There are 18 falasa meeting houses for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Amerika Samoa. As you will see, the buildings are varied; one houses a small Branch, while another has two chapels for two Stakes. In every building the Sacrament is blessed and passed each week; and you can feel the Spirit of our Heavenly Father.
The first shall be last, and the last shall be first - even with chapels. We have been here almost 18 months and just last week, we learned of another falesa. Hence we discovered it last, yet it is first in the post. In Afono the branch of the church meets in a members home. We didn't know where it was, but as we drove into the village we stopped these two cute girls. Titanic (green), was born when the movie came out, hence her name; and Marina (red), took us to the home/church , where Marina lives. How would you like to live in the church?
These children played in the front, and of course; loved to have their picture taken.
Notice the sign on the house (right): O Le Ekalesia A Iesu Keriso O Le Au Paia O Aso E Gata Ai.The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Chickens greeted us on the road to the next falesa. 
This chapel is on the tiny island Aunu'u. Megan and Mike went with us to visit. (See older posts)
Moroni Matagi and his niece, Pike took us another time. (Older post)The Tulao ward meet in this building - a combined congregation from the villages of Alao and Tula.
Awesome East Zone: Elders Laulu, Nielsen, Davidson, Asaasa, Memea, and Ilo Leaga. Notice the ocean in the background, and the rebuilt wall the missionaries are sitting on because the old one was washed away by the tsunami last year.
Courtyard and baptismal font in the Tulao Falesa.
Elders Tauali'i and Toilolo live in a room of the falesa church.
Beautiful bougainvillea flowers.
Awesome East Zone: Elders Laulu, Nielsen, Davidson, Asaasa, Memea, and Ilo Leaga. Notice the ocean in the background, and the rebuilt wall the missionaries are sitting on because the old one was washed away by the tsunami last year. 
Courtyard and baptismal font in the Tulao Falesa. 
Elders Tauali'i and Toilolo live in a room of the falesa church.
Beautiful bougainvillea flowers.This beautiful building in Auto is two stories with the chapel upstairs. We attended a baptism with the windows open. We could feel the ocean breeze, hear birds chirping, and see fruit bats flying.
Falesa Number 5
Elder Motes and Michaelis in front of the Aua Chapel, home of the Pago Samoa Stake.
Most chapels have courtyards like this one in Aua.
I don't know the name of this plant - but I love the leaves speckled with white and pink. We watched this plant grow from a tiny start over a year ago, into this beautiful healthy bush.
Falesa Number 5
Elder Motes and Michaelis in front of the Aua Chapel, home of the Pago Samoa Stake.
Most chapels have courtyards like this one in Aua. Pua flowers are one of the most common, showing their cheery faces everywhere.
Falesa Number 6 Vatia, a tiny village on the north side.
This falesa was hit hard by the tsunami. The windows broke and sand and water filled the building; but the structure stood firm.
Tapa cloth made from tree bark decorate the podium of some of the falesa.
Falesa Number 7 in Pago Pago was also hit by the tsunami on September 29, 2009. This boat was washed ashore and delivered in the front yard. This chapel was without electricity for 6 months. Today it still has temporary chairs in the chapel, while the church trys to purchase land further inland to build another stake center.
We waited in the chapel for a baptismal service to begin.
Beautiful flower arrangements decorate the chapels every week. This might be one of those 'scratch-n-sniff' pictures. Try it!
Falesa Number 8 - Fagasa Village
This congregation feels like they are outside, with just a roof over their heads. The netting is put up to keep the dogs out when church is not being held.
More beautiful tapa cloth. They have many different designs.
Falesa Number 9 Nu'uuli Chapel
Vanessa just got baptized and her 2 year old son. A co-worker gave her a copy of the Book of Mormon. She quickly read it, prayed, and knew it was true. She called her good friend who is a member of our church, and said, "I want to talk to you about the Book of Mormon." Her friend was off island. Everyday, for a week Vanessa called to see when her friend would return. A week later she did return, and introduced her to the full time missionaries. They taught Vanessa sometimes on her lunch break and within three weeks she was baptized.
Beautiful flower arrangements that decorate the chapels.
Falesa Number 10 - Ottoville
Franky (in pink) from Institute and her wonderful parents and sister.
Notice the unique tapa designs
Falesa Number 11 - Malaeimi. This chapel is the most central on the island, the largest, with two chapels, five church units housing two stakes: Pago Central and Mapusaga. Last November 2009 President Uchtdorf spoke here.
Ola and her wonderful family came every day to clean up the church.
One day we found this darling primary choir in the back parking lot practicing for President Uchtdorf's visit.
Just the leaves can make beautiful arrangements.
Falesa Number 12 - Mesepa Village. This is where we teach Institute, across the street from our home.
Genesis and Fale served on the Institute Council 2009. Fale is now serving his mission in Las Vegas Spanish speaking.
We love Sister Maua'i and Toleafoa. They taught these youth who got baptized.
Falesa Number 13 - Mekeke Village
This beautiful chape,l one of the newest on the island was finished a few years ago. It sits at the end of 1/2 mile dirt road in the Tongan village where two wards and a branch meet.
Elders Funaki and Vaenuku, in front of their home, which is beside the church. These Tongan Elders have the opportunity to serve in the Tongan village speaking their native language. They know Samoan, Tongan, and English - wow! trilingual.
There are always fresh flower arrangements.
Falesa Number 14 - Faleniu Village
This couple with matching clothes are ready for a pre-conference celebration.
The missionaries were treated in Faleniu to a delicious Samoan meal after zone conference.
We took pictures of the tapa clothes so we could remember their interesting designs and patterns.
Falesa Number 15 - Mapasaga Village
The chapels and courtyards are beautiful. We have attended baptisms at almost all of these.
This cute mother and son attended a baptism.
I wish I knew the names of these flowers, and how to arrange them.
Falesa Number 16 - Pava'ia'i where we attend church. This has been our home ward for 1 1/2 years. It is also home to the Pago West Stake.
We love to visit after church. No one seems to be in any hurry to leave.
This sight is not unusual. It rained so hard, the courtyard was filled with water.
We attended a baptism at Falesa Number 17 - Leone
This father got baptized after the tsunami, because he re-evaluated his life, and wanted to be ready to meet the Savior.
An arrangements with sugar cane. If someone were hungry, snack time.
Falesa Number 18 - Amanave Village. The congregation met in the downstairs of this home. The tsunami hit, they moved to a tent while they restored the home, then back again. A family has since moved in the home, and the Sunday School under the direction of the Mission, meet in a home behind. Notice the cement pad in front where a home used to sit.
We went with Elders Johnson and Tolley to set the chairs up for church on Sunday.
Saints sat quietly waiting for church to begin.
Another beautiful tapa cloth at the podium.
Falesa Number 6 Vatia, a tiny village on the north side.
This falesa was hit hard by the tsunami. The windows broke and sand and water filled the building; but the structure stood firm. 
Tapa cloth made from tree bark decorate the podium of some of the falesa. 
Falesa Number 7 in Pago Pago was also hit by the tsunami on September 29, 2009. This boat was washed ashore and delivered in the front yard. This chapel was without electricity for 6 months. Today it still has temporary chairs in the chapel, while the church trys to purchase land further inland to build another stake center.
We waited in the chapel for a baptismal service to begin.
Beautiful flower arrangements decorate the chapels every week. This might be one of those 'scratch-n-sniff' pictures. Try it!
Falesa Number 8 - Fagasa Village
This congregation feels like they are outside, with just a roof over their heads. The netting is put up to keep the dogs out when church is not being held.
More beautiful tapa cloth. They have many different designs.
Falesa Number 9 Nu'uuli Chapel
Vanessa just got baptized and her 2 year old son. A co-worker gave her a copy of the Book of Mormon. She quickly read it, prayed, and knew it was true. She called her good friend who is a member of our church, and said, "I want to talk to you about the Book of Mormon." Her friend was off island. Everyday, for a week Vanessa called to see when her friend would return. A week later she did return, and introduced her to the full time missionaries. They taught Vanessa sometimes on her lunch break and within three weeks she was baptized. 
Beautiful flower arrangements that decorate the chapels.
Falesa Number 10 - Ottoville
Franky (in pink) from Institute and her wonderful parents and sister.
Notice the unique tapa designs
Falesa Number 11 - Malaeimi. This chapel is the most central on the island, the largest, with two chapels, five church units housing two stakes: Pago Central and Mapusaga. Last November 2009 President Uchtdorf spoke here.
Ola and her wonderful family came every day to clean up the church.
One day we found this darling primary choir in the back parking lot practicing for President Uchtdorf's visit.
Just the leaves can make beautiful arrangements.
Falesa Number 12 - Mesepa Village. This is where we teach Institute, across the street from our home.
Genesis and Fale served on the Institute Council 2009. Fale is now serving his mission in Las Vegas Spanish speaking.
We love Sister Maua'i and Toleafoa. They taught these youth who got baptized. 
Falesa Number 13 - Mekeke Village
This beautiful chape,l one of the newest on the island was finished a few years ago. It sits at the end of 1/2 mile dirt road in the Tongan village where two wards and a branch meet.
Elders Funaki and Vaenuku, in front of their home, which is beside the church. These Tongan Elders have the opportunity to serve in the Tongan village speaking their native language. They know Samoan, Tongan, and English - wow! trilingual.
There are always fresh flower arrangements.
Falesa Number 14 - Faleniu Village
This couple with matching clothes are ready for a pre-conference celebration.
The missionaries were treated in Faleniu to a delicious Samoan meal after zone conference.
We took pictures of the tapa clothes so we could remember their interesting designs and patterns.
Falesa Number 15 - Mapasaga Village 
The chapels and courtyards are beautiful. We have attended baptisms at almost all of these.
This cute mother and son attended a baptism.
I wish I knew the names of these flowers, and how to arrange them.
Falesa Number 16 - Pava'ia'i where we attend church. This has been our home ward for 1 1/2 years. It is also home to the Pago West Stake.
We love to visit after church. No one seems to be in any hurry to leave.
This sight is not unusual. It rained so hard, the courtyard was filled with water.
We attended a baptism at Falesa Number 17 - Leone 
This father got baptized after the tsunami, because he re-evaluated his life, and wanted to be ready to meet the Savior.
An arrangements with sugar cane. If someone were hungry, snack time.
Falesa Number 18 - Amanave Village. The congregation met in the downstairs of this home. The tsunami hit, they moved to a tent while they restored the home, then back again. A family has since moved in the home, and the Sunday School under the direction of the Mission, meet in a home behind. Notice the cement pad in front where a home used to sit.
We went with Elders Johnson and Tolley to set the chairs up for church on Sunday.
Saints sat quietly waiting for church to begin. 
Another beautiful tapa cloth at the podium.
0 comments:
Post a Comment