Re-building Samoa

The Senior Elders had a great experience last Saturday. Our ward adopted a family that was devastated by the tsunami. The Vi'iga family lost two children when the tsunami hit. They lost everything except a cupboard that saved their son's life (he clung to it when the wave hit) and a refrigerator (which they found several hundred yards away) that is a little rusty and dented but works. They say they thank God every day for those two things; essentially, it is all they have left. Our ward decided to try to build them a house in one day. They moved up the mountain to their plantation land so they will be out of harm's way if there is another tsunami. (Who could blame them?) They'll have to change their diets a little -- less fish and more chickens and pigs. Samoans pass land from generation to generation (for the most part, land is not sold here) so they bury their dead on their land. We built the house next to the grave sites of their two lost children. It was both a very sad and a very happy day. We had to finish the house before dark, which we did.

I want you all to know I worked very hard despite appearances in this picture.

We left home at 4:00 am; the home site is about an hour and a half drive away. We started out clean, as you can see in this picture, but before long we were filthy.

It's been years since I've worked this hard, but it was a lot of fun working along side the Samoans and other missionaries serving in this kind of a cause. It was fascinating watching the Samoan construction techniques. We saw lots of improvisation. I never knew a machete could be used for so many tasks. At the end of the day, we were so dirty we had to bathe in the ocean with our clothes on.

Although it was a long drive home after an exhausting day, we had to stop to see a waterfall. It's hard to pass on opportunities to see scenes like this, even if for just a few seconds.

She's Here...Well, She's There!

Avery Jaye Tolman was born on January 22, 2010 at 3:30 am. She weighed in at 7 lbs and 6 oz. Isn't she beautiful? We have gotten to see pictures and 'visit' with her on skype. It is so hard to be so far away. One of my very favorite things is to watch my children become first time parents. It has been hard to miss this opportunity with Brett and Sarah so all of you who are there make sure and soak it all in and give her a few Gammy kisses for me. Malo lava (congratulations) Brett and Sarah on a job very well done!

Christmas in Samoa

Not surprisingly, holidays in the islands were a new and different experience for us; while Samoans celebrate Christmas, there is very little that resembles our American-style commemoration of the Savior's birth. This picture actually represents just about as close to Christmas as we felt during the entire month; we attended a Christmas concert and Santa, bare feet and all, paid a visit.


Samoa almost shuts down during the holidays. Because we are in the southern hemisphere, the holidays coincide with summer school break. About half the people, it seems, leave the island to visit family in the US, New Zealand, Hawaii, or Australia. We have had to get creative to find ways to keep ourselves busy serving. We have enjoyed our reading class we are conducting in the village of Malie. The kids are very cute. Our favorites, Rubina, Leonardo and Lynette, have been there every time.

On Christmas Eve, we went to the store and loaded our little Toyota Yaris with candy, balloons and other gifts to take to kids in the tsunami area. We found much has been cleaned up since we were there last, and some rebuilding is taking place, but most people still are living in very difficult circumstances. When we first arrived, the village seems deserted. We then spotted some kids in a house a family was actively trying to clean up from the damage from the tsunami, so we stopped. At first, the kids were shy and afraid as we approached, but as soon as we started handing out the gifts and wishing them a Merry Christmas (Manuia le Kerisimasi) kids started to appear from everywhere. We soon were surrounded by over 20 children smiling from ear to ear; what we gave them probably was the only thing they received this Christmas. We had a blast.
The only problem was we soon found we didn't have anywhere near enough candy and toys to give away. We will do better next year.


We had so much fun on Christmas Eve that we took our senior missionary buddies, the Strieffs, and did it again on New Year's Eve. This time, we didn't go to the tsunami area, but it didn't seem to make any difference. On one stop, the kids started hugging and kissing Gammy; she hasn't had a grandkid hug in months, so she loved it.

Even without going to the tsunami area, we found some very humble circumstances where candy and a balloon were considered a great treat and appeared to be very appreciated. Consistent with Samoan culture, we got invited to stay for food almost every time we stopped; Papa was sad we couldn't accept the invitations.

During the holidays, we managed to go golfing with some friends. This picture is of a pig that somehow ended up on the golf course. About two seconds after this picture was taken, the snap of our friend's camera scared the pig. Papa was able to get out of the way, but you can imagine the cacophony of sounds as a scared pig grunted through the weeds, startling a hen and her chicks, which squawked and jumped three feet in the air, while Gammy screamed as the pig charged straight at her. It was one of the funniest thing any of us had ever seen.

For you golfers, you might be interested in knowing that the "sticks" in Samoa really are sticks.

Although it was difficult to be away for the holidays, scenes like this, which we see every day, made it a little easier.

On New Year's Day, the senior couples went to a beach resort for a little vacation and to celebrate Sister Bell's birthday.

We had a treat while there, as the highest chief in the village came by and showed us some of the interesting things in the village and told us of some village legends.

We love you all, and good night from Samoa.