Mission and beyond: Aunu'u Island

Isaac, Moroni, and Elder DaBell - Moroni showed us the island he grew up on.

In Tula, on his family land, he used the ladder to harvest coconuts. I am sure he could climb the tree just a few years ago.

These are the niu coconuts. The meat is very thin, and the coconut is filled with a delicious drink.

On a hot Samoan day, what a refreshment.

On to his next demonstration. With a stick...

and a few blows to the coconut, the husk came off. He made it look so easy.

When you have too many coconuts, pull some of the strands of the husk, tie them together, and haul them over a stick to carry home.

Off he goes, to take his coconuts home. They make palasami, a delicious food of the coconut cream wrapped in leaves, and eaten with taro or breadfruit. Umm, umm, good!

Next -a woven basket.We felt like we were at the Polynesian Cultural Center.

Moroni, Isaac, Pike, went with us to the small island Aunu'u (less than two square miles), where the first missionaries arrived. Tutuila is in the background, as we got off the small boat that took us across.

Pike and I stood by the sign that welcomed us to Aunu'u Island (less than 500 people).

Do I look like I live on a tropical island, OR WHAT?

This tiny island has an L.D.S. Chapel. Wow! They are faithful Saints. Years ago, as they began to build their first chapel, they were stopped by the local Samoan leaders who told them they couldn't bring any supplies onto the island. Without sand for cement, and lumber they couldn't continue. The Saints fasted and prayed. One night there was a terrible storm, and the next morning, sand and lumber were washed ashore, right in front of the land where they wanted to build their chapel. What a blessing from the Lord. They were able to finish their falesa chapel.

What a cozy Primary room. The whole building has rooms, just like our church at home; only tiny.

They even have a baptismal font. This one is ifafo outside.

This island is so charming. The palm trees stand to guard the island against the ocean.

Pike wore her lava lava; played with it in the ocean, and used it to shade her head from the sun.

Another church on the island.

Most people walk on these foot paths. We saw one truck, the only vehicle all day.

After a day in Aunu'u, we headed back to catch our boat for Tutuila.

I just love this island. Everything about it. Moroni showed us some seeds that children gather to play marbles. When he was a child, if he met a playmate with glass marbles - wow, he was rich. Frankly, I like the seed marbles best.