Transferred to email and Savaii

Talofa Aiga!

First of all, this email should have been sent two weeks ago but we have had some difficulty with the internet out here, but we can email now!!! 

Wow, it's been absolutely insane out here. I sent a letter explaining my first area, so hopefully you got it. Biggest news, I got transferred from Upolu to Savaii. I'm currently serving in Samata and Fagafou and I've been made a District leader! Craziness, but here is the rest of the update:

-My new comp's name is Elder Mo'o from Kapolei, Hawaii. He is way cool, and I love my zone. 

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-I love my Mission President! He and Sister Tolman are amazing, and I look forward to seeing them after the mission.

-I'm currently living with a fam. Difficult at times, but they are really kind.

But yeah living conditions…

 leaky pipe for a shower, mosquito nets, rats all over my room, you know the works haha

-I've been flashed six times…so that's been an adventure. 

-Language still isn't great but I'm getting better.

-We have one baptism lined up for the 18th and another potential!

-I'm still kind of getting used to the food. I lost 15 pounds in my first two weeks, but now I'm getting used to it, and have got some of it back.

So here's my funny mission story:

So Elder Mo'o and I went to a Fofoga the other night and we ate something called U'u. Basically looks like a combination between a lobster and a cobra ( I'm calling it a Lobra.) Freakin'  crazy. Elder Mo'o told me I had to eat the whole thing. Brain, intestines, butt, etc. He said it would be super disrespectful not to. So I did...Nastiest thing ever!!! seriously the intestines and waste flopped on the plate and I ate it all! So mad at him at him afterwards because he said he was totally messin....I basically at Lobster Crap.... But I got a lot of respect from the village so thats good.

Well, it's been a pretty big culture shock. But it is really great here. I look forward to hearing back from all of you!

 Alofa Atu,

Elder Hunter S.G.

This Week In Samoa

Thanks to Sister Tolman for posting these pictures! 

 Looks like Zone Conference was Awesome!

FINALLY!!!

Letter dated August 29th

Talofa Aiga!

Wow... well where to begin haha.  The last four days have been insane.  Here are some things I've learned about Samoa:

Onamu O Satani. Ha ha seriously.  I freakin' hate these mosquitos.  I look like I have chicken pox

Children refuse to call you by your name.  Any time, and everytime I'm walking down the road I hear, "Fa Tia! (my companion) Fa Palagi! I guess I'm destined to be called white boy forever! haha

Breastfeeding.. Plublic display is quite socially acceptable.  Elder Tia and I were at a Fofoga (dinner) and the Tina just whipped it out, because no one goes hungry at the Fofoga- especially the baby! haha

Not a whole lot of respect fo the throne.  Honestly, our bathroom was digusting.  I had to spend like 2 hours cleaning it before using it. A man has got to have faith in his toilet...enough said

The people here are absolutely amazing. Everyday we have our meals taken care of and the culture is to have the missionaries and the Tama eat before the aiga.  A little different, but I try not to eat very much so the aiga will get a lot.

Here is kind of my schedule of meals:

Breakfast:  Saimimi and mas (ramen and sweet bread)

Lunch: Rice (carb), Taro (carb), saimimi (carb) chicken (ususally fried), palosami (basically creamed spinach on steriods...(so GOOD!!!)

Fofoga: Saimimi and lamb, Taro, chop suey, and sometimes sausage!

 And ALWAYS Cocoa Samoa!

I swear it's drank more than water.  Super strong.  Not a huge fan at first, but I'm getting used to it.

Overall I'd say Dad wouldn't do well on a mission here :)  Haha.  I love you paps. 

Ou te alofa ia te oe Tama.

Well...In some ways things are way different than what I expected, yet in other ways, there are just what I thought.  

So my companion's name is Elder Tia and he is a Samoan Native from Upolu.  His English is very good and he's a great guy.  Kindof colorful past.  He told me how he used to be a drug dealer, and that instead of moving the cocaine, he took it for himself.  He said his boss found out and shot him.  It missed his heart and only got him in the shoulder.  He felt that God had saved him for a reason so he turned hi life around and decided to serve a mission.  Pretty Crazy... He's solid though and he cracks me up all of the time.

My first area is on Upolu.  It is in an area called Falelatai and the village is called Siufaga.  It is absolutely amazing here.  Hands-down the prettiest place on Earth.  Very difficult not to swim because the water is crystal-clear and breath-taking.

The girls here really do like the palagi's. Everytime we walk past this one fale they start giggling.  I'm staying clean though and keep my goals in mind.  

The dogs arent' an issue in this area. They know who th missionaries are and they leave us alone.

Well know that I love and miss you all.  I've been struggling a lot this week and have been really homesick... but then I remind myself why I'm serving and it goes away.  I look forward to hearing from you!

Alofa Atu,

Elder Hunta SG

It's not a letter- but it's news!!

No- I haven't heard from him!  But.. Here are a couple of pictures from Sister Tolman's blog and a little bit of news....

Gator and President and Sister Tolman the day after he arrived in Samoa

Gator and who we think is his new companion.

And now the big news!!! (Taken from Sister Tolman's blog)

The Samoa mission is now an emailing mission! When we carefully look at past experiences, we can clearly see the Lord's hand in His work and our lives. Emailing in Samoa just a couple of years ago proved to be impossible. Internet cafes are very scarce. Not all church buildings had internet and there was no network on the island. Now every church building has internet and computers. The stake presidents and bishops will be working with the missionaries to give them access to the buildings so they can email their families, send a letter to President Tolman and report their work electronically. We are thrilled and so thankful for the positive cooperation of the stake presidents. Parents, be patient; it may take a couple of weeks to work out the bugs. God is good, and we are sweetly blessed to witness how He is hastening His work.