Sauniatu

January 15/2018


Scott and I had a great and productive week. We are busy trying to wrap up some older projects and  get ready for some new ones. We had several women come into the office this past week requesting help from  LDS Charities. The villages here in Samoa have committees that are run by the women , they get together weekly to discuss the needs of the village they then meet with the village council which consists of the family Matai's who are the leaders of each family then the Matai's meet with the village chief and then they decide what the final request or need might be, the women then come to us. Often our work is through the women's committee's. It's interesting looking at the requests that come in and although you want to help everyone it's important to really listen to the promptings and feel what might be best for the villages,  to not only help the right now but will continue to be a help in the future. I can always remember the quote "Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day, teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime." We want to help our Samoan friends for a lifetime.

We had the wonderful opportunity to go to a village Sauniatu, where there is a LDS church school. There is a great article in the January 1978 Liahona, if you have time it is a great read about the history, culture, faith and strength of these amazing people.  It will go into detail of what I have only touched on. Sauniatu is located about 20 miles east of Apia in a crater of an extinct volcano. Sauniatu means "a place to prepare." The early saints had a vision, in 1904 when they were establishing Sauniatu, they had been expelled from their villages, persecuted and unfairly taxed for being mormons. There are pioneers all over the world who have been persecuted and have suffered for their beliefs but  thankfully have stayed strong and have left a wonderful legacy for those who have come after. Sauniatu is definitely  one of those legacies. In 1921 Elder David O McKay visited and pronounced an apostolic blessing on Sauniatu and its inhabitants. His love for the people and the country was very evident  as he spoke about it and in his prayer.
They have a beautiful waterfall and swimming hole there that we visited on Saturday. It was a bit cold and took me a few minutes but it was wonderful. I mentioned to Scott on our way home that I've done more in these past 6 weeks to overcome some of my fears than I have in my whole life. I attribute that to the prayers and pleading I do every night, and your prayers on my behalf asking for help with my many weaknesses and imperfections. I'm thankful for a loving Father in Heaven and a Savior who listens to me and continues to help me even though I feel unworthy at times.

We are now in a bigger 3 bedroom house which is nice but a bigger house means more bugs, our small 2 bedroom place was pretty good as the bugs were relatively few. There was a lot of cleaning that needed to be done before we could move in, it was left empty for about a month so that's an invitation for unwanted visitors, and there were plenty. I think the cockroach count was 20, with a few more everyday. Scott is working to get rid of those pesky bugs and have everything under control before our visitors start to come and before I have another traumatic experience ( next letter).

I love it here in Samoa despite the bugs and truly love the people, I am in awe at this beautiful culture and how important it is to the Samoan  people We can learn so much from them if we only take the time to listen and try to help where needed.
I do miss my family and friends, the videos of our grandkids always tug at my heartstrings and every time I hear them say Gramma and Grampa I just want to hold them and never let go. Already so many changes, I can't imagine in 16 months what they will all be like.  Scott writes a great newsletter every week, if you would like to be on the list send him an email at scottcameronnrg@gmail.com.
I do know that promised blessings will come to the family as we continue to serve the Lord. I have already seen that in so many ways, there are tender blessings every day. I told one of my girls the other day that I feel so blessed to have the family I have and am grateful everyday for each one and what they bring to our family.

The funeral of President Monson was very touching and very uplifting. He was a man who lived what he believed and always set an example of love and service. I think of his reunions on the other side and the joy that everyone must feel.
Miss and love you all, and a really big Happy Birthday tomorrow to my little Chaser. I love you tons!

Love,

Sister Cameron(Gramma)

Elder David O McKay's Prayer

A Fale named after Elder McKay at Sauniatu

A Samoan Farmer

Waterfall at Sauniatu