Marilyn and I flew out last Friday for Samoa. We have a strong Elim church there led by Ps. Manuele Lemosa which is in Salelologa, the other side of the island from Apia. They have planted two smaller daughter churches. We have helped them recently to be able to purchase two buses which are used commercially through the week on the run to Apia. Then on Sundays they bring the families to church.

We were very impressed with the ministry there. The area was badly affected by the tsunami less than 18 months ago, but the courage of the people in rebuilding their lives and their town was inspirational. We slept in a hut that was newly built right on the beach. One has a niggle in the back of one’s mind it could happen again, which I guess is what our Christchurch people live with every day. 

Their fishing boat which our Porirua church helped purchase was back inland among Coconut trees totally destroyed. There is potential to replace this, add another bus and help members start businesses. I feel really confident with what I have seen.

This week after morning church I will head down to Christchurch to speak in the evening service for Clinton. The church is holding services in our Burnside Church as their own building has not yet been repaired and cleared by engineers.