Adventures in Paradise 27

Adventures in Paradise 27

Kia orana, everyone! Our excellent adventure continues with a story of visitors and new friendships. It’s also a little lesson in acceptance, appreciation of a new culture and “going with the flow”.

My friends, Michelle and Julie chose to spend spring break with us on our rock. They are colleagues from school. I was excited to see them and very nervous. What if my old friends did not like my new friends? What if they would be put off by the cultural differences they were about to experience? What if my new friends served something the old friends wouldn’t or couldn’t eat. What if everyone didn’t get along? What if Julie and Michelle did not enjoy their vacation?   I was overcome with the “what ifs” of the visit. Yes, sometimes I do worry way too much. Does anyone relate? I hope so.

I should not have wasted so much time contemplating the “what if” question. Julie and Michelle had the vacation of a lifetime. Neither wanted to leave Rarotonga and my new friends here were equally sorry to see them go. The secret to the success of this holiday lies in the fact that my American friends were eager to participate in all aspects of the culture here. This attitude endeared them to the sweet people that they met; it opened doors and hearts and my friends were able to see for themselves just why Ward and I love it so much here.

Mama Numa handmade the eis (leis) that we presented the girls (ok, women) at the airport. The flowers were picked from her own trees and she lovingly fashioned them for our American friends.  The eis were truly beautiful and Julie and Michelle were very excited by the greeting.  When she met my friends Monday evening, Mama was touched by the compliments she received about her handiwork.  As the evening wore on, I noticed that Julie and Mama were sharing a lot of hugs and laughter. Julie has made a new lifelong friend because she appreciated mama’s artistry.

My American girlfriends, learned to kiss everyone on the cheek while leaning in for a hug. They learned to appreciate and enjoy the food that was offered. They complimented the cooks and asked how the different dishes were made. What cook can resist a compliment? Now they have new friends who would share their table with them again and again.  These wonderful women laughed at all of the jokes, showed total enthusiasm for any activity or adventure that came their way, and asked a lot a questions. They developed a love for the people and their island ways. They experienced, first-hand, the island timetable and went with it. They were especially touched by the beautiful children and the children's parents could see that this was true.

On Saturday afternoon, shortly before they had to leave for the airport, Julie and Michelle spent an exhausting hour or so in the water with several children who had come to swim while their father was having a lesson with us. Those children repeatedly dunked my friends and climbed upon their backs. They helped my friends find more seashells than could possibly fit in a suitcase. They had a ball. Finally, weary and sun burnt, my friends staggered up to the house, while the children continued to call for their return. More lifelong friendships were forged on that beach. Sunday afternoon, I received a sweet text message from the mother of some of those children, asking me to thank my American friends for being so wonderful to their little ones. She said that that beach party had been the best part of the week for those children and she wanted my friends to know that the children sent their love.

For our part, Ward and I were pleased to see the easy acceptance that occurred on both sides. Our friends were enjoying each other’s company and we felt like proud parents watching it all. My Bountiful High friends let the people here know that they appreciated them for whom and what they are. A thought struck me this morning that I would like to share with everyone. People often see what is not, instead of what is. My friends were not looking to find anything lacking here. They were simply enjoying what is. They put their whole hearts into having the time of their lives.   I will always be grateful to Julie and Michelle for the lessons that they taught me last week. Thank you, good friends!

As always, we are happy and trying to work hard. We and the people that we love here lack for nothing. They believe that they are blessed in abundance and would not want life to be any other way. Ward and I feel fortunate that now, we have two homes and lives that are not lacking in life’s bounties. We are twice as lucky, if that is possible. It should come as no surprise to anyone that we consider friends and family part of that richness. Oh, yes, before I forget, it started raining Sunday afternoon. Our friends on the hill are no longer out of water. I just thought that you might like to know.

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

Julie and her new best friend, Mama Numa.

Another cute kid and new friend at FHE

Michelle said that these were the sweetest bananas she had ever tasted!

Try to look like you are having fun, girls!

What a backdrop!

Mama Numa holding court.

Just another day in paradise with good friends.

Welcome home!

A bumpy ride on the jeep safari.

Julie and Michelle enjoying the fish BBQ after the jeep safari.

Doing a little shopping, island-style. 

Michelle and Julie meet the movie star.Sharon Connell was featured in "The Other Side of Heaven"