Kepirohi Water Fall

The end of our Saturday P-Day we hiked up to the most popular water fall on Pohnpei, Kepirohi Falls. It is spectacular at 66 feet tall and 98 feet wide. While we were there, two young men came up and jumped in the small pool there.

 We asked them for a picture. They just kept swimming until they reached the rocks under the Falls. They quickly started climbing the rocks and then turned for the photo op. They were loving having us take their picture. If you look closely, you can see one under the water.

 Oh yes, we were approached as were getting close to the trail to pay some woman $3 each. It is almost comical how they come up to us. All of them act really grouchy (I think they want us to be afraid of them) and when we pay they act friendly.

Pehlang Group Sacrament Meeting

We attended the Pehlang Group Sacrament meeting today (22 Feb. 2015)  A new group president was called, Elder Charley.  In the picture below is Sister Kolini on the left with the pink scarf.  She is a missionary from Papua New Guinea.  There were about thirty people at church.

 This is the Pehlang Group church.  The small building in blue is where the primary children meet.  The building on the right is the chapel where the Sacrament service and Sunday school is located.

 

 This is another view of the Pehlang Group church.  The building shown is the primary room.  The nahs is just out of sight at the back of the small building.  It is a beautiful and serene setting.  My favorite bird on the island is the cardinal honeyeater.  It is a brilliant red and black with a curved bill for reaching into nectar rich flowers.  They fly around the trees in the jungle beside the nahs.  It makes for a little distraction especially when all the talks are in Pohnpeian.

Nan Madol Ruins

We have declared Saturdays to be our P-Day, but they are far and few between, This Saturday, we explored a famous ruins called Nan Madol, which is actually a U.S. National Historic Landmark. It is difficult to look at these stones and get a correct idea of the size of them, but some are 30 tons each or more. There are many theories or legends as to how they were brought to the island, but some of the explanations include Black Magic, flying dragons or twin sorcerers who were seeking a place to build an altar. All this occurred during the 12th or 13th century.
The funny thing is all the locals expect to be paid. One woman just happens to live at the corner when you drive by to go to this ruin. She has her hand out stretched and is yelling, "One dolla" each, After paying her, we drive further and park. When we start walking, another person approaches us asking for $3 each. We ask, "Is this all it will cost?". "Yes", he says. Then we go on with our hike til we reach the beginning of the ruins. Another man is there asking for another $3 each.
There was a group of tourists from Poland. It is interesting to meet people who come to such a remote island for a vacation.
We had to wade across the sandy water which was a warm as bath water and try to climb up and down the rocks and hope to not get hurt. Jeanette, the other senior couple sister was climbing on coral and slipped and fell and was pretty cut up. Guess even senior couples think they are still 12 years old.

Spiders and Pigs Oh My

When we left a members home we saw this cute little piggy and got him to stop long enough for a picture.  On the way out of the path to the house we saw a entire family of pigs heading home from a day of foraging in the jungle.  There does not seem to be any feral pigs on the island like found in Hawaii.  The pigs seem to stay close to home.

 Guarding the outhouse door was this huge spider.  He was at least three inches long.  We didn't know if he was harmless or not but it doesn't pay to take chances so we passed by the chance for relief.  Not in the picture in a very relaxed dog sleeping on the outhouse floor.  He wasn't in the least bothered by the spider.

Mission Call-West Indies Tobago Mission

Elder Lenny Lorenzo opened his mission call and was very surprised to discover that he is going to the West Indies Tobago Mission.  He had no idea where the West Indies is located so we had to get out a map and find it.  His new mission will probably be about as far from home as possible.  It is amazing to see these young people being sent by the Lord to serve Him all over the world.

Mission Call-Australia Sydney South

 Elder Howard Elies is excited to open his mission call to the Australia Sydney South Mission.  Elder Kim is seated next to him.  He will be leaving in June for the MTC in Provo, Utah.  Below in a picture of him with his family.  His mother on the far left was smiling and proud and crying all at the same time.

 One of his younger family members opens a coconut for the juice to be presented to the guests.  Young children learn quickly to use the machete and not lose a finger.

Hams at a Baptism

We arrived at a scheduled 5 pm baptism but it didn't start until 7 pm.  Pohnpei time is a little different from home.  While waiting these little girls gladly posed for a picture.  The little children seem to flock to us here.  The love hugging, shaking hands and fist pumping.