August: Priest class, Champ of Champs, Circus, Hiking

In the last three weeks, we have been to Apia twice and spent a week being sick.  This past weekend we journeyed to Apia to attend the Champ of Champs (COC) for the Samoa National Track and Field competition.  It was a great day to support the youth in a really nice facility with covered seating, roomy  seats, good sound, and a tron for viewing events.  A few of our students set new records and Vaiola placed first overall with more than 30 Colleges (high schools) participating.  We sat with our school, coaches, friends, and fellow missionaries.

 

From the August 25th Samoan Observer newspaper

One side of the facility

Mahonri set high jump record.

Head Coach & Sports Master Salanoa

August 6th-13th:

On Monday, August 6^th, we provided an in-service training for the Primary School staff after school.  Ron adapted the version presented at the high school level.  It was hands-on and fun.  That night we held a special Family Home Evening for the families in our administrative classes and showed the movie, Wonder, complete with popcorn.  The movie was well received.  Tuesday was an early morning TVET planning meeting for TVET Day calendared for September.  Karla assisted a teacher in judging or critiquing PowerPoint presentations for her computer and TALL classes.  Then she helped judged the Level 6 spelling bee and followed up the next day doing the same.

Thursday morning, August 9^th, the sister teachers on staff prepared a surprise Father's Day breakfast for the male teachers/workers.  There was plenty of food and Koko Samoa.  The male staff were presented with hand fans, a laminated family picture, and a lei of greenery.  It was all very nice.

Mid morning on that Thursday there was a devotional in which three assistant professors from BYU-Hawaii encouraged students to higher standards of learning and character.  Before closing all the boys and girls participating in the zone field and track competition were recognized and cheered.  There was no high school on Friday because so many students were involved in the track and field.  Vaiola College took it all for Savaii.  Two weeks later they advanced to the nationals in Upolu as has been mentioned.

Being that Father's Day was a long holiday weekend and no school on Friday, we took advantage and made a trip to Apia August 10-13.  Sister Little and I shopped the market and later Friday evening, Ron and I attended a temple session and went out for pizza at Giordano's afterward.

The temple is now closed for a month for routine maintenance.

We spent that Saturday getting some packages ready for shipping from the mission home.  We had lunch with Elder and Sister Kinghorn as they will be released from their mission August 24th. 

Sister & Elder Kinghorn on the left.

Saturday evening, August 18th, was a stupendous night at the Magic Circus of Samoa.  What an entertaining evening enjoyed in the company of many of our fellow senior missionaries and mission president.  We loved the magic, the acrobats, the high wire, the balancing acts, and the bicycle ball in which 3 motorcyclists rode at the same time!  The MC was a delightful man and the lights and music enhanced everything.  All had a great time!  This circus travels around the Pacific Islands. 

Owner & MC of the circus.

Our group that was rewarded for attending the Circus complete with a magic sideshow.

August 12^th was Father's Day here in Samoa; we enjoyed a breakfast of German pancakes before church and a dinner of chicken fettuccine after church at Elder & Sister Little's home.  The two single sisters joined us for dinner. 

Monday morning (August 13^th, still the holiday)  Ron ventured a hike with some missionary buddies to the Malololelei Recreation Reserve.  The return ascent is quite steep but support ropes are in place.

Halfway through the hike.

Elder Scott Cameron, Br. Michel Haney, Elder Joe Schwenke, Ron, Elder Ed Kinghorn

Meanwhile, Sister Cameron and myself took Sisters Kirkham and Westenskow to the small Faagalii airport and said our final good byes to them.  They returned to American Samoa where they teach seminary and institute now that school is resuming after summer break.

On the ferry leaving Apia the first trip:

The International airport is just down the road from the wharf.

Sitting up top.

Pulling away from shore.

Here are some miscellaneous pictures from the past week:

Ron captured these crepuscular rays one evening. 
They are unique because the rays come from the direction of the sun.

3 Red mangoes from Upolu and 5 white Soko from Ron's garden

Saw these cute chicks coming up Vaiola road yesterday.

Favorite young men that Ron teaches on Sundays.
Most are from Solomon Islands---that is why they have Ron teach in English.
Brother Nemes (originally from the Philippines & Vaiola teacher) is in the
middle back row but looks young enough to be one of the boys.

We are back to work with a very full load for our last month.