Our last stop was at another very small island called Otea. There is no dock there, just an outcropping of rocks. The driver backed the boat in and the plumber jumped in the water to guide it to a place where we could get out. It had been such a hot day I wanted to jump in too, but since I was wearing a dress I had to behave myself.
There is a MQ there but no one is using it right now and the lock has been changed so we couldn’t get inside. We looked in the windows and could easily see that it will need a lot of work. President will put missionaries back on this island when the influx of new ones come in March. We usually get 6 to 8 new missionaries at a time. In March we will be getting 20. He hasn’t had missionaries on this island of about 40 families because everyone on this island is a member of the church. They have their own small building and they do pretty well, but they will be happy to have missionaries here again. Once again it is an island of quiet, simple living and Japan-aid has started putting up the solar panels. It is nice to think that they might have some conveniences but on the other hand I hate to see it destroy their way of life.
We got back on the boat and headed for Vava’au. We were tired, dirty and sunburned, but so grateful for this unbelievable day. It was a gift from God, truly a tender mercy for us to have this experience so early in our mission.
When the president dropped us off at the Forsyth’s they were still at the school. We hurried and jumped in the shower and got cleaned up. I had to give thanks that the missionaries and President and Sister Tukuafu are such kind people. When I looked in the mirror and saw how the heat and wind had curled my hair up, I couldn’t understand how they could have looked at me all day and not made a comment. I looked awful! Oh well, it was still a great day and I was the one with the camera so no one will ever know how bad it really got.
When the Forsyths got home we took them out to dinner in appreciation for their hospitality. We went to a place on the bay called The Mango. They had great food. We had fish and chips. They make it with the catch of the day and today it was red snapper. It is a mild white fish and it was delicious! They also had DIET COKE!! A perfect ending to a perfect day.
When we got home we talked for a little while but Alan was falling asleep, so we gave up and went to bed.
