White Sunday

Singing 'Jesus Loves Me'

Today was White Sunday (Lotu Tamaiti) in Samoa, and today the children got to sing songs, cite memory verses from the Bible and then after church, they're given a wonderful feast served to them by their parents. Apparently John Williams (the missionary who bought Christianity to Samoa) thought it would be a good thing to celebrate the children and honour them for all the hard work they do around the home. Generally in the Samoan home kids are expected to do the housework, babysit little siblings and serve their parents.

It's a big money thing too, the stores have been stocked with lots of white clothes this past month and the local sewing shops have been busy sewing new outfits for kids and most likely mums and dads too. No doubt thousands of dollars have been remitted in and out of the country to help families celebrate.

Some kids in my class have been to many rehearsals and have been busy memorising their Bible scripture.

Today in church the kids all wore white and sung a few songs after service. The service was mostly conducted by the young Christian men/boys who lead the singing and gave a sermon.

Talia sitting next to Princess Mua

Cheesy smiles from Noah and his friend Shaun.

My classroom is next to Shauns (teacher of 5th & 6th Grade) and Noah is often talking to/with Shaun, telling him a knock knock joke which hardly ever makes sense. Shaun has the patience of a saint, he'll laugh at some of these jokes and in turn share one. Noah's next knock knock joke is usually similar to the one Shaun told and on it goes.

The beautiful girls in their new white outfits and pretty garlands.