Savai'i The Big Island

We took the opportunity this week to go to the other Samoan ITEP campus at Vaiola on the island of Savai'i and check out the house that the new ITEP missionary couple, the Fillmore's will be living in. 

Blow Holes in Savai'i

We were so blessed to have Elder and Sister Little get our apartment ready when we came and we wanted to pay it forward just a bit.  The Samoan word Vai means water and ola means life or living.  So the name of the school literally means living water.  I am sure that the purpose of the school is to provide not only a secular education but connect the young people with our Savior, Jesus Christ and the living water he represents.

Steps to the Vaiola Sign on the Hill on Vaiola Campus

A Brave Woman!

We had a wonderful time and a lot of fun cleaning and organizing the house as well as taking a 360 degree tour of the island.  We drove around the entire island - stopping to see the blow holes powered by the surf and going up the canopy walk (40 meters or 131 feet off the ground).  Crossing on the ferry was an adventure but made possible with Dramamine for me.

Janice scraping coconuts to make milk

We have been busy teaching our class, preparing lessons, building and using a coconut bench with a scraper (you have not lived until you have eaten boiled green bananas with fresh coconut milk with onion sauce). 

We are missing our family a bunch during this Christmas season but trying to say busy and serving where we can.  Our hearts go out to each of you and wish we could be there to give you a warm embrace with our love but you will just have to settle for our love alone!

Sliding rocks waterfalls just above our house