Fun Day in Fiji -- Navua River and Magic Waterfall

We stayed an extra day after the conference to experience part of Fiji. We miss the mountains so our choice was to go inland, up river in a motorized canoe to a waterfall. We boarded the canoe for about a half-hour ride up the Navua River to a small village passing rainforest and farmland along the way.

A Fijian warrior guided us to the village meeting house. We learned about local customs and traditions and participated in a welcome ceremony where we could try kava, a sedative drink- we abstained.

After the kava was passed around, we watched a war dance and then joined in the snake dance, weaving around the meeting house.

Snake Dance

War Dance

We walked across the village to where lunch was being cooked lovo style, food wrapped in banana leaves and cooked underground. Village men removed the food from the ground and took it to the meeting house where we returned for our lunch. It was delicious traditional Fijian foods.

Carrying lunch to meeting hall

    

Uncovering the lovo lunch

          




















We toured the village. The preschool children sang to us. Women demonstrated weaving, mat braiding, and painting tapa cloth.

We made our way to our canoes and continued our journey to the waterfall. We passed by more rainforest, gorges, rapids (we had to get out and walk past one set of rapids), and waterfalls. We saw many native birds, ducks, and heron.

Motor canoeing up Navua River

Heron flying by bamboo trees

Our canoes glided onto shore and we began our "hike" (10 minutes through forest) to the "Magic Waterfall," the tallest falls on the Navua River.

We took a dip in the clear pool beneath the cascading water. It was so refreshing, a bit cold to get into but we quickly adjusted. We swam to the falling water. It was tricky because the current was so strong but we did make it and let the water cascade over our heads. We stayed in the water until time to depart, about an hour.

Sister Thomson waving in yellow life jacket

Part way back to the village, we climbed from our canoe to a bamboo raft for a peaceful glide down river aboard this traditional form of river travel. Just above the rapids, we climbed back into our canoe for the rest of the river trip to the village.








Once at the village, we asked some boys if there were coconuts. One of them climbed up the coconut tree and knocked down coconuts for each of us. The other boy used a bush knife to open it up for us to drink. We love to drink the water from the coconuts. We then made our way to the bus for the trip back to our resort.

We so much enjoyed being able to get into the mountains, on the river, and swimming in the pool beneath the waterfall. Great choice to spend our extra day in Fiji.
                                    
                                         “Oh the places you’ll go.” -Dr. Seuss

Pacific Area Humanitarian Senior Couple Missionary Conference

Hans Sorenson, Pacific Area Welfare Manager, teaching us at the conference

Humanitarian missionary couples from around the Pacific gathered in Fiji for a conference. We came from Fiji, Kiribati, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Tahiti, Tonga, Vanuatu, and our supervisors from New Zealand. We learned so much. Discussing difficulties in the field and ideas from the other couples on how they have handled them was valuable. Their ideas can help us work through our challenges.

Day One:
Each country prepared a mock AWCM presentation to "Elder Cardon" for a current project we are working on. Tonga presented "Breath of Life" for 2 newborn ventilators. I will write further about this project when it is approved. It was fun to hear of projects others are working on, which can stimulate our thinking of new projects as well here in Tonga.

John McLean, Callum Blair, Riki Tukukino, Richard McLean, Rob Gordon

Pacific Assist was introduced to us. They are combining with Furniture for Schools to deliver other needed items to the Pacific islands. Currently they have secured electric hospital beds that can be delivered to the islands for the cost of shipping. Some of these are on the water at this time bound for Tonga, and we are expecting 200. Pacific Assist will also look for other hospital equipment which could be used in Tonga, as well as the other nations of the sea.


Hans Sorenson, Pacific Area Welfare Manager, gave a presentation on Tourist versus Local. This was very to the point. We are the tourists, we will be leaving. We have to be sure to have the Tongan viewpoint in our projects. They are the ones who will remain and will benefit from our projects. An example was made of a group of women who had to walk a mile or more for clean water. A project was implemented to bring water to the village so they would not have to walk so far for water. The new water facility was not used. The walk to the water source was a social need of the women. We need to be sure to have the input of the Tongan people in any project we propose.

Day Two:
We visited the Rehabilitation Hospital in Fiji and the Prosthetics Department. Dr. Dean Clark showed us around the prosthetics facility. He and his wife were humanitarian missionaries in Fiji before the Camerons. Dr. Clark is a podiatrist, and he concentrated on getting prosthetics in Fiji. He was successful.

LDSC has developed a prosthetic leg that is superior to the one provided from India. It is lighter, more flexible, and can be provided at a fraction of the cost in the States, $200 versus thousands of dollars. What a blessing for the Fijian people. We hope to be able to discuss these options with the new prosthetist who will be starting in Tonga in January. Hopefully we will be able to get a similar program here in Tonga with the aid of Dr Clark, the new prosthetist, and Ministry of Health.

Dr Dean Clark

 Arthur Perry (Tahiti), Luisa Vaifale (NZ), Silongo Simani (Tonga), Pinto Katia (Kiribati), Riki Tukukino & Richard McLean  (Pacific Assist)

We were taught by Diabetes Fiji. They have a very active group. We need to try to get Tonga's Diabetes Association more involved. We were also taught by a Seventh Day Adventist doctor. The healthy living standards for SDA are very similar to those of LDS. When this doctor was shown our Healthy Living Manual, Hans told him "Sorry it is so LDS oriented." He responded, "Sorry it is so SDA oriented." We will be contacting the SDA here on Tonga to see if we can partner in some projects related to diabetes and healthy lifestyles.

We visited the emergency container in Fiji. Monte enjoyed discussing the needs and uses of equipment in the container with the other men. Fiji said they did not even open their container with the floods post Cyclone Gita. The government and other agencies were on top of things so LDS Charities did not need to provide this time, but they are prepared when needed. In Tonga, we used all our tarps and plastic, and our chainsaws were in constant demand.

Day Three:
We made a keyhole garden for the Samu Masiuala family who live near The Pearl, the resort where we stayed. We walked across the bridge to their home.  Sam Williams, Pacific Area Farm Manager, had already delivered the materials we needed to build the garden. Samu was very pleased with the new garden space. He promised to plant the vegetables within a week. These will provide good nutrition to his family. The garden is right beside the home for easy access to vegetables.

Luisa Vaifala with Samu Masiuala and his children

           

Sister Debra Roundy (Vanuatu)

We stayed at the Pearl Resort, about an hour from the airport in Suva. We did not have a chance to do any shopping in Suva or traveling about the area. Our days were packed with learning! We loved the conference and feel we can implement some of what we learned into our mission in Tonga.

Fiji Suva Temple

We did however go to the temple with the Camerons (Scott and Pam from Carstairs, Alberta) who serve in Samoa on Wednesday night before the conference began. We shared the cost of a taxi, $150, so we could attend a session at the Suva Fiji temple.

Elder and Sister Thomson with Silongo Simani

Silongo Simani is our Country Welfare Manager. Silongo has much experience in materials management and has many contacts that will be helpful to our humanitarian team.

Silongo recently took over from Faka'osilea Kaufusi. Brother Kaufusi is staying on as a volunteer and will continue to work with us. He also has many local contacts who help us with our work. Kaufusi was sick for nearly the whole conference so we did not get a picture of him.

Don/Ralene Bills, Hans Sorenson, Sam Wiliams, Luisa Vaifale

I have to include a picture of our New Zealand team. They made this conference possible. Hans and Elder and Sister Bills are our supervisors. We have a question and they answer it. They are a wealth of information. It is to them that we present our projects. They go over the projects and present them to the area presidency for approval. They make things happen! We love them.


Sam Williams is the area farm manager. Luisa Vaifale is the administrative assistant. She runs the office! We have a question, she gets the answer.

Takuilau College School Furniture Delivery

We made several trips to Lapaha GPS (government primary school) to take school furniture. On the first trip, I noticed a school nearby that was severely damaged by Cyclone Gita. I felt we should stop, but we went on our way and said we would stop later. The next trip to Lapaha I again had the same impression, but again we drove on by. The third trip to Lapaha GPS to take a drawer we had not included for a desk, I told Monte we needed to stop now - the Holy Ghost is speaking to me. We stopped.
We found out the name of the school is Takuilau College. It is run by the Catholic Church. This school suffered 80-100% damage from Cyclone Gita. Most of the buildings lost their roofs. The contents were damaged not only from the falling debris but also from the heavy rain that accompanied the hurricane. Sister Sina, Deputy Principal, showed us around the school. We determined there was much need.




Most of the classrooms have limited school desks and chairs. What remains are old benches to sit on and taller benches for desks. This is not unusual for Tonga, but at Takuilau there are only enough of these desks and benches for maybe one-third of the students. Most textbooks were destroyed by the rain. The library was hit hard. The school salvaged what books they thought could be saved (but even those were in poor condition) and put them in a classroom, but nearly all the library shelving was crushed.




The home economics building is in poor condition. The stove does not work, nor the refrigerator. Falling roof and breaking walls fell on cabinets too. This room needs much. The industrial arts building was destroyed in a fire a month earlier so it too is in need.

But school goes on. In fact while we were visiting, the students in the band were practicing for the opening of parliament the next week. Such sweet music filled the air.



We told Sister Sina that we could not provide all their needs but we have some desks and chairs we could bring and we have library shelving. We received a shipment last week that contained metal shelving from a college library in New Zealand. The Lord knew the need was here in Tonga and those shelves were sent here rather than to another island. We also received some textbooks for home economics, English, math, and science in that shipment. This is a good place for those to go.

We arranged for the truck later that week and returned with 75 desks and chairs. The elders from Popua and Maufanga helpled us to load the truck at the warehouse. I wish they could have gone to the school to deliver it too, but it is out of their area. They will be getting cookies though later this week.

 The boys at Takuilau helped to unload the truck. It was quite a fun atmosphere when the furniture arrived. We may have more desks and chairs with a future shipment that we can mark for this deserving school.

The principal was at the school when we made the delivery. His face beamed with happiness with our LDS Charities donation. We told him we did not have room for the library shelving so we would have to come back. He called 4 boys to go back with us to Maufanga and help us load the rest. They jumped in the back of the truck ride about a 45-minute drive. It was so good to have them to help. The shelving is awkward and is not easy to carry and put in the truck. We could not have done it alone. 

While the guys were loading the shelving, I picked out some textbooks and sports equipment. We had just received some cricket equipment, rugby balls, soccer balls, volleyballs, and basketballs. The boys said they knew how to play cricket, and of course every Tongan boy can play rugby! The girls will enjoy soccer and volleyball.

The boys faces beamed with excitement when they saw the balls!



“We need so much help," said Sister Sina. "Thank you, thank you, thank you. You are angels!"  We were so thrilled to be able to help this needy school. LDS Charities provides aid without regard to religion. We work as the Savior did as evidenced in the parable The Good Samaritan. All are children of our Heavenly Father.

                            True happiness comes only by making others happy.  David O McKay

Return Journey from 'Eueiki Island - A Real Tongan Adventure

I noticed the winds pick up during conference Sunday morning. As we walked to the boat, I also noticed the seas were stronger. The boat had been anchored down around the bend for the weekend. The boat operator brought it over to the opening in the reef, then pointed it bow out toward the sea. 



Several men were needed to hold the boat pointing out and to keep it still while we loaded - gear first, then carefully us passengers. After each wave crashed to shore, 2-3 people hurried to climb aboard before the next wave came in.





Finally with 18 of us on board, the boat operator said it was time to go for the reef opening. He timed the wave; when it crashed in, he gunned the engine. We sailed through the opening; several of us exclaimed "We're through!" That was the first test.  

We turned and watched a smaller boat repeat the procedure to get more of our group in that boat and maneuver through the reef. Once through, we again marveled how quickly the boat rushed through the opening in the reef. The little boat pulled up next to us. We found that the 5 in that boat were transferring to our boat!

With the boats riding about 6-foot swells and the boats coming toward each other then moving away, the transfer was made. Three sister missionaries: Sisters Nuku, Na'a, and Fotu, sucked on the courage pill and made the leep. Of course, they landed on us already seated, but there were no injuries and no one landed in the sea! Stake President Tevita Hikila and his counselor President Neamani Sateki next made the transition. 

We felt like boat people crammed on a small boat

Sister Na'a (yellow), Dianne Lomu (President

Tikila's daughter) and baby

We were all relieved when everyone was in the boat safely ... but now we felt like "boat people" fleeing  a dangerous situation. Our little fishing boat was filled with 23 people!



Our boat operator skillfully guided us through the crests and peaks of the waves which were 6-8 feet deep. Many waves splashed over the sides. 

This picture does not do justice for the size of the waves

Elder Thomson who was sitting next to the edge was drenched from chest to toe. One wave broke over the boat; we all were soaked with that wave. 

Elder Thomson and I were not scared. Both of us had our eyes on the boat operator; he showed no sign of concern, just carefully studied the water and got us through the best he could. 

We calculated we were closer to 'Afa than 'Eueiki, and sighed in relief as we neared the shore. 

Once on the beach in 'Afa, we scrambled out. We unloaded the boat, stacking the gear on the shore. We formed a line and passed the gear from the boat, one person to the next. Then our boat operator set out for his return trip to 'Eueiki.

All 3 sister missionaries say they will not get back in a little fishing boat again. As for Elder Thomson and me, we can't wait to go back to 'Eueiki! 


Before leaving on our separate ways, many of us posed for a memory picture. This is not all of us that were on that little fishing boat, there were 5 more, and we all will remember this day!

Elder Ma'u,Sister Fotu (looking back), Sister Na'a (yellow), Sister Nuku, Saia Vai (red shirt in back), President Hikila, Elder Thomson, Sister Thomson, Sister Hikila, Sister Ma'u (in back by Elder Thomson), Elder and Sister Kolomalu, Neamani Sateki in front of Kolomalus, Sister Sateki (white hat), Meleseini Finau Piuleini, _____ (man in back), Dianne Lomu (President Hikila's daughter), Ti Lomu holding baby.

The winds and the waves shall obey thy will: Peace, be still.

Whether the wrath of the storm-tossed sea Or demons or men or whatever it be,

No waters can swallow the ship where lies The Master of ocean and earth and skies.

They all shall sweetly obey thy will:

'Eueiki Island Beauty

After the painting was done and the lunch/feast eaten, we had free time to visit, walk the island, or play in the water. We were going to have conference Saturday evening, but the generator did not work so there was no light.




This is the view from the path up to the school, churches, and homes. We had landed at the ocean straight ahead in the picture.

We walked back here several times because it was so stunningly beautiful.










The ocean has always captivated me. I love the crashing of the waves, the beauty, the peace I feel when I look out across the sea.

As we look out at the ocean, we can see the varying colors. Where there is coral, it is darker. Where there are channels, it is lighter. There appears to be a kaleidescope of green/blue. I love it.






We first walked the beach around where we had landed. These children were playing together and building sand castles. When the boy saw my camera, he scuttled away.

Later as we walked back to the path, he was playing with his sister again.









We carried our gear to the LDS
Chapel where we slept. As we walked from the LDS church to the beach, we looked out at the sea. I often walked out to this spot just to enjoy the beauty.

If you look closely you can see people playing in the ocean. As the waves crashed to shore, they would time the wave and dive through the wave. What joy they were having! We wish we had remembered our towels; we would have joined them.





We walked along the beach and took pictures of the vegetation.


The island is beautiful. It is so green and lush. Lots of underbrush, palms, coconuts, and other vines.

We also enjoyed sitting on a log and watching the hermit crabs move along the shore.

The coconut tree has often been referred to as the "Tree of Life" throughout the Pacific Islands. This name was given because of the tree's many uses and flexibility within the culture. It sustains communities and helps them survive. The leaves, the bark, the husk, and the flesh all have a functional use. This tree in its various forms gives food, drink, shelter, warmth, materials and sustenance to people. Additionally, it provides a source for arts and crafts.



We made our way back to the church site and enjoyed visiting with our new friends. All who could speak English were kind to include us in the conversations. 

Left front to back: Sisters Mau, Fotu, Na'a,  ____, Nuku
Right front to back: Sister Thomson, Kolomalu, Meleseini Finau Piuleini, _____

                                                                                               For the beauty of the Earth 

Going to 'Eueiki Island and Painting the School

Tonga Stake President Tevita Hikila invited us to branch conference on 'Eueiki Island, a very small island off the NE coast of Tongatapu. We gathered at the beach at 'Afa at 7 a.m. We carried our luggage to the beach and waited for the boat. When it arrived, we loaded the boat with our gear, then waded to the boat, climbed into the small fishing boat and settled in for the hour ride to 'Eueiki..

LDS Charities had given school furniture to 'Eueiki GPS in April. Now we were going to help paint the one room school, classes 1-6, about 16 students, 1 teacher/principal. After primary school, the students go to Tongatapu to school, living there during the week and traveling home on the weekend.

Neamani Sateki

           
                       Elder Thomson                                       Sione Pasoni

Pink hat Sister Ma'u, White hat Sister Kolomalu
ladder Sione Pasoni, Sister Thomson

Sefo 'Uvea

               

Folau Veaiomounga

Elder Kolomalu, Filivalea Piuleini

The school really looked nice when it was all painted!

Standing: Neamani Sateki, Filivalea Piuleini, Elder Thomson, Sione Pola'apau Tonutonu (principal and teacher), Tonga
Soane, Folau Veaiomounga, Elder Ahokilisimasi Kolomalu.
Sitting: Sefo 'Uvea , Sione Pasoni

Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much ...  Helen Keller