In-Service Week

Teachers and staff returned for a full in-service week prior to school starting.  In-service topics were the usual educational highlights:  Initiatives, goals, teaching coach, changes, scheduling, etc.  Dr. Jon Shute from BYU-Hawaii made a very good presentation on differentiation, or teaching with various approaches for the individual.  Additionally, Elder Kinghorn made a presentation on negative and positive reinforcers when teaching, and we presented on Professional Learning Communities or in other words, educators working together to improve their own craft.

Dr. Jon Shute of BYU-Hawaii, Presenter

The Vice Principal concluded his TVET presentation with a related video about looking to the future.  He had everyone stand and sing with the video, “I can see clearly now the rain is gone...”  You couldn't have planned a better team building activity because when the challenge was issued guys versus the ladies, everyone took advantage of the opportunity to let their hair down and have fun.  It was great!  Sister Kinghorn and I were the “judges”---like there wasn't anything to say afterwards, only laughter. 

The devotionals were focused on “Seeing the One” and seeing a child the way our Heavenly Father sees us:   with love and patience and continual support to help us realize our potential. 

Earlier last week (before I was sick), we joined Elder & Sister Kinghorn and Principal & Sister Lolo for dinner at the Savaiian Hotel.  It just happened to be my birthday but we let that pass very quietly.

Left:  Elder & Sister Kinghorn.  Right:  Rebecca & Principal Mika Lolo, Karla

We have both been a little under the weather over the weekend; hence, a later than usual post. 

MISCELLANEOUS: 

A shell Ron found & cleaned up.

American Samoa (Tutuila)

We chose to take advantage of the last of summer break and flew to American Samoa with Elder & Sister Little.  While American Samoa is a U.S. territory, it is also one of the three main islands in our mission along with Upolu and Savaii.  American Samoa is divided into the islands of Tutuila, Ofu, and Ta'ū;  Ofu and Ta'ū are part of the Manu'a group.  Ta'ū is the largest island in the Manu‘a Group and the easternmost volcanic island of the Samoan Islands. 

There is a mission home in Tutuila, specifically in Pago Pago.  Once in Pago Pago, we flew on to Ta'ū where Elder & Sister Wilde serve; they generously hosted us and drove us to see the island.  The population of  Ta'ū is about 300.  They rely on the boat from Tutuila to bring over supplies like food and gasoline.  Everyone on the island is rationed a monthly amount of gasoline which ships in 50 lb. barrels.  We enjoyed the ocean views, the hike to the ocean, and the beautiful people that we met.  The few church members meet in the living room of a member's home.  That husband in whose home we visited literally went out to the coconut tree and brought in the fresh Niu to give us refreshment of sparkling coconut water and then cracked open the emptied shell so we could eat the tender coconut inside.  These are the experiences that endear us to the Samoans.

Lodging in Ta'u

Littles on the left & Wildes on the right at the Ta'u wharf.

Drinking from the Niu that the brother in the back prepared for us.

At the beach on Ta'u

We spent a day and a night before flying back to Pago Pago aboard a small plane that boarded about 18 people.  Each flight between islands averages a half hour.  Weight distribution was important (for people and baggage).  Hence, Ron and Sister Little's luggage did not leave Ta'ū with us but we were able to claim it on the next flight which was two days later.  The way that unfolded was interesting.

Sister & Elder Anthon, Sister Kirkham, Sister Westenscow, Littles, Karla

 In Pago Pago we were hosted by Elder & Sister Anthon and two senior sister missionaries.  At the mission home we had a chance to renew friendships with some full time young missionaries who had served in Apia and Savaii.   Our hosts showed us the tuna factory which is a main industry, visited a local museum, viewed the Turtle & Shark Cliffs, and reflected at a tsunami memorial.  We traveled both directions on the shoreline road admiring the harbor and volcanic cliffs and National Park rainforest.  It was great to note the differences and similarities between the landscapes, oceanscapes, and homes on each of the Samoan islands.  On Tutuila there are few stop signs, no traffic lights, but a few speed limit signs actually posted.  Driving on the right side didn't seem quite natural after having adapted to Upolu and Savaii's left-side driving. We visited the U.S. Post Office, yes, with stamps and priority boxes!  When we walked into Cost U Less, it was like walking into a Costco where we purchased a very large bag of unmelted chocolate chips, gummy vitamins, and toiletries.  It was strange making purchases with U.S. currency again.  Our lodging was in the Quality Inn Tradewinds.  

Tsunami Memorial

 

This was unique.

You may recognize this famous landmark of the "Flowerpot".

 

Sister Anthon & Sister Little

Museum artifacts.

Sunkist Charlie Tuna

Old Banyon Tree

Looking down on Pago Pago from hilltop.

Hard rains the night before produced beautiful waterfalls.

Aerial view coming into Upolu.

After our four day visit to American Samoa we were blessed to spend three days in Apia before returning to Savaii.  We had a Family Home Evening with the other senior missionaries where we shared reflections of President Thomas S. Monson, our church president who passed away on January 2^nd.  His life has impacted so many for good and he truly exemplified “rescuing the one”.  We attended a temple session and ran some shopping errands.

Once “home” we've prepared in earnest for the school start up.  All next week is staff in-service; we have a segment to present Monday on Professional Learning Communities (PLCs).  We're pleased to have a speaker in our office now so we can hear the announcements and a back porch light over our office steps.  There have been numerous summer repairs, upgrades, and construction projects that are typical for any school.  The hours of work will be challenging but we look forward to the work and associations of staff and students.

Happy New Year 2018

This has been "summer break" during December and January (unlike the cold and snow at home).  It is also the warm, rainy season but surprisingly it has been more dry than wet.  We did have a nice late afternoon rain one day this week and Ron captured this beautiful double rainbow:

Also this week was the supermoon.  We were on the campus rugby field and beheld these magnificent evening views of the moon and the ocean in the distance:

Supermoon

MISSIONARY VISIT

We met a senior missionary couple new to our mission; they are from Canada.  They work in the welfare & humanitarian office.  Their calling requires them to occasionally come to Savaii and we were able to visit the waterfalls and blowholes with them.  Elder Schwenke from Australia also accompanied them.

Elder Cameron, Karla, Elder Schwenke

Elder & Sister Cameron

Fun to watch these young men diving in.

MT. MATAVANU CRATER

We did venture back to the Mt. Matavanu crater with Elder & Sister Deffense.  Mount Matavanu elevation is about 2700 feet.  Being directed on the intended trail this time was much easier and we reached the rim.  You can look down 600 feet but the depth perception is not as striking given that the interior is covered in jungle.  Awesome view though!

Elder & Sister Deffense

Us

Looking across the crater

Lava bombs-some are covered in jungle growth.

   

These are solid lava rocks, not porous.

DWARF CAVES

Our really fun adventure this week was to the Dwarf Caves, a long lava tube.  We were invited by the full-time young Elders to go with them to the caves on Wednesday, their P-Day (preparation day).  Unless one knows about the caves, the opening is obscure.  Once inside it opened up wide and spacious.  It was so cool to behold the walls, ledges, plant roots hanging from the ceiling, the stream, etc.  We walked on flowstone which is more smooth than the porous rocks.  The lava tube goes a long way but they take guests only as far as the third pool.  We descended cautiously into the first pool, waded across, and continued to the second pool of clear, cool water.  The descent was easier although the water was much deeper.  At the third pool only Elder & Sister Deffense went into the water which was quite shallow.  Of course, all this is in the dark at the mercy of flashlights.  The tube goes a long way but we were never given a direct answer as to how far.  On the return, the ascent out of the first pool was challenging but we seniors managed it.  (The young missionaries have the advantage of youth!)  I managed to lose my footing in one pool and was submerged in two feet of water--makes the adventure that much more memorable.  

We had a tailgate lunch before entering the cave and ate Sister Deffense' yummy brownies when we came out.  Perfect day!



SAMOA CLOUDS continue to awe and inspire us with their color and majesty:

CAMPUS has been bustling with activity in preparation of the start of school on January 29th.  The access road has been upgraded, boys dorm showers gutted and refurbished, room repairs, painting, etc.  The school calendar is in place and we excited for a new year ahead.