Tahiti

 Tahiti consists of two islands; Tahiti Nui and Tahiti Iti two currently inactive volcanic fields. They are linked by a narrow isthmus. The larger island has a road that circumnavigates the island which we explored with a senior missionary couple  on our second day on the island.  We then took the isthmus to cover just a small part of the second island and made our way to the top of a look out to view the larger island from the elevated position.

Polynesians arrived on the islands during the first millenia AD built habitations mostly in the interior. Like many of the islands,  conflicts erupted frequently among various tribes  so allegiances and complex alliances with neighbouring family tribes were arranged to gain greater control and maintain a foothold on their land.

Robert Louis Stevenson dubbed this an island paradise with the nicest people in the world.  To this day they are characterized by their friendly laid back nature. There are strong connections with christian religions .  Every 4 or 5 kilometers along the perimeter highway is an LDS chapel.  Ten percent of the islanders are members with 23 chapels on the main island of Tahiti.

The main industry is of course, tourism, with fishing, shrimp farms, pearl farming and sugar cane farms.   The French government provides most of the infrastructural support, although they are attempting to reduce their influence financially, and politically. Like many of the islands the economy is subject to the ebb and flow of the tourism dollars.

The population is predominantly Polynesian with a notable south east Asian population.  French professionals and political personnel make up the rest.  Most of the better jobs go to the French and Asian residents.  The Asians are intermarrying thus changing the cultural dynamic and composition.

The climate as expected is hot and humid. The week we were there the temperature hovered

around the low 90's with only one day of rain.   I think we were entering the dry season, although everywhere the lush vegetation gave ample evidence of abundant rain.

We were there to train and support the missionaries.  Most of them speak French with some able to speak Tahitian.  My French was not sufficiently good to do my presentations without an interpreter. For two mornings I conducted training with approximately 120 missionaries on stress management and in the afternoon met with missionaries who requested additional

 support.
That amounted to 25 missionaries over a two day period.  A number of them only spoke French so I had to really pay attention to understand them. With sign language and their patient forbearance we were able to make ourselves understood.

We stayed in a hotel the first two days and then at the Mission Home. The Mission President and his wife were originally from France, but had moved to California.  The mission was doing well, in terms of baptisms as the Tahitians are quite receptive and work closely with members.

We quite enjoyed our short stay on the island recognizing there are some unique challenges for those who live there.  Tahitians more than most other islanders stay on the island, rarely venturing to larger centers for education or better job opportunities.
In many ways their life style has appeal, but the economics makes fore some challenging times for the families.

The Bize's saw us off at the airport. A wonderful couple serving and leading a great group of missionaries!
 These arrived the day before.