Christmas in Samoa

Christmas in Samoa

We had Christmas in Apia with the other senior missionaries. We had a meeting with a General Authority from the Area Office in Auckland that came to visit Samoa to see what the church could do to help with humanitarian services for the people of Samoa that were devastated by Cyclone Evan. It was a very spiritual experience as he explained the impact of the cyclone. He told of a church building just a few miles from where we were living that was housing over 300 people that had lost their homes. Each family had made an area in a classroom, hallway and even the chapel divided off with chairs as their home. They were cooking outside the church on little fires and had no water or electricity. They had lost everything. The only reason they were alive is that the Stake President had felt prompted to go down in the valley and knock on all the doors asking them to head to higher ground At that time the river hadn't backed up and no one had any idea they were in danger. A 33 year old man ended up being swept away just after he carried an elderly woman to safety.The river changed course so fast that two children were swept right out of their homes and were lost.  

The meeting ended with a wonderful Christmas carol that we all sang and then after the prayer no one moved. It was really strange but we all just sat there. I had a very strong impression that came to me as clear as if someone was talking to me. "Take care of the little children",  I ignored it at first but it came louder and clearer. Everyone was just still sitting there and not moving. I got up and asked the Mission President how many children were living at the church and he said around 60.  I got the courage to ask everyone there to bring 10 oranges, crackers and candy or treats to make treat bags for the children as I knew they would not have a Christmas of any kind. All the senior missionaries met the next day on Christmas Eve, put together the bags and drove to the church. I will never forget the look on their faces as we started singing Christmas songs to them and they all spontaneously started singing with us. After some singing we handed the bags to the children starting with the little ones. They were so excited to eat an orange and some candy after being in the church since the 13th of December. Even on a regular Christmas they would not eat an orange as they run about 3 Tala each or $1.50 each. Everyone felt the true spirit of Christmas and it will be a feeling I will never forget.I am so thankful that I listened to the spirit and that Heavenly Father held everyone in the meeting waiting for me to listen and to act. The time we spent at the church with the families who had lost everything but still could smile and sing will forever be a memory that will brighten every Christmas for me for years to come. 

Putting the Treat Bags together.

Singing to the families at the church

The children as they started to sing with us. They really loved Jingle Bells and We wish you a merry Christmas!

 Giving out the bags!

On Christmas Eve we had a White Elephant party with the Senior Couples. This is Elder Osborne. He really liked his Samoa Towel.

On Christmas Day we decided to drive to a beach and have our picture taken so we could say that we spent Christmas day at the beach. Actually we had a brunch all together in the morning and then went to the beach in the afternoon. We are so thankful that we had these wonderful missionaries to spend the holidays with.