Wednesday 25th June

"We are all like stones thrown in the water. Our attitude, actions and words are the ripples that go out from us and touch people – many of those people we never meet."

We had a late start this morning with our morning meeting commencing at 8.45am. Suzanne headed off on the bus for Takitumu school arriving after Bible study classes had finished, which the children are required to attend. She then had her first 3 students together and they played bingo.

Nikki headed to Aere Pa Matua – the Mama’s and Papa’s of this fair land. However today there were only Mama’s. The Mama’s were a mixed group, with some quite chatty, there were others who did not speak English or spoke very little. Some had quite a sense of humour! After lunch Mama Mary played the ukulele and the Mama’s sang along – two of them translating the songs to English for Nikki.

All the Mama’s are single and Nikki noticed that one Mama had a flower behind both ears. She asked whether this had a special meaning and one of the other Mama’s said ‘she has two boyfriends’, which caused a ripple of laughter from the other Mama’s.

After school Suzanne headed to the beach for a swim and smoothie at Fruits of Rarotonga, while Nikki went to town to check emails and have an iced mocha at The Café, which is relocating to the Beachcomber building next week.

The evening saw us in new quarters overlooking the beach. Suzanne took advantage of the scenery, sitting outside reading and enjoying the views of palm trees and ocean.