Tonga

Ethan does Tonga and a bit of Fiji!

Ethan took a chance on an offer to go to Tonga with HXP this summer. He took up the offer and had the best experience of his life. He made new friends, worked hard, had new experiences, found red bull, felt that he was supposed to be with those people and is grateful he was able to go to such an amazing island with such incredible people. 

I asked him some questions, and here are his answers.

My group was a loud bunch. Almost all of us were extroverts and not afraid to talk to anyone. Some more than others but everyone tried almost everything. Except for food, some of the girls didn’t try some. We all had fun and loved each other, at least most people **cough cough two people. We sang and danced and just had a blast. Loved them. My favorite were Grant, Spencer, Scotty, Preston, Parker, Elizabeth and Bert. 

The Tongans were all humble. They were all super happy all the time and would wave to us as we drove or walked by. They made great food. I didn’t meet a single mean or rude Tonga and they were happy 24/7. My favorite Tongans were William, Fua and Leka. Also all the Tongan lady’s loved me!

There was a testimony meeting and I asked him to tell me about it. 

Well people were going up and I just felt like damn maybe I should go up so I said after this, I’m going up and I said it to Grant to hold myself accountable. I went up and pretty much said I wasn’t sure if I wanted to even come on a trip because of all the churchy things and how I wasn’t really big into the church. Then I said how Fiji was my first choice. But I know that there was a reason I was put in this Tongan group and I’m glad I went. I got everyone crying and stuff and I was on the verge too. I walk off and Grant says "amen" to it cause I forgot too. Then Bert comes up and finishes and gets everyone crying but he’s started by saying how grateful he was that I went on the trip. That made everyone cry.

There were a few things I loved about building. It was my favorite part of the trip probably. I loved learning how to mix and lay mortar. I loved laying bricks but most of all I loved working with William and learning how to do all the things and get really close with him even tho he was the hardest to crack. So I loved the building. (read his letter home).

There were three places I loved. The Atatta Island was sic because we were just at the beach all the time and learned games. We ate good food and saw how Tongans acted for the first time. Next was the cave which was a blast to just jump into and Parker taught me how to death dive which was fun. Third were the blowholes which were the longest set in the world and it just seemed like a nature documentary and it was sic and beautiful to just watch the waves crash into the island. 

The one word to describe his trip is “Sweet.” 

I’m really grateful I got to go and do everything to the best of my ability and leaving nothing behind. I really am grateful for everyone there and everyone I went with.

Saying good-bye was so tender

Grant and Bert Bair

Fiji Mud Bathes

The group in Tonga 

Attata Island boat 

Tongan Temple 

So much hair! 

Working

Preston and Red Bulls

Grant and Ethan

4th of July

Three headed coconut 

Blow Holes with his boyz

Dancing 

Amazing youth serving in Tonga They helped build the walls for a family of nine who lost their home in a hurricane a few years ago. So grateful Ethan had this experience. Miracles happened!