The flight here was really, really long, but I made it just fine!! Brian, the vice principal of the school and pastor of Tafuna Baptist, the English speaking church where I attend, picked me up at the airport. He told me that I could sleep all day today (Friday) if I needed to, but at about 7:00a.m. this morning, I heard a voice from below my window calling my name!! It was Pastor Elise, the husband of the school's principal, Ms. Lucy, and the pastor of Happy Valley Baptist, the Samoan church. He wanted to take me to breakfast and show me around. So, with not much sleep, I quickly got ready and headed out!! Pastor Elise is such a wonderful man and I really enjoyed getting to know him this morning. Laid around and slept a little bit the rest of the day and then went to a high school football game with Brian tonight. Enjoyed hanging out and getting to know him more.
Saturday:
Today, I went to the church softball game and then Kim took me sightseeing around part of the island......all I can say is WOW!!! Talk about beautiful!! We drove along the coastline and I finally got to see the teal colored water that I have only seen in pictures before!! It was amazing!!! The water is so clear you can see straight to the bottom and when the waves break, the foam is the brightest white I had ever seen!! Then we drove up into the national park and the mountains were soooo lush, green and tropical. And from near the top, you look out and all you can see is ocean in front of you!! Truly helps you realize just how far from home I am and how wondrous God's creation truly is!!! Thank you Lord for a special day and thank you for this adventure!!! Also, went grocery shopping today.....all I can say is Lord, please help me!!! Food costs are definitely going to be the main expense and healthy foods are certainly not the easiest to find!!!! Oh well, will do the best I can!!!! :)
Sunday:
Went to church for the first time at Tafuna Baptist Church, the English speaking church I will be serving through, that Brian is the pastor of. Small congregation, but so much heart and potential for reaching the South Pacific for Christ. Brian did a great job of bringing the Word and the music was the praise songs I know and love from BCOB!!! Great day!!!
Earlier I described the coast and mountains of the island, now let me tell you about the villages where we all live. I live in the village of Tafuna, on the campus of Samoa Baptist Academy. The new apartment that many of you thought I was going to be living in is not completed yet (nor will it be for quite some time...ha,ha), so I am living in the upstairs part of the mission house. Pastor Elise and Ms. Lucy live on the lower level. I have 3 bedrooms, two baths, a large kitchen and a dining/living room. It is a great set-up....quite old, but works out well. Wallpaper is straight out of the 70's!!! lol Anyway, most of the houses are very small as are the businesses that are around. There are many churches...Catholic, Mormon, Baptist, Congregationalists, etc. The Island is made up of many villages...as you drive down the main road you travel from one to another. They are very "lived" in, but that just means that is where the people are and where their lives take place....and that is where God has called me to!!!
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