Smiles that make a Difference

GOOD MORNING MONDAY!!!! We went for a run this morning before we started work in the Clinic. There was a slight misty rain and it was a little cool. Perfect for a run with the kids. On our run, we saw this full rainbow as the sun was coming up. We stopped to take in the view (that's what I told the kids - I stopped to catch my breath & take in the view). :) Good way to start the week!

I don't think I explained Mondays before, but Mondays here at the Liahona Dental Clinic is for full time missionaries serving in Tonga or it's for Young Men or Young Women GOING on missions. One of the purposes of this clinic is to help the local Tongan men and women get ready "Dentally" to be able to put in their papers and go serve a full time mission. This young man is getting ready to go serve. We were doing a lot of Dentistry so he is able to go serve a full time 2 year mission for our church. He is such a good kid and is excited to be able to go serve.

The other days (Tuesday through Thursday) are for the public here in Tonga. Fridays are appointments only days. Tuesday through Friday, anyone can come and get free Dental work. We see a lot of people from here in Tonga, but there are also travelers from New Zealand, Australia, people from the Peace Corps. There are Chinese people here that live here in Tonga. A lot of the Chinese have businesses (stores) here in Tonga. So, they speak Chinese and Tongan, but not too much English. There are a lot of Tongans that speak English, but I'm surprised by the amount that don't speak English. So, the language can be a barrier at times.

Today, we put in a full day (8:30 to 6:00). Makayla hung in there with me until about 2:00. She was getting tired and needed a break. She did awesome today and she helped out a lot of people. I was proud of her. She is becoming really good at assisting.

Today, we had 5 more butterflies come out of their cocoons. When Maddison saw how many had hatched, she wanted to release them during our lunch break today. So, we went and showed everyone at the clinic. They got to be a part of the release of the Monarch Butterflies. It really is cool to see them come out of their cocoons and watch their first flight.

Sister Johns and Makayla taking turns holding the butterflies before they ventured off on their own.

Another amazing sunset shot from the Dental Clinic.

Right before dinner, Maddison was finishing getting her laundry. The kids have been in charge of doing their own laundry this summer. It's been good for them.

There were a group of young men playing volleyball in the court right behind our apartment. The Tongans are SO good at anything with a ball. Their big sports that they love are rugby, soccer, volleyball, and handball. They play it all the time in their individual villages. Here at Liahona, things are much nicer than in the villages. We are spoiled compared to everywhere else.