Sunday Feb 12

On Sunday we were invited by the Reese Couple to go with them to Abatao and another smaller branch Tabiteuea on a couple of the outer islands. Susan and I were up for a change in pace. We drove past the airport to where the road ended at Buota. We then walked across to the first island and went to the Abatao branch, a small congregation.

The water was nearly at low tide and was about knee deep

As we walked along the trail it was amazing the difference in life style. Most of these families live a more traditional life style.

The members meet in a traditional gathering place called a mwaneaba. They hold sacrament meeting and then Sunday School. As you can see we all sit or kneel on mats laid out on the floor. I felt the Spirit there as much as I have in any church I have been in.

Right after Sunday School started we had to leave in order to travel on to the next small branch in Tabiteuea. It was about a 20 minute walk. Again we past by a few traditional home sites.

The other gentleman walking with us is the Branch President for both of the small Branches.

We finally arrived at the Tabiteuea Branch and held a Sacrament meeting with them in their small mwaneaba. They asked me to speak. There was a young woman there who could speak english and she translated for me. I kept it simple since her english was limited. I spoke on the Sabbath Day, that it is a day of love and service. What a wonderful opportunity it was for Susan and I to feel of their kindness and their love for the Gospel of Jesus Christ. There were 7 members there in that small meeting but they had the sacrament and renewed their covenants with the Lord just as each of us do or should do each Sunday.

When the meeting was over we made our way back home the sun was out in all its warmth and intensity and I ended up with a burnt head.

 Brand new coconut tree growing right out of a coconut.

We got back and I wrote down a few of my thoughts in my journal. Susan took a picture of me in my flip flops.