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.