1000 Words


Matapa Chasm, Niue
 They say that sometimes a picture is worth 1000 words, (and much easier to read).  Since our on-line time is limited we will write few words but share pictures.  They tell the story and some of the traditions and sights on this island better than our words could anyway. 
 The Young women program at Alofi Branch
Alofi chapel
 Liku Village celebration day...the young people doing the traditional dances
 Liku Village celebration day and the weaving contest using a branch from a coconut tree...even young people can do it.
Can never get enough of the sunsets and sunrises.  
 High or low tide the waves are rough...hitting this big rock island. 
About 200 meters from shore the reef drops to a very deep ocean.

Whales love the big fish and are seen March to November...we just miss them.
Will never get over the turquoise colors and clear water.
 Frangipani (looks like plumeria to me).  Ladies really do wear it everyday in their hair.
Ginger flower...grows wild.  This is just from someones back bush garden

 Dragon fruit...not bad
Whole dragon fruit
 The "Bush" or Plantation. Each family has one a distance from their home where they work & grow ...
Bananas, taro, papaya...
 

 Tapu's "bush" garden by the old family home, no one lives there but they still grow a garden in the backyard next to the ocean
 Tapu showing Lou the mats she weaves...the long fibers are the center stem of the coconut leaves.  They use all parts of the coconut tree, weave the leaves, eat the fruit, burn the husks...
The Nuiean TV station...small house with satellite dishes
The gym that 4 of our YW lift weights in...they compete internationally.  Looks like out of a "Rocky" movie.
Ramsi Edwards (Tony her dad is the chief of police in Niue) is 12 and can lift some serious stuff.  Her sister Maxine (15) won multiple gold medals at a meet in Australia.
Vance and the Rigamoto boys at the airport.  They are leaving to go to school in NZ. 

Lou and Valerie Lui and her family laying laundry on the cement to dry
More of the amazing ocean here

 This is the big O'va va tree.  It sends down vines of heavy roots.  Looks like the trees in the jungle Tarzan used to swing from tree to tree on.
This is highway 1, the main road in Niue around the island...potholes are bad so they really don't have much trouble with people going too fast.
 Martin Magaoa and his 3 little guys (triplets), originally from Niue, now from Hawaii.  His wife died giving birth to the boys.  Spent Christmas with his family here on Niue.


Sister missionaries and Downs being taken to dinner at the one main resort, Matavi
Matavi

Long time Niuean

Crabs EVERYWHERE...signs on the road don't say "watch for children" they say watch for "uga" (big crabs)
Once a month the "ship comes in" literally
The "ship" goes to all the islands...Tonga, Samoa, Fiji...Niue last.  Little boat that unloads one container at a time.  Food, cars, gasoline, furniture...
This boat works non-stop and takes 3 days to unload the containers one at a time.

Funeral for Tukala Hekau, member of Niue parliment, former church district President, grandpa to many of our YSA in Auckland.
The family helps pour cement on the casket to fill in the grave as part of the graveside.
Two of our YSA who came to the funeral, Ofono and Etena.  Right before the funeral their grandma cut their hair to put it in the casket with their grandfather.


Chapel in Lakepa
Lou with primary children after their primary program at Lakepa

Lakepa primary
Vance with Hekau girls
Held a Seminary graduation...Seminary graduate Asialy Hekesi
Asialy, Nellie and Sia Hekesi at Family Home Evening
Teaching piano to Yuki and English to his mom Mako.  Elder Sessions had us bring Yuki what he wanted more than anything...an NFL football.
Two days a week the Nuieans bring their food and crafts to sell at the early morning market


So clear you can see all kinds of fish in the reef.



Our time on Niue comes to an end this coming week as we head back to NZ to get ready to teach next semester.  Learned volumes!

web photo of night sky over Niue
Other than a few small street light there are no lights at night on Niue.  Because of that you can see clearly the milky Way galaxy on cloudless nights.  Pretty breath taking and we find it impossible, like so many of the sites here, to even find the words to describe it. 

We also find it hard to put into words the things we are learning and feeling and coming to understand even more about the Great Creator of this beautiful Island,
His work, His words, 
...and His whole amazing Universe.  
It's something we can feel, but our tongues and our heads find it hard to adequately express it. 
His Hand and His Presence are everywhere and without Him there is nothing...
no light, no life, no Niue, 
Even with a picture that is worth 1000 words you still come up short of his greatness, 
His majesty, and His Love.
We know He lives!
Love, Elder and Sister Downs
(Vance and Louenda) 

Comments

  1. faith4 February 2019 at 06:59

    What a breath taking adventure you are on! I was so touched by the young women cutting their hair for their grandfather's casket. They will feel that they are always with him! Sweet! Your blog makes me feel as if I am always with you! Thank you!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Unknown11 February 2019 at 09:23

    What a blessing for you to be in NZ. Your just the couple to shine your light into the saints homes. YOUR a great example to all you meet and great. How many noses have you rubbed lately? how many ties have you given away? do I need to send you a dozen? Have you tried the 10 course dinner down by the straight where you board the ferrry
    to the south island? English with all the fine china etc.
    Stevens to finish out this year;probably needs a little encouragement to go for a life altering opportunity.
    Farrell's still a basket case,still young at heart;doing baby blankets,quilts,etc. for humanitarian center to keep busy. Subed for Purdy who is on Mayo diet and looks divine. My stats are 15 inch neck,waist 42,weight 185 from 246..But... nobodys offered to take me home. HAVE SOME ICECREAM AND TEA CAKES FOR ME DAD

    ReplyDelete

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