Wives of the Prime Ministers of the Pacific Islands

MelRae and I are with Princess Pilolevu and the wives of most of the Heads of State of the Pacific Island Nations. The Pacific Forum is held once per year and all 16 nations attended. In addition, Ministers and delegates from other countries who interact with Tonga were also present. We received an invitation from the King and from the Prime Minister to attend the opening ceremonies on October 15th. We met with the Ambassador from China on several ocassions and with the High Commissioner from Great Britian. The Minister of Foreign Affairs from Venezuela was also in Tonga to negotiate a petroleum deal. He was one of 45 VIPs that joined us on this tour and he was most impressed by everything that he saw and he asked why the Church didn't have a temple in Venezuela. He was excited to find that we do have a temple in Caracas, Venezuela. He was also impressed by the fact that all of the beautiful paintings focus on a Risen Christ rather than Christ being crucified on the cross. He was having an "Ah Ha!" experience that he will never forget.