Adventures in Paradise 4

Fish 4 sail

Graves at NIght

Graves 1

Sister Connal's home

Corn Beef 3

Corn beef sign

Sleeping baby 3

ADVENTURES IN PARADISE 4

2 November 2010

Kia orana, everyone! Our excellent adventure continues with some insight on the difference between being a tourist and a local. The tourist doesn’t notice that the ocean is so changeable. They usually don’t notice how blue it can be one moment and how that blue can change to turquoise or navy or grey, but the locals do. The tourist does not know that there are more leaves and flowers on the Tipani trees now than there were a week ago, but the locals do. The tourists have no real sense that most of the  living takes place above the main road and past the shops and restaurants, but the locals do. The locals know that living here depends so much on the earth and what it provides.It takes place in the humble homes that are tucked away off those back roads that we have mentioned to you previously .The tourists don’t know that the coconut palm is life-sustaining in so many ways. None of the tree is wasted. The tourist would have no idea that the female tree is the one with the coconuts, and that the palm trees around their resorts are male trees, so that  no one will be injured by falling coconuts! But the locals do. The tourists consider the rain an inconvenience; something that forces them to put the top up on their rental car or pull under a tree while on a scooter. The locals don’t. The locals see that rain as a blessing that waters their crops and keeps their sisterns full. Perhaps it’s all about slowing down and paying attention. Tourists don’t generally notice those tiny little changes that take place here, but the locals do. We spoke in church last Sunday and this was the subject of my talk. I compared the intimate knowledge that the locals have of this island to how well our Father in Heaven knows us. He notices the changes that take place in our lives.

It has been a busy, but fun week. We are learning more all the time and hope to be considered more local than tourist. Our Maori is getting a little better, but don’t expect fluency. One of the sisters did teach me to say, “ Maniania”, which is pronounced, My knee a knee a. This means please be quiet (the polite way of saying “shut-up”) She suggested that I use that phrase on her husband, President Cummings, (see last week’s photo), but I may have another husband in mind as well (mine)!  Ward is getting way too cocky about how much Maori he knows!

We invited three families with young children for pizza on Sunday evening and surprised them with Rarotonga’s version of pumpkins. Several of these children had been excited for a month about learning to carve Jack o Lanterns, and it was fun to see the fathers get involved as well. We made six pizzas and tons of garlic bread, two salads and we lost count on dessert. Do you remember my saying that every meal is a feast. I thought that pizza, one kind of salad and one dessert would be enough. I was out-voted!

November 1^st here is All Saint’s Day. I guess that you could say that it is the island version of Memorial Day, but that is where the comparison ends. For about a week, we have noticed people working in the graveyards. By the way, many of the families here have their loved ones buried in their yards. These are above-ground tombs and usually they are white-washed or covered in tiles. Every day, more and more decorations appeared on these graves. Many were strung with beautiful leis. Some were completely covered with tropical floral arrangements. It was unbelievable and we are including photos. When the sun set, candles were lit and again not just one or two. The entire cemetery was candlelit and it was amazing. People brought their dinner and whole families stayed the entire evening. Since there were so many graveyards, the whole island seemed  to be twinkling. I would loved to have seen it from the air! Oh, by the way the priest comes just before sunset and sprinkles holy water over the graves and blesses them. Just lovely!

Now the other side of lovely could be that November 1 starts the beginning of cyclone season. Be sure and make your reservations, now! Actually, Rarotonga has not had a cyclone in several years, but a neighboring island was almost destroyed two or three years ago, as it took a direct hit! I am proud to say that our church was one of the first on the scene with money, supplies and manpower.  The Cooks as a whole, are a very religious people. They believe strongly in divine intervention and Sunday evening a prayer service,, “For God’s Protection” was held. All religions on the island participated by providing music, and a speaker. Ward sang in the LDS choir and it was beautiful.  The prayers focused on protection from the elements. At the end of March, there will be a Thanksgiving service as well, to thank God for His protection.

So, speaking of cyclones, we thought that we had better get clear on what to do. Windows will be boarded up, if necessary, and everyone is encouraged to stay inside. Who would actually have to be encouraged, I wonder? We are including a photo of one of the houses which always has it’s roof tied down. Can you imagine watching tin roofs fly through the air?  “ We are not in Kansas, anymore”! Seriously, we are promised that usually, these storms don’t  come too close to Rarotonga and it doesn’t really stand in the way of a good vacation!  

As always, we are happy and trying to work hard. We love to teach and have had the opportunity to do quite a bit of it, lately. We had a group of young, single relief society women here last week. I taught a lesson on choices, then there was an activity and dinner. The menu was “sizzle sausages”, so Ward and I were expecting something exotic that spoke of island traditions. A sizzle sausage is a hot dog cooked in a pan with a slice of bread wrapped around it! For the uninformed among you, chips are French fries, a hamburger here always has beetroot on it (sliced red beets), and if you ask for catsup, you will get tomato sauce, I almost cried when I found a bottle of Heniz catsup!  Oh, yes, I can’t end without telling you about the flying fish.  The other night in the pitch black, we looked out toward the ocean and noticed lights gliding in the water. They were night fishing for flying fish! The light attracts the fish and they literally fly out of the water and the fishermen try to catch them with their nets. You find those the very next day, in the fresh fish markets.

As always, I have written more than I intended, but there is so much we would like to share. Hopefully, you have some idea of the life we have here. Again, the people are wonderful and we are grateful for the new friends that we have made. We do not, however, intend on forgetting our old ones.

Love to you all, Ward and Susan    Elder and Sister Belliston, serving in the Cook Islands

Adventures in Paradise 3

Adventures in Paradise 3

Kia orana, everyone! Our excellent adventure continues with a recap of a conversation that occurs almost everyday we are in the van.

“Ok, now let’s see…..I think to get to Tai’s house, we go past the hanging corned beef sign and turn left at the second yellows (bushes), then we go up that road (remember this is a big exaggeration) and turn left at the banana tree (do you know how many banana trees are on this island?) “

“Are you sure that it’s the corned beef sign? I thought we went past that store (another exaggeration) that sells that green drink you spent three dollars for the last time we stopped and asked for directions.”

“No, I’m sure that it’s the corned beef sign, but we may not turn at the second yellows. We mabey should watch for that sign that says Fish 4 sail (yes, this is spelled correctly), then turn right and look for the house with the antenna on the roof made out of a cinder  block, a rock and two rabbit ears.”

“Well, they did say that if we passed the taro patch, we had gone too far”.

This conversation is happening at the same time that  Elder Belliston is driving but, paying more attention to whether or not the mangos along the side of the road are ripe! I have also learned to keep the passenger-side window closed during these forays. Once you have been smacked in the face with a palm branch at 20 miles per hour, you learn to be more vigilant! Oh, and by the way, the speed limit here for the whole island is 30mph!

More often than not, these days, we do find the house we are looking for and once we do, we are met by sweet people who welcome us into their homes. We have been invited to family home evenings, birthday parties and dinner. Often, if we drop by, these people who have so little, share a meal or a treat with us. I have learned to be much more accepting of their hospitality and we are so grateful for the simple kindness that they offer. When I first met Ward, I noticed that he ate with his hands a lot. At first, I thought it was a case of bad manners, but now I appreciate the fact that he was used to showing respect  for his hosts, by doing it their way. Many times, we have been offered no silverware with dinner, and this is something to which I am becoming accustomed. I did notice the other day though, that after a meal of delicious curry, all of my fingernails had turned yellow!

We are learning to think fast and to expect the unexpected. We have often been asked to speak with no notice. Last Sunday, we were asked to speak in Sacrament meeting and  that same morning, we were handed the lesson manual and asked to teach the Sunday school class. These are sweet times and we are always amazed at what pops into our heads to say in these situations.We are grateful for the guidance of the Spirit for the help that we need. Last night, after a baptism and feast (there is always a  feast), we were asked to present the FHE lesson. At first, I thought President Cummings was kidding, but he was serious. So far, so good, but we will have to come up with some new “just-in-case” talks just to be on the safe side. Speaking of the baptism, the young man who was being baptized, was well over six feet. He needed size 52 clothing, but the pants were about 8 inches too short. Luckily we found a sewing machine in the home here, and I was able to lengthen his pants! This young man has a simple, sweet testimony, but is to shy to express it, so one of his friends spoke for him. It was a wonderful evening and you have never heard singing until you have heard Polynesans  sing. They put their whole hearts into it. It’s just beautiful. As that evening was ending, I noticed that the full moon was reflecting off the ocean across from the church and this scene was framed by swaying palms!

We have had a young woman approach us, simply because she saw our badges. She begins lessons at our home next week. It will be our first real chance to be on our own. We have worked with the Elders before, but it’s far more daunting when we are the ones responsible for the teaching. Wish us luck!

Speaking of luck,  the weather plays a very important part in our household. We have a solar-powdered hot water heater. When it’s a sunny day, I know that we will be lucky and have a nice, hot shower. Rainy or cloudy days make for a much shorter and cooler one! I am also going to save money on hair products. Bangs are useless here as are Velcro rollers, and hairspray. I now know why most islanders wear their hair pulled back or on top of their heads.  Those of you who are thinking of a visit, please be advised that every day here is a bad hair day. Leave your gels, conditioners, and hopes of elaborate hair creations home. Just come and tuck a flower behind your ear and enjoy.

Before we close, we have to give you an update on the woman who fed us the first night we were here. Remember the story of Henry coming out of the oven? Well, she drew me aside at church and said that she had another  pork roast for me and we were not to share it  with anyone. We were to pick it up the next day. I went to the grocery store and managed to find all the ingredients for my pork roast with plum sauce. Yum, yum! When we arrived at her home, she handed me a bag that weighed at least twenty-five pounds! The “roast” was frozen and the hind leg was sticking out of the bag! I don’t think that I can make enough plum sauce! So, again, if you visit, expect pork for dinner!

We are happy and healthy and trying to work hard. This is the perfect mission for us and I find it difficult to believe that all of the people that we love so much were friends that we did not have a month ago. We are attaching pictures, since many of you have requested that we do so. We hope that you can appreciate, even just a little, the spirit of this beautiful island and its people.

Ka kite, Ward and Susan            Elder and Sister Belliston serving in the Cook Islands

Adventures in Paradise 2

Adventures in Paradise 2

Kia orana, everyone! Our excellent adventure continues with a big lesson learned this week. I have described the living conditions here as humble, but I probably meant “poor”, and I have found that this is where I have misjudged. I was measuring quality of life here by a ruler that does not apply here. Most everyone here, old and young, large or small rides a moped. It is convenient, gas costs are down and they can go anywhere. It is so entertaining to see who or how many are riding one little bike, and what they are transporting.  The other day, we say a grandmother riding with a baby not more than two years old sitting behind her. I was worried that as that baby slipped to one side or the other, it would soon be tumbling along the roadway. Then I noticed that the grandmother had tied a sash around her waist and the babes’ as well. The grandmother was driving the moped with one hand (something I do not suggest to any visitor) and her other hand was cupped around the child’s bottom. Every time that baby would start slipping one way or the other, that grandmother would scoot it back onto the seat. I am certain that she was more relaxed about the situation that the missionary in the car behind her! So, on to my story. That same day, we met a woman (around 70 years old) who had just arrived at the church on a moped in a blinding rainstorm. I remarked that perhaps she should have stayed home where she could have been dry, and she replied, “Oh, I love the rain. Whenever I am driving in the rain, I think of that rain as tears of joy for all of my blessings.”  Oh, I am starting to see the error of my perspective.

Where I could not imagine a life without the “finer” things (theater, books, fine dining, you get the idea) they cannot imagine why anyone would want to live anywhere else. One man, who’s house has no windows that I could see, remarked on his million-dollar view. Oh, yes, I am learning.  Another couple talked about the simple, sweet life that they lead and how the really do live off the land. This man went to New Zealand once, a wasted trip, he said, and could not imagine why someone would take a perfectly good potato and mash it! This is the same man who has been happily married to his wife and the land for forty years and who sent us home with more homegrown eggplant, tomatoes and papaya that we can possibly use ( home made spaghetti sauce and eggplant parmesean, so far!) and when I drove up to his home, I felt sorry for him. People have shared their food and their homes with us and I am learning to be more grateful. Yes, I am learning.

That is not to say that we do not find humor in our life here. Rarotongans love to laugh, so we are in good company. We found getting a driver’s license here to be fast and easy. Give the woman twenty dollars and have our photo taken. You all will be impressed to know that we are now qualified to operate a motorcycle (great, because I couldn’t drive one before!) any car or light trade vehicle, heavy trade vehicles and taxis. How about that! Ward is driving a ten-passenger van on a one-passenger road. He has only backed into one palm tree so far. Thank goodness for that driver’s license!   The is a road sign that says simply,”The faster you go the bigger the mess”. Well, that could be a metaphor for life! The bus stops here, say. Bus into town, and arrows point both ways. Ah. Yes, living on an island! Today, we eagerly anticipated the high point of a rarotongans day. We went down to the end of the runway and watched the jet fly over us just before landing. People here love the jet blast. Who needs Dysneyland!

We are busy and happy. We have been meeting with and teaching some lovely people who want to know more. I especially love working with the little children, who are so breathtakingly beautiful. We had two families here last night for family home evening and again, they are thankful for all that they have and the opportunity to learn more about the Gospel. Sunday started with a 7:00 am meeting and just kept going on. We met with people in two of the three branches here and introduced the branch counsels to the new missionary program from Salt Lake. Ward joined the district choir , which will be singing in district conference shortly. One of the choir members said that she has goose-pimples (bumps to us) when they sang, “I Am A Child of God” in Maori. Elder smarty-pants  will be fluent before we return, I am sure. So far, I can say, hello, goodbye, see you later, see you tomorrow, and I am fine thank you. Unfortunately, I cannot understand when anyone asks me how I am in Maori, so I May not be using that last  phrase too much.

Well, I didn’t mean for this update to be so long. But the lessons that we (I) have learned here so far could fill a book!

We are happy and peaceful and hope that you are too!

Love, Ward and Susan, Elder and Sister Belliston, serving in the Cook Islands

Adventures in Paradise 1

Ward & Susan at Mission Home

Ward Susan & Elder & Sister Teriipaia - Couple we replaced

Nand Family.  Recent converts

Mission Home back yard looking towards the ocean

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Wednesday, 13 October 2010

WARD AND SUSANS EXCELLENT ADVENTURES IN PARADISE CONTINUED

Hello, everyone! We were told that the time would pass quickly and boy is that true! Can you believe that we have been here six months, already? Oh, wait, it only seems like six months!

We are adjusting to life here and it’s  little challenges. We had been invited to dinner by a sweet Indian family from Fiji. When we first arrived, the Elders gave us a whirlwind  tour of the island. Well, we were sightseeing more than paying attention to exact locations and we did not realize at the time that there are no street addresses. Sooooo, when it came time to go to dinner, we had no idea where to go or how to get there. It was getting later and later and we were starting to panic. Finally, we located the Elders and they gave us directions. Go down the main highway(slight exaggeration) until you come to a green fence (well, everything here is green!) and turn left when you see the cement wall. Go up the road (again a BIG exaggeration) and turn left again at the banana tree and keep going until you see the big  boat on cinder blocks. The house is next to that boat. Whew! We were forty-five minutes late by American standards and right on time for island standards. The family was very sweet and we had chicken curry for dinner. After dinner, Ward gave a lesson on the Priesthood.  He did an excellent job! One of our biggest challenges is eating the food that is served after seeing where is it prepared. This could be the best diet ever!!!

We met with a branch mission leader who is also an emcee for several of the island shows. He invited us and the Elders to the show that night and it was spectacular! We drove up on the mountain to a cultural village, which was the original site of one of the island tribes. The view of the beach at sunset was beautiful. They had a buffet dinner and floor show and this is the one we will take you to when you visit.

Sunday, we had dinner at a member’s home. She is a nurse, so we thought that we would get lucky with a little tidier house. We were wrong! I am learning to ask,”so tell me, how do you prepare your lovely chicken, fish, pork, pet, or whatever?” By asking, I hope to have some idea of what the  dinner actually is and how long it was cooked! Pretty smart, huh?Well. it was chicken and onions and it was hot and right out of the pan, so that was pretty good. But the mother did not sit down with the rest of us and when I asked her why she wasn’t going to eat with us, she said that it was tradition that the hostess would stand and fan away the flies while the rest of us ate. Boy did that whet our appetities!  Ward wondered silently why they just didn’t close the doors! It’s hard not to appreciate people for their kindness, but we find that this is about the most challenging part of the mission.

Saturday is the open air market day and it’s a lot of fun. Everyone comes to town to eat and shop and when the members see our badges, its almost impossible to pay for any food. Whoever visits will enjoy this a lot.  You can buy produce, clothing, ice cream, pearls, well, almost anything you need and it’s a party atmosphere. We are trying to get to know people who come there so that we can approach them later about the Gospel.We met one man in town earlier that week and took him some cookies to say thank you and he and his pregnant wife had a booth there. We will be working on him. While we were at the market, we noticed that there was a little lost chick. The adults could see the mother and the rest of her babies a ways off, but the chick could not see the mother and was running all around chirping. Grown men were trying to herd that baby back to it’s mother. Later in Monday’s Family Home Evening, I drew a picture of a baby chick and told the story. I asked the children how they would feel if they lost their mother and I asked the mothers how they would feel to lose one of their children. We read the scripture about Christ being the Great Gatherer and how he will gather us in like a hen gathers her chicks. I told them that Chirst does not want to lose any of his children and often, just like at the market, where other people were helping the baby to find it’s way back, the missionaries are doing the same thing is helping people return to Christ. It was a good night……………well, there was the part about dinner, but I will leave that to your imagination. There were two investigator families there with their children. The children here are beautiful.

We celebrated our fourth wedding anniversary on Monday and that time really has gone by fast. We want you to know that we are happy and healthy and glad to be serving. Ward is going to be singing in the district choir and we are finding people to teach. We have a lesson tonight and an appointment tomorrow evening with a sixteen year old girl who wants to be baptized. We are looking towards working with her parents as well.

We would love to have visitors and would like to guarantee that the Hotel Belliston is one of the finest on the island. We have it on good authority that the kitchen is clean and the management is very tidy. There is beach-front property and the caretakers are careful to rake the beach for a smooth walk to the water. Because we are surrounded by a reef, there are no crashing waves on the shore, so we do not concern ourselves with guests being washed out to sea. The water is crystal clear and on a clear day you can see all the way to……..oh, well, I guess that you can see all the way to the ocean.  Please book your reservations now to avoid the rush. 

PLEASE come and see us!!! Ward and Susan

MTC to Rarotonga

On Monday September 27, 2010 we entered the MTC in Provo.  this was the beginning of a most wonderful experience.  The faith of those who were there will never be forgotten.  The missionaries are the very cream of the crop.  It was wonderful to see them as they would help with our dishes, open doors and were very kind and loving.

The Tuesday evening fireside with Bother Clayton was inspirational as he talked about the Rock being cut out of the mountain by Daniel in the Old Testament.  Then to turn around and see the 2000 plus elders as them came in and sang the songs of Zion were something to behold.  You could feel the spirit and the very power of the work going forth.  What an outstanding blessing to be part of that wonderful evening. 

On Thursday, September 30 be drove back home to Salt Lake to prepare for our trip to Tahiti on Friday.  Friday morning October1, 2010 at around 8:30 am we flew from Salt Lake to L.A.  When we were in L.A. we did not have a return ticket from Tahiti and they would not let us leave on the plane without a ticket indication we were leaving Tahiti.  So, I called Salt Lake and in just a few minutes a return ticket was emailed to Air Tahiti Nui in L.A. indicating or giving us a departure date and time.  We then we issued a ticket and boarded the plane.  We arrived in Tahiti around 6:30 pm and were greet by President Mathew and Susan Smith.  We were driven to the mission home where we stayed.

Saturday morning was General Conference which started at 6:00 am since Tahiti is 4 hours behind Utah time.  What a wonderful conference.  I was struck by the number of small children caring their scriptures who were up and listening to conference.  The children were so beautiful and all the people were so kind and loving to us.

Sunday after the afternoon session of conference we had a dinner at the mission home.  Two of the people who where there were President and Sister Moody the President of the Tahiti Temple which was just next door.  After dinner President Moody played two songs for us that will soon appear in the friend magazine.  They were beautiful and sweet.  The Moody's are very close friends with Bona and Parley.

Monday, October 4, 2010 we took our extra luggage to the airport to have it sent to Rarotonga.  We had just over 100 lbs which did cost us $300 to sent.  I paid $100 and President Smith payed the rest.  We sent it by freight since we were told it was cheaper that way.

Tuesday, October 5, 2010 we flew to Rarotonga, Cook Island arriving around 11:30 am.  As we walked off the plane and into the terminal we could hear music being played .  Found out Brother Jake Numanga was the one singing and playing his ukulele.  He stopped playing for a minute and came up to us to greet us and welcome us to Rarotonga.  This was a very special moment for us.

After we received our luggage and went through customs we were greeted by Elder and Sister Teriipaia and several members of the church.  They gave us leis.  This was another tender moment for me to see them express their love for us.  Elder and Sister Teriipaia were being transferred to Tahiti.  He is from Tahiti and she (Joan) is from Kona on the Bis Island of Hawaii.  We then drove to the L.D.S. Mission home at Black Rock and tried to settle in the rest of the day.  That evening we were invited to dinner at Brother and Sister Labb's home.  What a great couple.

Black Rook Plumbing Truck

A few weeks ago Susan was sitting in the car waiting for Ward to fill up the car with gas at the Maverick Service station on 2700 North in Ogden.  All of a sudden a truck went in front of her with the sign on the truck, "Black Rock Plumbing".  Susan knew for sure Black Rock,q Rarotonga is where we will be on our mission.

Back From Lake Powell

During the week of September 13-18, 2010 Ward was in Lake Powell having fun while Susan was home tending to the phone and emails.  We were told by Brother John Jay Poelman to stay home because the decision to let us go to the Cooks was being determined.   Well, when Ward was on his way home from Lake Powell Susan called him and told him President Smith had called and said we had been approved to enter the mission home on September 27, 2010.  We were so excited to hear this news.  When Susan called Brother Poelman to find out more details he said that it had not been a final decision so we were set back some.  However on Tuesday we were notified that in fact all was well and we could and would be entering the MTC on September 27.  We are now excited to go and are trying to finish everything needed this week.  We had thought we would have a week at the MTC and then a week home before we flew to Tahiti but that is not the case.  We go to the MTC on Monday, September 27 and leave the MTC early on Thursday so we can fly to Tahiti on Friday October 1, 2010.

Yesterday, September 21 we noticed Lorna Teriipaia (Sister T) was on Skype so we called her.  It was fun to finally see her and talk with her and her husband Rene and the missionaries who happened to be at their home.  Lorna, Sister Teriipaia, indicated President Smith was going to let them stay a week after we arrive so she and her husband could show us around. 

Well, I (Ward) just noticed Sister T was on Skype again so I called her.  It was great to talk with her and she had Rina, an investigator, at the house whom I saw on Skype.  We said hello to each other.  Sister T said to take good care of Rina and that she and Elder T had to leave before October 10, 2010.  Since there is only one flight per week it means they leave the day we arrive in Rarotonga.  I was sad to learn they will not be on Rarotonga for q while after we arrive but we would take good care of Rina.