Ha'apai Dependent on Shipping

Emergency supplies arrived from New Zealand so we were finally able to get the 20-foot emergency container for Ha'apai packed and ready for shipping. Friendly Island Shipping Agency (FISA) picked up the container at our welfare office in Mau'fanga and said it would be on the boat Monday morning and arrive in Pangai, Ha'apai Monday evening.We bought a plane ticket and flew to Ha'apai.

Vili Toutai from FM picked us up and brought us to our home away from home, the mission quarters behind the FM building and right across the street from the port. We went for a short walk around the small town and bought some mangos and a pineapple ... so sweet. We went into our little quarters to cool down.

We saw a ship arrive and walked across the street to watch it unload. It had come from Vava'u on its way to Tongatapu. The contents were unloaded with a front-end loader.

It seemed the whole island was down at the dock waiting for a shipment to arrive. It was the place to be. We loved interacting with the people. They were so happy.





Our phone rang. "Silongo - letting you know the container did not get on the boat." WHAT? Frustration and disappointment. Now we had flown up to Ha'apai for really nothing.

We would have to buy a ticket home the next day and will return once we figure out why the container was not on this shipment.

We did, however, thoroughly enjoy watching the busy harbor. Shortly after the first boat left, the bigger ship from Tongatapu arrived, the MV 'Otuanga'ofa. It was very interesting watching it unload. So many things came on the boat including a trailer, containers full of personal items, cars, cows, food, motorcycles, and items to be sold at the Chinese stores and hardware shop. Ha'apai is totally dependent on shipping. It is a tiny cluster of islands with no business or industry. The people live on what they can grow and what they have shipped.

Trailer being off-loaded

 





















While the MV 'Otuanga'ofa unloaded, the passenger MV Maui arrived. The boat seemed to be packed. Many got off, but others were continuing on to Vava'u. The MV Maui is the new passenger ferry called "the fast boat." Instead of 10-12 hours, the fast boat takes 7-8. It was also interesting watching the people disembark and wait for their luggage which was lifted out from below via a crane. What a fun time watching people meet their friends and relatives!

Once the ships left, we tried to think of what we could do. We remembered the LDS Middle School received new desks and chairs and donating the old to LDS Charities to give to a needy school on the island. They had been storing them until we could find a donor school.

We called Villi to take us around to see the other middle schools on the island. We visited 4 schools. Two had recently gotten new desks and chairs, one from China and one from Japan. The last 2 schools we visited were in great need. We decided to split the donation 60/40 with the Wesleyan School and the Church of Tonga School, the split because there are many more students at the Wesleyan School but the Church of Tonga School is in much need. Since it was the last day of classes, the desks and chairs will remain at the LDS Middle School and will be delivered in January when school resumes.

    As we Arise each morning let us determine to respond with love and kindness to 

    whatever might come our way.                  Thomas S Monson