DK Orchard

Today is Sunday.  We went to church today in the stake center right next to our house.  We'll be meeting there from now on instead of the college.  I don't know why.  Our mission president, President Tolman was released Thursday for medical reasons and left Saturday for his home in Mesa. He has an appointment Monday at the Mayo clinic, so won't know until then what's wrong with him. An interim Pesident has been called.  A couple serving in American Samoa who are from Canada.  We had a farewell pot luck dinner at the mission office Thurs. evening.  Clyde and I took a green salad.

President and Sister Tolman on the left and President and Sister Saunders on the right

Hard clinic days this week.  Worked long days and got sore backs.  One of the couple missionaries  who walk early in the mornings told us they see patients lining up at our clinic at 5:30 AM.  I know we see a lot of patients who have been in pain for days.  They're the ones who hug us and say God bless you.  The senior missionaries planned a trip yesterday near Siumu at the black sand beach.  You almost need a four wheel drive vehicle to get to get to it so it's very isolated.  It is a beautiful stretch of beach covered in fine black sand.  The swimming was excellent and the snorkeling superb.

We had to stop at a home along the road to pay our entry fee of 10 tala per vehicle.  Their fale also serves as the local pool hall.

Not many people here today!

Saw some pineapples growing along the way.  This is the first scarecrow I've seen in Samoa.

It was a very relaxing enjoyable day for us old dudes.  I wouldn't mind doing it again.