We arrived in Papeete, Tahiti early in the morning of Saturday, January 28, 2012. We were surprised to have a greeting party of former New Caledonia missionaries to meet us. We were quite excited to be back in the South Pacific.
By the time we got settled and rested, it was Sunday morning and time for Church. We greeted many senior couples as we arrived. One of these was the Temple president and his wife. A second couple who worked in the Tahiti, Papeete mission office. After introductions, Carl quickly discovered that Sister Boman was French and from Le Mans, France originally. They knew each other from his time as a missionary in France 45 years ago, Mary Claude Launay. A very small world.
On Monday Gerry Huuti and his family hosted us for an outing on pirogues, the modern version of war canoes. Fortunately the weather was calm and very warm. Shirley ventured out in a 3-man version. Later, Gerry insisted we had to try the one-person versions. Carl quickly discovered that these are a bit tippy if you don't keep your weight leaning towards the pontoon. When they tip, they go very quickly. The water was wonderfully warm. Pictures below will show the event and some surrounding scenery. The Huuti's 6-month-old son Nuiaki went to the beach with us although he stayed on the shore,
Tuesday, January 24 was the day for which we had come. We met Soane and Vaea at the temple about 3:30 pm. PIctures below express better than words the joy of these events. The children were particularly excited to be joined to Soane as the family was joined or 'sealed' forever.
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| Just after the sealing in the Tahiti Temple |
In the above photo with the Munikihafaata's are former New Caledonia missionaries Elders Manarani, Huuti and Seiko and Sisters Viriamu, and Paepaetaata.
We spent another day enjoying Tahiti on Wednesday and then were back in the temple on Thursday before flying to New Caledonia Friday morning. Crossing the dateline we arrived in New Caledonia Saturday morning. We were grateful to know that we would be back for one more day!
We spent two weeks visiting with the saints in New Caledonia and seeing many friends. The pictures tell the story better than words. The following day, Sunday, was transfer day. Elder Rock was retiring as senior zone leader to finish his mission in Bourail. Elder Moore joined Elder Sherrod as a zone leader.
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| w/ Bruce |
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| Sisters Bellia, Biggs, Vaea and Aurelie |
We enjoyed dinners and lunches with many friends in the District, but also particularly wanted to help the current missionaries as we visited a couple members whom we had missed seeing at Church. We were unsuccessful in catching up with Aurelie Hnassil for an appointment we hoped we had made, but were able to invite here to a soiree at the Magenta building a couple nights later. A joyous reunion for her, her branch president, members, missionaries and ourselves. She reported feeling very much back home. Those activities on our last night were a great blessing.
Additional pictures below show great moments with some of these wonderful saints.
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| President and Sister Parau, ourselves and the Aiho's |
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| Soane w/ Boukman Thonon |
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| The Gaya family |
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| The Sekeme family |
And then it was time to say good-byes and head home, again via Tahiti. One last night there having supper bought from vendors at a large outdoor food court while we sat next to the ocean listening to a Tahitian ukelele accompanying a vocalist while we visited with the Huutis, Christine Viriamu and Sister Mariterangi.
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| Supper under the stars at the wharf in Papeete, Tahiti |
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| Leaving the Munikihafaata's in New Caledonia |
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| Good bye to the Huuti's in Papeete, Tahiti |
We saw much progress during our visit. New converts remaining active in the Church, youth returning from their recent temple trip to New Zealand and preparing for missions. The branches have grown significantly. We are grateful to have been able to join these faithful saints again for a visit and for our Heavenly Father's blessings to them.
