Gredings Visit to Tonga

On October 26th the Gredings flew into Tonga.  They are water specialist from Salt Lake City Headquarters.  While they were here we visited 11 water sights on Tongatapu, main island in Tonga, one sight on Atata, small island just off of Tongatapu.  Then onto Vava'u where we visited 8 water sights on the main island, then headed to the outer islands.  We visited Hungo where we learnd of the great need of these people.  They have no water other than rain water which is getting very low.  We then headed to Nuapapu and Matamaka island, these people were also in great need of water.  The last island, Otea are in need of some water catchment tanks.  Following are some of the pictures of their visit here.  Hope you enjoy them!

Here is Elder and Sister Greding just arriving for a long week of work!

Here we are at one of the water project request sights.  This is an old well that they are wanting to develop.  They are requesting a new pump and engine for their village.

Here we are loading up to head to Atata!

This is the resort that we landed at, they had nice cold fruit juice drinks for us.  This is Elder and Sister Greding enjoying their cold drink.

This the Stake President that is over this area with Elder and Sister Murdock, and Ana Ika.

This is the pool at the resort and the beautiful view.  It is a very nice place, one that would be nice to come to and relax!

We then walked to the water sight of the request we have.  This little village has 40 homes, no water other that rain water.  They are requesting help with getting a pump, engine, water tank, and stand.  They are working with Japan to drill the well.

We have now headed to Vava'u and are looking at a sight in Neiafu, the capital of Vava'u.  They have several dry wells and are requesting help with them and a new water engine and pump.

This is the Village of Ta'anea, they too are requesting a new water pump and engine.

After visiting 3-4 sights we went to this chapel where they had a nice lunch, Tongan Feast, for us.  The view from the chapel was amazing.  The cruise ship is a Holland Cruise Liner in the bay.  The big pine tree was planted by President Hinckley when he was here.

This is the group that we had lunch with.  They always have an open and closing song as well as prayers.  The Gredings were very amazed at their singing!

We are now heading to three outer islands.  This is the boat that we are going on.

Sister Greding and Ana are ready to go.

Here we are loaded and ready to head out.

Elder and Sister Greding enjoying the view.

And the view was amazing!

This is the island of Hunga.  We were all amazed that the concrete work of this ramp.  India provided the materials and the people of the village did all the work.  It was very good work, which tells us that they work together well.  They have no water other than rain water and their tanks are less than 50% and we are headed into the dry weather.  So they are in great need.  The Tonga Water Board has agreed to drill a well if we provide a water tower, water tank, engine and pump.

Here we are returning to the boat for the next island.  The view was amazing!

This is Elder and Sister Edwards.  They are TVET Missionaries at the LDS School here in Vava'u.  They have only been here for a week.  We were very happy that they could ride along with us for the day.  

This is the hike to the next village, Nuapapu, also requesting a new water supply unit as they have no water other than rain water.

This was the view of the bay of the next village, Matamaka, we went to that is requesting new water tanks for the village.

Here we all are headed to the village.  It was a very nice place, clean and well taken care of.

This was Swallow Cave that the boat driver took us into to see.  They drove the boat right into the cave.  We have heard from other Missionaries that it is great snorkeling in here!  

Some shots of Swallow Cave.  It was very interesting.

This is another island, Otea, that we visited.  They are requesting for new water tanks for the village.  The well that they had there was hand dug and was terribly contaminated.  We hope that they are not using it now!  The Tonga Water Board is  working on a new water system for this village.

After a long day at sea, we all headed to dinner at the Aquarium.  The food was very good.  They even had fried onion rings, the first we have seen in Tonga!  The fruit smoothies were wonderful as well as their fish and chips!

Here we are on our way to the airport and still have one last stop at a water sight at the village of Mataika.  They are needing a new pump.

This is our little plane that we are flying back to Tongatapu!

This is the inside.  Did I say it was little?  Yes it is little.  Elder Greding is reading an article we found in the pocket of the seats.  It is talking about the Handover Ceremony we did for Nukuleka where we did a new water pump and engine for them.

This is another water sight in Fo'ui.  They are requesting a new pump.

Last night in Tonga!  We went to dinner and show at Liku'alofa.  It was a nice evening.

Sister Greding enjoyed the dancing!

Final day in Tonga we headed to the Surfer Beach to take the Gredings snorkeling. It was a nice day.
Then on to the office where we had a final meeting on all the projects, then on to the airport for them to leave.

"The obligation of the receiver to labor, to the extent of his ability, to sustain himself and dependents, is just as great, in God's economy, as is the obligation to contribute to the care of the needy."  
                                                                                                                     Marion G. Romney