End of Term 3

We had two days of cultural celebrations at the end of Term 3.  There was a lot of singing and dancing.  Everyone was so talented!  The middle school program on Thursday lasted nearly 4 hours and the whole while, the students sat on the floor.  Here is a picture of the girls' side of the gym and the girls in their school uniforms.  If the girls have long hair (most do) they have to braid their hair at school.  Many of the year 9 students performed dances for the National Assessment for Samoan Culture.  They were being filmed for the ministry of Education to evaluate.

A lot of braids!

Siva!

Year 9 Assessment Performance

Year 9 Assessment

More Year 9 Assessment

We started a new class this week and have 10 teachers attending.  It is reading in the content area.  We are helping teachers in all subjects see that specifically helping students read in the context of their subject matter endows them with power to become life-long learners.

Waterfall at Sauniatu

We were pleased to find out that some friends of ours in Kettle Falls (the Oliversons - where Joe is from) served a mission over 20 years ago in Sauniatu.  It really is a beautiful and sacred place where the early saints of Samoa could find protection and sanctuary to practice their religion without persecution.  We are impressed with the stories of the early saints here who were disowned by their families and banished from their villages.  Many were taxed unfairly just because they had joined the church.  Sauniatu became a blessing to the saints here as they found a place to live and worship freely.  There is an article from 1978 that describes how what we see today there came to be. https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/liahona/1978/01/sauniatu-preparing-to-go-forth?lang=eng

We have now been here for one year!  It only seems like yesterday that we were driving down the roads looking with wonder at everything we were seeing.  Now we drive down the road and everything just looks normal.  People smile and wave everywhere we go.  They are kind and respectful to us.  The ocean is warm and beautiful and the palm trees sway gently in the wind.  Janice just remarked that it used to be worrying about our children that kept her awake a night but now, it is worrying about the teachers in our class and how they are progressing.

Our neighbor boy, Jayden showing us his new shirt!

We are grateful for our family and their love and support that make it possible for us to be here serving.  Benjamin and his family, drove all the way from Hillsboro in Western Oregon this weekend to our house to make sure our sprinkler lines were blown out and things were good for the winter.  Sherman Beus (our neighbor) and Tom Norman (our niece's husband) worked really hard earlier this week closing down the pool and winterizing the equipment for it.  Thanks for making our mission possible.