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.