Where's the Ark?

Today is Thursday and it is the 6th straight day of heavy rain. (2+ in per pay).  Almost all drainage (except for downtown Nuku'alofa) in Tonga is simply natural drainage and there are no rivers or streams.  It is surprising to me that we don't get more flooding.  We do get standing water in many places and that can even close some roads on occasion.  Even with the cyclone the water dissipates very quickly.

This is a short video clip that is typical of the rain storms

that have been with us for most of the past week.

This road had to be closed shortly after this clip was taken as the standing water approached 2ft deep.   This is a low spot in the road that supposedly has drainage.  I think some of the blockage in the drainage system in Nuku'alofa is due to debris from cyclone Gita, but it has always  been a spot that  collects a lot of standing water.

Bypass road flooding by Lords and Food World

Looking the other direction on
bypass road (hala Viavamama'o)

I think we got more rain from this storm that Gita.  However, Gita was a 12 hour phenomenon this storm lasted about 7 days.  It did start to clear up shortly after we took this photo and things were pretty much back to normal the next morning (Thursday) as schools prepared for their Easter programs and the long 4 day weekend coming up (Good Friday through Monday).  

Practicing for the Easter program in
Nuku'alofa (GPS school)

Grad school in Houma cleaning up
the trash.

We drove past several school that had a school ground clean-up project by the students.  There are no garbage cans around outside so it seems like everybody just drops their trash (wrappers and cans) on the ground.  Someone always seems to be cleaning up the debris in the towns but it seems to us that providing a few trash receptacles and a bit of training could really make a difference.

Many of the schools have make-shift classrooms in tents to
protect them from the rain.  There are also many classes that
are held outside when the weather permits.  It's going to take
a long time for life to get back to completely normal.

 One of our favorite lunch spots (Central Kiwi Kai) had been closed as it's owners are from New

Zealand and decided to move back there.  They were selling their restaurant and their home.  Someone purchased the business and it is now a pizza place (with a few other menu items).  We tried it yesterday (our Saturday) and it is now officially the best pizza in Tonga (my official ranking).

Becky and Jan at the counter ordering our lunch.

Phil and Jan also had fish and chips and said it was delicious.  Pizza is a little bit expensive (about $35. TOP for a family size pizza) but the fish and chips was only $8 TOP and Phil (Elder Hudson) gave it his approval.

They also had Coke Zero which is a big plus on the "lunch approval scale" (not diet coke but at least it's close).  We all shared a family size pizza which was half pepperoni and half hawaiian.

Sunday hours:
Go to Church

We had dinner at Sabrina's Chicken in downtown Nuku'alofa on Friday.  We love their  barbecue chicken made with a sweet chili sauce.  They have a huge menu but rarely have more than 4-5 items that are actually available.  We typically have to wait for chips or rice to be cooked if we order those but at least we know they are fresh.  The sign to the left is posted inside and we especially love the Sunday hours "Go to Church" (you may have to click on the photo to be able to actually read the writing).  It's hard to describe how peaceful it is having everything shut down on Sunday.  

"Nine years of practical jokes and she
just takes it"

Our missionaries are all healthy with only a few minor maladies (a cold or two and a few minor bumps and bruises).  Lepeka does such a good job taking care of them.  I thought I'd leave you with a couple of medical tips:  

• Remember that laughter is the best medicine ... except when treating diarrhea.
• The pain will go away when it stops hurting

A few photos from the week.

This little guy greeted us at the market.  I think he is fascinated with our
light skin as he couldn't stop staring.

One of the local volunteer schools with their roofs all repaired.

I'm not sure how they get in and out of this car that is parked in a very tight space.

Tongatapu prison van

Elder Folau and Elder Kivalu in Fua'amotu

Elder Woods (zone leader in Hahake zone) already for conference on Sunday.
They have to come to the MQ in Fua'amotu to shower since their water is not
working.  He's still all smiles and loves being a missionary!