Rainy day schedule

The heavy rain was back again today. The schedule today (Tuesday) was to work at the two new projects in Fagasa. There were a few things that could be done in preparation for the materials to arrive, so that is what we did. The building supply companies here do not have any type of box truck to deliver materials, so if what you ordered needs to stay dry, you won't be getting it until the rain stops. That was the case today. The concrete, drywall and wood doors would not have done well in the heavy downpour we received today. At one point, we were done with what we could do until the material arrived and we just sat there and watched the water come down in the bay. It was pretty amazing because the clouds came over the tips of the mountains and created a mist. I was unable to bring my camera today because I forgot to charge the battery. I will try and get some pictures posted tomorrow of the mountains. I still am enjoying how pretty the island is.

While I was standing there waiting for the rain to die down a bit, I was able to talk with the social worker from the Volunteers Organization that stays on our jobsites while we are working. We were speaking about the local customs and how a lot of them seem to be based on a reverence for God, but in reality have nothing to do with God. I was able to hear his testimony of his love for Jesus and he invited me and my "partner in crime" Steve to the church he attends on Sunday and then lunch at his house afterwards. If you can't tell by now, feeding a guest is an important tradition in the American Samoan culture. Of course we accepted...... :) I am excited for another Sunday to come and another opportunity to interact with the people. His name is Roy and my prayer is that God blesses him and his family. He has been very helpful to us while we have been here and had been a key factor in us being able to actually get these jobs to work on. God is using him in a mighty way. Even more so than I believe he realizes.

Today after we were done working, we were invited to the Korean Baptist Church for a potluck dinner. They wanted to show their appreciation for coming and helping the American Samoa people. It was a really fun and uplifting experience. It turns out that not only was the Korean Baptist Church there, they had people from the Chinese Baptist Church and a couple from Fiji. When the dinner was over, Pastor Elise stood up and wanted to teach the Arizona and Alaskan teams how to sing God is So Good in Samoan. By the time it was all over, we were singing God is so good in English, Samoan, Korean, Chinese, and the native tongue of Fiji. It was so awesome to hear God's people singing praises to God in their native language. They were so welcoming and the food was awesome. I am continuing to receive more blessings than could ever be given.

Here are some pictures from the evening:

(Good time of fellowship)

(The women who prepared our meal... it was great)

(Everyone)

Tomorrow is much of the same.  We are hopefull that the materials arrive and we are able to have a productive day.

God bless.....