BAPTISM... The first week we were here there was a father baptised. It was really special because the rest of the family had been baptised and had prayed to many years that their dad would accept the Gospel and then they could be sealed together as a family. The spirit was so strong at the baptism, and the looks on the faces of the family is something I will never forget - PURE JOY...
BABY BLESSING... One the first Sunday we were in Tutuila we decided to attend sacrament in one of the Makeke Wards. Makeke is a Tongan village and we love visiting there. A beautiful Samoan baby was blessed during the meeting, and I realised that the mother was one of our former students. It was so great to meet her husband and share this special day with them.
FOOD TO MANU'A... There are two SMALL islands about 40 miles south-east of Tutuila, and there are now 10 missionaries serving there. One of our responsibilities is sending them food each month. There is a small store there, but the inventory is very limited and expensive. There is a boat that goes to the islands at least once a week, but not too long after we arrived the boat was damaged and the only way food was getting there was by plane, and that is really expensive. We had no choice but to use the plane - but everyone was trying to get food to their families so the planes filled up fast. About three weeks into this situation, they stopped sending freight - you had to be a paying passenger in order to take food. So many were buying round trip tickets - flying over dropping off the food and then coming back on the same plane, that there was no room for extras. The planes are so small that everything is done by weight. They weigh you when you get on the plane, and when the weight limit has been reached no one or nothing else goes. We prayed everyday that somehow we would be able to get them food. We were sending canned tuna and granola bars in very small quantities in order to meet the weight restrictions. The missionaries never complained - every time we talked to them they were so happy and up-beat. However, they must have emailed their parents that they were hungry, because boxes of food started coming in the mail for them. Our extra bedroom was full of boxes of food - what the mission had bought to send and boxes from parents. They had money, but there was nothing to buy in the store. It was a scary time for us. About 5 weeks with no boat going one of the elders confided that he was hungry. Dennis asked him what he had for breakfast and he said a banana. How about lunch - a banana. And dinner? Two bananas! Our hearts literally broke! In tears we pleaded with the Lord that a way would be found to get them food. We witnessed a MIRACLE the next day... We were told the boat wouldn't be ready for a least a couple of weeks, but we got word that it was sea worthy and ready to sail. We were able to get food and supplies on the boat - even though they said no personal items could be shipped for at least a week. They were only taking commercial items. When we saw those boxes on the boat and knew they were on their way we both shed tears of relief and gratitude.
MISSIONARIES IN VATIA AND AFONO... The village of Vatia is over the mountain on the other side of the island that is so beautiful. The ward there is small - but the spirit is incredible. There has not been a baptism in the ward for several years - but we were able to attend the baptism for a very special young woman. A few weeks later her children that were old enough were also baptised. And the end of July missionaries were assigned to the ward and a small branch (Afono). Until then the zone leaders worked with the two units - it is such a blessing to them to have 'their own' missionaries living and serving their two villages.
FED THE HUNGRY... Many times we have been given food after an activity, and wondered what we were going to do with it. They are so generous and sometimes we can't eat it all before it spoils. One night we found ourselves in that situation and were prompted to call a family to see if they could use the food. The father shared that they were at that moment in the car on the way to the store to see what they could buy with the meager amount of money they had. They shared with us that they had absolutely no food in their house. He has just lost his job... Within 2 minutes they were at our house. The food we gave them was enough to feed the family for several meals. They were so appreciative - shedding tears of joy as they loaded it into their car. Great feeling...
TRIPS TO THE HOSPITAL... Things haven't changed as far as medical needs since we were here before. We have had missionaries seen for strep throat, removal of wisdom teeth, sprained ankles, mosquito diseases, ear infections, skin diseases (one elder had infected sores all over his lower legs from shaving)!!! Seems to be the latest thing for Samoans... We had to tell the elders - "no shaving your legs..." One elder got a piece of metal in his eye and had to have it surgically removed. We were just thankful that an eye surgeon is now on island.
ZONE MEETING ON THE LAWN IN FRONT OF PARADISE CHICKEN... One night, after zone meeting the president decided the missionaries had to be fed. It was late and finding someplace that could serve 30 people that time of night was a challenge. He ordered chicken and the fixings for everyone, but there was no space in the dining room. So we all sat on the lawn in front of the store and finished the meeting. The missionaries shared stories of some of their successes that day and even with cars driving by (can't say whizzing by - because the maximum speed limit is 25 MPH), it was a very spiritual meeting.
MEETING OLD FRIENDS... Even though we have been here several months, we still run into people we met when we were here before that didn't realise we were back. We are greeted with open arms, hugs and kisses and comments about how great it is that we are back... Seeing the surprised look on their faces when they recognise us is so much fun...
No comments:
Post a Comment