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.