Operation Give to Ha'apai

These islands are known for the whale watching and the beautiful waters for diving and snorkeling, although it is a very country living place.  In January of 2014 Cyclone Ian hit these islands and wipes out most of the houses and their crops.  All rushed to the LDS church buildings as they were the only safe building on the islands.  We have a building project going to rebuild 80-100 homes.  These will be about 12 x 15 one room houses with a bathroom, which will be an upgrade for these people.  Then hopefully later they will be able to add to them if needed.  Right now the people are still living in tents that we have provided for them.  It looks as though a bomb went off and just blew everything away.

This is one of the new houses that they are building for the people at Ha'apai

There are 3 Tongan Stakes in Salt Lake City who got together to help there brothers and sisters here in Ha'apai by gathering six 20 foot containers of food, flour, rice, sugar, oil, laundry detergent, etc and partnered with Chief Wiggles Operation Give to get all of it shipped here to Nuku'alofa.  Then we had it put on a ferry that we chartered and headed to Ha'apai, which took about 12 hours.  It was an interesting ride for us to see all the different islands on our way.  The water was so beautiful, but the weathers was a little stormy so the seas were a little choppy.  We did alright but there were some that became ill.

Following is some pictures of our trip.

This is the ferry that we rode on for 12 hours taking the containers to Ha'apai

Leaving Nuku'alofa for Ha'apai

This was Nomuka, a brief stop on our way to Ha'apai but no one got off the ferry.

Entering the Harbour of Pangai, Ha'apai

This was the reception that was waiting for us at the Stake House, tables and tables full of food, the original Tongan Feast

More of the Feast that was awaiting for us.  Half of the time we did not know what we were eating.  While eating we were entertained by the island people with the traditional dancing in traditional costumes.  It was beautiful.