This week in Tarawa

These are pictures of the chapel that is located on the Moroni High School Campus (the students wear uniforms). It is a 100 foot walk to church.  How fortunate we are to be 6,000 miles from Utah and be that close to a chapel.  We have attended church there for two weeks.  This week was fast meeting.  This was the last fast meeting for the students as they are going on Summer Break until sometime in February, so the campus will be very quiet.  There was a steady stream of students bear their testimony, and they all begin with "good morning brothers and sisters", then the audience replies, "good morning".  It is amazing how these students did not know English until they arrived at the school and to hear them bear testimony in English was so neat.  The Spirit does make it to the little island of Tarawa.  There also is an older woman who is on the campus everyday reading her scriptures, and one may have a tendency to believe she is not all there upstairs.  But she bore her testimony and you can tell has a strong conviction in her belief of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and a great knowledge of the Plan of Salvation. The singing is another experience one would have to hear.  They really don't need a piano, but Brother Tune is the pianist (small organ) and the voices, sounds and tempos that come from the audience is thrilling.  I must add though that the Elder's Quorum is as disorganized as at home.  There really aren't very many Elders, just a few and a bunch of Priests who are going to be headed for missions.  Sister Thorne, who is serving with her husband who is teaching High School teaches Gospel Doctrine.  She gave an amazing lesson on Perfecting the Saints.  It was so refreshing to listen to her as she "stepped down" the lesson for these students/members.  We all could use some humble pie and not try and show how much we know, but teach as you would to a child.  

The first Monday of the month all the Missionaries gather on P-Day at our houses to play basketball and visit.  We are in charge of making a treat.  Shelley said she would make oatmeal cookies, which seems to be an easy task.  What you see is her measuring Tarawa's shortening, which comes from China/Japan and is made from Coconut and Palm oils.  It was a funny thing, because she thought she had bought a cake mix because it had a cake picture on the bag.  But low and behold it was this bag of coconut and palm oil.  It added quite the unique flavor to the cookies, but you know the missionaries will eat anything, no complaints there.  

We are getting to know each missionary, they seem to be so strong and grown-up.  Not the best communicators, but what 19-20 year old is?  She has also seen her first few patients.  One missionary had this gross sore on his ankle that he had for about 3 weeks and still is pussy after a round of medicine.  Shelley sent a picture to the Area Medical Authority who said "it is what it is" in this part of the world, and it will take time to heal.  Such goes the role of the nurse, a new challenge around every corner.    

This is a picture of the basketball court at night.  Friday night the school had a dance contest and  with LOUD music for 3 hours.  It was fun to watch the kids dance and act out.  Quite the talent here, even the boys performed in sync.  They played a bunch of american music with an island beat/flair.  It is something that I wouldn't believe we would see in America, just a bunch of student/parents having a blast, laughing smiling and clapping.  I can't imagine a ward dinner at home having this much fun.  

Thanks to everyone for their prayers and support.  We are not starving, we have food and we are safe and cool.  We have learned how to cook and save every bit of leftovers, even made yogurt.  We have fresh local bananas, and can buy fresh fruit.  We do miss the convenience foods, and there is no fast food, but we are learning to cook with local food, and it is quite fun to see just what you can make and eat.