Hello, Samoa!

What a great experience to be sent to Samoa for some meetings with our Director of Public Affairs there, SapeleFa’alogo, and get acquainted with one of the countries we support in our work.

Samoa is a beautiful island with so much color everywhere, from the abundant green foliage to the brilliant blue waters; from the houses painted in all the bright colors—sometimes three or four per house—to the crazy-colored, open-air public buses that look like they rolled out of a cartoon; from the colorful island clothing to the beautiful white of the temple and the many chapels that ring the island. It is all eye-candy.

I think they must have thousands and thousands of coconut trees on the island! Everyone has some in their yards, and they grow along the roadsides and beaches. And they use those coconut shells for every purpose imaginable…road markers, fences, jewelry, clothing, wall coverings, furniture, etc. It’s pretty crazy!

The people, as in all the island nations we’ve visited, are warm and friendly, gracious and giving. We had just finished eating a scrumptious dinner an hour or two earlier when we were invited to join the stake leadership in a traditional Samoan “feast”—at least, that’s how I would describe it. Maybe for them it was just a typical potluck dinner. Believe me, we were REALLY stuffed when we finished that meal!

We had luckily arrived on the island earlier that day, when, after our dinner together, we went with Sapele and his wife, Fiona,  to observe from the gym (seated behind the cameras and monitors), a local television station film an hour-long devotional service to air the following Sunday evening. The saints filling the chapel were dressed in lovely white with green palm print fabric, their Samoan songs lifted the roof, and though we couldn’t understand a word of the Samoan speakers, the Spirit filled the building. It was a wonderful experience to be there.

The next few days we were privileged to meet with various government officials, including the Deputy Prime Minister, the Attorney General, the Minister of Women, Community, and Social Development, and the Charge d’Affaires of the U.S. Diplomatic Office, talking with each one about the influence of the church in their communities, the need to preserve religious freedom for their citizens, ways we could work together, and invitations to participate in upcoming church-sponsored events. In each instance, we were welcomed with kindness, interest, and gratitude. It was lovely.

We also met with church leaders on public affairs matters, Elder Fata, President Te’o, Sapele, who is a former stake president, and Brother Tuise, in addition to a meeting with their committee planning a Christmas Event for Apia.

Our morning temple session was also beautiful. The temple must be one of the loveliest in the church, inside and out, and though the session was in Samoan, we again, felt the Spirit of the Lord and the goodness of the people.

Sitting at the airport waiting for our plane, Barry had the opportunity to have a heart-to-heart with Joseph Parker, a young man who is the current Heavyweight New Zealand Champion boxer. He is a church member, though he hasn’t been active of late, but is hopefully on his way back. They had a great visit and have been corresponding since then about opportunities for him to speak to our youth. 

All in all, add another beautiful memory stamp to our passports and our hearts!