Adventures in Paradise 60

Adventures in Paradise 60

Kia Orana, everyone! Our excellent adventure continues with tales from the South Pacific, Tahitian style.  Having just returned from our Tahitian “vacation”, I have been struggling to put our experiences into words. I now realize that the better format for this week’s blog is to simply display our photos and let them speak for themselves. In saying that, please note that for the first time on our mission, we were privileged to meet and mingle with those dedicated people of all ages who have chosen to serve our Heavenly Father . We were touched by the spirit that we felt and impressed by the dedication and hard work that we witnessed. For a fleeting few days, we were surrounded by the exuberance of so many who are excited to be part of the Tahitian mission. It was our good fortune to be included in this excitement and we enjoyed every minute. 

So, sit back and relax. Please enjoy your picture postcard visit to Tahiti. Your tour guides welcome you to another little peace of paradise. 

A graceful Tahitian dancer welcomes you at the airport.

We were greeted with beautiful leis.  President and Sister Sinjoux are on the right.

This ward Christmas party began with breakfast at 8:00am and everyone stayed until almost five. Lunch was served, Santa arrived and then the music began. 

Santa passed out treats, even if the child refused to look at him!

The addition of the accordian gave the music a slightly Cajun sound.  It was lively and wonderful.

I watched this woman all afternoon.  She was finding so much pleasure in the music that she made me enjoy it as well.

When she got up to dance, she was uninhibited in her movements.

Someone tucked a flower behind my ear and this became my Christmas portrait.

Wards background is a local lagoon on the island.  Notice his sedate shirt! 

A view of the Tahiti temple from the mission home.  We stayed with President and Sister Sinjoux. 

Sunday evening the missionaries put on a fireside as a Christmas gift to the community.  Almost three thousand people attended, including the president of Tahiti!  As the touching program ended, most people simply sat in their seats as if refusing to break the spell that the evening had cast. It was amazing and touching.  We were so glad to have been there to be part of it.

We were thrilled to see one of our favorite elders who served with us in Rarotonga.  He was just released and brought his grandfather to the fireside.

Monday began with a spirited sports day for the missionaries.  They played hard so as to work up a hearty appetitie for the Christmas dinner that followed. Actually, with young people, there is no need to "work" up an appetite, as they are always hungry! 

Do you think this will be enough bread?  The French government subsidizes bread in Tahiti so that even low income people can afford something to eat.  Each of these baguettes sells for 58 cents.

My new friend, Margarete and I cooked the turkeys and made salads and rice for the meal.  Margurete is in charge of keeping the mission presidents home in order.  It's a very big job!

Each missionary (or couple) was given a gift bag during the dinner.  Ward was President Sinjoux's professor at BYU-Hawaii, so we thought our gift of chocolate covered macademia nuts was very thoughtful.  Don't ask how many Ward ate!

These gift bags were waiting for the missionaries.  Each one contained a hand-written personal note from the president.  They were filled with juice and goodies.

One of the counselors in the mission presidency invited Ward to spend the day fishing with him.  In the background, you can see the island of Moorea.  Ward did not hook any fish, but did catch a nasty sunburn! By the way, this is a homemade boat.

This is a stunning view of Tahiti as seen from the boat.

The French have controlled Tahiti since the early 1800's.  You can see the French influence in most of the buildings and roadways. This is a view of the harbor road.  The ocean is to the left of the photo.  It puts me in mind of the picutres that I have seen of Monaco.

We spent a teaching day with another senior (I still dislike that term!) couple.  The two young women in the back row center are being taught by Elder and Sister Arnold.  Even though they celebrate Christmas and had all the decorations, they had never heard of Jesus Christ. 

Between teaching appointments, the Arnolds stopped to show us this waterfall.

This humble house is home to 28 people.

I am drawn to lighthouses and this is the last one on the island. Built in the early 1800's, it stood as a beacon for travelers looking for a safe port.

This is further proof that Polynesean children are beautiful.

The front entrance to the beautiful Tahiti temple.

Tahiti temple president Moody and his wife, Sister Moody.  They serve for three years.

While waiting for our flight home, Sister Sinjoux and I share a few moments.  My necklaces are shell leis that that were given to us as we left.  As per Polynesean custom, floral leis are presented as guests arrive and shell leis are the going-away gifts.  Our job as the new owners is to then pass these leis along to someone else.  It's a very sweet custom. 

We have a lovely view as we taxi down the runway.

Our last look at beautiful Tahiti

So, as usual, we are happy and trying to work hard. As our week in Tahiti drew to a close, we were anxious to return home to Rarotonga. Yes, this is home and we missed it. We hope that as you viewed our photos, you were able to at least in some small way, catch the spirit of Tahiti and it's people. We found our new friends to be very much like our old ones. We saw dedication of spirit and love of family. We met people who found joy in serving and in working hard for common goals. We found that we all have much in common and our commonalities tie us together.We also missed home and know that home is wherever your heart is.

Love, Ward and Susan              Elder and Sister Belliston, serving in the Cooks