Talofa family and friends. Today is March 26, 2013 and we have been in Samoa for eight months today.
We have been busy with classes and doing professional development and meetings. It is amazing how time seems to be flying by.
On Monday, March 18, 2013 Reed did the middle school assembly. He talked about "They that be with us are greater than they that be against us!" The students were pretty attentive and Reed did a good job.
Today we are going to post on some of the things we have been doing these last couple of weeks.
On Thursday, March 21, 2013 they had net ball and rugby going on here on the Pesega campus. Net ball is very different than our basketball in America. There is no backboard, they play it outside on the grass, the girls wear their position on the back of their outfits, there is no dribbling, no running with the ball and only certain positions are allowed to shoot. The girls guarding the shooters must stand back three feet and certain positions can only go to 2/3 court. The only player that can play the whole field is the center. They play four, seven minute quarters and they play in the rain or sunshine. They score one point for every basket. That is about all we understand from watching it only two times.
This is open team and they are the oldest girls. The lady on the ground is their coach Sister Segi. They all wanted to pose and then they were doing some kind of a chant in the picture below.
The girl in the center is leading them in a chant/ dance before the game.
You can see their positions on their uniforms. The C is for center and WD for wing defense.
Only two girls on each team are allowed inside the shooting circle and the only ones who can make a basket. The white building in the background is called the learning center and our office is the window on the right.
You can see in this picture only net, no back boards.
The under 16 rugby team played at 4:30 p.m. We went out and watched the game. They won 29 to zero. We are starting to understand more and more about rugby now.
Pesega boys are in the yellow and blue. Running for a try. that would be a touchdown in American football. They get 5 points for a try and 2 points for the kick after.
We still don't totally understand scrums.
When they throw the ball into play the teams lift up one player to try to get the ball. The game has a lot of rules some we have figured out some not so much. It is fun to get to know the kids and support them.
On Saturday, March 23, 2013 we decided to hike Mount Vaea which is where Robert Louis Stevenson is buried. His estate is called Vailima and this is the gate you go through to start the hike up the mountain.
From the trail you look through the trees and you can see the patio of Vailima.
There is a sign posted, since the cyclone, that the trail is not safe and hike at your own risk. Right now it looks clean and beautiful.
We came to a tree on the trail that we had to climb over to keep going.
This sign says long trail 45 to 60 minutes, short trail 35 to 40. Well we decided to take the long trail.
These leaves are so large. The picture just really doesn't let you see how big they are.
When we came to this downed tree on the trail we had to turn around. We just couldn't get over it and then we could see another one down not very much further along the trail so we headed back to the short trail. You can see on Reed's pants that he has already slipped on the muddy trail.
There were these interesting red flowers all along the shorter trail.
Looking down to the ocean and Apia.
Reed has been trying to get a close up of this bird called a Sega for quite a while. Every time he tries to get a picture of one they fly off so this was a treat.
Looking down on Vailima, Robert Louis Stevenson's home and grounds which is now a museum, from up on Mount Vaea.
YAY! We made it to the top. It was a little harder than we thought. We had to climb over trees and some of the trail was blocked. Someone had carved a trail up the mountain which was literally straight up so it was quite the hike. It had rained so it was a little muddy as well.
This is the marker on his grave.
We both made it. It was a beautiful view. You could see forever.
We kept saying to each other how much work it must have been for the local people to carry his body and all the materials up here to bury him. Even if the trail would have been all cleared it was still a hike.
This is looking down on Apia Harbor.
You can see that Nada also had a little slip. Her shirt and pants got all muddy. Going down the new path someone had cut a spot in this log so you could get down. It was a pretty long step.
We had to cross this little stream to go up and get back. The cement beam was a little slippery but we both made it without getting wet.
This little waterfall and swimming hole was right at the beginning of the trail. It looked very inviting but other people were there so we didn't stop. It was a fun day. We got to see some great views, get some good exercise and finally made it to the top of Mount Vaea to see Robert Louis Stevenson's grave.
This is the Pesega Middle School faculty. One teacher, Sister I'aulualo is missing because she had her baby on Friday. Reed took this picture right after their Monday morning devotional on March 25, 2013 at 8:10 a.m. The man in the middle is Brother Lolo the principal.
Well that is about it for now. We hope you enjoyed seeing some of our school's teams and teachers. Also, we hope you enjoyed our little hiking adventure. Samoa has some very beautiful scenery and love being able to explore. We love being missionaries and rubbing shoulders with these great people. Until next time.
Alofa, Elder and Sister Spencer
