Back in the swing of things

Ryan and I are officially settled back into home. We have been back on our island for about 10 days now, and I am sad to say it has taken about that much time for us to recoup from our travels. But, after hours of cleaning and hours of naps, we feel ready to take on our last eight months of Peace Corps Service.

Our welcome back into the village has been wonderful. It has been nice having conversations and checking in with our friends, students, and families. Everyone seems genuinely happy that we are back. We brought some small gifts back from NZ to share with people in our village. People were so touched we thought of them. This has been a great way to grow just a little closer to these people we love and lean on here in the village.

In other updates:

 Lucky is doing fine. He is clingy as hell right now as he doesn’t want to let us out of his sight. This means he thinks coming all the way into the house any time he wants is justified. Ry is working on some re-training. (Matt and Ale, the Beggin Strips have been gold. As soon as he hears the sound of the package he runs outside and sits so nicely. Not sure what Ry will do when they are gone.)

We have heard that the people of Ha’apai are doing okay. Right now, the biggest concern for the people still living there is clean water and food. I am sure many of you might wonder why people don’t just leave the island until it is livable again. It is pride. The people here have such pride and love for their island that the thought of abandoning it never crosses their mind. Instead, they rely on family to bring them the things they need for basic needs and stay put to help rebuild their home. It is a Tongan thing.

The devastation in Ha'apai.

Ha'apai's market.

This week is officially the start of the new school year. Ryan was able to post this blog because he is missing the first day of school to watch the Super Bowl in Neiafu. I told him awhile back that he could ONLY miss the first day if the Broncos made it to the Super Bowl. Well played Klob, well played.

Our principal, Tevita, is very sick and is in the hospital. He has a bad case of pneumonia. Keep him in your prayers. We are so worried about him and hope he is okay. We will keep you updated. For the time being, I think Ryan and I will be doing what we can to help by covering Class 5/6 for a bit. The other teachers were relieved to hear we would be willing to do this so they can focus on getting their classrooms ready. It looks like we will be teaching with Taniella and Viola, the same from last year. We can’t wait to get started and have some structure back in our day.

While many of you are stuck in a relentless deep freeze, we have moved into the rainy season. Days are hot and sweaty. Weather will go from full sun and hot, hot, hot to pouring rain.  All of us in the village leave our houses the minute one bout of rain is over to run errands and do chores. Then, it is back inside to weather the next rainstorm. But, it is nice to not worry so much about having water as we have plenty right now.

I think that is about it for here. Thanks again to all of you for your Christmas cards, letters, and care packages. They were so wonderful to read when we got home. Hope your weather improves!  Enjoy the Super Bowl.

In classic Tongan style, the people of our village have welcomed us back with lots and lots of food, including these rainbow fish.

What's more disturbing then a house infested with rats? Its when molekaus (pictured above) are hiding in the rat poison  and bite the rat with its poisonous venom, causing the rat to freak out, dive out of the kitchen window and take a good amount of our plates and cups down in the process. Ryan executed this one with the machete afterwards. Ahh, just another day in paradise...