Taveuni Princess Ferry

Thursday morning, August 13th, we went with Frank and the E/S Roth to the island of Taveuni.  You can fly there, however we took the ferry which is a great ride especially if you have "sea legs" and don't get seasick.   We parked our truck and walked down the lane to where the ferry comes in.

Everyone was standing around in anticipation of the ferry arrival, the closer the time got, the more people showed up ready and waiting.

The ferry arrived and everyone was unloaded including the luggage onto the boat.  Susan had taken her seasick pills, but it didn't help all that much.  After she spent a little time leaning over the side of the boat she managed to be okay the rest of the 1 hour and minute ride while Gary enjoyed riding on front of the boat with the locals.  

When we arrived at Taveuni island, there was another cargo boat by where the ferry usually unloads the people.  They pulled up by a freight dock and proceeded to help everyone off the boat.  The ferry didn't match the height of the dock because it was low tide and the exit to the boat was about 4 feet below the dock.  There were two men who reached down, grabbed our arms and helped pull us out while we scrambled up the wall with our feet    After we got off of the boat we were met by a gentlemen who helped us rent a 4WD vehicle and off we drove.  This was not your typical US rental car agency.  Just a man who handed us the keys and we were on our way.  We jumped in the car and drove off to attend a hand-over ceremony at a nearby school where the Church had donated some good quality used school furniture to a local school in need.

"By learning of Him, by believing in Him, by following Him, there is the capacity to become like Him.  Thomas S. Monson

Namataku, Fiji

On Tuesday morning Aug 11th the Stanfords picked us from our hotel and we drove 3 hours to the village of Namataku, Fiji to visit a nearly completed humanitarian project.  Upon arrival all the school children were patiently waiting outside and a "Handover Ceremony" officially began.  They acknowledged their special guests "all the way from America" and we were invited to tour the project site.  This project was an addition to an existing toilet block plus a hygiene area for washing and brushing teeth and a new source of clean water.  They now also have a 10,000 liter water tank which will provide sufficient clean water to meet the school's needs.

After touring the site a prayer was said and the special visitors each received a garland.

There were speakers from the school and the church (Elder Winters and Brother Stanford).  They talked to the children about the importance of getting a good education.

After the talks which were kept mercifully short, we were invited to go down to the new toilet block again where they took pictures of the official handover of the facilities to the school.  After the pictures there were some speakers and some refreshments.

During the refreshments we were entertained by the approximately 450 students.  After our entertainment, lollipops were given out to the children and they bid us a fond farewell and we drove the 3 hours back to Suva.

"We believe it is essential that our young people gain sufficient education to care for themelves in this highly specialized age, and also to serve their fellowmen and we have in the past and shall continue in the future to support education at all levels."  Joseph Fielding Smith, Conference Report April 1970