I still call Australia home

Our last 24 hours in Samoa turned out quite differently than what we were expecting:-)
Abs and I had been told about a beach resort where you can stay in a little hut on the beach and we really liked the sound of it. Sunday afternoon was the time and we ventured over to Savaii Island by ferry. We got on board and found everyone using whole seats for sleeping, definitely a laid back culture!
A beautiful taxi ride took us an hour around the coast as the sun was setting to our 'resort'. one open air covered place set up for eating and about 15 fales lined the beach.
We were met by the big chief of village, oldest man in family, and realised we had a lot to learn about the Samoan culture. Thankfully Alan, the irish guy filled us on a lot of this detail when he arrived at the table. Our silent prayers were overided with his asking for us to pray for the 4 of us. Throughout the meal we learnt more about the other two and then the chief of the village (someone like Moses, who the village ppl come to if they need something sorted out) left and Alan began the questioning time. 6 hours later we were making our way to bed, but I couldn't sleep. There were a few unanswered questions that were going round in my head, that I knew would be answered if he knew more about the bible. So I got out my bible and read through the epistle's to prove that it was Jesus coming down to set up the Kingdom and not God as it says in Zech 14 on a first read and a basic knowledge of the bible.
Getting up at 6 to see the sunrise over the island was very special, God's creation is absolutely beautiful. In fact, when we were explaining how the earth would return to it's former glory the night before we used Samoa as an example. It's natural beauty has been contained, and ppl still cook with open fires.
Breakfast was laid on, pawpaw, eggs, toast, pancakes, oranges, coconut, so many good things, and we felt so richly blessed. The fale was only $25 a night and included dinner and brekky, which made a big difference as the cost of living a western life is excessive over there. I could definitely go back for at least a week.
We swam in the light blue waters and watched the sun move higher in the sky until it was time to pack up and catch a Samoan bus back to the Ferry.

The final night was lovely with Dave and Kerry, but it was very sad to say goodbye Tuesday morning. We'd been family for a week, and it was time to go home and back to work!
Please pray for the work in Samoa and all over the world, God is still calling, there is still time.

May our Lord return soon to be the righteous ruler from Jerusalem.

Impressions after a week

Abs and I just had the pleasure of a taxi ride all around the North-east coast of Samoa and it was such a gorgeous thing.
As you can imagine in a tropical island environment there were coconut and banana palms all along the coast, most jutting out diagonally over the water and loads of yellow and red hybiscus plants lining the roads and planted around the houses. We passed through many villages by the water. Most of the houses are huts with sloping roofs and no walls, so you can see straight through. There were a couple of guys out in the sun playing volleyball in a slower Samoan style. Pigs, piglets and chickens were roaming free in the front yards. There were also grave stones in the front yards, many being used for extra washing line space.
We saw a church at least every 100m and there were at least 4 or 5 massive structures in each village we passed through. Apparently Samoans get all their money from donations from relatives outside of Samoa, and I'm sure they couldn't build the churches from their own funds unless there was heavy tithing and rich people in residence.
Although the weather is more humid today than it has been for the last couple of days after the last rain, there was such a lovely cooling breeze flowing through the van the whole way along.
We were headed for the Piula Cave Pool beside the Methodist Theological College. When we arrived there we were told that they were closed. Of course they closed at 4pm and it was 4:15 by the time we arrived. Anyways, the Reverend surrended after finding out that we were leaving on Tuesday and that it was our first trip to Samoa and allowed us a viewing of the pool. We drove further down and thankfully someone who had heard the Reverend give us permission passed on the details to the man collecting money at the so called gate. It was quite a dissapointment when we arrived at the bottom and saw the clear cool water knowing that it was too late to swim, especially as we still had to pay the entrance fee of 2 tala each:-) So I dangled my legs and imagined how good it would be to disobey the Reverend and wet my whole body. Thankfully Abs was there as a good conscience, cause I don't think he would've minded too much.
Then it was the journey home.
Although the outcome we expected wasn't reached, we enjoyed a luscious trip round the coast and came back knowing and experiencing that God created it all and that it was VERY GOOD.
It's quite weird to think we've only been here for just a little over a week as we've done so much.
Staffing the centre each day kept us busy and I'm a little sad that that part of the this trip is over already. We read in John the other day about doing things for God's glory and not for the praise of men, and that gave us a bit of confidence to continue through the few rejections.
Everyday we've had a few callers into the shop and people taking leaflets from the outside racks, but we've had 2 people during the week that I've been excited about. One teenage girl that works near the Bible Study Centre came in one day with the Sabbath leaflet and she was SDA and wanted to know if it was scriptually to keep the sabbath. I explained that it wasn't, and took her to some of the standard quotes. She wants to keep in touch and so we're going to meet up again on Monday when we get back from the other island Savaii.
Another wonder was Edward who I gave a leaflet to in the market this morning...one of the 200 leaflets was rewarded with a hearer to the ANZAC Bible Prophecy class. He listened intently the whole way through and then asked why the Catholics weren't teaching him the same stuff. I felt really sorry for him, I would be upset if I was a Catholic and then suddenly came in contact with bible who were real bible studiers and didn't just accept anything that was said from the platform.
But he left with some leaflets and us having his number so I'm hoping that he doesn't do the typical Samoa thing and never follow up – but we'll definitely be following up such a keen contact.
Kids classes after school have been great. We've had some quizes, some lessons and some general get to know them better time. Antonio 'master of the bible' is great in a learning context, but quite difficult to deal with as he answers all the questions and doesn't leave much for the other guys to say at all.
But John has come most days as has Victor and each day there has been a few variations but usually 5-7 kids there.
Thankfully they all came to Truth for Youth: reading the bible for yourself on Friday afternoon and made us feel like it wasn't a wasted venture.
Last night we went to the pentecostal 'Youth' group, and I gave a class on the Kind Samaritan. We were a little hesitant to go, but how can you refuse something that you don't know anything about, and could potentially be a good method of teaching the truth. It was an interesting experience, only 3 ppl there older than 13, and the kids were really great listeners and answered all the questions.
Tomorrow is Memorial at the shop and then we ferry to Savaii island to sleep out in a F'a-le on the beachfront. Monday afternoon we get home and say goodbye for Tuesday morning we fly out.
Unfortunately we don't get the ANZAC public holiday in either country but it definitely helped with leave.
Chiao for now.

In Samoa

What stands out about Samoa?
It's very humid and every smiles at you!! And it's expensive!!

We walked off the plane and were hit by the immense humidity, I felt like I was back on the Indian east coast, but this was a little tropical island that I'd never heard about before my cousins visited here a couple of years ago. We got into the luggage pickup and were met with a guitar and singing quartet, I felt relaxed immediately! Then Dave put us in the taxi and we headed to Unit 48B University Flats. (Dave teaches Maths here at the National University of Samoa)

Fortunately for us there is 21 hours time difference between here and Australia, so if we'd arrived at a better time and not needed to drive an hour away it would've been quite good, but we ended up only getting 5 hours sleep the first night as we were wanting to make the most of our time and headed into the Christadelphian Bible Study Centre here in Apia the same day. Our second Friday 13th!!

The first morning passed as a bit of a blur as often happens in a different country, surrounded by a different language and lack of sleep. We watched Kerry greet all those who walked by the shop and those who stopped by the stand, a real example of preaching. She takes the 2 children into the shop everyday when there aren't any other mission workers here to help out. Daniel is 2.4years and Miriam is a bare 6 months old. So you can just begin to imagine how difficult it would be out here for her!

By 1 o'clock we left, bought some of the locals clothes to wear while here and went back to the unit for lunch. Then we headed out and see some of the island. 1st stop was slippery rocks. We stayed at the waterfalls for at least an hour soaking in the water and sliding down the falls. Then back to help Kerry with dinner and learn the routine of baths, readings, and putting the kids to bed. Then relief!! Unfortunately Miriam has loads of allergies, so Kerry is having a hard time with knowing what to eat herself and what she can feed Miriam.

Saturday morning we gave out 200 leaflets an hour before the first study and had 2 ppl turn up to hear the study by Dave on Prayer. One was from the street and one a standard contact. SO that was encouraging that our efforts in the sun weren't wasted.

Saturday afternoon we slept. It is excessively exhausting in this heat.

Sunday was sleeping in a little longer then we all hopped in the taxi and came to the bible study centre for meeting. It was refreshing to hear the exhort on Isaiah 12, now words to such a beautiful song.
in the afternoon we headed out for some more necessary swimming..this time to the local snorkling spot. We saw so many beautiful fish and stayed in for nearly 2 hours it was soo incredible just watching!! Exhaustion plus hit us when we arrive back for dinner!

This week we're at the shop in the mornings from 9:30 ish to approx 1 but was 2:30 yest and today.

We've had a couple of people asking for studies and we gave a lady one on Jesus today which was encouraging, and then gave a kids class this afternoon on Abraham, we believe that both will be back tomorrow which makes our time here in the shop worthwhile, it's such a different thing handing out leaflets as opposed to sitting down and opening the bible with someone wanting to learn.

One of the differences which makes it so much easier to do mission work in an area already set up with contacts. But we can but spread the word and our God gives the increase.

Please continue to pray for the furtherance of the gospel here.

ps - we read about paul and Barnabus / Paul and silas in the evenings lying on the cool floor, it encourages us to work hard:-)

Love to all.

On the way to Samoa

I really can't believe it... after we booked the flights about a month ago - this trip has just seemed like a dream, something surreal, that i never really had much time to think about in the busy-ness of life, and wish i'd had more time to prepare for!! A free weekend leading up to it could've helped.
BUT - now i'm in Sydney international airport and bout to fly to a little island and visit my cousin, her husband and two children under 2, Daniel and Miriam.
So please pray for us and the work we are about to do..it looks like we'll be staffing the Bible Education Centre and have to answer some pretty tricky questions, and also plan a truth for youth day while we're there and have some fun babysitting:-)
A pacific island.  The slow type of life for just under 2 weeks.  I think that would be nice.