Tues.
We went to visit a primary school in the village of Hofoa this morning. It about broke both of our hearts. The schools here that aren’t run by the church have nothing! In this village the school is across the street from a Wesleyan Church. Every morning some of the parents go into the church and carry benches across the street to the school so the children will have something to sit on. In some classes they still sit on the floor and use the bench as a table to write on. Then every night the parents and teachers carry the benches back to the church. The village leader called us and wanted us to come and see the school. They aren’t asking for books or chairs or desks, they have one computer that the government gave the school. ( they really have 4 but only one of them worked). However, the government will not let the older village children come to the school after hours and use the computer. The minister of the church gave his permission for the village to use a secure room above the church for free. The village leader asked if we could help them get a computer to put in that room so that their high school aged children could have a computer to use. They are not able to keep up with the students at the Liahona High School, who have a computer lab. They want their children to have an opportunity to have a good education too. If we can give them a computer they will pay the cost of hooking it to the internet and they will make sure it is used only for educational purposes. One computer for a village of over 500 people. Do we even begin to comprehend how blessed we are?
Tonight we went to a Tongan Dinner at the home of one of our ward members. Elani invited us a couple of weeks ago to come to her house along with 3 other missionary couples that are in our ward. She wanted us to experience real Tongan life and food. It was wonderful. They don’t live far from us but they are just off the main road and it was very private and peaceful. She and her husband have a lovely home. He has worked many jobs , all of them quite important, and she was in translation at Liahona until she retired last year. They have worked hard and done very well for themselves. He husband is a dignified man and he knows so much about the early years in Tonga. Alan was in heaven listening to his stories. Elani served us a huge feast that was something to behold. All the Tongan favorites complete with the roast pig and then potato salad and fried chicken to boot. We all ate way to much! The problem with going to a Tongan dinner party is that they don’t start eating until 8:00 or later. In fact, Elani and her husband didn’t eat anything while we were there. It is their custom to make sure the guests eat everything they want and take lots home and then they eat what is left. Because we were Americans there was a lot left, but Tongans would have eaten the whole thing. It was a fun night.
