Roadside Serenade

We were driving home after teaching a Temple Prep course at Sapwalap, when we saw a group gathered on their porch singing. There were all ages, grandmothers, parents, young adults and children. We pulled off the side of the road and listened as they sang beautifully together. They loved it that we were stopping and listening to them and gave us quite a concert. What a beautiful thing to do for any family. We could learn from them.

New Uh House

The Zone Leaders knew they needed to find a home for the sister missionaries who were assigned to the Uh church. They approached the people who were living in this house three weeks ago, asking if they knew of any rentals. Finally, they made up their minds that we could rent their house and they would move in with their parents. What a sacrifice they were making, but it would give them an income.

 They had worked hard to make the area around the house attractive and productive. There were beautiful pineapple plants, flowers and a breadfruit tree. The mother was proud as we admired all that she had done.

 We're not sure where the pigs would go, but they seemed very happy as a constant stream of water was providing them with a cool day.

Cousin's Baptism

Sadie is on the right. She was one of the first Seminary students I really got to know. She is always with a basketball in her hands and has a great personality. Her sister is on the left and will be joining us in Seminary this fall. This young man is their cousin and he moved in with the family a few weeks ago.

 Sadie told me that she felt very privileged that he would come to her when he was struggling with something and ask her what to do. She said to pray and read the scriptures. He came to her later and said, "How did you know?" Then he asked who those people were who were wearing the badges. She told him they were missionaries from her church. To make a long story short he met with them and quickly knew he wanted to be baptized.

This young woman is also a cousin of the young man who just got his mission call to Arizona. She was baptized by him and will influence many around her. The sister missionary is from Vanuatu and after her mission is on her way to China to study to be a doctor.

Father's Day Party

The fathers were very well celebrated Satuday night at Panasang ward by the Young Men and Young Women and their leaders. There was a program with singing, dancing and a photo show of the Primary age children with messages to their fathers. Then we had a dinner served on hand woven baskets. We even got involved when the women were coerced to do a Hula line dance. You had to be there! Then we finished the night with the fathers and their wives dancing. Yes, Mel even danced.

 This floral centerpiece has at it's base a banana tree trunk which has the bark removed and decorated.

 All the fathers were escorted in by one of the Young Women and were adorned with floral headpieces and a woven cord. They were then seated at a decorated table and treated like royalty.

All the Young Women and Young Men sang songs and gave tributes to the fathers. The Young Men did a dance followed by a hula by the Young women.

Chicken Little in Pohnpei

After months of shopping for eggs here and checking the expiration dates ( we knew they would be expired, but how far?), we discovered fresh eggs. What a find! The store that we found charged $5.50 a dozen, but one day they were out. We were happy to find out where they got the eggs, so off we went. Now the prize dropped- $4.50 a dozen.

 We were curious where they got the eggs, so we went exploring. We couldn't tell which building housed the chickens until we opened our window and heard the clucking. They have 600-700 chickens, so we should have no problem having fresh eggs every day.

Arizona Phoenix Mission

Keanu Amida opened his mission call papers last night (19 June  2015).  He is going to the Arizona Phoenix Mission.  So if he thinks it's hot here.   Wait until he walks off the plane in Arizona in August.  Wow.  He is very excited to be going on his mission.  Keanu is one of our Institute students in the Panasang Ward.  He will be a fantastic missionary.

Wired in Pohnpei

A couple of nights ago I was watching an episode of Holmes Inspection on Netflix.  The home had a few electrical wiring issues.  But nothing can compare to the wiring in the box in our laundry room at our apartment.  This just might be an home inspector's nightmare.

 But hey, this is Pohnpei.  Things are run a little different here.  No big deal.  At least we have a washer and dryer that works.  Life is good.