Ferguson Group from Salt Lake City

In this group there were about 32 members.  They were coming to Tonga to do service along the lines of preventing diabetes as they are aware of the problem of diabetes here.  Over 60% of adults are diabetics here in Tonga.  Dr. Ferguson is a plastic surgeon that specialises in reconstructive surgery after such things as rebuilding a jaw that was removed due to cancer.  He also helps with diabetic wounds on legs and feet.  Also with them was a group that works with prosthetics.  They will be fitting 10-15 patients with artificial legs.  The group will also be building an addition on a house for a man who had his leg amputated and then his wife left him with his kids.  They also did four firesides to tell the people as to what they were doing here in Tonga.  At the last one there were over 600 people in attendance.  They let them know what they were teaching their children at Liahona High School which was Preventative measures for diabetes. Each morning at the beginning of the school day they would teach the Juniors and Seniors about diabetes and what they can do to prevent getting it.  Following are some pictures of the 12 days that they were here.

The arrival of the Ferguson group.  This is Andrea, Dr. Ferguson and their children.

You can see at the head of this group of children is Alex, one of the Prosthetics team, running trying to get a head of the children so he can get a photo of all of them.  The children were so excited, they were chasing him calling out his name.  We were taking Alex around gathering supplies for what they needed and we stopped at Kolomotu'a to check on our project here.

This is the addition that the Ferguson group is working on.  Brother Janke is a contractor and he is over this project.

They even had their children helping.  They are sifting the gravel to make sand for the mortar for the cinder blocks.

More of the building operation.  They are working very hard!

They are progressing and it is looking great!

Working Hard!

Just finishing up.  Isn't it amazing what they have done in just 10 days!

Some inside views.

This will be the man's, that has an amputated leg, bedroom.  He will have his own bathroom in doors and will not have to go outside to the bathroom!

Three of the ladies, Andrea Ferguson, Sharon Crawford and Katie Janke are master gardeners so they were interested in our farming project in Veitongo.  They were amazed at what the people have been accomplishing.  They are hoping to return to Tonga next year with a gardening project for the people of Tonga.

Sister Crawford and Sister Janke with Bishop Huni, our Champion in this Project, are taking pictures of the field of carrots.

Sister Crawford was amazed at the field of carrots.

Here Bishop Huni is showing them about manioke and how it grows. How it can stay in the ground for 3 years for a food supply or for disaster relief.

At the end of our tour a picture with the Master Gardeners and the "Champion".

Here we are at a dinner meeting concerning our Dialysis Project we are trying to get going.  This is Ana Ika, Andy Schnebly, representing the Fergusons, and Elder and Sister Murdock.

President and Sister Tupou were in attendance as well.

Elder and Sister Tukuafu, the Area Seventy were also in attendance.

This is the Crown Prince and Princess of Tonga who is the President of the Dialysis Foundation.

This is a group shot of  some of the people in attendance.

This is the Crown Prince greeting President Tupou and the Crown Princess is seated behind him.

This is our "Champion" in this project, Sia.  It was his 49th birthday.

This is Branch, who is the Prosthetic Specialist.  He has in his hand, Elder and Sister Huni's daughter's leg.

Here is Branch fitting Kasia with her new leg.

Taking her first steps. It was an emotional time.  She was so happy to be able to stand and to walk!

This is Alex, he is assisting Branch here in Tonga.  He is forming a boot cup that will fit over the stump of a leg.

Here is Branch making some adjustments to a cuff.  In the back ground is Elder Murdock and Branch's wife.

"We continue to learn the important value of being aware of and interested in the lives of those around us, learning not only the importance of giving help but also the overwhelming joy that comes from helping others."  Ronald A. Rasband