Southern Hemispher Summer 2015

Making Friends:  We met Sateki Longi at the annual agriculture show where he had a booth set up showing his wood carvings.  It was impressive and I asked him if he would do a large hook on a stand with intricate etching. He said he has never had such a request but would do it.  Sateki gave me the best workmanship I have yet seen on the island, hands down. Check out the master fish hook he carved for me.

The detail shows up in the natural light of this picture.  The webbing is tightly done and compliments the color of the wood, which is ‘iron wood’.   This is an amazing piece of art.  He is doing more pieces to give my family.  (He is a Latter Day Saint)

The story of the Tongan Fish Hook goes back to the time when most islanders were farmers and fishermen.  When someone went out on the ocean to fish he would catch enough fish for his family and also the families of his neighbors.  If enough fish weren’t caught in the first tide to take care of his neighbors he would return with the changing of the tide and go back out during the second tide until he caught enough fish to feed his neighbor’s families.

We were invited to Katrina Tongi’s 1^st Birthday Party. What a great family love and atmosphere as Sateki gave an emotional expression of love and appreciation for this ‘little blessing’ of theirs. Lienora, 17 year old sister, expressed her love to the family and for Trina and sang a song to, about, or for Trina (in Tongan). 

When it was time to part we thanked them as sincere as we could and expressed our gratitude for their kind invitation to join their family party. Upon reaching the car sister Tongi gave Sherrie an afghan as a token of their love and appreciation for honoring their family.  Sherrie knew she must accept the token and with a big hug thanked her for such a thoughtful gift. 

When presenting the afghan to Sherrie, she said, “we don’t have much but want to give this to you.”  We were reminded of the value of family and the tender reward of family love.   We gained a deep insight of Tongan family culture.  Missions bring you close to people and you cherish them.

 Pacific CES has initiated a Mentoring Program for first year teachers, emerging teachers and teachers who need a little more motivation.  Here are some pictures from teaching those classes.

 

Meet the Mormons premier VIP showing was held at the downtown convention center where the senior missionary choir sang the opening song.  There were 125 guests in the audience, including one of the Prime Ministers.

 

Sherrie taught “Secondary Reading in the Content” with 11 teachers enrolled.  The class is very lively and happy with laughter and humor.  It is a sign they are really enjoying the course content and the presentation of material.  Each class can be so different, but one commonality is that we try very hard to be good instructors, examples of good instruction, practice what we teach.

 

Annual S&I Principal’s Conference -- Auckland, New Zealand

We went to the “Principal’s Conference” conducted by the S&I Area Office in Auckland, New Zealand.   There were 7 ITEP couples at this conference.  3 from Tonga, (from two islands), 2 from Samoa (from two islands), 1 From Fiji, and 1 from Kiribati.  What an experience to rub shoulders, share stories, compare our experiences and learn from one another.  We also were able to meet the principals from the other islands and enjoy our experiences with them.

Elder Kevin Pearson, Area President, spoke to us who delivered a powerful message on the importance of both secular education and spiritual education for the Polynesian youth to rise and prepare for being self-reliant and righteous saints. 

Elder Gifford Nielsen, Area Second Counselor, spoke to us about what it really means for us to be a covenant people.  Our mortal mission is to fulfill those covenants and our missionary mission is to help all Latter Day Saints fulfill their covenants. 

 

Sister Holbrook, Fehi Fifita - Principal, & Elder Holbrook