Talofa,
Just wanted to say hello in Samoan (talofa) and let everyone know we are doing fine. Randy preached at Happy Valley Baptist Church on Sunday to the Samoan congregation wearing a traditional lava lava skirt and a white shirt. The Samoan people sang, prayed and praised the Lord with joyful hearts. We attended the funeral of one of victims, Chen Li, of the Tsunami on Sunday afternoon. Pastor Don Gann who was on our team gave the invocation prayer and Randy was asked to read scripture during the funeral. Mr. Chen was only 43 years of age and had a wife and three children. The wife and children were truly broken and this funeral brought us to the reality of this disaster relief effort. We were definitely connected to this tragedy and felt compassion as the daughter shared during the eulogy and then spoke of angels who had appeared to help with the funeral. Before we had arrived, Terry Henderson and Don Gann had the opportunity to council with this family and purchase some medical supplies for the mother. The DR team of five led by Terry Henderson, flew home on Sunday night. The incoming and out going flights are a major attraction for the locals. They gather at the airport to meet and greet those arriving and to say goodbye to those departing. After the commotion dies down and the plane leaves, it is off to McDonalds which is another hot spot for the islanders.
On Monday Randy had an early breakfast meeting with Pastor Elise, from Happy Valley Baptist Church, to discuss strategies for the week. Ronda shopped for office supplies and food items at the local store. In the afternoon we drove to the opposite end of the island to do water purification in a village called Tula. The speed limit on the island never exceeds about 30 miles and hour on the bumpy and heavily traveled roads. It took about an hour to drive the 15 miles, however the views of the aqua blue and green pacific ocean and the miniature islands with palm trees and vegetation jutting up within view of the road made the ride spectacular. We had to be on the watch for coconuts falling from the trees and pot holes in the road.
We were joined in Tula by Pastor Lee who is the Korean Pastor, Missionary Joeli from the Seafarer Ministry, Pastor Vaafuti from the church in Paga Paga and Pastor Elise from Happy Valley Baptist Church. Working together we ran two water purification units which are about the size of a suitcase and powered from 12 volt receptacles in the vehicles. The villagers lined up with their water jugs, coolers and containers to receive the purified water (approximately 270 gal.). The water we supplied will last them for only a few days. Jesus said, I give you living water for which you will thirst no more. Several opportunities arose for spiritual conversations with the people waiting in line. We visited with a 76 year old Samoan lady name Alo, who had been swept up by a wave after stepping out her front door and taken on a wave up on the side of the mountain. As we later walked through the debris and saw her house, there was no doubt that this was a miracle and that God had spared her life and protected her from physical harm, as she did not receive even a scratch. The back side of her house was crumbled into tiny pieces from the tons of coral and debris that literally blew the house apart. We listened with amazement as she told her story and wept. We were able to encourage and pray with her before leaving. Her family was very appreciative that we were there to dialog with her and told us that she had not been talking or eating much since the tsunami struck.
We continue to be blessed by the Samoan people as we travel from village to village. Please continue to pray for us to be a light that shines bright on this island. We have a team coming from Utah tomorrow to work in water purification and as Chaplains. We have been invited into the schools, both private and public. Pray for many doors to open.
Blessings to each of you!
Love,
Randy and Ronda
Just wanted to say hello in Samoan (talofa) and let everyone know we are doing fine. Randy preached at Happy Valley Baptist Church on Sunday to the Samoan congregation wearing a traditional lava lava skirt and a white shirt. The Samoan people sang, prayed and praised the Lord with joyful hearts. We attended the funeral of one of victims, Chen Li, of the Tsunami on Sunday afternoon. Pastor Don Gann who was on our team gave the invocation prayer and Randy was asked to read scripture during the funeral. Mr. Chen was only 43 years of age and had a wife and three children. The wife and children were truly broken and this funeral brought us to the reality of this disaster relief effort. We were definitely connected to this tragedy and felt compassion as the daughter shared during the eulogy and then spoke of angels who had appeared to help with the funeral. Before we had arrived, Terry Henderson and Don Gann had the opportunity to council with this family and purchase some medical supplies for the mother. The DR team of five led by Terry Henderson, flew home on Sunday night. The incoming and out going flights are a major attraction for the locals. They gather at the airport to meet and greet those arriving and to say goodbye to those departing. After the commotion dies down and the plane leaves, it is off to McDonalds which is another hot spot for the islanders.
On Monday Randy had an early breakfast meeting with Pastor Elise, from Happy Valley Baptist Church, to discuss strategies for the week. Ronda shopped for office supplies and food items at the local store. In the afternoon we drove to the opposite end of the island to do water purification in a village called Tula. The speed limit on the island never exceeds about 30 miles and hour on the bumpy and heavily traveled roads. It took about an hour to drive the 15 miles, however the views of the aqua blue and green pacific ocean and the miniature islands with palm trees and vegetation jutting up within view of the road made the ride spectacular. We had to be on the watch for coconuts falling from the trees and pot holes in the road.
We were joined in Tula by Pastor Lee who is the Korean Pastor, Missionary Joeli from the Seafarer Ministry, Pastor Vaafuti from the church in Paga Paga and Pastor Elise from Happy Valley Baptist Church. Working together we ran two water purification units which are about the size of a suitcase and powered from 12 volt receptacles in the vehicles. The villagers lined up with their water jugs, coolers and containers to receive the purified water (approximately 270 gal.). The water we supplied will last them for only a few days. Jesus said, I give you living water for which you will thirst no more. Several opportunities arose for spiritual conversations with the people waiting in line. We visited with a 76 year old Samoan lady name Alo, who had been swept up by a wave after stepping out her front door and taken on a wave up on the side of the mountain. As we later walked through the debris and saw her house, there was no doubt that this was a miracle and that God had spared her life and protected her from physical harm, as she did not receive even a scratch. The back side of her house was crumbled into tiny pieces from the tons of coral and debris that literally blew the house apart. We listened with amazement as she told her story and wept. We were able to encourage and pray with her before leaving. Her family was very appreciative that we were there to dialog with her and told us that she had not been talking or eating much since the tsunami struck.
We continue to be blessed by the Samoan people as we travel from village to village. Please continue to pray for us to be a light that shines bright on this island. We have a team coming from Utah tomorrow to work in water purification and as Chaplains. We have been invited into the schools, both private and public. Pray for many doors to open.
Blessings to each of you!
Love,
Randy and Ronda
