We were invited to this special day because of all the projects that we have done for this Village. At this celebration they had a grand opening of the kindergarten that 26 Tongans that live in San Francisco raised the funds to build this $100,000 TOP building. It was also a reunion for the Village as well, a huge celebration. The invitation said from 10 - 2 PM. We finally left at 5:30 PM and it was still going strong. We heard that it did not end until about 8 PM. These Tongans know how to feast and party! Following are pictures of the day.
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| Here is Sister Murdock with Ana Ika waiting for the ceremony to start. It was on Tongan time! |
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| This is the Noble speaking of Fatumu and how it has improved from days gone by. How this building for the kindergarten was proof of that. |
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| This is the new kindergarten, it is one of the nicest school buildings we have seen here in Tonga! |
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| This is the inside of the kindergarten, wonderful rugs, tables and chairs, and toys. A very nice facility! |
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| Here are bins for the kids toys, filled with snacks for us all! |
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| Here are a few of the students in their little uniforms. They were so cute. |
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| Following the grand opening of the kindergarten it was on to the feast. There was probably 40-50 tables set up like this one with 1-2 roasted pigs on each table. It was amazing! |
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| This place was set for the the Noble to sit at where he would be served his food. It was amazing to watch them put it together in just a few minutes! |
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| To each side of the Noble they had special VIP tables set with china and beautiful flowers. Because of our work with this Village we ended up sitting at this VIP table being served steak, lobster, and other speciality dishes just for VIPs. We even had a cold fruit punch drink! |
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| In this celebration there were many from, America, New Zealand, Australia, and other countries. Each visitor provided a special entertainment for all as well as presenting gifts to the Noble. |
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This is the group from America. The president of this group was good friends with Ana. As they were performing their entertainment, a little girl from Fatumu came up in front of them, all dressed in Tonga attire, doing the dance just as the big girls were doing. But she stole the show from all of them. Such a cute little girl! As you can see if every one has entertainment it made for a very long day. When America was giving out their gifts, they gifted Elder and Sister Murdock and Ana Ika, some very nice quilts. Very unexpected! It was a lovely day, but very long!
"Our lives of service and sacrifice are the most appropriate expressions of our commitment to serve the Master and our fellowmen." Dallin H. Oaks
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