Festival

Teuila Festival 

Each year Samoa has their week-long Teuila (yes, we spelled it correctly - not tequila) Festival.     The festival is named after their national flower (a red ginger plant), and includes dancing competitions, music competitions, and the Miss Samoa beauty pageant.

Music and Dancing Competition 

Knife Dance

String Band Competition 

Traditional Slap Dance

Everyone's favorite - the Fire Dance!

The crowd gets into the action

The Master of Ceremony - former Miss Samoa 

We were invited to sit in the VIP section behind the current Miss Pacific Islands.

Former Miss Samoa as MC

Street Fair - frafts and food stands

Crafts and paintings sold by a local art school

Elder Little dreams of making his own music while buying this wood carved drum

A young wood carver was carving behind the craft table during the fair

Food in all shapes and sizes 

Usually they have fish and chips and barbecue chicken.  Sometimes you see ever larger barbecue.  

Roasting a small cow

Saturday Activities and Senior Missionary Outings

Saturday Activities and Senior Missionary Outings 

During the week we work with teachers, students, order equipment, and are setting up a new accreditation for the vocational area.  We refer to our Saturdays as our 'Cultural Days' rather than our Preparation Days.   We get the opportunity to visiting some the the beautiful places here in Samoa and spend some time with other Senior Missionaries for outings.  Here are a few of our past outings.  

Manono Island 

Between the island of Upolu and Savaii, there is a small island called Manono.  They have drilled wells and can not get fresh water.  All the water comes from collection systems from the rain.  You can walk the entire perimeter of the island in about 2 hours.  There are people living on the island and have several villages.  

Getting to the island 

The only way to get to the island is by private boat 

You charter a boat with a local boat owner

On the island

Children in a hammock made of a fishing net

There are about 6 churches on the island

There are falles or gathering houses around the island 

Outrigger canoe

Beautiful views 

Water retaining systems

Water is collected from the roofs and stored in large holders.   Note the blue lettering on the tank. "LDS Charities".  The Humanitarian Missionaries have donated and installed many water tanks on the island.  (A long with other groups from Australian Aid)   

Interesting to see a LDS Charity tank on a Catholic church.

LDS Humanitarian logo on water tanks 

Negotiating our way back

The walk around the island took longer than we expected.  We were over an hour late.  The boat operator was a little unhappy and gave us an extra charge.  

Senior Outings

We usually get together with other Senior Missionaries about every other week for some type of outing, fireside, or dinner.  It is a lot of fun getting to know other missionaries that we don't work with.  We have missionaries in the following areas - Pesega School, Dentist, Auditors, Humanitarian, Self Reliance, Family Services, Institute, Nurse, Office, and MLS (Member Leadership)

Return to Paradise

One of  our favorite places in the Return to Paradise Resort.  You can pay a fee for a lunch voucher and you can take advantages of the other resort facilities.  

Resort swimming pool  

Lots of hanging out. 

Lunch after snorkeling 

Beautiful snorkeling beach

 

 

Matereva Resort 

Our Dentist Missionary Couple, the Spencers from Canada, wanted to go to Matereva Resort for their last beach activity before returning home.  

Great snorkeling beach with some of the missionaries. 

Ma Tree Hike

There is a large tree with an interesting root system.   We hiked up to the tree.  However, on the way up there was a down pore of rain.  

Starting out on the hike before the rain. 

On the beautiful hike

Interesting root systems on the Ma Tree 

Soaked missionaries at the Ma Tree.  

Snorkeling at low tide

In Samoa you need to check the tide tables when to go snorkeling.  Most beaches it is better to snorkel at high tide or around that time.  Otherwise you run into coral.  This Saturday we hit his at low tide and spent more time walking out to the snorkel area rather than swimming.  There was still fish to see and a lot of fun. 

Note the rocks in the water because of low tide.

Missionaries hanging out after snorkeling 

Stealing sand

The beach is actually on church property where there is a Stake Center across the street.    Some guys got the permission from the Village Chief to remove the sand but did not check with the church.  It is interesting how much power the Village Chiefs have. 

Guys stealing sand off the beach

There was a question of who to get permission from to remove the sand.