The Best Talk I ever Heard!

What do you do when homesickness hits. It was perhaps an accumulation of events, of what we are coming to realize , as the missionaries and local brothers would say  “welcome to Majuro” or “ life in Majuro”.  High on the list of frustrations is trying not to feel completely  inadequate and continuing to learn a new language. Added to the list this month was tieing the flat tire record with another “need greater” at 3 in 3 months, actually our percentage is better than theirs. Then there  was finally the arrival of our water filter in a long lost box which took 3 months to get here and its the wrong kind.  To go right to the #1 event was a rat shows up in our toilet!  Unfortunately discovered by Lynn and fortunately rescued by a kindly and brave Marshallese sister who was helping her prepare lunch for the CO.  By rescued, I mean Lynn, not the rat!   It received it’s just punishment. 

  Now for the encouragement We had the first visit of our CO, of all places he is from Long Island and with him is a representative from the branch in Guam and it turns out he is also from Long Island and grew up with our former Helena Co’s wife. First  we receive a letter from  the branch in Guam with the most encouraging thanks and acknowledgement to the challenges we face most especially to not “give up” on the language barrier! Then the talks begin our CO with the admonition for all to tap into the power of God’s word and to “handle the word of truth aright”.  He also in a very exciting ‘moment’ for the entire Micronesian peoples discusses the new light for this area that the governing body has recognized the need to more accurately translate according to the original Bible languages the word for God’s spirit or God’s active force. In the Marshallese language it turns out that the word that has been used in Bibles and in our publications literally means ‘holy ghost’ or a spirit being not God’s power or active force as the original languages demand. Corrections are being made in the publications and no word yet if a NWT is in the works.   Next comes a special talk by the Branch servant with the encouragement to have faith like Noah! Not faith like the world in blind belief but faith based on a knowledge of God’s creative works and on his unchanging and assured word’s of truth.  But the very next afternoon our telephone rings and we would here “The Best Talk I Ever Heard”. Thanks to Jake and Kim  they let our grandson Justin call us after just getting home late from meeting (probably 10 pm your time) to say high and he was quite excited to tell grandma of his first non reading talk in Mt Helena and she says “why don't you give your talk to grandpa, here he is”. He told me about picturing yourself in paradise, imagine the things you would enjoy doing! Then he said he asked does this sound to good to be true. He talked about the Bible’s assured  promises. He used the illustration of would a landlord, if his renters were trashing his house burn down the house or get rid of the renters. I told him it sounded almost exactly like the co’s suggested presentation to start bible study’s  this week, and I am now telling you Justin that we have already three rv’s to study in the Bible Teach book using your talk as a presentation. It was the best talk I ever heard, kommol tada, thank you!       By the way your encouragement reminded me of another phone call with Kennedy about her commenting at the meeting at which I had sheepishly told her she had commented more than me at my last meeting. I have since made it a goal for at least one comment even if in broken Marshallese! Thanks Kennedy! So if you have endured this journal entry I hope you do not mind the “family” pictures. I only wish I had three pictures of the three Helena congregations to include , so please see yourselves here!

Minus What?

We have struggled with this one as to what to post or say to “Montana” when we  heard temperatures have dropped below zero and are planning to stay a while and as we recall the‘saying’  “ITS ONLY  DECEMBER!”  How about: ‘It could get worse.’ No, it is “worse” and it probably will get worse. How about ‘Here is a warm thought’ or ‘Warm up to these pictures’. Eww that would simply be cruel!  Ahh we’ve got it 1John 4:20  remember if anyone says he loves God they cannot be hating his brother and sister in Majuro. Or to put it simply in Marshallese “Jolok bwir” translated forgive us, literally ‘throw away my mistakes’.

1. This is the ocean side by our house. Lynn is standing on the reef at low tide. You can see the small bit of beach sand in the background which is covered at high tide by water.

2 Again the ocean and reef at low tide. This perhaps shows the rockiness of the reef. Also notice where the water is in the background where the waves are breaking. This is where the reef ends and drops down to ocean depths. Quite the snorkelers and divers experience when the waves permit and if you don't mind  an occasional shark!

3 Oceanside, high tide and sunset. TOUGHEN UP COWBOYS AND COWGIRLS!   “JOLOK BWIR”

Grandma on the loose!

Grandma! What are you doing? Can you imagine, we are only in about chest deep water here ( and this is high tide)which continues to be shallow until  the reef ends about 100yards or more from shore.  In previous blog of map, the reef was outlined if you could see it. This is prime snorkeling we are told we have not decided if we should buy local (poor quality) or look via  the states. Behind the good looking grandma the airport is at the furthest point pictured. A future blog will deal with the airport.

Can you see our house? It is the one behind the coconut tree! Dead center. Notice high tide and no beach.

Hey KENNEDY  this snail is sticking his tongue out at you! Do not worry we ate him along with about 20 of his friends. Some friends caught them in the lagoon by our house while snorkeling. Chewey but good.

The Laura Congregation

  1.”Look! How good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together  in unity!”   2. Just in case you wondered how we wind down . This picture was taken on the “lik” side  or ocean side of the atol literally a one block walk from our doorstep.    3.After a really stressful day, we walk 20 steps from our doorstep in the opposite direction to the “yar” side or the lagoon  of “our yard” . Here poised for a deep breath before entering  the lagoon with one of our 2 newly “used” purchased kayaks (from where else but do it best hardware?—only on Majuro!) Yes both Lynn and I have been seen riding the waves in the lagoon. The standing record ride is ten feet on a curling 18 foot—ok it was only 18 inches. Take that you mountain biking, rock climbing, big sky skiing and 4 wheeling children of ours! Someone please come visit--- we have three bedrooms! Great rates!

Some Critters

1. One of our household guests capured on the wall in the livingroom. It is about 6 inches from head to tail. At the one month stage in our house, we have already gotten used to the evening exercise of the geckoes across the walls. Their loud chirp (as loud as the birds) has also blended nicely into the evening open window breezes heard through the coconut trees with the ocean sound completing the orchestra.
2. This is our neighbor's one dog, Happy. She is quite popular all of a sudden. Seems like birth control is not in the Marshallese dog plan. Almost all the dogs are this size that we have seen and are probably all related! We did see one German Shepherd. Haven't seen it since.
3, This bird about the size of a seagul but as hopefully can be seen much more slender and attractive. Incidently, there are not any seaguls. These birds are a pleasant replacement as they fly mostly in pairs. Most often seen flying around the trees and sometimes in groups of two to six fishing over the lagoon.

Where the Need is Great

Before we left for Majuro we recall the governing body’s letter to the congregations in the US to minimize building projects as to assist in other areas in the world.  We would like to share with you our first hand experience which demonstrates why the governing body is so concerned.  Majuro has at present two kingdom halls.  This hall is the smaller for the Laura congregation which we are attending.  We have about 30 publishers.  Only two elders and 3 ministerial servants.  The restrooms are pictured to the left of the kingdom hall.  A visit requires you first stop at the water catch inbetween the two buildings to get a bucket of water in order to flush the toilet!  Return to the catch to wash your hands.  The hall may hold up to 50 if we squish!  We sit on plastic lawn chairs which are stacked after every meeting to sweep the floors.  You cannot count all the flies on the floor during the meeting.  Windows are open and the wall fans help but not much.  No AC. 

This is the kingdom hall in Rita.  The congregation has about 140 publishers which includes the Rairok group.  The Rairok group meets once a month here and at a home for the rest of the meetings. (which you sit on the floor.  You should see us getting up and down!  It has one fan in the center of the room).  Their sound system is least to be desired.  It is very old.  Notice plastic seating which is also stacked for cleaning after meeting.  The missionary home is connected to it.  At our last meeting the Rita area power went out.  A common occurance, so the brothers fire up the generator.  Very loud with the open windows and barely adequate lighting.  Vince was told to shorten his service meeting part because the gas was running out!  They hope to build a new kingdom hall in Rairok.  It is in the planning stages.  They would also like to move the translation team from Hawaii to Majuro which would include an office space and lodging at the hall.  Speaking of translation, the literature situation here suggests a need for help.  There is no New World Translation in Marshallese.  We have to buy a Marshallese Bible from the Baptist church, $8.00 each.  We do receive the Watchtower study edition in Marshallese but the public addition is only quarterly.  There is no Awake.  The Bible Teach Book is only a recent release and the friends are encouraged to offer them only if someone is serious about studying which includes many.  The Require Brochure is also limited in Marshallese and similarly offered sparingly.  So as we all continue to join together to fulfill Matt 24:14 to preach the good news, may we appreciate and follow the direction of those taking the lead in God’s organization to Jehovah’s praise. 

We are sure that these young ones as well as all the brothers and sisters will miss the Missionary couple that went to Ebeye.  Majuro is luxury compared to Ebeye.  Right now there Kingdom hall is falling apart due to termites and because of one square mile of land total with 15,000 inhabitants.  It is known as the “slum of the South Pacific.”  To rebuild they will have to level the hall and build up.  They say from the air Ebeye looks like a “piece of plywood” from all the plywood homes.  Most of Ebeye are ones that can find work at Kwajelon (the US base that has the large atoll) That has a golf course, swimming pools and luxary living.  Faithfull brothers and sisters have quit high paying jobs on Kwajelon ($10/hour) since it is a military base.  They work on Ebeye for $2/hour! If they are fortunate to find a job!  The society has Ebeye Kingdom as a priority for a new hall.  It is in the works.

Ajeltake Home

We are currently staying at this house on the lower floor.  It has three bedrooms and two baths.  We have spent the whole time cleaning, etc. inbetween meetings and service.  This is a view from the lagoon.  Ten steps backwards and we would fall in.  On the other side of the house 100 yards away is the ocean and the road. 

From the side door looking into the living room before we got our furniture.  Our bedroom is behind one of the posts.  If you step up to the right it is the kitchen and the other two bedrooms and bathroom.

End of the day!  Where to spend time winding down.  Yes it is pretty easy from our chairs.  This is view from out window. 

Map of Majuro

A local map of Majuro. The dark ink area is the “out of water” portion of the atols. Depending on the distance at low tide it is possible to walk between from one atol to the other. Most cannot be reached, too deep. They are all named on the map. Some are occupied most are not.  The population is essentially all on the long portion from Laura to Rita (named after Lauren Becall,sp and Rita Hayworth). The mileage scale should be in km the distance from Laura (location of one KH) to Rita at the other end ( location of the larger KH) is about 32 miles. The ink outline just outside the darkened area is the coral reef under water but only knee to chest deep depending on the tides. We are living in Ageltalke if legible, it is the word above and to the right of the mileage scale.

House Hunters - Majuro

Which home would you choose? One is on the ocean side, 10 ft to water. A brother and sister would be your neighbor. But it was occupied
2. This fixer upper is unoccupied. We did not check for rats or roaches. Beautiful lagoon side location.
3. The friends call this house - The house of cards! Can you guess why? Whoops, it is also occupied. But located in center of town. So which one did they choose? See previous posting and their will be more to come.

Helena is HOME but this is not to bad for now.

Our new neighborhood, finally out of town and motel room. This is the view of the lagoon about 10 steps from our front door of the rental home we will be at. We have heard you have seen snow allready...sorry. It is 3 bedroom so make your reservations anytime. Wow only 3 weeks and we do miss the family, the Elkhorn family the Helena family, what a brotherhood we have The Majuro brothers and sisters do fill a void as you can imagine. The 2 congregations here do need the help and they think the one more needgreater couple, who should arrive in Dec. will work out for now. They could soon be building a new hall and split for a 3rd congregation, Jehovah willing. Allthough they work their territories regularly the field is active almost all the pioneers and publishers have studies. Lynn was on two studies and both of us started a study this morning. 2. This is a picture of our rental from the road (Hwy 12 Inter atoll 90) 8 miles from town but a 30 minute drive because of speed bumps, chickens, kids, people, etc. On Sundays, people go "Jumbo". That means they usually cruise in their cars to the Laura area. "The Sunday drive" On that day the ones who live out here set up fruit stands to sell coconuts and Pandanus. The last picture is taken from the same spot on the road looking out at the ocean side instead of looking at the house. We are trying to write to everyone. Would love to hear from anyone either e-mail or letter!

Sunday talk in Laura

1.Here is a picture of our Hyundai Accent parked at the Laura KH. We went thier Sunday Ince had the public talk 3Rd time in one week plus a service meeting part done on both Tuesday at the Ryric "group" and Thurs. at Rita. Prehaps this would be a better picture of the car if we had closed the rear hood. 2. The Laura KH outside bathroom, not working Sun., apartment once for misssionarys now for co. 3. Lunch, friends bought roadside stand chicken rice and breadfruit ,sat under a tree next to baseball field which is about three fields, much nicer than town and also apprently well used. The couple pictured are from a spanish congregation in Arkansas brother and sister Hulio and Lopita also needgreaters.

Barrett, Kelly, Barrett Yacht Club

1. The "Carmen" a reported steal! Now at $10,000.00! Still apparently $100,000 in the US. In case you have forgotten, this was the potential houseboat-sailing vessel. She still sits a lonely maiden on the lagoon in Majuro.
2. Reality sets in. A realistic Barrett/Kelly/Barrett yacht club addition. Although not pictured, the rearend has no motor. Vince thought this a wise idea without the Decker to run the motors!
3. Without Captain Porter, Dave, and Decker, Vince acquires a new crew. Marshallese qualified brothers! We will save the Helena captains a seat and oar on the vessel should you arrive in the South Pacific. We expect the same at Canyon Ferry.

pictures for town

More "town"

All these pictures are from about a one block area all in the same neighborhood. They were taken in service, we slowly walked as the Marshalleese brother said "When the missionary brothers came they would rush from door to door. We have taught them the Marshalleese way we walk slow take our time visit, the people will be there." And we visit take our time and the people are their. 1.Notice the "watercatch", large blue tank to catch rain water. Most are larger from 500-2000 gallons plus, every place uses them even if hooked up to city water system. It rains almost everyday or evening, not too long but it comes down!2. The baseball field, we believe the only one. 3. graveyard right next to and in between homes all above ground some only one or two tombs others as this one holds a few more family members. Funeral customs pose difficulties for the brothers , we explain at another time. 4.Decent bball court always busy after school hours and into the night.

Field service in "town"--Rita and Delop area.

1. This is a picture of main street (interatol route 66/highway 12 for helenans.) It seems as if ther is always a fair amount of traffic as pictured in town. Town I refer to is actually what they divide into 3 areas Rita, Delop and Rirak divided we do not know how. In this picture there are at least 3 taxis, signs on top as in states and one bus, a mini-mini van. They drive main street all day and night, rides are $1 per person,taxi 50.cents on bus. You can wave them down or if you just wait they slow down and give you a long stair, dont make eye contact . They will only go as far as the airport this covers about a 15 mile stretch of "town"--the airport costs more because it takes them to the limit of their route, past the air port is the more rural areas about 10-20 miles divided into Agiletalky (area of potential home rental) and Lauro (area of Kingdom Hall 2 not yet blogged). There is always people on the streets, many kids especially after school hours, even toddlers wander the edges of road. Fri-Sat night the streets are even more crowded many just sit and visit and watch taxis. Bball courts are mostly dirt style except at the college or "churches", also dirt yard volleyball courts always someone playing at night. Incidentally the youth are typically fit and lean looking--hmmm few computer gamers or tube watchers if any! Perhaps we have mentioned in past the mean age on Majuro(correctly pronounced maj'- oro, not as we thought ma'- jur-o) is only 20 years of age. Apparently with age many move away especially to "the big island" Hawaii. 2.Brother "Gayle", they use first names mostly even at the meetings we like Sister Lynn and Brother ince (no v in marshalleese even though they try I feel like "yes payback time for all my mispronounced marshalleese!")
3. Lynn is typing now! Field service in town. As you can see it is difficult to distinguished between homes. Many people live in the same home up to 10 to 15, aunts, uncles, etc. Finding RV's is interesting. (You thought Radarsburg was hard!) This is a Bible Study sitting on the floor with Mom and son. Husband not pictured. Notice little boy with donut and coffee in hand. Vince fit right in!