Samoa Apia West Mission
Mission leaders
Gilbert and Ginger Tavita
Began service ~July 2026 (three-year terms, “on or about July 1”) · estimated release 2029-07-01 estimate · source: Church Newsroom 2026 · as of October 8, 2026
Mission office
Office address and phone: Not yet verified. Use the address in your call packet or the Missionary Portal. as of October 8, 2026
Letters & packages
Import duties and customs delays are common here. Many parents send small padded envelopes or use the pouch/letter options from the call packet; declare low values honestly and avoid sending valuables.
- Your missionary can email weekly on P-day; letters and packages are optional extras.
- Confirm the current mailing address with the mission office or the call packet before sending — offices move.
- Small, padded envelopes usually travel faster and cheaper than boxes; declare contents honestly and avoid restricted items.
- Mail-by dates for holidays and a calendar reminder are in the interactive guide.
Weather & climate
Profile: tropical, very-wet · about 2649 mm of rain a year · wettest months: Jan.
Monthly averages
| Avg high | Avg low | Rain | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 86°F / 30°C | 77°F / 25°C | 374 mm |
| Feb | 85°F / 30°C | 77°F / 25°C | 388 mm |
| Mar | 86°F / 30°C | 77°F / 25°C | 220 mm |
| Apr | 86°F / 30°C | 77°F / 25°C | 234 mm |
| May | 85°F / 30°C | 77°F / 25°C | 189 mm |
| Jun | 84°F / 29°C | 76°F / 25°C | 133 mm |
| Jul | 84°F / 29°C | 76°F / 24°C | 128 mm |
| Aug | 84°F / 29°C | 75°F / 24°C | 101 mm |
| Sep | 85°F / 29°C | 76°F / 24°C | 105 mm |
| Oct | 85°F / 30°C | 76°F / 24°C | 221 mm |
| Nov | 85°F / 30°C | 76°F / 25°C | 268 mm |
| Dec | 85°F / 30°C | 77°F / 25°C | 291 mm |
Monthly averages computed from Open-Meteo historical weather data (2016–2025, ERA5 reanalysis) for a ~1° grid cell near the mission city. Approximate; local altitude and coast effects vary.
Language
Samoan, English
Samoan has only 14 letters; "g" is pronounced "ng". Respect (fa'aaloalo) and family (aiga) are central. A respectful speech register is used with chiefs and in formal settings.
Assignments can include other languages; your call letter states your language.
Nearby temples
- Apia Samoa Temple — Operating (5 August 1983) · ~0 km
- Apia Samoa Temple — Operating (5 August 1983) · ~0 km
- Neiafu Tonga Temple — Under construction (11 September 2021) · ~586 km
The Church in Samoa
- Church Membership
- 90,706
- Congregations
- 170 (162 Wards, 8 Branches)
- Number of Missions
- 1
- Operating Temples
- 1
Newsroom Facts & Statistics · updated Fri Mar 06 2026
Practical
- Time zone
- Pacific/Apia
- Currency
- WST
- Country code
- +685
- U.S. travel advisory
- Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions as of 2026-10-08
- Organized
- 17 June 1888
Culture & food
- Sit before speaking with people; don't stand over seated people.
- Sunday is strictly kept.
- Respect village rules and the matai (chiefs).
Foods: Oka (raw fish), Palusami, Taro, Panipopo
Next steps
Official: Missionary Portal · Missionary resources