Student Lounge at PICS High School

An old turned over school van serves at a resting place for students during a break between classes.  It doesn't look all that comfy but hey what am I to say about it.  The girls are only too happy to pose for a picture.

 This old van is at least sitting on the four wheels.  Well not really tires but you get the picture.  There were about five boys in the van but they scattered when the camera came out.  As we have come to say almost every day, "this is Pohnpei".

Guam Senior Conference Jan. 2016

Here we are in Guam, waiting to get on a boat to take us to Coco Island. We do have fun when we get together with all the other senior couples.

 One of the Senior missionaries, from Bear Lake area, is a real cowboy. He showed us some rope tricks during our conference. Mel had to try out his secret wish to be a cowboy.

 We are at the Guam airport,  waiting to come back "home". This Water Buffalo stands there to greet all passengers.

We  have fun going to Guam for a reminder there is a modern world out there, somewhere, but we are always ready to come back and become a part of Pohnpei again.

Hamming it up in a Hammock

Just when you thought all missionary work is hard, we thought you might want to see another side.
The Sister missionaries have this hand made hammock by their house and we took advantage of it.

 

 Elder Hedgpeth is still awake, but Sister Furstenau is ready for a nap. These apartment inspection trips take most of the day and we are ready for a time out.

Apartment Inspections Christmas

This last apartment inspection showed us that even though these missionaries are far from home, they can bring in the Christmas Spirit.
Elder Bisschop's mother, from Canada. made this Christmas stocking for her son and another one for Elder Nelson. Very cute!

 Elder Slack and Paewai put together this work-out bench. I'm sure these pink beads from the 70's are just what they would have chosen.

 Elder's  McCluskey and Takau brought in a banana tree to make their Christmas fronds.

 Sister's Walquist and William created a cozy fireplace scene. How perfect it that?

Christmas Eve Nativity in the Village

Every Christmas Eve, the missionaries are invited to the Village where the amazing artisans live. They were brought to Pohnpei from their own Island in the 1940s after the war because of a catastrophic storm. They were given a piece of land from the Japanese (before they left after occupying Pohnpei during the war).  They generously give gifts to all of the missionaries.

 Here is Bradley Spirin hosting the event.  Bro. Duiai who usually directs the affairs was sick.

 The missionaries act out parts of the Christmas story for the community before they go back to their areas and meet with investigators.

Missionary Christmas Dinner

Christmas Eve we have a big ham dinner with all the extras. The missionaries arrive ready for fun.

 Elder Fiscus looks ready to dance and everyone else is cheering him on.

 We are missing a few, but these missionaries are ready for a good dinner and an evening to remember as they practice for the nativity.

 Sugar cookies, brownies and ice cream top off the dinner. We try our best to bring a little home to them for the holidays.

PICS High School Christmas Party

We had a High School Seminary Christmas party and invited the missionaries to join us. They sang to the class and in return the class sang to them. I think our class was in competition to out sing the missionaries and I'm pretty sure they won.

 We served pizza and cookies and brownies. These kids are so grateful for everything we do.

 Our students invited several of their friends. They are always being good missionaries themselves.

 Mel says it must have been 110 degrees in the room. Even his tie was wet. It certainly doesn't feel like Christmas, but they have the Christmas excitement just like any kids their age.