Each picture is worth a million words...

... so I'm going to let the pictures tell most of the post.

One Saturday afternoon while staying in Luganville, we took a quick 15 minute boat ride over to the next island to enjoy lunch at the Aore Island Resort. The boat held about 10 passengers and all of us were visitors from other foreign countries. Everyone was asking everyone else where they were from... some from Ireland, some from New Zealand and when we responded that we were from Utah in the USA, another group pointed to this woman and said "she's from Utah too!" Now, I have yet to meet any other American tourists -- everyone has been from Australia or New Zealand and this woman from "Utah" had a very distinct Aussie accent. As we continued to chat with her we made the most amazing connection...her husband works for the same company as a niece of ours and she knew our niece very well! What a fun, unexpected coincidence!

When we flew to the Island of Malekula for some training with the Branch leaders, here is the cute little guest house that was our accommodation for the evening. It was decent and clean but the cockroaches running around the shower area kind of freaked me out.

There is a peek at what one of our training meetings looks like. Three local Branch leaders come to our guesthouse and the meeting was held on the front porch. We weren't able to get on the early morning flight over to Malekula so we didn't arrive until about 5 pm and it was around 6 pm before the meeting began. One of the the men had come from an even remoter outer island by boat so as to attend this meeting. The 3 men in the while shirts are Elder Kasteler, Elder Schern and Brother Stephen, who came with us. This picture is much to clear for you to see the hords of black bettles that were flying around and attracted by the light on the porch and the nice, white shirts. I choose to sit just off the porch in a less lit area. The meeting was really productive and what a priviledge to meet these dedicated, committed leaders.

On the remote islands, there is not usually a gas station so you just buy the petrol in these 2 or so liter jugs and fill your vehicle tank by hand!

Here is the highlight of those small airplane flights... the views out the windows are spectacular! It is so fun to see these islands from overhead. Some are really small and others have volcanos but all are covered in lush, green foliage and surrounded by beautiful blue ocean and lovely white sandy beaches.

Here is the Norsup Airport terminal on Malekua Island. Here are all the people waiting for those arriving or they are waiting to take off on the next flight. It is really nothing more than a small, tin shack. The original building was burned down about 10 years ago and it just hasn't ever been rebuilt. The baggage is always very interesting to observe. There is everything from live chickens and pigs (wrapped up in a cloth bag with their heads sticking out) to tires to root vegetables wrapped in big leaves that have been woven together to whatever someone needs to bring along to survive in this far-flung setting.

Now this is a confidence building experience. Yes, that is me on the weigh in scales. First they weighted in my check-on bag and then I got to get on the scales along with my carryon bag and purse and whatever I intended to take on board! I have got to learn how to pack lighter!!!!

This was a really fun experience. Elder Schern had driven us out in the bush to the Palon Chapel to meet with the Branch President there. When we drove on to the church property there were 2 young men (the one on the left and the one on the right) who were sitting on the grass and playing the guitar and singing "Armies of Heleman". Paul walked over and immediately asked if he could play the guitar. It was a really nice, 12-string guitar. I stepped back to take a picture and one by one each of these extra people appeared and wanted to be in the picture. I ended up taking about 5 pictures before everyone near by was able to join in the group. The locals here just love to see the pictures on the digital cameras! It is fun to print them out and take copies back to them next time we go over!

Our experiences here are so unique and our visits with the members are priceless. I hope you can get even the slightest glimpse into some of our experiences because words just can't express and pictures can barely portray them completely!