island food

We had the lovo yesterday, underground oven (thats the fijian term - the samoans call it the Umu). We of course had pork as well as casava and had pulisami -taro leaves with coconut,onion and cornbeef. It's actually one of my favorites from samoa, although I prefer the sweeter type with just the coconut and onion. It was 'interesting' for the non-islanders because they started to feel their throats itch and one American thought she was having an allergic reaction .Others started getting up for water, or clearing their throats. It seemed normal to me, just shows the taro leaf was either picked to early or not boiled enough so it was so funny for us 'natives' to see one after the other start coughing or complaining, or getting concerned. Joshua, an aussie, was rebuking the spirit of sickness thinking he was getting a sore throat. Oh i laugh just thinking about it...The cultural differences can be frustrating at times but overall it shows God's sense of humor. For example, yesterday the guy from Papua New Guinea went up to Liti's room and instead of taking his fist and actually knocking on her door, he simply yelled out the words 'Knock Knock' numerous times. You can't help but laugh... I'm sure it brings joy to God's heart too...
I made an "american" dinner tonite- spaghetti with meat sauce, garlic bread and a great salad (great because I was in charge of it so added as many tomatoes, carrots and cucumber as I could!). Most of the boys had gone with the director to help Pastor Tonga prepare the Aboriginal church the Gospel Country Music Festival happening this weekend. Left over food won't last long though, especially since this morning was fasting time. Half way through the week! My time here is flying by and I pray God continues to move amazingly in my last month here....