I must apologize. It's been terribly long since I updated. It's not that I'm discouraged, but rather quite the opposite. I have been a bit distracted but that's no excuse. I should keep everyone updated, and I've dropped the ball. I'll strive to be more prompt with posts in the future. If you haven't noticed, this is a long one. Also, sorry...no song this time.
So what have we been doing in Tonga lately you ask? Hmmm let's see (not ordered by importance or priority by any means) .....
- teaching and testing my patience with energetic students
- struggling to get Pathfinders running smoothly
- wrecking bicycles and fighting flat tires
- NOT catching fish
- fighting the phone and internet providers
- searching for affordable chicken pen supplies
- losing weight
- and soul searching.
Now I'll elaborate.
As mentioned early, there has been quite a struggle in my classroom. My students are energetic and for the most part respectful. However, they are young people growing into adulthood. The boys have an uncontrollable need to try and impress the girls. The girls tell me “Mr Pearce... that boy, he touched me”, knowing I will lecture the boy in gentlemanly behavior and unwelcome touching. Next thing you know though, the girl is back to teasing the boy. I know they are teenagers, and acting as such. I have noticed though, that there is very little as far as expected gentlemanly or ladylike behavior. Hitting, and quite hardly at times I might add, is part of the everyday play. A loud slap on the back that a boy in the states would get mad about is often answered with either laughter, or a playful but threatening gesture as if he were going to hit her back, and he often does. It may be a dying cause to try and teach the boys to not hit girls, especially if I can't teach the girls to not hit the boys first. Perhaps it's not my place to try and correct this cycle of rough play that often leads to pain and hurt feelings, but it just goes against my grain to see such a lack of respect for each other. I've actually learned to laugh about most of it, however I do not allow hitting in my classroom. If I allow them to get too physical, the classroom gets loud and all order is lost.
Pathfinders is known here in Tonga, and much stronger in Nuku'alofa on the main island. However, here in Neiafu it is not as strong. It is a struggle to get the kids to come to the meetings. It's easy enough to get a crowd on Sabbath, I suspect because it gives them something appropriate to do on Sabbath. However, when we meet on Tuesday for the recreational activities, it has been common for 1-2, or even 0 Pathfinders to show. Perhaps the busy life here on this small island is too demanding. I am suggesting that we move Pathfinders to Friday night, where there is no school the following day. If you are not aware, Tonga and a few other S Pacific countries “redrew” the International Date Line, putting them at UTC+13:00 instead of UTC-12:00 and aligning their work week with Australia and New Zealand when they actually fall to the east and would be one day behind. I wonder how many of the Sunday keepers here realize they are actually worshiping on the 7th day Sabbath, even though it is called Sunday.
Because we knew we would be here for some time, Tony and I decided we needed wheels to get around more efficiently. We could not afford a car, and frankly there are not many automobiles here worth the investment. Instead, we found an Australian couple who was leaving, who owned bicycles. We bought them and have since been zooming all over the island, sometimes as far as 25km+ rides. However, it has not been pure convenience. I have been plagued with flat tires, I think totally 5 now. We had one spare tube, but because the most recent leak was at the valve stem, that one is no longer repairable. Also, neither of us had ridden a bicycle much in the past few years, and so it has taken some getting used to. Tony's likes to follow too closely, and so sometimes is kept off guard which has caused him to tumble a few times. One time Tony lost part of his cargo (a fish strapped on the back of his bike) and so stopped to pick it up. While waiting I was riding circles around. My bicycle has a problem with the back tire rubbing sometimes, and so while trying to make a slow circle at an incline, I lost momentum and took a tumble of my own. Although I was going quite slowly, and was able to catch myself with my arm, I couldn't for the life of me keep my head off the road. I went to school the next day with a large bandage covering my road rashed forehead. Most recently, yesterday as a matter of fact, Tony took the greatest tumble yet. We had been to the flea market and bought him a pair of sandals, which he had strapped to the back of his bike. After that we were out in search for affordable chicken pen supplies. On the way to our next stop, Tony noticed he was losing the sandals from the back of his bike, and called out to me “I'm going to have to stop!” Before I could even respond and figure out what the problem was, I heard his bike crashing to the road. I think the combination of him looking back which caused him to turn slightly, and him applying his front break by accident, he took a hard tumble. He had been complaining that his breaks were too sensitive, and I had been on to him to make an adjustment to correct the problem. In fact, earlier in the day while realigning my wheel (trying to correct the rubbing problem), I was adjusting my own breaks and suggested he do the same. I guess he was too busy to do his own maintenance, and boy did he pay the price. His head, shoulder, hand, foot, and both knees are skinned. He has all but healed now though. My bike, on the other hand, has taken a turn for the worst even since I begun writing this blog. The other day, after doing my daily adjustment, we went out for a ride. My back wheel began wobbling, but the nuts were tight. I found out later, after pushing the bike home, that the bearings need overhauling. I need a freewheel removal tool to get to the bearings, and such a tool does not exist in this area. I'm torn between ordering the part and paying excessive shipping, and continue the cycle or....buy new wheels and thus solving the bearings issue for once and for all. That is, if the bearings assembly comes with the wheel. I've never ordered one before.
Fishing....this is beginning to be a sore subject. I think the fish are racist, and when they see it's a palangi trying to catch them, they splash water at me and swim off. Actually we have had a few successful days, but many more frustrating ones. I am excited when we catch a 12” fish, but often we end up with nothing, or a few -6” pretenders. However, we have caught a couple approaching 18”, which made for a great dinner. Tony has caught 2 eels, one of them probably 2' long. I once brought a giant crab in that had found my bait on the bottom. He held on for a while, but let go and splashed back into the sea once he realized he was rising in the air. The other day I watched a roughly 18' barracuda take my bait, and so reeled him in. I wasn't thinking about it, and so dangled it for Tony to see. Of course before I could get him over land, his teeth severed my thin fishing line. He splashed at the edge of the water and swam off with my hook likely still in his mouth. The one fish that I have made my personal goal to catch at least once is the Bluefin Trevally. We occasionally see them swim up near the wharf where we fish (we have seen them at each place we have fished), but we have not been able to figure them out. Tony once got one to bite, but just as the barracuda, the teeth proved too sharp for the fishing line. We have since bought some steel leader line, and use it when expecting toothy fish to bite. We have caught nothing while using the leader though.
Just in case you haven't heard it before, communication is terrible at times here in Tonga. You "top up" your cell phone with credit, like a pre-paid phone at home. But even if you don't use it, your credit gets used up by all the spam messages from the provider. At times we have also noticed the data on our internet account rising without us using it. And if that's not enough, 5 GB of data purchased has more than once given us around 4 GB. The only answer when questioning the provider at the local office is that "you used it all". Well if we had used it all, surely the digital readout on the mobile wifi device would display 5 GB used, not 3.8. Oh, and speaking of the provider's local office....don't go there expecting to be done quickly. For mobile wifi you have to go in to the office to top-up. They have to email the main office in Nuku'alofa, requesting that your account be given the credit. If someone on the other end is available, sure it might be done right away. Otherwise, as has happened before, it could take 2+ hours. And don't for an instant let those 3 air-conditioners in the shop confuse you. None of them are working, and the big glass window covering the front of the store collects the afternoon sunlight really efficiently. I have nearly passed out while waiting. Also, I have learned to expect the unexpected. You never know when you will have a very poor signal, or none at all. Rumor has it that there will soon be a fiber optic line run to Vava'u, and I believe it will get here EVENTUALLY. However, we must remember that things are done on "island time" here, meaning it will get done when it gets done. That's often later than sooner.
A few days ago we were in town buying food, and were stopping at our favorite shop (ran by one of our church members) for bread and perhaps a snack and soda. As we parked our bikes we noticed a lone chick in front of the store. It was noteworthy because rarely is a chick seen without its mother, and certainly not found alone. Rather than running off, the chick fled from us and into the shop. Tony told the shop keeper that if they had a box, he would help them with their pest problem. They didn't have a box, but offered plastic grocery bag. So, we rode home with a chick hanging from Tony's handle bars in a plastic bag. For some reason this bird has taken a liking for Tony, and actually quiets down when he picks it up. It seems more content to be on Tony's hand when he is on the computer or eating. As it grows, I'm not sure how long this will last. When Tony was a baby I became quite skilled at holding him in one arm while browsing the internet with the other hand. I need to take a picture of Tony holding his baby while playing on the computer as a comparison picture. We also need to get busy working on a chicken pen. Perhaps we can find a few more chicks to keep this one company. I doubt we will have eggs before we leave though.
Those of you who know me, also know that I am not a small man. Even while still active in the US Army I was large. I had to suck my gut in to pass the body fat tape test conducted by the Army when I would fail weigh in. My thick neck has saved me many times. The Army didn't even issue Class A dress shirts with an 18 ½” neck. Well, without having a refrigerator to store food, we have been considerably limited in our diet. A common daily diet includes oatmeal with raisins for breakfast, ramen style noodles for lunch, and noodles or beans and rice for supper. When we have them, we eat eggs. But meat and cheese are expensive, and also usually not available in a 1 meal portion, so we eat much more wholesome meals. Because of this I have went from 129+ kg down to 114 kg. That's from 284 to 251 lbs. My pants are getting baggy and the weight loss is feeling good. If I have my way, I will continue losing until I get to 90-91 kg, or 200 lbs. Tony is also losing weight and enjoying the new look. The only problem is, our clothing budget is going to be high when we get home.
Those who have followed the adventures I have experienced over the last year plus know that I (and my family) have been through a lot. We have suffered major illnesses (Alex had appendicitis, and I required lithotripsy) as well as death (Carolyn's step-father Frank, Little Grandma, my brother Andrew). It seems that since the day I committed to serving in Tonga, the devil has been working overtime to discourage me. I must admit that there have been times that I have questioned myself, and whether I am doing the right thing. After all....what would happen if there were a family emergency while I'm in Tonga? Is it fair that Tony and I have essentially abandoned Alexandra and Carolyn? What about my mother....is it fair to put her through this? After all, I had just traveled to the Philippines to bury my brother. What about Tony? Is it fair for me to yank him out of his world at home and drag him around the world? Is this truly the Lord's will, or a result of my desire for adventure? Now that I am here, am I really doing what I am intended to do? Also the outlying islands need outreach. Needless to say I have a lot on my mind. I have been spending a lot of time questioning myself, and seeking guidance from the Lord. I have also expressed some of the outreach concerns with our pastor, who also recognizes these needs.
While I know Mizpah High School needs me, I have that same feeling in my gut that brought me to Tonga in the first place. While I know I'm doing a good thing, I feel like good is just not enough. There is something more for me to do yet. At this point I am almost 100% convinced that my future in Tonga will be centered around establishing a community service center for Neiafu, whether it be Adventist Community Service, or privately operated. If I have to, I'll find a way to fund it myself. This would not simply be a matter of convenience for Vava'u, but rather is a necessity. It would likely take days or even a week for aid to reach the islands in case of a disaster. In fact I remember reading an article centered around the Cyclone Ian which tore through Ha'apai in early 2014. This article stated that while it was recognized that 90+% of all structures and crops were destroyed on the island, that there was estimated to be enough food from the dead crops to sustain the people for 7 days, so they had this long to arrive with aid. That is simply not acceptable in my mind. While there may have been food, what about fresh drinking water? What about shelter from subsequent storms? What about medical aid? What about ….. well, you get the point. At home, the Adventist Community Service centers have disaster response trucks ready to deploy the very day a disaster strikes. They have semi trailers loaded with clothing and cleaning supplies to be distributed to those affected. How come something like this can't be done here? A boat might be more appropriate for response to remote islands, but why can't that be in place? Just because this is a mission conference, does that mean funds should not be made available by the global church, or other charitable organizations, to assure assistance is in place next time a disaster strikes?
If anyone is interested, there is great need for more servants of the Lord here. Because Tonga is made up of 177 islands, 52 of which are inhabited, scattered over a 800km span of sea, there are many families who are not reached by the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Other denominations have a presence on the smaller islands, but SDA is only present on the 3 main islands of Tonga'tapu, Vava'u, and Ha'apai. While the entire kingdom is proclaimed Christian, they only know what they are told. Perhaps a newly graduated pastor looking to get his feet wet in evangelism could find Tonga to be their calling.
Also, Tonga by culture is a feasting kingdom. Most celebrations are centered around an overabundance of food. Because of this, weight related illnesses are common. Diabetes being one of them, can lead to renal failure and require dialysis. This level of medical service is not available in Tonga. Only the wealthy can afford to travel to New Zealand to receive dialysis. The common Tongan's fate is much more dismal. I can't help but think that there is a hospital somewhere in the US or elsewhere who has “last year's model” dialysis equipment in the basement, which was working perfectly until the latest technology was released. Rather than collecting dust and eventually scrapped as antiquated junk, why not donate it to Tonga? If Papua New Guinea can offer dialysis, why not Tonga? Also, surely there are still medical professionals who wish to serve in a mission capacity that could manage a dialysis clinic. Perhaps newly graduated nurses wishing to explore mission work could spend a year aiding in the clinic.
Continuing the list of Tongan needs, I should discuss the fact that while there are cows throughout the island, there is no source of local milk. While Tonga boasts producing some of the finest vanilla beans in the world, there seems to be no local processing plant. The beans are exported, and then the vanilla extract imported again. Why shouldn't Tonga capitalize on this industry, which surely would boost the local economy with added jobs, and increased profits from crops. Tonga could become world renowned for vanilla exports, rather than the unmentioned source of beans for a plant elsewhere. Perhaps there are agricultural and business professionals who have a passion for mission work who could come help establish such an industry and educate the local people to operate it, allowing them to support their families better.
Finally, there are whales. Tonga, and Vava'u in particular, has another unique attraction. This region is known for the migration of humpback whales every year. How come the local people are not capitalizing on this potential gold mine? There are many foreign owned whale watching boats, but very few Tongans. Along with the whales comes the big game fishing, which is known for generating a healthy income. In addition, those who seek these types of recreation usually have money to spend at local cafes and shops. I see no reason that Vava'u should not be a globally renowned tourist location with world class comfort and accommodations. While many foreigners have realized this potential, not many native Tongans have caught on. A tourism and public relations professional with a desire to help fight poverty could surely make themselves comfortable in Tonga.
The laid back atmosphere and friendly people of Vava'u make for a very pleasant place for a Christian family to live. Never before have I been to a place where I felt as safe as Tonga. Children play in the streets without concern of abduction. Laborers do not have to fight for the right to have Sabbath off. Friendly neighbors are always on the lookout, waiting for an opportunity to help. I consider it an honor and privilege to be chosen by our Lord to serve in such a peaceful, beautiful location. I pray every day that I live up to the expectations hat He has for me. I pray every day that He reveal His will to me in such a way that I can comprehend.
