We have so much to fill you all in about! Our time in Hawaii was busy but splendid. We spent the week of reunion teaching a class full of adorable and charismatic 4-5 year olds, with some toddlers sneaking in every now and then. Our time with our kids: Kalanikapu, Akoni, David, Arrihau, and Hoakea was memorable to say the very least. Through crafts, stories, games, snack times, and potty breaks we came to love each of these boys. At reunion we also had the opportunity to lead recreation games each day (trainwreck and water balloon fights woohoo!) and helped out in other various aspects of worship and activities. We did not get much sleep, but we met incredible people and experienced incredible things.
Immediately falling reunion we flew to Hilo (which is on the Big Island of Hawai'i). There we led a vacation bible school for kids 7-13 years old that grew with each day as the kids kept inviting their friends. We studied Gifts of Grace, Joy, Faith, Hope, Love, and Peace. Since we had prepared a lot of our classes during Reunion, we had some free time during the day to experience more of the Hilo church and the Island. We climbed a volcano, learned about island cutlure, swam with a sea turtle, visited Kona (as in coffee), saw the different landscapes of the island, went to the planaterium, hiked through the rainforest, washed 300 window panes, visited water falls, and talked to some interesting characters in the farmer's market. We felt really blessed to have met so many compassionate people who were so eager to show us the beauties of their island. We spent a few more hours in Oahu with friends, and had to regrettably say Aloha to Hawai'i.
After a long flight, and multiple layovers we safely arrived in the beautiful country of New Caledonia (Nouvelle Caledonie). Customs, other than some strenuous swine flu testing, was easy. Our host family: Freddie, Patricia, Nana, and Vi have been wonderful and generous. We met withe Coreva, the full time minister here, today (our first day) and she explained to us some of our activities that we will be busy with for our three week stay in New Caledonia. We are preparing the church for a wedding (which Brittany has been asked to sing in!), running sunday school, leading an after school activity for the youth, visiting members in their homes, and helping out at the two congregations on the island. There is a rumor that a Karaoke night is also in store for us... The language barrier has been somewhat difficult, but Angela has been amazing with speaking french to the locals. We were able to visit with a church member today over lunch and had some wonderful discussion about philosophy, politics, and faith. We feel truly blessed to be surrounded by such amazing people, and we will post more as our adventures continue!
A Plus Tard (Until later)
Au Revoir.
Angela and Brittany
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