Talofa!

This is Melissa writing on behalf of Rob, as he was just asked to teach a class on Hagai to the Old Testiment Class in about 5 minutes from now.

Our Wednesday started off the usual way, with a great breakfast, and attending the school devotions. Afterwards, Jason led the phenomenal team devotions in the fale by the pool, while Rob met with Otele. My favorite team moment of the entire trip occurred when each member decided to just hang out in the fale and talk. We talked and shared for over an hour before Rob joined us. We stayed there until it was time to have lunch. It was such a special moment in a series of special moments on the trip.

After 2 days of camps, the team was feeling pretty wiped out, so everyone conserved energy. An hour or so before camp started, the kids camp team started putting together a part of the craft for our lesson on the Lost Sheep, while the sports camp team met and prepared the coolers of drinks for both camps. We had a church from a couple villages down join us for the day. Their kids had never been involved in a camp like our two camps, and they really seemed to enjoy everything we did. As always the day ended with everyone just playing together on the field. Adam, Matt, Michael, Jason and Will all had little kids crawling all over them and just loving to play with them. Bethany, Molly, Drew, Rob and Azalea joined in volleyball, soccer or even rugby games. Everyone else played “duck duck goose”, and other games with the kids.

After dinner, the team prepared for what we will perform at the Fia Fia. I don’t want to spoil too much, but we are singing a couple of well known songs, the guys have created an original song of our trip as well as learning parts of a slap dance, several team members are performing a skit, and of course, our world famous line dancing! Even though we were tired, the thought of giving back just a bit to the people here helped us find the energy before lights out.

Pray for us as today’s schedule is jam packed with filling water balloons, working and playing hard, then the Fia Fia. It is hard to describe the awesomeness of the Fia Fia for those that haven’t been here before, so you will just have to come on a Samoa mission trip to see for yourself. Thank you for all your support, prayers and comments here.

We hope to have a chance to do one more blog before we leave tomorrow night, which none of us can believe the end is already here!

Talofa!

The morning started off with another wonderful sunrise. It is a constant reminder to all of us on the team of God and his beautiful creation. I am amazed on our team still have stuff to talk about at every meal, with great conversations, and hanging out and talking until the next activity. We went to the morning devotions with the students again. It was a great way to start off the morning. Melissa was excited when the group sang “Seek Ye First” in the old school style she grew up with! I then went and had breakfast with Otele and Jack, the founder and president of the South Seas ministries. While I was doing this, our team went out to the fale for team devotions, which was led by Molly. It was a great conversation about what each of us is learning and planning to take back to the US to continue our own growth and ministry there. Will continues to do a great job in leading us in worship.

After that, we had a team bonding time, where we played a game of soccer against ourselves. We made the field a small field, with the rule of not kicking it hard. Molly kept breaking that rule, so I had to create a penalty box for her (Melissa thinks it was just because Molly was on the team opposite of Rob!). After, we went to the fresh water pool by the ocean, which is cared for by the college. It is a refreshing change of pace. We headed back for lunch, and then began our preparation for the camps. Word got out about our kids camp, and I got asked if a village that was 3 villages away could join us, which added to our number. Between the workers and the kids for the two camps, we have about 200 people participating! Praise God we have enough stuff!

In the middle of sports camp, we had a fastest man in Samoa competition. At first I had all of us pahlongees (what they call us) race, and Matt won that. Then I had all of the 4^th year students race, and finally each of the 4 teams had to pick their fastest male. Then we had the ultimate race. Matt gave it his best to represent the USA, but fell short by a foot to a young 17 year old Samoan. Everyone got into it and had a great time. The young man was presented with the title and a South Seas Ministry shirt. Today we are doing it with the girls. We also taught them Ultimate Frisbee, which has become a big hit with the teens!

Kids camp did another parable lesson, with the whole crew reenacting the Parable of the Sower skit from “Godspell”. Becca is amazed at how loving and creative the kids are, and how easy it is to entertain them, especially when they play the balloon stomp game. Jennie has loved doing the crafts with the kids, but especially playing Simon Says and singing with them before the camp starts. Each day of camp closes out with a final song – a sing off of “Hallelujah, Praise Be the Lord.” Be on the lookout for videos when we return! It is just awesome to see how the kids camp team works so well together.

Everyone loves just hanging out with the kids and teens after the camps. Michael has decided that Samoa is his perfect place – they love singing, sports, eating and geckos! And Adam echoes the same feelings, and don’t worry dads, we are making sure they get on the plane with us!

While the team wrapped-up camp, and headed to dinner, I had a special privilege of going to dinner with Misa, the Deputy (basically the VP of Samoa!). It was a group of nine people, and it was an honor to be there and be a part of some great conversations as I ate with my hands at an Indian restaurant.

Please keep praying for us, as each day the team is giving their all, and getting more and more run down. I am so proud of them. We can’t believe we only have 2 days of camp left!!

Talofa!

We woke up to a beautiful sunrise. It was great to see the sun again. Many in our group get up early every morning to watch the sun rise over the ocean. We headed off to breakfast. Everyone is doing good with the food, trying new things everyday! We went to the chapel where we joined in with the student devotions for the morning. It was led by one of the instructors, who gave a very passionate and motivating talk on discipleship. I went and met with the president of the college for an hour and a half. We had a great talk. I found out he is part of a world council of churches. He told me about last year’s topic for the conference, which was defining the church. It was fascinating to hear how different countries and denominations answer that question. We also talked a lot about the economy of Samoa and its future.

While I was doing this, the team had team devotions next to the ocean next to a new fale (by the school pool for those that have been here before). It was led by Adam Arsenault, who I heard did a great job. Afterwards, our group met in the little chapel area, and unloaded all of our boxes. We sorted everything out and got organized for both camps. We then broke up into our camp teams to go over last minute details, and then made our way over to the big fale and field for Day One!

The kids started arriving 30 minutes before the camp was even started, so Jennie and Will had a group signing songs and playing games. Melissa is heading up our kids camp, and has done a wonderful job organizing her team and all the materials. The theme is Parables, and they opened with the Good Samaritan. Jennie, Katie and Ashley headed up the crafts, and Katei was amazed at how quiet the kids can be while putting stickers on papers. Will, Jason and Azalea are teaching the lessons, and Jason is still shocked at how good of listeners the kids are. Becca, Amanda and Drew are leading the games, and Amanda just loves the enthusiasm of the kids. While Bethany, the on the field first aid person, keeps track of everyone.

I am keeping the sports camp organized, and our four team captains are Molly, Adam, Matt, and Michael. We did soccer, volleyball and ultimate Frisbee. Half-way through the camp, each captain gave their testimony to their teams. Matt was struck by one of the girls, who said that since we came here, the youth group has gotten a lot closer!

Day One of camp was a great success! I was just asked if it would be ok if a local village could also bring their kids for the rest of the camp, so it will get bigger today!! The night was closed off with eating another awesome meal, evaluation, and of course more games, but the team was worn out and didn’t stay up as late as usual.

Molly and I had a great conversation with a woman who sought us out. It was exciting to see God use Molly and her counseling gifts to help this woman with some difficult situations she has at home. There is a lot of this happening with our group.

I would like to thank everyone who has left comments here, I have passed them on the group, and it has brought great enthusiasm. Thanks for all the prayers, but keep them coming, the group is starting to get tired. Encourage them to give everything they have every day!

Greetings again!

After another amazing breakfast, we headed over to church in our Sunday finest. We managed to dodge a burst of rain on the way. We happened to be there on their monthly Communion Sunday. I was asked to give a message to the teenagers, and I challenged them on the topic of being fearless in II Timothy. I invited our team and the Samoan teens to sing “Grace like Rain”, while it rained outside the stained glass windows. We had to overcome fear singing in front of the phenomenal singers of the Samoan congregation. I also found out later that having an acoustic guitar leading the music was VERY different for them. It was ok that we did it, but it sounds like it might not be ok normally. The whole church was surprised when the Head of State and his wife attended the service. This was a very rare occasion; it would be like the President coming to our church service. Will was very excited to say that he played for the king. Afterwards, I had the honor of meeting him, and was informed to greet him as Your Highness. They had an outside guest speaker from India, who had the most astounding testimony. I am sure I will be telling you his story at some point, it was that powerful!

Some of our group got up at 5am, well before breakfast, to see the preparation of the pig and turkey for our Sunday supper. It is a two-hour process. After church, we changed from our formal attire for church, to formal dinner wear for the big Sunday supper for us and the fourth year students and their wives. We were also honored to share our meal with Jack Thomas and Mike Maxim from South Seas Christian Ministry. It was a FEAST! There was the pig, muscles, oysters, octopus, pig heart, turkey, raw fish called Oka, bread fruit, just to name a few items! It was all amazing. Each of us sat at a table with some of the Samoan students to engage in conversation. Drew’s table had him eat 2 plates of food, 4 bowls of ice cream and 2 plates of cakes. I think they were afraid of how skinny he was!

The Samoans work so hard during the week that they truly take Sunday as the Sabbath and a true day of rest. After lunch, so we also made it a day of rest. Some people napped for a few hours, others journal, some played cards games very quietly, and then it was off to the church service at 6:30 led by a 4^th year student. I still could not believe how nice the weather was, as I remember sitting in that building just sweltering! We all love the Samoan service, especially the music. We joined in a couple of hymns that we recognized. I continued to be impressed with how well the team is getting along, and how hard they are working. At each meal, each of us sits at a table of 4, and we take the chance to get to know each other better.

We came back to a light tea, and quietly played games until lights out at 11pm. As I reflect on this group, the best way to describe it is as discovering that Molly has gone from the 3^rd youngest on last year’s trip to the 6^th oldest on this trip! We have a young group, and I can’t keep up with them! They are all doing well, and us old folks are doing well to keep up with them!

Please pray for us as we start our camps in just a couple of hours! The sun is out and we’re ready!!

Taolfa!

This is the first chance we have had to access the computer since Friday. I am attempting to give you the highlights of the last few days. When I left you on Friday, we headed into Apia to shop for souvenirs and eat at a local restaurant, which specialized in fish and chips. I think Azalea wins for the most gifts purchased! You better watch out for the credit card bill Rolando! Just kidding! Everyone enjoyed the flee market and all it had to offer. You will have to ask Michael about the comments on his lava lava.

When we arrived back, we were greeted by the kids again. We spent the evening hanging out with the youth and singing with everyone. Will and Malua, one of the youth group, had fun going back and forth on their guitars. We’re all working hard on learning everyone’s names. Adam, who is feeling much better, has embraced his Samoan name “Atamu”. Everyone is still doing well with the food. We have had fried chicken, bread fruit and more!

On Saturday, we packed up the vans, and headed to the opposite side of the island, which none of our group had been to. It was pouring cats and dogs as we drove up the mountains into the bush. My van got stuck in the mud at one point (I think it was Rob, per Melissa), but a strong yellow rope got us free. It was 6 hours of driving, but each van had fun talking and sharing. The other side of the island was so different, with the waves breaking close and the color of the water was different! A quietness took over the vans as we began to see the devastation, that had not been completely rebuilt over a year later. Much had been cleaned up, but seeing the empty foundations was sad. We drove up the new roads being paved, because the people did not want to live along the ocean any longer. Many are now afraid of the sea, and see it as their enemy, vowing not to return to it. We pulled over and walked to the shore line, and prayed as a team for the villages. It was an emotional time for most, if not all of us. Just as we got in the vans, the rain began to POUR! We pulled over to eat sandwiches and drink juice. Amanda and I walked over to a snack shop, who I interviewed. I don’t think I will ever forget that conversation, where he told me about the 13 people he lost in the tsunami, including his dad and 3 sisters. He was in New Zealand when it happened, so his life was spared. He talked of the love of Jesus, but many times mentioned that the wound in his heart would never go away.

On our way home, we stopped for some good old fashioned New Zealand ice cream! I have never felt the weather be so cold, as I have on this trip. All my previous trips it has been hot and humid. You actually get a bit cold here after the sun goes down. I keep telling the team how spoiled they are. Those of you who came out with me 7 years ago, would not believe it!

On Saturday night, we met with the Youth Group for 3 hours. It has been the highlight of the trip so far. We worshiped together, and played a fun ice breaker game. Azalea, Jason and Becca gave their testimonies, and did a great job! Michael and Will sang “Come all ye weary”, as well as performed the King of Hearts drama with Jennie, Katie and Ashley. We then practiced the song ‘Grace like rain” we would sing with the Youth Group at church on Sunday. At first the students were quiet and shy, but as the power would go out and come back on, they were blaring! It was a closed off with homemade cookies and punch. The kids didn’t want to leave, but we had to send them home at 10pm, so they wouldn’t get in trouble. And once again, as every night, the team gathered in the small chapel by us to play games.

There is so much to share, but this is just a taste of what happened! We will send a blog about Sunday, later this afternoon!