Our First Month…

I thought maybe I would put together a little collection of some of the experiences we have had during our first month living in American Samoa.

These next three photos are taken on the east side of the island. We called this area Little Michigan because the beach sand is so white and grainy like Michigan beaches.

We drove to the top of the mountain range and took a hike in the National Park. The views did not disappoint!

We were invited to a traditional Samoa luncheon in honor of a CDC project team working here on the island.

I wish I had taken a photo of the AMAZING food…but I was too busy eating. 😳😳😳

Our host distributed lengths of fabric to each of us and gave us a tutorial on the proper ways to tie a Lava Lava (polynesian sarong)

Here we are each wearing them!

I was invited to attend a graduation ceremony for the 2019 Senior Class of the Samoana High School.

I cannot even tell you how fabulous it was! The singing was tremendous! The message of encouragement for the kids to seek wisdom as well as knowledge as they continue their studies was so heartfelt.

A taste of the singing….mind you, this is JUST the senior class!

…get ready to be BLESSED!

A few pictures taken around the town. 🙂

Our groceries (and other goods) arriving at the port!

Limes as big as your hand grow on the island!! They are both sweet and sour and yield an amazing amount of juice!

Finally, we fell in love with the village of Amanave on our very first day driving the island!

Now, we will be calling it home 🙂

We begin slowly moving in to this house in the coming days.

Scott spent weeks praying for God to go before us and prepare a place for us on this island. He reminded me yesterday that as people of faith we often say we trust the Lord to do this or that….to hear the cries of our hearts, or meet the needs of our lives.

But too often we are surprised when it actually materializes.

This house is no exception.

The house sits alongside a huge rock mountain structure with a gorgeous yard and beautiful beach setting. I have dreamed of living on the ocean for so long that I can hardly believe that it is happening! of course God would provide a way….see what I did there??!! 😘

Here are a few pictures taken while standing on the back patio…. just outside our kitchen door.

These are cement steps down to the beach!

Wow…soon this space will stage morning coffee and the deep thoughts that often follow.

One of the family members told us that at low tide, the women gather octopus and fish for dinner right off the coastline. 🐙🦈🐟🦀🐚

There is even a room lined with windows that is perfect for sewing!!

The house by the mountain…

So if life brings you south of the equator…or you simply feel the pull of the tide to break away and seek a taste of remote living….

Get your passport, book a flight and head to American Samoa. We’ll keep the guestroom ready!

Sending island love to all of you,

-Kim