Staff Retreat & Starkes' Visit to Savaii

All the Samoa schools are on a two-week school break between terms.  On Wednesday of this past week, September 27^th, we participated in the Staff Retreat held every other year.  We started at the Falealupo Fales on the west side of Savaii.  Outdoors by the ocean was the perfect setting.  We opened with a devotional introducing the theme:  “Align with the Brethren”---meaning to follow the counsel of our church leaders in unity.  Then we danced some Zumba before being served a breakfast buffet.  Team activities were kicked off  with each team creating a team name and banner.  Games and team building activities involved a water relay from the ocean side; breaking coconuts and drinking its water; blindfolds; water filled balloons; volleyball; and building sand castles.  Lunch boxes were packed with lots of good food. It was a fun-filled team building afternoon.  At one point a few of us swam in the ocean before travelling a short distance to the Vaisala Hotel Resort where we had dinner and entertainment.  Each team presented its “item” which is to say an entertainment number.  Samoans know how to play, dance, laugh, and have fun; it was a hoot.  Dinner was fully catered with lots of good Samoan food.  The retreat committee gave out participatory awards.  Very interactive and fun retreat.

Karla was on the yellow team.

Ron was on the red team.

On Thursday Elder & Sister Starke came from Upolu and joined us in Savaii for a tour of the island.  We had a wonderful Friday and drove the complete island loop.  Along the way we stopped to feed the turtles, toured the Pea Pea Cave, climbed the Canopy Walk, and followed the trail to the House of Rock.  Our lunch stop was at the Vaisala Hotel Resort where the view was mangificent.  The Pea Pea Cave is a lava tube in which the very small, black pea pea bird dwells and builds mud nests in the lava walls.  They only lay one tiny egg; their sound is a clicking.  We certainly needed our flashlights.  You may remember that we had previously done the Canopy Walk; it was no less awesome this time.  We did locate the trail to the House of Rock. Basically, it was another lava tube in which a dwelling was created.

Once back home we had a home-cooked meal at the home of Elder & Sister Deffense.  Sharing in great company was the perfect ending of a day of adventure.  We love serving with such amazing missionary couples in a warm, embracing culture.

Pea Pea Cave

Canopy Walk

Elder Bob & Sister Arthella Starke