Kia Ora!  Tonga Mission Tour was Tremendous!

We enjoyed a mission tour of the Nuku'alofa Tonga Mission this past week.  Wow! We were in for many treats.  President and Sister Tupou and their two wonderful sons Jesse and Thomas head up this great mission.  They made us feel very welcome immediately.  They showered us with green smoothies (HOORAY MY FAVE) ice cold coconut water--from the coconut!--and a feeling of warmth, love and welcome.  Tongans are open-hearted and wonderful people.

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This view from the air flying into Tonga Tapu gives some idea of this island.  Tonga has many islands and we were privileged to visit three of them.

 Here is the International Airport in Tonga Tapu.  We were greeted warmly and taken to a VIP lounge where we met the Tupou Family.  This treatment was just the first of the hospitality we enjoyed.

 This beautiful airport employee greeted us in the lounge in Tongan style.  The artwork everywhere was beautiful and intricate.  These are very talented people.

 The soil is rich and the foliage grows plentifully.  This view driving home from the airport shows an example.

 This street sign and many other views proved interesting and educational about the Tongan countryside and way of life.  I took photos wherever we drove.

 There were lots of beautiful trees.  This one reminds me of our NZ Pohutukawa--not sure if they're the same or first cousins!

 My friend and ward member Mele had given us two bags to take to her sister, Siva, in Tonga Tapu. We missed each other at the airport but here we are catching up.  She had the bus driver follow our car and we met up at a site of interest along the way home.  She gave me this beautiful fan to say thanks.

Ha'amonga--the sun door--was built in 421 AD. This huge rock structure is a landmark that is hundreds of years old.  The actual history is unknown, but along with another rock in the next photo, it seems to mark time--not unlike Stonehenge in Great Britain. How they got the rock from the ocean to this field and carved it out, then fitted it together in the grooves is remarkable.

 This huge stone was a lookout point for the first Tongan King took the Christian name of George. His Tongan name was Taufa'ahau Tupou I.  He would look for warriors coming from the ocean to invade and he could also fight off local ruffians from his higher perspective. Sister and President Tupou are on our right and their son Jesse is on our left.

 The sky is constantly beautiful throughout the Pacific and we love these gorgeous coconut trees--not to mention their delicious fruit and its refreshing water!

 Here is one sample of the churches in Tonga.  In every village our churches are the safest, nicest structure.

 When someone in the family dies they drape their home with black and purple to express their respect and grief.  We saw many homes thus adorned.

 There were pigs, chickens and dogs running loose everywhere around the island. They are mostly tame and don't cause trouble.  Sister Tupou described them aptly as, "Creative food storage".

This is another example of the wonderful stone work.  This was a graveyard surrounded by intricate work in stones.  This marks the burial place of the first member of the royal family to join the Church in 1911, Tupou Moheofo. She was baptized just down the road in the ocean.  She was the daughter of the first King of Tonga. Her marker has a book of Mormon on it. Thomas joined the photo this time the shortest one in the photo!

 
Here is a close up of the stone work.  In some places you can't fit a knife between the rocks.  Nobody is sure how they accomplished this feat of engineering but some say the strong Samoans came in to help--(drafted volunteers of a sort:)
 

 We spotted these beautiful young ladies walking along the road apparently on their way to some celebration. We jumped out of our car and asked to take photos and they were happy to oblige.

We stopped at the "blow holes" just before getting to the Tupou's home.  The men look out to a gorgeous sea but since it was low tide the holes didn't blow much:(

 Jesse got a closer look and there were a few whitecaps showing off for us.  This was a beautiful spot with unique features to enjoy viewing.

 The dark brown soil intrigued us.  These people are excellent farmers and many crops grow easily here.  Sadly there's been a drought lately, but when there's rain they grow abundant food.

We had our first mission tour zone conference on Tonga Tapu Island.  After a morning of teaching and working together we all enjoyed a delicious lunch.  These are dedicated missionaries and we loved being with them.




 We were happy to run into Elder Fredrickson from the Cascade Ward in Orem.  We had taught him in Kourtney and Brett's Sunday School class years before.  He is a great missionary!

 A beautiful group of Sisters gather for a photo.  They wear their hair the same and have shirts made alike to show their love and unity.  These Sisters are sweet and dedicated.  Their strong spirits shone through their lovely smiles.

 We took pictures with each zone as we taught.  The Tonga Temple is in the background.  Beautiful missionaries!

 I enjoyed talking with some of the Sister Missionaries after each Zone Conference.  Sister Lausi"i is just one example of their beauty and goodness.

This gorgeous fish hook tells a story about a Tongan fisherman going out to fish.  When he came home without enough to share he turned around and went back to get more fish for others. This represents being "fishers of men" and always going to the rescue of our brothers and sisters.  The artist is President Fehoko--2nd counsellor to the full-time Mission President. His generous gift touched our hearts and will adorn a wall of any home we live in from now on.  We love these generous people!

Next we took off from the other airport of Tonga Tapu that handles domestic flights.  They have three airplanes.  We rode in one of each during our time in Tonga.  They range from small, to medium to large for such a small country. 

 This is the medium sized plane.  It worked fine for me but Elder Giff felt a bit squished.  It was interesting flying from island to island and learning more about Tonga.

 President Tupou is talking to our wonderful interpreter, Bishop Fafita.  He did a magnificent job throughout the mission tour!

 Elder G demonstrates how he sits on these smaller planes.  No worries, we got there just the same!

 Here is a view into the cockpit of the plane.  The man on the left happened to be the owner of the resort we stayed at on the next island we visited, Ha'apai.  He's a German man who came here with his wife and loved it so much they built a resort and stayed!

 Flying into Ha'apai was beautiful.  The colors of these waters as well as the clouds and sky were uplifting and delightful to us.

So many coral reefs around these wonderful islands.  I'll bet scuba divers and snorkelers love it here!

 Just before landing this was the view.  It is so interesting to see and learn about these remote islands we wouldn't ever see without the blessing of this assignment.  We are so happy serving the Lord!!!

 Here is the airport in Ha'apai. I love seeing each new island and learning how they live.  This island was a true joy for us.

 We always meet the nicest, most dedicated missionaries everywhere we travel.  Here is a picture of Elder and Sister DeLong, short term special projects missionaries who are in Ha'apai to oversee the building of houses to assist those hit by a cyclone last year. Their love and enthusiasm were contagious and enriching.  We loved them immediately!  The wonderful zone leaders stand behind them.

 Elder Harmon is a Zone Leader in Ha'apai.  He happens to come from the same ward as Elder G's sister, Julie Skousen and his niece and nephew, Marisa and Mark Skousen.  What a great missionary!

 Always beautiful looking out to the ocean.  There has been a drought here so it's more brown than usual.  Still very pretty!

 I love seeing the locals.  Riding bikes around the village is a good way to get around.  Beautiful people.

Look at these angels.  We met so many amazing servants of the Lord.  Each had his or her own story and each made us happy to be serving together in so great a cause!

 After the seven hours of teaching, working and learning together we headed off to the European resort.  It is at the other end of the island, but only about 15 minutes away.  Here's a shot of the causeway you cross to get there.  During rain or storms this can be a dangerous stretch of rode.

Many yards had livestock of various types.  The cattle here is beautiful and seldom killed for food.  They eat the dogs and the missionaries tell us it tastes like beef.

Since there is only one vehicle on this island for all the missionaries to share it's not uncommon to see people riding in the back.  President Tupou, Bishop Fafita, and the Sisters rode here this time.  (Church Legal Department shut your eyes.)

 You have to get out and open a gate to continue along this pretty path to the resort.  The fencing keeps all the "creative food storage" from getting in the way of the European guests.

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 Here is our home sweet home in Ha'apai.  We loved spending time here--especially beachcombing.  The shells were truly magnificent.  I brought home a cooler full.  (Well, they're being sent by the accommodating Elder and Sister DeLong--please pray NZ customs agrees that I can have them here!)

 This is the Tongan number three.  Our cottage was the third, hence this name on the side of the wall.

 This shell was a sign of things to come.  When I first walked onto the gorgeous sandy beach, (the name of this resort BTW) I saw a huge white bump in the sand.  Lo and behold when I dug it out there was a shell about the size of this one.  I wondered if the owners planted it as a surprise for their guests.  Au contraire, those beauties are all along the beach.  I was like a little kid in a candy shop.  I even got up at 5:40 the next morning to continue my happy search. 

This view from our porch gives you some idea of the wonderful beach.  Truly it is the most amazing beach for shells I've ever seen.  Sister Tupou agrees.  She finds the most unusual shells here.  Heaven.

 These awaited us on our bed.  I love the abundant beauty throughout the Pacific Islands.  Truly a paradise.

Sunset was lovely.  It was refreshing and life-affirming to walk these soft, white sand beaches.  I can see why the German couple chose to live their life here.

 Just another example of the quiet beauty we experienced at Sandy Beach Resort.  Very calming and nice.

 Just next to our cottage was a hammock.  Lying there looking up at the vast array of stars--more here because there is no light pollution--we reflected on the beauty of God's creations and how blessed we are to experience this island we had never heard of before our assignment to the pacific. 

 Heavenly Father's tender mercies are all around us.  Every footstep along this beach confirmed His love and wisdom to me.  His gifts are plentiful and heart-healing.

 The vastness of His natural wonders delights and amazes me.  How can anyone fail to see a supreme plan in this kind of beauty and order?

 Well, I guess by now you know I loved this beach!  It was a thrill and a joy to see what gifts from the sea appeared when I walked along these sandy shores.

 Here is the cooler full of shells and coral.  I am a very happy camper!  Or comber:)  These will be sent in the coming weeks.  It will literally be my Christmas!!!

Here are some of the living conditions of the people.  They vary yet most are quite humble.

It was very common to see the pigs among the people.  Here's a great example of walking along together.

Many yards featured all kinds of livestock.  This was a nice example of a family of pigs in a yard.

 

There are so many great people in this world!  Here in Tonga this is an example of some of the angels among us.  These great men are volunteering to help build housing for people who lost all in the cyclone.

These cement forms weigh 250 lbs each and are made by these workers. They will make well over 1000 before this project is finished.

This willing worker was just baptized.  We loved watching him learn from the other great examples of industry and charity.

I wish we had gotten his name.  Isn't he handsome and strong?  We were so impressed by these construction workers.  It was hot and took great strength yet they willingly worked from early until late every day. 

Here is another young apprentice.  I love what they are learning by example.

Such humble, sweet, willing, wonderful people.  Our lives are blessed by their faithful service.

On our way to see some of the finished homes we passed by the official church of tonga, the Weslayan or Methodist Church. It was a nice building with lovely paintings on the side.  Here is one of them.  Gregg Olsen would be happy to know they enjoy his art:)

This area leader came out of his home to greet us.  He was formerly living in a tin lean-to nearby.

I noticed these cute little girls peeking out of their doorway and went to say hello. Beautiful smiles!

As we turned the corner toward the airport we saw another truck full of our workmen. We stopped to say hello and thank them.

Here is an example of the homes and the tent where they lived before completion.

So many good hearts in this country. We loved meeting the hard working men of Ha'apai.

Here's an outside shot of the airport.  I loved the glass and flowers around it.

We bid a fond farewell to Elder and Sister DeLong. They are consecrated servants of the Lord.

We boarded the aircraft and headed to another island called Vava'u for our next zone conference.

Here are a few parting shots of the beautiful shoreline.

The coral reefs create such beauty.

I love the interesting little islands that surround the bigger ones.  Beautiful!

The variation in color and texture is captivating to me.

Interesting view of the homes and the island.

Heavenly Father is the best artist of all.

I never tire of the variation in this gorgeous Pacific scenery.

So many different blues, greens and water forms.

Seriously, how can anyone doubt a master planner and creator?

These cliffs are interesting and breath taking. So much variety.

I'll bet scuba divers go crazy with all that coral!

One last shot of the coconut trees, coral reefs and color changes.  I know, you want more:)

We made it to Vava'u--by the way most of the shots before are coming in to this most diverse of the three islands, not to confuse you!

I just put my camera up to the window and shoot as we drive  here are some random shots.

Vava'u is greener and more lush than the other islands, also more variation in elevation.

Just some of the homes we drove past on our way to the church from the airport.

President and Sister Tupou told us that Vava'u is more affluent than the other islands.  Some of the homes were larger and more elaborate.

Lots of variety here as on the other islands.  Some of the homes did appear more lavish.

Other homes not so much.  Some homes that looked abandoned were still being lived in.

It seemed that there was more construction and activity on this island.

The retail stores seemed bigger, newer and more colourful also.

Here we are at the church.  They were all very similar and nice.

This was across from the church.  Such verdant beauty.

It's always exciting and fun to walk up the hall toward a new chapel full of eager, respectful, wonderful missionaries.

Here's the van that took us around Vava'u, and another shot of across the street.

These fine missionaries all dress in Tongan clothing and most speak at least two languages.

These two photos are what was directly behind the church in Vava'u. Notice the pig in the foliage.

A family was building what looked like a tree house on this hill behind the church. Darling children--and a cute piggy!

That evening we stayed at a local hotel with this amazing view out our balcony.  Wow!

I love the clouds reflected on the shimmering water.  Such a treat for our eyes and souls.

A gorgeous sunset left us grateful and amazed.

Once again I pondered the majesty, artistry and love of our Eternal Father.

Such splendour and peaceful elegance. I could look for hours upon such glorious art.

Two tired but happy missionaries at the end of three long days of teaching, meeting, greeting, and enjoying the wonders of nature and the terrific Tongan people.

We loved this sign.

After meeting with stake presidents and wives the night before we headed out to the airport the next morning.  Here are some of my random shots.

I loved this shopping centre.

There's always a wide variety of size, shape and type of homes in these villages.

Gotta love the pink.  So cheerful.

I wanted to capture the lifestyles and sights of Vava'u.

A car cemetery along the road caught my eye and camera.

This was the first cow I saw in the street. Dodging pigs, dogs and chickens is not unusual though.

Sorry the pig is blurry but I liked this shot.

Here's the Vava'u airport.

We were all elated to get the largest plane home. This is the safest and most comfortable of their fleet of three.

Back in Tonga Tapu we saw the smallest plane and waved good-bye.

This tree was outside the airport.  I think it is elegant.

We arrived at the church and this is the parking lot.

This is the house across the street from the church. There were animals you can't see on the porch.

Senior couples are the missionary force's secret weapons.  I love these wonderful servants.

They sang, "O Holy Night" and it was wonderful.

How I loved Thomas, the youngest of 6 Tupou children. While mom took busy notes of Elder G's talk Thomas relaxed:)

Jesse was a total delight.  He reminded us of our oldest grandson, Drew Olson. He rested his eyes during the talks too:)

Here is the whole gang of fabulous senior couples.  They are my heroes!

Sister Hamblin is the office missionary with her outstanding husband. They are a force to be reckoned with! She is also an artist and made me shell earrings as a parting gift!  I was thrilled!!!

On our final trip to a Tongan airport we loved this aptly named business.

Beautiful roof.

A few parting shots of Tonga Tapu

Don't know why those decorations but I loved them.

Of course, I loved all flowers and trees.

Here is the international airport.

Peaceful sky and trees.

This sign of welcome and thanks made us think of Kalei, "Leilei" naturally.

I can't lie, I loved this huge, modern plane with movies, food and comforts. We love our New Zealand home and are always so happy to return to it.

We happily boarded Air New Zealand, yet we left a piece of our hearts in beautiful, welcoming, wonderful Tonga!

Bye, bye tonga. Thank you for your welcome!



As a parting gift to you, here is the talented, sincere, amazing Tupou family singing, "Where You There."  This song was among the best gifts I received Christmas of 2014.