August 10, 2014

Greetings All,

The weeks are beginning to fly by.  It’s closing in on the end of summer for you but for us, the beginning of spring.  So much for the Southern Hemisphere but more on that and the Southern Cross in just a minute; first, Tonga.

Tonga

Where to begin?  As mentioned in our last blog, we were traveling to Tonga on assignment covering a stake anniversary celebration and related activities.  We arrived Saturday, August 2nd at the Nuku’alofa International Airport and immediately understood one thing clearly … we were in a third world country.  Anyone who has been to the Caribbean has experienced something similar, a few isolated modest buildings overwhelmed by small, one-two story structures people have forgotten to paint or repair for the last 40 years.  Tonga is a series of islands the largest of which seats the capital, Nuku’alofa.  Total habitants are approximately 95,000.  Of this, estimates have the LDS population at about 50% with about half of them attending church. 

The Church’s presence is everywhere.  There are 116 chapels and 7 operating schools including Liahona which services approximately 300 middle and high school Tongan children on a 35 acre campus.  Virtually every village has a chapel. You are driving along on one of two (that’s right) two primary roads amidst various degrees of “habitable” dwellings and whala … an LDS chapel, pristine, well-manicured with a combination tennis/ basketball court.  The contrast is dramatic.

First thing we did Saturday was go to market for “supplies”.

Here we bought fruits and vegetables since there are no general combination food stores; rather individual bakeries, meat markets, etc.  Needless to say a change.

However, with the help of another senior couple, the Meyers, you acclimate.  We stayed on the Liahona campus in housing typical for senior missionaries.   See below, house #30 together with dryer in front.

Not too bad although in need of serious refurbishment since built in the‘60s with three TV stations one of which is Chinese cable doing American news.

We spent the week with wonderful people filling our assignment.  Prince Ata, third in line to succeed the current king, is investigating the Church. Quite the experience attending sacrament meeting with 2 rows of pews removed and a throne like chair placed in front. 

 

 

The Prince is 27 years old, and had been a rather ‘bad boy’.  His interest in the Church has totally changed him.  The young missionary who has been teaching him the discussions is from LA.  Prince Ata will most likely be baptized if he receives permission from his parents.  The Royal Family has traditionally been members of the Methodist Church.

The Stake celebration was very entertaining.  Singing, dancing, and more food than you can imagine.  As one Tongan member explained, “We don’t eat until we are full, we eat until we are tired.”   All in all, quite the experience.  Oh, did I mention we went native? 

Southern Cross

Since we are deep in the southern hemisphere, the night sky has certain constellations not seen by you northerners, most notably the Southern Cross (can’t you just hear Crosby, Stills and Nash).  One of the senior couples had an app which assisted in location. I have to admit a “quasi” spiritual experience once I found it. 16th-century European navigators perceived it as a symbol of their Christian faith.  It is also represented on both the New Zealand and Australian flags and is deeply ingrained in their culture.  Quite an icon "down

under".

Well, so much for this week.  I have to admit a much deeper appreciation for our current environment since returning.  We are now into month six and will be traveling to Fiji as well as Australia – Brisbane in the next 60 days.  Dave and Leslie Moore are our counterparts in Sydney and we video conference with them together with the other seniors assigned to public affairs every week.

Cheers to all and Go Utes!!  (All this optimism at the beginning of the season.)