Powerful Week.

We had the choice opportunity to attend the COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKERS DIABETES TRAINING WORKSHOP from Aug. 21-23 this week.  We had mixed feelings going into the first day of conference. In our past experiences attending conferences in the MI, we have heard an enormous amount of talk that led to no or little action. It is not uncommon to have statistics shared that are over five-seven years outdated.

We were pleasantly surprised by all three days.  Karen Fukfuka and Elesiva Na'ati representing SPC from Fiji were the main facilitators and speakers.  Both were incredibly bright women with an enormous amount of medical background and knowledge in diabetes.  Add to this description - they were excellent speakers and could read a crowd. 

 

I had to add this picture.
Elder Preston is actually smiling.
This is a keeper.
These are some of the people we work with every Friday.

One of the country's senators attended the conference.  Daisy is an advocate of growing gardens and eating nutritionally. She changed her lifestyle completely after attending a Wellness Center's presentation a few years ago. Daisy was overweight and experiencing health problems at the time. She and her husband, who live in an area that has more land, now grow a vast garden and share their seedlings with neighbors and people of interest. With great enthusiasm and power, she shared her insights and desires to promote a healthier lifestyle for the people in Majuro as well as in the outer islands.

Daisy, Senator.
Advocate for a healthier life.

The sessions passed quickly and before we realized it - the three days had come and gone.  (Didn't spend any time checking the time, because of lack of interest or boredom.)

Our hope is that those who attended will internalize the importance of  important facts/knowledge, share them, and implement them in a country, which is listed among the top five countries that are battling type 2 diabetes. This health issue is preventable and/or controllable. It is such an enormous challenge in the Pacific Islands.  Why?  Fruits and vegetables are not plentiful; soil on a coral island does not promote growth; large portions of white rice and fried chicken are the staples; all important celebrations and funerals are surrounded by enormous mounds of food - most not fitting into the nutritional realm; and physical activity seems to stop in the late 20's.  Customs are so hard to break.  We feel for the good people here and thoroughly enjoy working with them.

   

All those in attendance received a Certificate of Completion during the last 30 minutes of the conference.  Certificates are extremely valued in Majuro.  

 

Karen, E/S Preston, & Elisiva (Siva)
Great knowledgeable presenters.

We both received Certificates, too.

We had a valued spiritual boost when we attended the baptisms in the Rita/Jenrok Wards of two boys, one teenage girl, and a husband/father.  We enjoyed hearing the new members' testimonies at the end of the service.  The young girl was so nervous that she would start to laugh to mask her shyness and her true emotion, which was to cry.  This was probably the first time in her life that she stood in front of a group of people and spoke into a microphone. Once she was able to control her emotions, her testimony was sincere, strong, and meaningful. (I just wanted to hug her as she struggled.)

Sister missionaries on the ends.
Sweet children ready for baptisms.

Ready for baptism is the man second from the left.
Three missionaries and the ward missionary, who
baptized him.

This week has been laced with hours spent doing repairs in the apartments of the young missionaries.

Some repairs were due to poor management of the missionaries and many were due to the lack of quality of the buildings and/or items inside of the houses/apartments.

One of Elder Preston delights this week was preparing an excellent lesson and of course the dessert for  FHE.  I found a this yummy dessert on Facebook, which he does not view, but acutally wanted to use the idea.  E Preston found a waffle iron for sale at the local market and produced a popular well-like dessert for all of us.  

Since he made three of large servings, the extra one was served to Elder Doig and Elder Preston after hours of apartment repair work.  Two happy missionaries.

Happy Elders!

One ready to go.

Elder Preston turned his into a Mudpie.
One of his favorites.

As Relief Society members, we were invited to participate and/or attend the Majuro Stake Reliesf Society Musical Devotion.  The theme:  FOR MY SOUL DELIGHTED IN THE SONG OF THE HEART.  

What an amazing treat! Each ward sang two songs that invited the spirit for all.  I wish that I had a recording of their lovely voices, as they sang the hymns in harmony with and without music. Great tribute to our Savior. This moment rejuvenated my heart and my desire to be better.

Our dear Marshalese Sisters.

Thank you for your love and support.  You are the reasons that we keep moving forward. 

We love you,

Elder & Sister Preston