WAM - canoe builders

 We took our special guests from New Zealand to visit WAM - a youth training facility which teaches young people how to build their traditional canoes. This sign which is beside their front door says that it is an alcohol-free, smoke-free and betel-nut chewing-free zone.

 Here is some of the pretty coloured wood that they use to build the canoes. It is from the breadfruit tree. Tom and I love the taste of breadfruit curry and breadfruit soup.

H

 Sister Winters (in the blue sweater) and I are looking to see how they put together the canoes.

Here are the young people building another canoe indoors. And below is a finished model hanging from the rafters.

We plan to book a one hour trip on a canoe with the other missionary couple. We can ride for $20/per person.

When it rains its pours

 On Sunday, we walked to the Mission Office to send a message and the heavens opened up on us.  Needless to say, we had to camp in the office for about an hour while the storm blew through.  The pictures are not the best but we tried.

 In a matter of minutes the road was flooded and everyone was looking for shelter. Except a few people who began to body surf on the streets.

 After a short while the road became nonexistent and the cars were forced to drive up into our apartment complex to get around the high water.

Finally it quite raining and we were able to walk home.  Even though we received many many inches of rain, within 20 minutes the water has already settled into the ground due to the island being all coral.

Mother's Day Celebration 2015

Mother's Day in our little branch was a big celebration and feast. The Church and even the outdoor pillars were decorated with ferns and posters.

This picture shows Branch President Banny and some of the men saying kind words to the women/girls assembled. The men do not have flowers around their neck - those are bubblegum necklaces which were given to each woman (the kids promptly took the gum.)

 Here are some of the women and children assembled to hear the speech then everyone went outside to have the feast.

We are introduced and thanked each week in Sacrament meeting for our help with the Branch. On this special day, we were given a crown and a necklace to show that we were honoured guests.

 This is Elder Crooks with Brother Rakin. He was the former Stake President when our Stake was first established and now teaches priesthood classes with Elder Crooks. He translates for Sister Crooks in adult Sunday School and for Elder Crooks in priesthood.  He must be hoarse by the end of the meetings. His family is really terrific.

 These little boys have sweet faces now but you should see them in Primary!

This is a picture of some of the people waiting for the feast to begin. They served fried chicken, rice, boiled pumpkin in coconut oil, potato salad, breadfruit roasted over coals (absolutely delicious), a raw weiner, tuna sashimi (very good), yellow cake and a fresh coconut for everyone to drink. I didn't have room to try the mashed green banana rolled in fresh coconut.  I believe the lady in the picture front right was one of the original missionaries for this branch.