So today was our last time (during this trip) to see Patello. Recap...he is the man that is handicapped from a routine surgery that went wrong and him, his wife and their daughter live in a single bedroom house that is probably the equivalent to two cajun cone stands put together and their is no bathroom or shower. He greeted us with the warmest welcome. Then his daughter Emme, who is part of our tween group, came over to us and gave us all ulas, Samoan necklace..this one is made of tiny shells. When she put the ula on my neck it was the hardest to try and make the tears not stream down my face. Just knowing that we connected with each other and formed a friendship even just over four weeks is a neat thing. It is just one of those times that God breaks your heart...I definitely wasn't ready for it. God is working in this family and even through trials He is their joy and that exudes in this family. Then Patello sang the Savalivali and Melinda recorded it so she could learn the chords and be able to share this song with others...which is really cool.
We then invited some more people to the Lectureship next week. After that David decided we would go to Rubbles for lunch (this place Melinda had been dying to go) so she was stoked. It was really neat and had a underwater submarine/ship theme. The thing about America Samoa is that at a restaurant you never know when your food will come so you eat when you get your food and it is not considered rude because it is very possible that before your food could be cold before your friend got their food. So basically everyone was finished with their food before Melinda even got her meal. It's kind of a funny thing. I got a Teryaki Beef Burger which was amazing and food like that is probably why I haven't lost any weight while I've been here. We then worked on our VBS and it is sounding like its going to be real fun!! So today with our 1st of goodbyes I come to the conclusion that even though 5 weeks is not a long time there are people here that I will never forget and that I have made memories with that shape my image of joy during tribulation I believe for forever...God works in my life and other peoples lives and that is what is exciting and amazing all at the same time....with many more emotions also!
Also an interesting fact...as I was changing my clothes for our Wednesday night discussion class I found a whole huge family of ants in one of my drawers but living here you just become custom to the insects being around like ants in drawers or spiders in the shower...
3 comments:
I cried during the song also. Thanks for sharing your emotions and lessons God is teaching you. It exceeds my expectations in terms of the impact this trip has had on you.
I ama not seeing any Samoan tans. You must have used alot of sunscreen. Your dresses are still flatering. WE love you.
Mom
I love your idea here of allowing the experiences you have shared with others to "shape your image of joy during tribulation." Bonus points for the poetic phrasing, but the underlying concept is even more powerful--that our understanding of the Spirit and of spiritual qualities is drawn out by what others have to give. Beautiful theology.
I was concerned, however, about your phrase in describing Rubbles as having, "a[n] underwater submarine/ship theme". Shouldn't there be a Little Mermaid reference in there somewhere? My suggestion: "it was like stepping onto Prince Eric's ship and being served by Ariel's sisters".
Post a Comment