More Operation Give at Ha'apai

After the feasting was over, at about 11 PM we head to where we would be staying with Elder and Sister Delong.  They are the specialist that are overseeing the rebuilding of the homes here in Ha'apai.  We soon learned the we were staying in the best place on the island.  We had a very nice bed and our own bathroom.  The rest of the group from Salt Lake and Ana stayed at the "Guest House".  We heard that it was not very accommodating place. Some were lucky to have a mattress on the floor and maybe a cold running shower that they had to share with the others.  Since this was Saturday, the boat was not able to leave to go back as it would be travelling on Sunday, which is not allowed.

The next morning we went to Stake Conference, which was all in Tongan.  There was no piano or organ, but the Tongan music was beautiful.  We love there singing, but they all like to sing as loud as they can.  There were several speakers, all in Tongan, then a musical number by the choir.  Their choir director is not a member of the church, so one of the members who was speaking from the pulpit invited him and his wife to hear the discussions.

The conference center was completely full, so us and many others were sitting in the breeze way and looked through the slatted windows to see the speakers.  The whole time we had a Sister siting translating for us.  It was an amazing meeting.  Following the meeting we then went to another Togan Feast at another church building.  To get to this church which was on another island, we had to drive on what they call the cross over, which is a road that was built between the two islands.  There is ocean on both sides.  When the tide is high it splashes over the road.  Elder and Sister Delong told us that they were caught in a storm coming home one time and the waves were coming over the hood of his pick up truck.  She said is was very scary!

We then went for a little drive to see the island, it was very beautiful, but we had to be back again for another feast at another ward.  Each ward was wanting to feed us before we left on Tuesday.  So we ended up having at least six of these feast,  Kent ate quite a bit but Charmain was not so sure of eating anything.  She always looked for the spot on the table that had some fresh fruit she could eat.

Elder and Sister Delong walking on the beach they took us to.

We found this little critter as we were walking the beach.

Another Tongan Feast a roasted pig.  This is just the baby they roasted a whole big sow as well!

More feasting!

This is how they cook most of their foods, in a big pot in an umoo in the ground and over an open fire.  They have no kitchens in their houses.  It is all done outside. (Camping all the time!)