Palon family....how you live off the land

President and Sister Kelly and their family of 5 girls can show us all how to be self sufficient.   They raise pineapples, bananas, coconuts, tofu, manioc, yams, papaya,  varieties of bananas that you bake, chilies, some kind of an apple type fruit that doesn't really taste like apple, kumala, chickens, guava, 

Onions, tomatoes,  and a thing that tastes like a nut, called nungae.   And more I can't think of.....

They buy very little from the store except for oil, salt and rice.    

THEY GIVE US FOOD EVERY TIME WE VISIT,   So we brought lunch to them of pork submarine sandwiches, potato salad, Banana bread and oatmeal cookies.    They had never had oatmeal cookies or potato salad,  ..   Pretty American.  

As we were getting ready to leave, he had them all stand and face us and thank us......   And then he again loaded us up with so much good, fresh food!   Can't get ahead!

Such an amazing sweet simple spirit in their home.    

Auditing Gaua Branch at the District Office in Luganville

Santo and Malekula zone conference!

Our wonderful Sisters, Elders and Prospective missionaries! 

We had an amazing conference....talks, training, testimonies...

Elder Williams and I were asked to bear our testimonies in Bislama.    If the a lord asks, He provides.   

I was able to speak and they understood!  

Lunchtime. They need sides on their plates!

Mission Presidents wife and two other senior sisters all got together and helped me make my chicken pot pie.  Made a huge one for the eight of us and later we ate out on our balcony the last day of the conference.   We had to improvise for a rolling pin as well as a few other things in the pie.  Turned out great!

Sunday in Tanavoli Branch

We love to attend Tanavoli branch.  President and Sister Hungai are so welcoming and fun and the people in the branch are always so happy to see us!   We arrived and they were singing hymns before church began.    After Sacrament they divided into RS and Priesthood.   I was asked to say a few words and I asked each of them how they found the church and what really converted them.  Most said the scriptures, the Book of Mormon but one woman said the Joseph Smith story.    

At the end I asked if they would sing a hymn so I could take a movie of them singing and always remember their beautiful harmony.  They sound like they are truly speaking to Papa God.  They love to sing.  I will always remember their voices!

After Elder Williams  and I did an Audit with the Branch President and the clerk

Great P-Day at champagne beach

BABY SITTING TARIHOTI  PIKININIS at our APARTMENT

The MARKET

How about going out for some Fast Food at the Market?    You have many choices!   A little manioc or taro with some island cabbage and coconut milk or a fish head on kumala baked in coconut leaves....

Or how about a little octopus on kumala with a nice coconut milk drizzled on top?   You can even buy a new woven mat or a loaf of bread at the same time.    The mamas come from their villages with their produce to sell.   They bring their children and babies and let them play or sleep on the floor until everything is sold.    

A HUNGRY LITTL GUY!  TAKING LUNCH TIME INTO HIS OWN HANDS!

They start young learning how to use a knife.....so that they are ready for their own Bush knife at around 7 years old!   But this is a little much, don't you think?????

Independence Day , Vanuatu 33 years from French and English

Went down to the park to be a part of Independence Day activities.   Same as at home:  food booths, games booth (darts), entertainment...song and dance!   Just like at home!