The village- The village has been the highlight of my trip so far. The second we arrived at the village, we immediately felt the love and happiness that the villagers have. As we walked to the common area that had been prepared for us months in advance, we were greeted with a loud, “BULA!” The villagers danced and sang for us, the love and humility that these modest islanders have hit me hard for the first time. After the ceremonial dancing, we had dinner that was graciously prepared by Angie and other women in the village. It was a feast! Afterwards we got settled down and had time to relax in our room. We then hiked our way through the dark and pouring rain to the common area where we had a kava ceremony. At the kava ceremony I was greeted very kindly by a compassionate man named Sowani. We talked, laughed, and had a wonderful time. I was so impressed by Sowani’s love for his family and his willing to welcome strangers as if they were family. After lots of dancing and too much kava we went to bed. The next morning we woke up, ate breakfast, and then got to work on the community center project. First, we shoveled gravel into bags. Second, we made concrete using the gravel. Third, we dispersed the concrete around the foundation (this is when I basically ruined my shoes). The rest of the day we spent time learning photography and socializing with the villagers. Before dinner we went to the beach and played volleyball. I was amazed by the athletic ability of ALL the villagers. I would say I’m decently athletic, but the villagers made me look like a kid who had never seen a volleyball before. That night we had another kava ceremony. We danced and sipped kava for hours. On the Third day in the village we woke up and got to work on the project. We removed rocks on the work site and also leveled out the foundation. After working hard and doing the project, we went up into the farmlands to learn how to plant kava. Afterwards we all went to the chief’s house in a neighboring village. The chief was so kind and gentle. He lives with his oldest daughter so she can take care of him. That evening we once again played volleyball. After the games, we sat on rocks and took pictures of the incredible sunset. After dinner we went out to a nearby road and Lisa and Brett taught us how to take incredible star photos. I can’t wait to try these new techniques in west Texas this summer. We then went to the kava ceremony where we all realized how repulsive kava really is, and we only drank a half coconut shell each. We went to bed early this night. The next morning we woke up and had a wonderful breakfast. We then made our way towards the work cite where we continued to help lay the foundation for the community center. After lunch we went to the school where Wani taught me rugby. Afterwards we went back to the village and chilled until we went down to the volleyball net to take pictures and play volleyball. That night we had another kava ceremony. We didn’t drink much kava once again. We were so tired that we went to bed pretty early again. The next morning we had to pack our bags and head for Tovu Tovu again. Saying farewell was one the saddest and hardest things I’ve ever had to do. It was so tough. Watching all the kids and adults looking so sad made me cry.  I learned so many lessons about humility and kindness from Leoni and Sowani.  I will never forget the friends I made in Natokalau.