JourneyMissions2010

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!!