The holidays have arrived in Kiribati

 This month we had a bunch of celebrating to do.  Halloween, Thanksgiving and Moroni High School graduation   

 But first, we had to welcome Sister and Elder Wayas.  See all those boxes.  That is our turkey dinner from the Mission home in the Marshall Islands.  

 Elder and Sister Wayas serve in the Mission office in Majuro and came down to Tarawa for a visit.  It was touch and go as Air Worthless (Marshall) was not too keen on flying during the month of October.  Needless to say, we had plenty of packages for the missionaries stacked up, and of course we were waiting for our Turkey dinner to come down also.  

 Sister Bush and Sister Wayas.   They really traveled light, but had all the cans and boxes of food for our Thanksgiving dinner.

 We opened our door four times for a trick or treat evening.  Now they don't even celebrate Halloween here, but the Stake Primary had the kids go around to the couple's flats and sing the song...we wish you a merry christmas and a happy halloween.  

Goodbye to Elder and Sister Thorne and Elder and Sister Ogborn.  If you notice the table for the honored guests does not include the Bonnemorts.  This is the first time for any occasion we have not been the honored guests. 

Sister and Elder Thorne.  They have been here on and serving a mission for the ITEP (International Teacher Education Program).  They served as adjunct instructors for BYU-Hawaii, assisting Moroni High Teaching in furthering their education.  Sister Thorne also taught Institute and Seminary.  In addition, they assisted many graduates prepare for the English entrance test required for college.  

Here they come.  The traditional Garland Dance.  

 Sister and Elder Ogborn.  They were our next door neighbors.  They were in Kiribati on a Welfare and Humanitarian Mission.  Projects was their middle name.  I have spotlighted some of them on this blog, but just to mention a few, refurbishment (and understatement for sure) of the airport restrooms...yeah...toilets with water for Saint Ann's Preschool...complete with stools for the kids to stand on....water filter at the hospital...no more boiling water.  They had more energy, this is their 3rd full-time mission..Africa, Mongolia, and Kiribati.  I wonder where they will go next?

   

Graduation time at Moroni High School.  There were 86 graduates this year.  The reverence in this ceremony is hard to beat.  And the singing is second to none.   

President and Sister Shaw were the keynote speakers

President and Sister Shaw, Sister Thorne and Lita Labeta (School Principal) award the diplomas.  

After the graduation ceremony, all the families line up and place a lei on each student.  What a tribute!

We had a going away dinner for The Thornes and Ogborns and also to welcome the Youngbergs.  

P-day.  Front, left-right,  Elders Falke, Puleiku, Thomas, Mahe, Joshua Whippy, Teira

Back, left-right, Elder Ulutui, Sisters Nakibae, Tenoa, Babo, Elders Utimawa, Tui, Bush

While the Elder and Sister Wayas were here, they organized a trip to North Tarawa, which is on the Northeast side of the Tarawa Atoll.  Because of the inlets into the bay, it is only accessible by boat.  We took off early in the morning when the tide is in.  When it is out, the scene above would be much different.  That boat would be on dry land which would stretch for about a half mile.  

Our boat driver.  He is on a one year volunteer mission from Australia.  He just volunteers for any tasks that are needed.  

We spotted a fisherman in a traditional Kiribati sailboat.  

This islander is weaving pandanis leaves for the roofs on the huts

Delivery time for the roof.  This lady had a empty jar with her and she took the leaves to a home who traded her for a jar full of sugar.  Not much money changes hands here, rather bartering is the method.

Stacks of roofs

This is a traditional house in Kiribati, called a boua, (booya)  They build them above the ground to protect from animals and also catch the breeze.  

Well for fresh water

A first class Boua

This lady is making twine for lashing

Highest point on North Tarawa

Mother's day with the kids

This is Joe telling traditional stories to the couples.  

We even had time to snorkle.  The coral was amazing and we saw many, many colorful fish

We said goodbye to Elder Utimawa.  He has been serving in his home country, although his commute home was a long one, he lives on the remote island of Kiritimati (Christmas), which is about 2000 miles away.

Over the ocean, and through the airport, our turkey dinner did go.  We had the entire turkey dinner shipped down from the Marshall Islands.  The only Kiribati ingredient we could use was flour and baking powder.  Seems there isn't a demand for turkey and all the trimming here.  But we pulled it off without a hitch.  

Sisters Youngberg and Bonnemort masterpieces

Thanksgiving day in Kiribati.  Elder and Sister Youngberg, from Payette Idaho, Elder and Sister Bush from Sugar City Idaho.  

Sisters, Tenoa, Teitei, Babo, Nakibae, and Balenacagi

Elders Wells, Maddy, Falke, Sister Thorne and Elder Decker dig in

Elders Wells, Maddy, Decker and Banks

Elders Flynn Thomas, Teira

Elders Paora, Puleiku, and Gawkoski

Sisters Teitei, Babo, Nakibae, Balenacagi, and Tenoa

Elders Ulutui and Simpson

Eler Mickelsen and Joshua Whippy enjoy the feast

Zone Conference

Leftover turkey and ham for sandwiches 

Birthdays, Elders Gawkoski, Teita, Flynn, Tui, Banks, Sister Youngberg, and Elder Jared Whippy

Fijians, Twin Brothers Whippy and Elder Wakolo, from the Area Seventy

Young women on a mission. We were at the hospital last week and ran across these six young ladies.  They were all getting their exams to head out on a mission.  Look out Elders, the Sisters are coming!