White Sunday

Today was white Sunday in Samoa; this is Children’s day. This means that the children get to hold the church services and eat all their favorite foods all day, and best of all the parents have to service them. All the little boys wear all white new little Pula Tasis, which are long, skirts and blouses and the boys wear dress Lava Lavas (basically skirts) and dress shirts. This morning we all put on our best Samoa clothes, long skirts and dress blouses. We dawned our little and modest jewelry and makeup, then slicked back our hair into buns in the Samoan fashion (an unexpected perk, easy hair). We then headed off to the church of one our trainers, The All Saints Church, which is Anglican. It was a modest but very beautiful church about half way up the mountain that backed up to a beautiful ravine. We went inside and waited for the children to begin the service. The congretation was about fifty or sixty and was very diverse, with people from India, New Zealand, and of course the visitors from America. Then we heard the clapping and singing begin. It was like magic. All the little voices raised in song and all the little feet as the head toward the door. Then the doors were opened and the children began their entrance. There were all ages toddlers to teenagers, and they were all so beautiful. The came in and began there program. This consisted of some lovely singing, what I would call gesture dancing, and some skits. Some of the older kids got with there little sibling and preformed acts as a family and usually dedicated them to either their parents or a member of their family that had recently passed away. I have to admit that there were definitely some tears shed on my part. It made me think so much about my parents and how thankful I am for all they have done for me. After much cheering and clapping the cogregation went into the neighboring hall for tea, snacks, and as it was children’s day ofcourse icecream. It was wonderful because we actually got to see Samoans with their families and what their relationships are like. It was really our first view into what to expect when we start to really integrate into Samoan life. Everyone was so friendly and if you just initiated conversation they would chat to you all day. It was a wonderful day and I know I wont forget how beautiful it was to see those children sing about their love of each other and their faith.