Show Missionary Benson B en son j Heard From Society Islands Tahiti September 24 1939 1930 Park City Record Dear Editor With the duties of the day finished d dand and as darkness envelopes the tropics and the native having put In a hard hart days day's work retreats to his hut to rest and visit with those present until sleep sheer over takes him while the tall palm trees stand as throughout the night and the th beautiful silvery moonlight glistens on the boughs of the palm trees only adds to the primitive beauty of ot the South Sea Islands So tonight as my thoughts turn towards to to- towards towards wards home I thought I would venture another letter to the old home town paper The Park Record Which I am urn very fortunate to receive every three or four months which then enables me mc meto to catch upon the latest news from froni civilization And as you folks enjoy the morning news over a cup of ot coffee I 1 enjoy The Park Record over a n delicious sawfish Since being a missionary In the South SouthSea SouthSea SouthSea Sea Islands representing the Church of ot Jesus Christ I have found health and happiness and found Joy In my any work My assignments have called me to labor among the people of ot Tahiti and also to the far distant Islands when some times you can see from one Island to another r but a n little too far to swim But some times after sailing three or four tour days on the tho deck of these small Chinese schooners you feel like getting out aut and walk The Islands are numerous and are coral Islands Growing nothing but coconut trees and some times a fruit tree or banana tree So when no ship comes to bring food the native diet consists of lish and coco coco- coconuts coconuts coconuts nuts which Is quite wholesome And the first of the year sear 1939 the sixth of January to be exact my com corn companion companion panion and I boarded the sail boat which means bird of the air sir We left Tahiti for the faraway far far- faraway away sway South Sea Sell Island called miles from Tahiti And nothing but trusty old wind for locomotion We had a wonderful trip sighting the Island the fourth day out And as you view It from a distance it appears to be bea beI a I very beautiful Island with high moun moun- mountains mountains ains and an Ideal place to live Night came nine before we could enter Into the pass ass which is the only entrance for ships to 0 pass through the coral reef reet which surrounds the island The following morning the captain had prayer before entering It was three o'clock before we landed laded because it Is a n very difficult Job to 10 guide a n ship around the coral reef reer and md rocks And as you ou get ge acquainted with the natives and you ride down the road on your horse past the native houses you 04 will t hear arthe the friendly fri rid y Tahitian greeting Jarana and sometimes a few more words as haese as-haese haese mal mat e c which Is no more than come and eat which is an invitation seldom turned down by one who likes his The manners are simple you seat scat your your- yourself yourself yourself self on the grass gras floor Joor and your hostess places before you a huge quantity of ot two fingers of ot before you wrapped up In banana leaves enough for six men and a bowl of honey and a bowl of or water to drink and keep your fingers wet And gives you the signal Ito which means be diligence and you usually are The people are very hospit hospit- hospitable hospitable able they treat you wonderful and re respect re- re respect respect I you and their friendship Is real I It is not artificial I And when we prepared to leave the j I natives came and helped us bringing us usi i chickens oranges bananas and andI I various other articles to show their love loveland and land friendship to us Believe me It Is quite an experience to visit these Islands and live with these people As lately I I have been laboring here at Tahiti and Enjoying my work very well and as time goes on I gain 1 more satisfaction from frem It trying to preach to these people the gospel And also learning of their ways The Tho few things I have said I have been I brief but plain spoken telling you the life of or the South Seas as I or one In my place may see It And I trust It may be of worth to some sonic one I also wish to express my thanks and appreciation for the newsy Park Record which I have of times read rend And I say hello and kindest regards to my friends In Park City Sincerely yours I TAFT TAPI BENSON |