My Trip to Samoa

This blog contains over 200 pictures of my four and a half months in Samoa. You can click on any photo to see it in full size. Feel free to use these photos for any purpose except resale. If you would like to use them for resale, please contact me at
jerusdavid@gmail.com, for written consent.

Time to go home.

Thanks to everyone in Samoa for being so kind to me, and thank you Bro and Sis Reynolds for putting up with me for four and a half months. I miss you all very much, and I hope to come back in the near future.

Holy Ghost Explosion!

Molee got the holy ghost during the first song tonight.
He continued to cry and pray through the song service and the preaching.
Jesus is God, there is no other beside him!

The Turtle and the Shark

My last trip to the beach, Sis Reynolds doesn't have to worry about me falling in any more.

Awesome service Sunday night!!!

Toaceve getting the Holy Ghost Sunday night! He almost tore the place apart! Awesome!





Junior getting the Holy Ghost!

This service was the cherry on top. I leave in three days for home.

Sunday morning after church

Poor Kid!

I didn't know this was happening while I was smiling for the camera. Honest!

Bro Reynolds getting with it on Sunday morning

Valley of the ieku (Monster)

We went hiking on Saturday in the valley of the ieku, where wars were fought between the Samoans and Tongans. Many of the Samoans are superstitious about the valley because of the history. We didn't find any bones, but we had a blast anyways. We found some really long vines coming of the side of the mountain, and being the manly men that we are we had to give it a try, I ended up sliding down the mountain on my back, upside down!

After the hike.

The coconuts here are much better than in the Philippines. If you get them when they are still green the juice taste like its naturally carbonated.

Rain Forest

I'm going to miss everyone.

Since I only have a week left here in Samoa we are taking a lot of pics.





We weren't ready! The guy on the left wasn't looking at the camera, I'm talking and the kid is doing his best imitation of a zombie.


Right before the picture is taken one of the ladies with a rag on her head wonders in front of the camera, Tina on the right is trying to get her out before the pic is taken! lol
lol

Just being myself

Last night after church. The boy I'm holding comes up to me every time I get to church and begs me to pick him up, then he won't let me put him down unless he falls asleep.
I don't mind at all.

Mativa & Toafa

I took this pic last night after church.
Thanks to all that prayed while Toafa(right)was in surgery.
She is back and feeling better.

Playing Cricket

I have never played before, and I was confused the whole time. Why didn't they tell me you couldn't tag someone with the bat? lol

Heres a pic I touched up using iphoto.

Just had to put in a plug for apple.

Remodeling the church.

Finally, the work is done and we can have church.

We put in a new light fixture and even found a bulb that matched the trim.

I got caught ironing. The girls have never seen a guy iron before. They got a real kick out of that.







We spent this last week, spring break remodeling the church.

Choir Uniforms

On the job

Here I am installing a sign. I have been working at a graphics company. I don't usually get to go out and do installations, but its nice to get out of the office.

long canoe

New Van

Bro Reynolds preaching

Rhino Beetle?

Don't know exactly what it is. Maybe I should bring it home and let the girls see if they can figure out what it is.

Youth Service

Joe interpreted for me. I think it was his first time. He did good.

Home Bible Study

Bro Reynolds teaching a home bible study.

The much feared Thumb Croc

This guy jumped onto my computer screen.

Sunken Boat

This is a boat that is in Pago Bay, still tied to the dock, just on the wrong side of the surface!

Morning Mist

Another picture of the Jurassic Park effect that I talked about earlier on the blog. That and bats that can have up to a 6ft. wingspan makes for a pretty cool combination.
I'm still trying to get a picture of one of the bigger bats. I've seen one that had about a 4ft. wingspan, but it was gone before I could get a pic.

The Queen Mary 2

The Queen Mary 2 came and docked in Samoa for a day. I haven't seen that many white people in a long time. lol

Holy Ghost Report

Joe, a young guy in the church just got the Holy Ghost. As he was speaking in tongues, we realized he was speaking in Spanish. Talk about a triple shot espresso of faith!

Hiking along the beach.

The Titanic

An inside view of of the bus named the Titanic. Whats in a name? I'm not sure, but if it starts hailing icebergs, I'm getting out!

Waterfall

Speed Limit

Sorry No Post Lately

We just moved to the village of Vitonge (I'm not sure if that's spelled correctly) and the Internet has not been turned back on, so I'm posting this from the library. When the net is back up I will have plenty of pics to post. Until then if you want something to read you can go to our youth blog by clicking here.

Cricket

Cooking Breadfruit

Sunday

We had awesome church in the morning, as people yielded to God. Bro Reynolds didn't get to preach in the morning because the Holy Ghost was so strong, so he preached "to be like Jesus" in the night service. Thanks to all that have been praying and fasting, results are starting to show.

This little piggy went to the market.

They sell whole frozen pigs right alongside the turkeys, only these aren't butterball!

Someone asked for pics of pigs...

Youth Alive Music Smash

The young people brought their worldly Cd's and smashed them at the youth alive service last night. Then this morning some more young people brought some immodest apparel and their DVD collections and we burned them after the prayer meeting. Pray for the young people here in the church, the devil is fighting tooth and nail and some that don't want more of God are starting to feel uncomfortable. Lay aside the sin and the weights. Hebrews 12:1

Sunday Service

The end of the island

I took these pics from the end of the island. You can see some of the smaller islands that make up Samoa.

Trip to the end of the island

We packed 18 people in the van and took a trip to the end of the island. Some of the Samoans have never been that far. We stopped to take pictures several times and had a picnic on the beach.

Old Shipwreck

An old shipwreck on the far side of the island. It used to be on its side until a hurricane turned it upright. The waves wash right through the rusted out bottom and break on the shore.

Camel Island

The old man side of the island.

Camel Island

This island looks like a camel from one side and like an old man from the other.

Christmas Barbecue

The whole church got together and had a barbecue for Christmas. It was great fun and of course we played volleyball.

Christmas Eve Service

Each family sang a song for the service and then the sunday school kids got presents.

Youth Alive

Wednesday night service

A man's flower pot!

You see a lot of this here. Peoples cars stop working so they just let the overgrowth take over the maintenance.

Village Buses

This is the main mode of transportation here. These buses are constructed of a wood and sheet metal shell, the shell is then bolted onto a truck chassis, mostly Fords as you can see. The seats inside consist of welded metal frames bolted to wood boards. They are not very safe, but then the speed limit is only 25mph. Most of the buses have sound systems that sound like they costed more than the bus itself. Reggae music seems to be a favorite for most of the bus drivers.

The Dock

Almost every thing on this island comes through this port. You can see the ship in the background tht brings the containers from the U.S. Cars, food, clothes, furniture, tools, about the only thing that doesn't come through this port is the seafood. I went with the Reynolds to pick up there load from the states. Mostly clothes for the ladies in the church.

Youth Alive Samoa

Most of the Youth Alive group here.

Sunday Service

Little Merreta

Jurassic Park

On overcast days the fog comes down low, and it looks very cool. All you need is a few dinosaours and you would have jurrasic park

House guest

Witch doctor tomb

They bury their relatives right outside there homes. This is the tomb of a witch doctor. The witch doctors tombs are always bigger and more elaborate than normal tombs, because the Samoans are afraid that the witch doctor will come back and harm them if he is not satisfied with his burial.

In the fog

In the fog at the top of the mountain.

My Tarzan Impression

What more can I say. A guy see's a vine and starts swinging on it. Am I the only one who does that?

Bro & Sis Reynolds

We went to a house on the top of a mountain that was destroyed in hurricane. Just the foundation and the pillars were left. It was like old ruins. It overlooked the villages below and had a scenic view of the ocean. Very cool.

Rain Rain Rain

It rained hard all week. Some people weren't able to get to church because their streets were flooded. This is the main road Hwy 1.

Random Pic

Taken from the back of the pickup on Hwy 1. There is only one highway, why couldn't they just call it "The Highway." lol

The Market

I also took some pics of whole pigs for sale.

Sunday Services

We had good church and a funny moment when I accidentally stuck my elbow into the open faced fan during service. Some of the young people saw it and tried valiantly not to laugh. Despite their efforts they failed which is good beacuse, we all need to laugh every once in a while. In fact I think laughter is good on a daily basis. So if you haven't laughed in a while go look in the mirror. If that doesn't work feed your dog peanut butter!

Youth Alive

Click on any of the images to enlarge.

View from Lions Park

Another angle. You can click on any of the pics to enlarge them.

Lions Park

This is the view from the park, where we have youth alive.

Another Pillbox

These pillboxes have tunnels leading to them from the back, but most of them are filled up with dirt or sand. I'm trying to find one that is not filled, so I can take some pictures from the machine gunners perspective.

Bro & Sis Reynolds

Same island, but shot from further inland.

There are a lot of these islands just off shore.

Map of the Samoan Islands

The two islands on the left make up Western Samoa. The small island on the right is the one I live on. I live in the village of Leone. You can also see the main village of Pago Pago and Pago bay. We are currently planning a trip to the two western islands. It looks like we will take a plane to the closer one and take a boat to the furthest one.

Every time I pull out the camera the kids beg me to take thier pic.

Merreta & Jireh

Two of the cutest kids over here.

Picking up people for church

This is one of the groups I pick up for church. Their are 2-3 groups of people to pick up for each service.

Good Church

What more can I say.

Youth Alive Samoa Update

Please pray for the Services tomorrow. There is a large amount of new youth that have been in church less than a year (about 10) and we are making strides to desciple them. We are also starting Worth the Wait, and a weekly Youth Alive.

We want God to continue working in the young people.We have been having crazy style church, just like we do in Colton.

Remember, WE ARE THE ARROWS! Psalms 127

Waiting at the bus stop.

Tired, but happy. These are some of the guys from the basketball outreach. We are waiting on our bus to he village of Leone. Leone pronounced lay-own-e, is the village where I am staying with Reynolds.

Basketball Outreach

One of the guys from the church just wanted to watch us play, so he became the designated photographer. So of course I'm going to post the best pics, I wouldn't want to disappoint you guys. There is no way that the shots of me looking lost on the court are going to make it on here. Neither is the pic of me with a limp wrist, standing there waiting for the other guy to take out the ball. Guys you know what I'm talking about because you have been caught doing the same thing! lol

Anyways I talked to the guy in this pic after the game, got his phone number, and I'm picking him up for church tomorrow night.

Saturday (Busy day)

Saturday, a busy day. Starts at 7am with prayer meeting until 8am. Then choir practice, then Christmas skit practice. After skit practice all the guys walk to the park and play basketball for a couple of hours or until we pass out from the heat, whichever comes first. Then we all take a bus home to our separate villages. I will see them tomorrow morning when I pick them up in the 15 passenger van that miraculously fits 27 Samoans.

Youth Alive

Youth Alive on Friday.

Pastor Kitiona

Bro. Kitiona is Bro. Reynolds assistant pastor.

WWII Pillbox

A world war pillbox for machine gunners to protect the coast.

The only cow I have seen on the Island

Sunday Night Service

God moved last night, as we know well, that is his specialty. Some of the young people that needed a breakthrough, got what they needed.

Sunday Afternoon

Joe came over this afternoon between services, we were having a serious discussion on the probability of quantum physics influencing the realm of thinking that is accepted among the elect scientist working on the human genome project, when a native snuck up on us.lol