Wed, April 11

I think it is the 11th.... Ive lost track. I didn't get a chance to write last Saturday because in the morning we helped clean a church, and then I got to watch my first live rugby game: Fiji vs Samoa which of course was great cause half the staff here is from Fiji. Such a rough game, rougher than football I hate to say. Every morning I am still blown away by God's beauty here. Samoa is truly blessed with both beautiful people and beautiful land. I took a walk up the road from our base and we have a nice view of the ocean in the distance. Two other things that happen EVERY DAY is that I stop to be amazed at the stars , and also the sound of rain coming through the trees before it hits us. Its rained everyday here but it only rains for about ten minutes then its done- nothing like a long rainy day in the Midwest. We have two new students from Samoa: Nuu and Ameto. We are still praying for the African students to arrive next week. I got my first sunburn on Sat- its now turning to a tan but I must remember I am a 'palangi' (white one) and need to take it easy in the sun.
Every morning we get bread and butter for breakfast, rice for lunch and then a big supper. Its expected that there will be stomach sickness outbreaks but I haven't gotten it yet!! Yea!! That's the life here :) Different ideas of hygiene and nutrition but I'm reminding myself that God has called me here to be trained and serve, not to change the Samoan way. I love coming into town, Apia, on my days off. They have an open market with fruits, vegetables and Samoan items. We always run into people from the base too. The buses are terribly different- colorful and small. If full people just sit on each other's lap. Last time I was in town Aquila, from Fiji, insisted we take a taxi cause it was too full and last time a large lady sat on his lap :) Ive seen the boys climb the coconut trees often and they keep insisting I must drink the coconut milk to stay hydrated. Ive been taking plenty of pictures but unsure yet how to download them since I use a public computer and an Internet cafe in town. I'm having fun with the language and the Samoans are eager to teach. We eat Taro every week, equivalent to potato back home. Everyone's favorite is still the cocoa rice- rice, coconut and cocoa.
I love each and every person on base staff, our DTS leaders, and the students. One lady, Antunia, is from Samoa and in her forties, she acts like a bit of a mom- sometimes a bit creepy- like she'll come up and watch me sleep in the middle of the night to make sure I'm not cold :) She also tends to do my laundry when I'm not looking so I come back to the fale and my underwear and bras are laid out for all the boys to see :) Every night she tucks in my mosquito net for me :) Did i tell you about the time the lizard ran up my leg during class (which is an open fale) -during prayer none the less. Hmmm still not my favorite but I don't scream anymore!

Can't believe its snowing there in the Midwest! The heat is incredible here with humidity but as long as I'm not actually outside in the sun the whole day I'm good.I shared my first sermonette yesterday morning and it went well- spoke about the spirits coming back to the empty house (Matthew 12:44-45) and how we are more vulnerable to the devils attacks, so in colossians 3 the verses that outline what to rid off and then what to cover yourself with (to make the house full with no room). Challenging but great. Part of the Samoan way is last minute meetings, cancellations and changes :) Makes us more laid back.

Its so exciting to be a in christian community that has passion behind being here. I have six months to NOT worry about dating relationships because no relationships here while at the DTS. No wonder the Samoans are in such great shape. They get up early, work outside, walk everywhere, and we always play either volleyball or rugby, everyday. We had a great speak the first part of the week- Henrick , district leader for the Pacific Islands, from YWAM.

Prayers requests: Health for the whole base, transition of base director, money for food for the staff and students, unity (specifically Samoan vs Fiji vs us 'palangis'- its just natural), and our time in contact with the people in town.
God is good.... (the Samoans reply: ALL THE TIME, BIG TIME, OOAHHH).