JourneyMissions2010

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!!