February 24, 2014

February 24, 2014

We just made it through some of the busiest days ever and have enjoyed the best cultural celebration on Saturday.  Elder Neil L Anderson visited Tonga on Saturday, made a whirlwind tour, talked at many meetings and left today.  The Tongan stakes under direction of the area presidency have been working on an extravaganza of epic porpotions for this tiny south pacific island.  The stakes divided into 3 stake groups per each unit and taught about 3000 young people the traditional Tongan dances.  There were 6 dances that were performed by these young people who have been practicing for months about 3 nights a week.  Everything was based on the traditions of the people, including the costumes which were made from everything they could scrape up.  The Tongan people are not rich, but the costumes were beautiful, the dancing graceful and memorable.  All I could do was just watch in awe and wonder as these young people performed.  Steve got pictures, so I won't try to describe the event, other than it was so beautiful that words can't describe, nor can I describe my feelings as I watched these young people move in unison.  Wow!

We were pretty lucky as missionaries because I think we even got a better view than  those who were sitting on the stand.  The Prime Minister of Tonga was there with his entourage, plus Elder Anderson and Sister Anderson, Elder and Sister Hamula, Elder and Sister Tukuafu, area 70, Elder and Sister Tupou and the Stake Presidents of the Stakes here in Tonga, last I heard about 14 on Tongatapu.  These people were all seated on the stage with the accompanying decorations, fans, essential in the heat, treats and water.  We were also part of the priveleged few, but seated on the ballroom floor.  The stadium where the cultural event was held in was on campus of a college, I'm not sure if it was the Catholic college or University of the South Pacific.  The stadium was very small, so half of the dancers were on the dance floor while the others were seated in the balcony sections.  There were not very many seats left for spectators.  The arena was chosen because it was enclosed and because this is the rainy season, probably the only option.  The members had fasted Thursday for the elements to be controlled for the event.  We had had downpour rain for several days prior, but the rain dried up, the sun stayed behind the clouds so that it didn't get as hot as it has been. The temperature stayed cool, less than 100, until Elder Anderson left the island today.  Another blessing for the Tongan saints who are so faithful.

I had the opportunity of sitting by the mother of the Governor of Vava`u.  She was very excited to tell me that she had just flown in from New Zealand where she had been visiting and appologized for not having on her Official Tongan attire.  Her luggage continued on to Vava'u without her.  I don't even know her name, but we had a very nice conversation about her son.  He is a "More mon", I'm spelling it the way she spoke it.  She is of the Tongan church, but she told me later, she needed to become a "More Mon, they are very good people".  Sister Funaki and her husband sat behind us, so she conversed alot with the Governor's mom in the Tongan language.  She told me several times that the production was very grand and well done.  She also commented on my wearing the traditional Tongan clothing, 'it looked very nice".  I didn't want to tell her that I made it, I just told her Thank you and complemented her on her only outfit to wear tonight.  She was dressed in the bright colorful flower colors of Tonga, bright, light and airy.  She was fun!

We were able to attend a missionary fireside where Elder Anderson and his wife talked.  It was conducted by President Tupou, of course the missionaries sang their hearts out.  Elder Anderson took the time to shake the hands of all the missionaries which was a departure from his normal routine.  Bishop Fafita was Elder Anderson's driver and interpreter for them.  Several times during Elder Anderson's talk, Bishop Fafita would get emotional.  You could tell he was having a hard time controlling his feelings, but he handled himself well.  Bishop Fafita is a very humble man, whom we love because he is married to a favorite friend, Fehi (Fay he) who is the principal at Liahona High School that we work with.  We love them both, they are wonderful, humble, generous, kind people.  Bishop Fafita also works at the temple on Thursday nights at the English session when we officiate.  Elder Anderson talked alot about hastening the work.  I really liked the part when he said that we sometimes don't talk enough about repentance and that we don't give people enough time to adequately repent.  He really gave the missionaries a good talk about knowing their religion and then living it.  After Elder Anderson talked to us at 2:30, he had another fireside for the youth at 7.  He started his first meeting at 7 am with the Stake Presidents.  He has been on the go for hours since he got here.  But I do know that he got fed well, the Tongans feel like they have failed if there isn't at least another banquet left over after the first feast.

Because of transfers, The Alands and the Meyers fed some of the missionaries that were being transferred off an outer island after the meeting on Sunday.  It was really fun to be able to feed two Palangi Elders, Elder Harris and Elder Freer, who were from Mountain Home, Idaho and Gunnison, Utah.  We had a fun visit, because we had also invited Viliami, Ana and their little girl to eat with us.  Of course we had prepared more than we would ever eat, so we sent the leftovers with Viliami and Ana.  The Elders came from Eua (long- a oo ah). Both of the Elders skin problems, so I was able to play nurse for a moment, then Sister Mitchell the Real Nurse, came over to check the missionaries, had some oral antibiotics and ointment to apply to their wounds.  The problem with the missionaries and their skin diseases is the water and the diet that they get to eat.  Sometimes they just don't get to eat because the members forget appointments.  In this case, some of the members are fighting against the branch president, which I think is a major problem.  The consequences are paid by the missionaries when they don't get to eat.  The members sign up to feed the missionaries 2 meals a day which is all the missionaries get to eat. I heard rumors that the mission is working on getting this procedure changed. Some of the missionaries are losing wt, some needed, some not.

We took the time this last week to visit one of the TVET teachers who is in the hospital.  We ended up in the office of the assistant principal of the nursing school, who promptly took us to meet the head principal of the school.  We got the grand tour of the school and the hospital, then she took us to see our teacher, Moale (Moe a lay).  He was pretty surprised to see us, but he looked pretty miserable. He said he was feeling better than he was earlier in the week.  He  had boils all over his back, sides and thighs which were wrapped. We only stayed about 10 minutes because we had to get back to Liahona for classes.  Moale is also diabetic which does not help the healing process. The boils here are caused by bad water, heat with the accompaniying moisture and poor nutrition.

We were also introduced to the staff who were former students at the nursing school.   The hospital is large, about 50 years behind the times.  The patients that we saw on the medical ward were 4 per room, many amputees. During our visit we were also given an invitation to attend the Queen Salote College of Nursing graduation for Friday the 28th.  This graduation is attended by the Queen, so we have to be dressed in our traditional Tongan clothing for this event.  I'm not sure what other things we will be expected to participate in, but we will do our best to represent Liahona well.  We are trying to get a feel for what needs to happen at Liahona to have the students accepted as students at the nursing school.  The assistant principal did tell us that they have 2 returned missionaries who are students and the college wants more of them because of their ambition and ability to work.  So again, we are looking at offering more health occupation classes at Liahona, but much needs to be done.  We are also working with the dentists to get classes to certify dental techs in.  Dr. Cutler is also wanting to do a screening on form 4 students to start on a prevention plan to stop having to do so many  extractions that he has had to do since he got here.  He told me last week, that he has had to pull 50 permanent teeth since he got here 3 weeks ago.  Way too many.

We are having a Monday catch up, but so far it hasn't worked. We still have much to do.  I just finished helping Sister Aland in a music class.  I'm not sure I'm cut out for group classes, I can't stand all the noise from all the students playing music that doesn't sound good.  I wanted to run away.  Sister Aland is much better at being a teacher than I am.  Oh well, at least I am learning what I can and can't do.  So it's ofa `atu for me for now.