Kia Ora

Terrific Tahiti says Maeva--Welcome!

 

 

Our welcome at the Tahiti airport was just a token of all that was to come! These wonderful people have hearts the size of Texas and showered us with leis and love!

 

After spending a night with The wonderful President and Sister Bize at the mission home--and meeting the magnificent senior couples of Papeete, we woke up early to take a flight to Tubuai--the first island where the gospel was preached by first missionary, Addison Pratt in 1844 (the year the Prophet Joseph Smith was martyred)  Here is what we saw just before landing at the first island stop:

We landed in the rain at Raivavae and picked up two missionaries who were coming to Tubuai with us for the zone conference--part of our Mission tour--even in the rain it was so beautiful.

 

 

Next we flew through the clouds and landed in Tubuai--it looked like this just before landing:

 

 

The town mayor greeted us, along with many of the wonderful ward members who were so happy to have Church leaders coming to their beautiful island.  Here we are with the Bize's and the Mayor:

 

 

 

We were taken to our "pension" or guest house and it was really beautiful.

 

 

 

Even though this photo is blurry it gives an idea of the torrential downpour we experienced in Tubuai.  We drove through this to two homes for "rescue visits."  Both families committed to coming to Church on Sunday and welcomed us warmly.

 

 

 

 

On the way around the island we were shown the remains of the first ever church building in the pacific: The first picture was a few years ago.  The second one is today.

 

 

Happily, there are now several modern, beautiful buildings like the one below for the members of Tubuai to attend--here's to progress?

 

And if you think the building is beautiful--just look across the street!  These members enjoy a rest before going in to church.  Notice the mode of transportation between the trees!  I love it!

 

 

 

After the rescue visits we were taken to the church for a "Heiva" or welcoming party.  These talented people REALLY know how to make their guests feel welcome.  We watched dancing, heard singing and beautiful musical instruments played. 

 

 

 

We were literally showered with gifts--this gorgeous quilt and two others just as pretty, loads of hand crafted beads, bags, leis, and mats.  We were overwhelmed by the generosity and kindness of our open-hearted brothers and sisters here and all across beautiful Tahiti!

 

Each ward, or group of people would put on their own show. There were four and each one was just as wonderful as the last!

 

 

 

 

 

Even the children got involved. Then the adults and children danced and sang together. NO worries about the future talent in this amazing group of performers!

 

One dance features each performer choosing someone from the audience.  This was my friend!

We joined right in, even trying out their musical instruments.  What a fun, fun evening!!!

We loved these cute boys and their mixture of the haka, French songs and Tahitian dance and singing.





We loved these musicians.  Many instruments were hand made and they were excellent at playing them!

 

 

 

Who says white people can't dance???

It was a privilege and joy to meet Sister Watkins, a wonderful missionary and the niece of our dear friends L.E. and Ginny Simmons in Houston, TX!  She sat by us at the heiva and attended the training the following day.  Here is an excerpt from a sweet letter she wrote:  "I have been reminded of the reason why I am here.  I have felt the love of the Prophet and the Church, personally to me.  I have been reminded of my potential and great worth.  I am so motivated now to be the best missionary I can be."  With dedicated and focused missionaries like Sister Watkins we know that Tubuai and the world are in good hands!!!

 The next day we travelled to another building for the zone conference.  These are some of the sights we saw now that the rain took a break:

 
Around every corner it seemed even more beauty awaited:
 

 

 
 
 
 

 

Surf boards were stored along the road--looks like someone's going to have lots of fun in this beautiful tropical paradise!

 

 
Exquisite beauty and such colors!

 

 
 
 
President Bize and Giff are standing by the monument to Addison Pratt, first missionary to the Pacific, here in Tubuai in 1844.  Amazing man and accomplishments.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sisster Bize enjoys chatting with two wonderful sisters outside the meeting room before zone conference.

These missionaries are dedicated and anxious to learn how to bring their brothers and sisters to Christ in the tropical paradise of Tubui.  It was a joy to meet with them and learn together!

 

 

Everywhere we went wonderful sisters and brothers cooked for us and entertained us.  The food was fresh, delicious and abundant!

 
Cold, refreshing coconut water was our drink of choice!

 
Even the tablecloths brought beauty and joy into the room!  Notice the band in the corner.  These are talented people with resonant voices and a joy of performing.  We loved the music.

This father and son are on their way to church.  Motor bikes are very popular in Tubuai.
 

 Look at the beauty and expertise of this lobster dish!  These chefs had mastered their craft!





This was our parting feast after church on Sunday. 

 

 
 
This is Brandon, a very smart young man who constantly worked on his English.  What a missionary in the making!

 

 

 

Many families reached out to us in friendship and love. Tubuai has so many dedicated and wonderful leaders and members.  It was a total joy to be with them.

 

 
 
 
Sadly, the time came when we had to leave this happy and welcoming island.  The Tubuai Airport is all outdoors and many of the ward members came to see us off.  We love these people!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Every part of this island is beautiful and artistic.  The airport was no exception.

The missionaries introduced us to this young man who plans to be baptized and get married on the same day next May.  He was all smiles and thumbs up!

Speaking English is an advantage to the islanders.  This man wanted to sing us this song in English! 

 

We reluctantly waved good bye to Tubuai!

On we went back to Papeete.  Here we had another zone conference and this was the lunch table--look how long yet covered with beautiful traditional tablecloths.  The missionaries are a delight! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here in Papeete we also had a press conference, met with stake presidents, and visited the temple.  Below is a teaching centre at the temple.  Many visitors come to learn about the Saviour's Church here.

 

 

                    This is the office space of the learning centre.  I love how they use colours!

 

 

 

 

Local artists have painted murals to make the learning centre beautiful and educational.

 

 

 

 

 

This is the lovely Papeete Temple.  The grounds are peaceful and inviting.

 

 

 

 

 

 

  There is always a special feeling on the grounds of the Lord's temples.  We love being there.

 

 

 

On October 24th we spent a wonderful evening dining with all of the local stake presidents

 

 President and Sister Bize surprised Giff with a birthday cake and lots of candles!!!

He put out the bonfire then opened a lovely gift from the Bize's and other kind friends in Tahiti.

Here's the team photo after the lovely dinner, birthday cake and singing and gift giving:

Another shot of blowing out the candles.  What a memorable and wonderful evening together in the mission home.  We love the Bize's and local leaders.  Such dedication and love.  Tahiti is in good hands!

 

 

We attended a stake reorganization and conference at one of the Tahiti stake centers. Our interpreter for the entire trip, Michael Pedron was chosen by the Lord to lead the Faaa Stake.  He is a good man with a great wife.  The counsellors and their wives are likewise tremendous people.

We enjoyed seeing some of Papeete with the Bize.  Here is a beautiful and typical tree along one of our paths.

This scenic view overlooks the hillside we travelled along in Papeete. It is a beautiful country.

This is a more mundane view of the big city.  There was graffiti, "artwork" in many places, common in all big cities.

Another local road we travelled to and from the freeway each day with President and Sister Bize.

Just a few pictures to give you the feel of downtown Papeete.  We enjoyed our stay in this nice city.

Here's a view from the Hotel we stayed in during stake conference weekend.  Such loveliness everywhere.

During mealtime between meetings we were, as always, treated royally and fed like kings.  This Stake RS President made a delicious birthday cake on October 25 and again Giff was sung to and given a remarkable gift.

A stake member carved this beautiful canoe as a birthday gift for Giff.  We were astounded at the delicate and beautiful woodworking.

Here we are with the talented woodcarver.  Imagine taking such time and effort to surprise a leader you've never even met.  These people are generous consistently.  We loved them all.

 

 

 

 

We were off again.  This time on our way to our last zone conference on the beautiful island of Raiatea!

 

 

 

 

Here are a few of the beautiful scenes from the air.

 

 

 

It was difficult to take it all in.  So much beauty in every direction.

 

 

 

This part of the Lord's Vineyard truly is paradise.

 

 

 

Always interesting to learn more about this glorious earth and the wonderful people--especially here in the Pacific Area.

 

 

 

 

Volcanoes are everywhere and the lush green land is due to the rich soil created by them so long ago.

 

 

 

 

 

We landed and jumped off the plane, anxious to meet new and wonderful missionaries.  They are always so hard working and dedicated.  How we admire and love them all!

 

 

 

 

 

We were greeted with the traditional leis and kisses on both cheeks.

 

 

 

 

 

Here are a group of missionaries so happy to meet us and we were even happier to meet them!

 

 

 

 

 

We drove by this beautiful building on the way to our chapel.

 

 

 

 

 

This is the town along the way to our church.

 

 

 

 

 

But look at the beauty of our own church! 

 

Surrounded by vibrant colors of green and blue--yet another paradise to take in and enjoy.  The Lord is an amazing artist!

 

 

 

 

 

Sister Bize and I in the parking lot of our final church before zone conference.

 

 

 

 

 

After a wonderful day of sharing with the wonderful Raiatea missionaries we were off once again! Here's the airport.

 

 

 

 

 

Several missionaries accompanied us and we enjoyed visiting with them--for hours because our plane was late.  Not unusual in the islands.

 

 

 

 

 

Here we are with four fabulous servants of the Lord serving in Bora Bora--somebody's gotta do it:)

 

 

 

 

 

 

As we were visiting I thought I heard familiar music in the background.  Sure enough this less active member was playing "I Am A Child of God" on his Tahitian Ukulele. We had a nice visit with him, inviting him to the upcoming stake conference in Papeete.

Here he is with his version of "I Am a Child of God," learned during his childhood in the Church.  It was a tender mercy, he happened to be a cousin of one of the Bora Bora missionaries we were with.  Small world!

 

 

We'll leave you here.  Bora Bora needs a post all its own!

Good bye from Tubuai, Raiatea, Tahiti and the mission tour.