Majuro, Marshall Islands

We boarded the plane on Tarawa, Kiribati, and flew to Majuro, Marshall Islands.  Both Kiribati and the Marshall Islands are very narrow long islands.  They are made up several small islands called atolls.  Here is what we learned about atolls.  An "atoll" is made of coral.  There are four atoll nations in the world.  Marshall Islands, Kiribati, Maldives, and Tuvalu.  Atolls can only be found in tropical ocean regions.  Coral reefs, which form the foundation of atolls can only grow in waters with annual temperatures between 23 (73) and 25 (77) degrees.  We also learned that neither country is very big.  The Marshall Islands is really 29 separate atolls.  It is also one of the world's youngest nations, becoming a nation in 1986. Majuro is the capital of the Marshall Islands.

Kiribati

Marshall Islands

Another view of Marhsall Islands

Elder and Sister Crooks were at the airport waiting for us and we were delighted to see them.  Elder and Sister Crooks have been in the Marshalls since the middle of February.  During that time they have been very busy making contacts and getting to know the people of the Marshall Islands and conducting a basic needs assessment.

They took us to our hotel where we dropped off our luggage and then we drove back to the mission office where we were able to get the Internet and check our emails.  After dinner we spent time with E/S Crooks, planned the next day and went to our hotel.

Our hotel room

Gardens

More gardens

Our room was right next to the ocean

Notice the clouds - it rained in less than 30 minutes 

Out of 50 countries with poor dietary habits, the Marshall Islands is ranked #1 as being the country with the most cases of diabetes.  All of our meetings were focused to gather information in support of  a diabetes prevention project.  Tuesday morning we met the Crooks at the Mission Office where we participated in a district meeting with them and the other missionaries.  Then we went to the U.S. Embassy and met with the U.S. Ambassador to the Marshall Islands.  We discussed the needs of the health sector on the islands.  For lunch we met with the Red Cross and again talked about the needs of the people on the islands and efforts to prepare for emergencies.  That concluded our meetings for the day and we went back to the Crooks apartment where they made another delicious dinner and we did some laundry.  Following dinner and some planning we drove back to our hotel which was on the other end of the island.  The mission office and their apartment are in the middle of Majuro Island.

Wednesday morning we did a little work in the mission office and then we went to the hospital where we met with medical personnel from the USA who were there conducting a vision screening and surgical clinic.  Next we met with the head of the Hospital Diabetes Clinic and discussed how we can support their efforts at diabetes prevention.  We then visited and toured the Diabetes Wellness Center which is a part of the hospital where we had a very healthy lunch.

 In the afternoon we met with the assistant Minister of Health and the acting Secretary of Health.  Again we discussed the need for diabetes prevention on the island.  We then went to the Hospital Rehabilitation Center and discussed their challenges and needs.  Diabetes often results in amputations which leads to the need for wheelchairs and other mobility devices.

Our final meeting of the day was with a nurse and doctor who are part of a group from Taiwan.  They  work the Ministry of Health and are building a medical database.   In our discussion with them, the doctor made some interesting comments.  He said three things which struck a chord with us.  He talked about the power of peers, that most power is in the people and that "the body is a temple".  

Thursday morning we visited a workshop where they are teaching the youth how to build boats.

When we got to our next meeting they told us that it was for Friday so we headed back to the mission office to work on diabetes project development.  When it was time for our next meeting we went to the hospital where we met with the assistant Minister of Health and the acting Secretary of Health.  Again we reviewed the need for diabetes prevention on the island. At lunch time we went back to the Wellness Center which is run by an organization called Canvasback Mission, which is associated with the Seventh Day Adventists.  This is a wonderful center.  Four times a year they hold a seminar to teach people better lifestyle habits.  During the training sessions a person learns about diabetes and how to control it. People can come to the center and eat for $5.00 a day.  They also have an exercise room which is free to the public.  In addition to the specially prepared meals and exercise programs, people learn how to cook.  The wellness center has a garden which is located between different wings of the hospital.  They also have a very unique gardening and composting methods.

Ray and Tanner, Directors or Wellness Center

Liquid Fertilizer Ouside

And inside

Hydroponics

After our visit to the wellness center we put on some more casual clothes and drove the the other end of the island to visit the Taiwan Technical Mission.  They had an excellent gardening operation.

Andy, the man in charge

Taro

We then drove to the beach where we checked out the ocean.

Friday morning we visited with the Ministry of Education and talked with them regarding their needs including diabetes prevention teaching in the schools.

That meeting finished we went back to the hotel to check out and then went back to the mission office to continue working on developing our diabetes prevention project.

The Crooks fed us an early dinner as our flight was leaving at 8:00pm.  We arrived at the airport at the appointed 5:00pm, checked in and waited till we could go to the boarding gate.  We boarded the flight with all the medical personnel who had spent the week doing eye surgeries.  They said they performed over 100 surgeries. We really enjoyed working with E/S Crooks and are very positive about the shape this diabetes prevention project is taking.

"Great things are brought about and burdens are lightened through the efforts of many hands "anxiouly engaged in a good cause" (D&C 58:27)" M. Russell Ballard, October 2012 General Conference

Memorial Day

On Saturday, May 23, 2015, after the dance fest Elder and Sister Waldron took us for a ride to see some of the historical sites of the island.  We drove to a part of the island called Betio (Beso).  This is where the Battle of Tarawa took place.  The Battle of Tarawa on Red Beach was one of the bloodiest battles fought in the Pacific.  The battle was 76 hours long.  More than 4,700 Japanese and 1,056 Americans died in this battle.  Betio was considered a strategic gateway to the other Japanese held islands.  The U.S. wanted to take control of the airstrip which the Japanese were building.  We looked around and looked pictures.

Below is where ammo for the guns was stored.  Across the street is the Betio ward building.  Just next to this church building is where the headquarters for the Japanese high command was located.  Elder Waldron told us that a stray bomb hit this bunker killing all of the Japanese leaders.  The church owns the land on either side of the bunker, but not the land which the bunker itself sits upon, it is not for sale.

Ammo storage

High Command Bunker

We tried to post these pictures when we were in Kiribati on the Sunday before Memorial Day, but our Internet was not strong enough. However, we were able to post a picture on Instagram.  The following day we received a message from a former missionary couple who served on Tarawa.  They told us that the spot where we are standing in front of the gun implacement is where Elder L Tom Perry (who served in the US Marines during WWII) dedicated the island nation of Kiribati for missionary work in August of 1996.  

Until 1971 Memorial Day or Decoration Day was always celebrated on May 30th.  In 1968 Congress passed the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, which changed 4 holidays from the traditional date to a specific Monday in order to create 3 day weekends.  Decoration Day originally began as a way to honor those who died in the Civil War.  After World War II, the name was changed to Memorial Day in order to honor all who died in any war or military action.  After seeing Anzac Day in New Zealand, we think the United States could do a better job of remembering those who have died for our freedoms.  

Why do we know so much about Memorial Day?  Susan's birthday is May 30th.  Growing up it was always a holiday.  We were married before it changed to the last Monday in May.  There were many times growing up that she wished her birthday was not on a holiday - but no sense looking back.  We can not change yesterday, only today.


"We have selected this site for our prayer where death and destruction reigned a few decades ago, in contrast to our message of peace, hope and goodwill for all of thy children here on earth.  Elder L. Tom Perry Dedicatory Prayer of Kiribati August 1996

Tarawa, Kiribati Part Two

Sunday we went to church with the Waldrons in the Teaoraereke 2nd Ward on Tarawa, Kiribati.  The entire meeting was in Gilbertese with the exception of the opening and closing prayer which were given by Elder and Sister Waldron.  The speakers for the meetings were a young elder who was going home, and three stake speakers.  The young missionary elder spoke most of the time.  He recently had his appendix removed (about 2 weeks before).  Mission leaders were a bit nervous about him having the surgery on Tarawa, but they had to do it there because of his acute condition.  They felt he would not be able to make the flight to Fiji.  His companion translated for us and we learned that the spirit let him know that he would be okay.  When we left, he was doing very well.  He was dancing with everyone else on Saturday at the Dance Fest.  After the closing song and prayer they had this young missionary stand up and everyone sang "God, Be With You Till We Meet Again".  After church we went to the Waldron's apartment for a quick lunch.

Two great young missionaries

Young elder

Sister and Elder Waldron and Susan in front of their apartment

We then drove to the other end of the island where Elder Waldron, Sister Waldron, and Gary all taught Self-Reliance classes.  Susan entertained all the children.  After the classes we returned to our hotel and packed our clothes as we would be leaving Kiribati for the Marshall Islands about noon the next day.

Susan's  Class

Monday morning the Waldron's picked us up early and we went to the Monday morning devotional at the Service Center. After the devotional we were able to meet and train the new Kiribati County Welfare Manager, Peter Eria.  We also met President Weir, the mission president for both Kiribati and the Marshall Islands.  We had met his wife on Saturday at the Dance Fest.

Peter Eria

When the training was finished we drove to the airport to check in for our flight.  In Kiribati you are able to go to the airport early and check yourself and your bags in.  You can then leave the airport until it is time for the flight to leave.

Tarawa Airport

Departures

We checked in and then drove to the middle of island where we got something to eat.  Upon finishing our meal we drove back past the airport and visited the village of Buota.  Buota also has a challenge with the tidal flooding.  We visited with the people of the village, took some pictures, and discussed what they would need to build a sea wall to stop the flooding.  While we were there we saw our plane fly over so we went back to the airport bid the Waldrons farewell and boarded the flight for the Marshall Islands.

Buota shoreline

Good-bye to Kiribati

"Unless we lose ourselves in service to others, there is little purpose to our own lives."  Thomas S. Monson, October 2009 General Conference "What Have I Done for Someone Today?"

  

Dance Fest

Saturday morning on Tarawa, Elder and Sister Waldron picked us up at our hotel and we drove to the maneaba (local cultural center) located behind the church and in front of the Waldron's apartment.  The Tarawa West Stake held a dance fest celebrating the anniversary of the stake division.  (The next Saturday the other stake will celebrate the division in like manner.)  Each ward presented a dance performance which they were judged on.  It reminded us of past roadshows held in North America, complete with competition and judges.  As the program began the stake auxiliary women leaders danced and then presented each of us with a flowered crown.  Each ward had a wooden drum which they gathered around and sang while other ward members presented a well choreographed dance.  They had rhythm leaders who kept time and encouraged participants as they sang and drummed.  The costumes were beautiful. Everyone appeared to enjoy themselves greatly.

After all the wards had performed, the dancers came over and invited the people watching to dance. If people liked your dancing, they would compliment you by spraying perfume on your clothes.  Gary reeked of perfume the rest of the day.  The young missionaries really got into the dancing and we even had a performance by the first counselor in the stake presidency.

After all the dancing was over a big buffet lunch was served.  This entire activity lasted about 4 hours.  The attendance was great.  The missionaries felt this was a wonderful activity, especially for the less active members.  Everyone had a good time.

"Praise the Lord with singing, with music, with dancing."  Doctrine and Covenants 136: 28.