Manit

Dear family and friends,

Hopefully you have been able to watch conference.  Something that is challenging for us, but we will get to see reruns in the evenings when time permits.  Please enjoy it first hand for us.

We had a 70th birthday party for Sister Doig for FHE at our flat. I made a strawberry cake with strawberry frosting, which we topped with ice cream, after pizza and salad.  A good American treat!  The evening didn't go completely as planned - for we were ready to play games and have an evening away from talking shop, but it didn't quite happen.  Sister Coombs and I tried.

Sister Doig.
One of our favorite senior missionaries.
Happy 70th.

We are continuing to do the data collection at the public elementary schools.  Two interesting items:  One of the sixth grade teachers smelled very strong of alcohol.  It saddened me to think that this man, who is supposed to be a positive example to these young students, arrived to work already slurring his words.  I wanted to fire him on the spot. Second:  We were doing some of Tanner and Anne's 2nd grade classes, because our team had finished 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th grades at Long Island Elementary.  The 2nd grade teacher could not even read the names on the roster for her class.  She could not see the words even after she found her glasses.  Finally I found a name that she recognized, and we were able to progress. Education here is challenging for us to observe in some incidents.

We enjoyed meeting over 1200 students during the past two weeks.  We did measurements on all those who were in attendance.  Their bell system is unique. 

Ajeltake school bell.

Ajeltake actually had a bell that was hit with a bar.  The others schools used oxygen or gas tanks which they hit with a hammer.  Trust me - the noise travels well.

Schools furniture in some schools is sparse and the windows have no glass.  The wooden doors are closed at the end of the day and/or when it is rain is entering the classroom.

Classrooms are painted all the
same inside  and outside.
Student uniforms match the color.
Note the fans and unique student chairs.

Tomomi, Tanner, and I are waiting
for recess to end.

Heavy curriculum.  

Another classroom with wooden window
coverings.

We went to the airport to say good-bye to four of our missionaries, who have served wonderfully.  They will be missed.  They have served under very difficult circumstances.  We are so proud of them.

 

Four amazing missionaries
 returning to
home.

Nasko with her family.

Bishop Ned, Nasko, Sister Ned &
daughter, and Edward (return
missionary who served in NZ.)

Also, Nasko, from one of our wards, was going on the same flight to Honolulu.  She is leaving for her mission to the Philippines.  She works for her uncle at Marshall Island Resort; was one of our institute students; and is in the YW presidency.  She will be an amazing missionary. We are so proud of her. Her English communication is very good.  Now she will be learning a third language.

We were told by our supervisors in NZ that we needed to check the generators and the chainsaw in our emergency container.  The cyclone season arrives in November.  We are very grateful that we did.  There were problems:

1.    We had a very difficult time unlocking the two paddle locks to enter the emergency container, which we had completely stocked in February.  Had to buy more WD-40 and another lock.

2.    We brought the chainsaw home because we needed to buy gas/oil mix to start it. The primer button disintegrated when pushed.  We took it to DO IT BEST.  The men said they could replace the parts, but also the tubing inside the unit was cracked and useless, too.

3.    Saturday, we returned to the emergency container; removed the two generators; poured gas into both; one started immediately; the second one - wouldn't start. 

4.    Elder Doig returned with Elder Preston with the truck to get the generator and take it to DO IT BEST, too.

We were personally invited to the Manit (Cultural)Day 2017 celebration at Arrak Campus of CMI from 4:00-8:00.  We invited all the senior couples, plus the Winchesters.  We decided to leave our apartments at five, which would put us there around 6:00.  Our ward activities usually start late, so we unfortunately misjudged when this would really start. The event started on time. The food was gone.  We missed the Program. 

The event shirt.

Bego, who invited us, weaving a canoe for one
of the dances. With Seagers and Doigs watching.

We were fortunate to be in attendance for the singing and dancing performances, which were very cultural and delightful. 

The videos:  1. When a group is singing, it is not uncommon for one or two to jump forward with a solo. 2. CMI teacher throwing water at the performers. 3. entrance dance 4. men and women in singing/dancing communications.

Night has arrived.  Last number!

The theme was "Lokmeitit," which means "A True Leader," in English.

We are blessed to have our lives filled with people, activities, projects, spiritual opportunities, and challenges. Hopefully your challenges do not overwhelm the rest of your world this week.

We feel your support every day.  It is one of our greatest blessings!

We love you,

Elder and Sister Preston

Jabot

As we enter into the last week of September, projects are progressing and time is flying.

Actually yummy cucumbers from President Zedikiah's keyhole garden that we planted in June.

President brought the cucumbers
to us.  He was delighted.  They
were very good.

Our support given to Assumption High School teacher, Jonathon, is showing great results.

Assumption HS garden.  Success is
happening.

Our week has been filled with collecting data at 1/2 of the public elementary school in Majuro.  We have statistics on 1000 children grades K-6 for this week.  Now through the middle of October, three teams representing, (us)LDS Charities, Wellness Center, MoH, and Taiwan Health Center are working to gather data from every public and private elementary school on Majuro. The data consists of weight, height, and Screening for Acute Malnutrition using a Mid-Upper Arm Circumference (MUAC) Tape. All of the data is being gathering using UNICEF equipment that is statistically accepted throughout the world.

 

Kindergarteners ready, but afraid.

Children lining up to be measured.

Height measurment.

Weight is important, too.

All K's had to answer a survey.  Those
who didn't want to talk, just showed
numbers with their fingers.

Elder Preston making sure the height was exact.

Some children were afraid of this MUAC measurement.
Thought they were getting a shot.

Glitter makes life fun.

Tanner shared that over 30% of children in this country have stunted growth, mostly due to the fact that they are underfed or fed a poor diet during their first two years of life.

This Sabbath Day has been rewarding.  Delap Ward is my favorite.  I shouldn't have favorites, but it is.  They are reverent during Sacrament Meeting.  It is easier to feel the Spirit as I reflect on the true meaning of the Sacramental Prayers and renew the covenants that I made when I was baptized.

As we were standing outside of the chapel talking to the members of the Uliga Ward, since their meetings were over for the day and greeting those arriving for the Delap Ward (where we attended today), we met a gentleman from Utah who works for the American Embassy.  His assignment is in Bangkok, China, but his wife and five children were sent back to the states, because of a Zika outbreak.  His wife is pregnant with their sixth child and the US Embassy will take no risks.  She and the children will stay in the states for the rest of the school year.  Since they are gone, he is traveling to parts of the Pacific where extra man power is needed. Majuro only has four American at the Embassy, and one left for a month's vacation.  So, he is filling the gap.

He shared that Zika causes permanent damage to the growth of a baby's head/brain and nervous system and may cause blindness. The baby usually dies young and never has a normal life.  He had some rather scary facts about adults that have Zika, too.  It was rather concerning since my grandson was contaminated with it in Mexico.

Today, I was asked to speak at the Delap Ward RS Devotional.  Now, I really thought that it would be RS members in attendance.  Not here. It means that the RS presents the program, but everyone is invited.  So part of my visual aid to make reinforce the theme of my talk involved chocolate. I brought enough for the RS sisters and the YW, but not the extra young men, adult men, and children.  I was sad that this happened.

Except for my miscalculation of treats, it was a wonderful evening.  My goal was to help all of us feel the way that we did when we were baptized.  To quote Elder Quentin L. Cook "Can Ye Feel So Now?" was the basis of my talk.  Rubida, the Marshall High School Principal and  the ward YW President, translated for me.  She did an outstanding job.

Saturday, Elder Preston and I in-serviced the RS sisters on planting seeds in egg cartons, so they would have seedlings to plant in grow boxes in 4-5 weeks.  We were encouraged by the number of ladies who attended.  It was held at the RS president's home.  Her husband, the Bishop, provided an incredible barbeque for all of us.  He added his special sauce to chicken, pork, beef, and hot dogs.  Of course, there were mounds of white rice and cold bottles of water.

Bishop getting food ready with the
help of some ward boys.

Big yard with toys for their
children and all the children
around them.

Beautiful ocean backdrop.

Some of the boys from the ward, playing
and helping.

Wonderful RS sisters ready to produce seedlings.

Instructions from Elder Preston

Elder Preston instructing and
RS President translating.

Food was very good!!!!

They have a beautiful modern home, which is not the norm for Majuro and the view from their backyard was amazing.  We had a great time.  

Here's hoping that their seeds grow.

. . . Much like medicine, prayer works only when we use it as directed. . . .

Remember that we love you and you are in our prayers every day.
Love, Elder & Sister Preston

Jeptomba

We had a few more vendors at the Saturday morning Farmer's Market.  The goal is to have many local people sell their products at a price that is affordable by the community members and yet still for them to make enough money to make it worthwhile.

Saturday Farmer's Market

More local vendors.

Elder Coombs buying two large
lobsters for $5/lb. Only four
left when he arrived.

Second from left - Brother Tibon.
Councilman for the area and solid member
of the church.

Which lobster to pick?

We had our CLP meeting on Thursday instead of Wednesday, so we could celebrate Nicky's birthday. After learning about her sore shoulder, I did my first diagnosis for the month.  She has the shingles.  Follows the same nerve line that mine did in 2005.  Felt for her and was able to give some hints.

Happy Birthday Nicki.

 She had no idea what shingles were, so did a quick internet search on her phone.  Promptly realized that she does have it and has had it for a week.  She had a difficult time understanding that it is the same virus as Chickenpox and is highly contagious for children.

Earlier that week, we had the opportunity to attend an evaluation process for Nicki, RN and coordinator of the Taiwan Health Center at the MoH.  She is an amazing young woman in her early 30's who constantly tries to raise the bar and lift the awareness of good health care.

The interview consisted of our CLP team and the four high powered guests from Taiwan, who were evaluating everything she has done and how she follows through.  It was impossible for anyone to have anything negative to say.  Nicky has done everything and anything possible to impact better health awareness and care for the people in the MI.  Her collection of data out does any here that we have encountered.

The four people evaluators presented all of the CLP members with gifts at the end of the evaluation meeting:  A gold Tiawan map on a bottle opener; handmade phone bag from the artists of Taiwan and a clutch bag/pencil bag, plus we got a nice bag of dried mango. 

Gifts from Taiwan.

It brings an amount of humble pride when we observe our young elders look, act, and love being true dedicated missionaries.  Elder Ross and Elder Miva were talking to a young man after church.  I quietly snapped a picture and then shared it with them after the young man left.  They were so excited.  Not to have their picture taken, but by the direction that their investigator, John,  has chosen to follow.  The young man was so wanting to attend church that he arrived at 6:00AM.  Church started at 12:30PM, so he went to the 9:00 o'clock ward meeting, too. He had just told the elders told that he desires to be baptized in November. 

Then he asked, "After I am baptized, is it allowed for me to go with you when you teach the gospel to others?"  Life is good!

Golden Investigator.

Sunday:  We attended the Uliga Ward for three hours, and then attended their ward council.  After we attended only Sacrament meeting in the Delap Ward, to support the good Delap Bishop for that ward's Ward Conference.  We were sad to walk in late.  Normally we alternate between the two wards, but occasionally we attend parts or all of both.  The Stake and Ward leaders sitting on the stage looked very royal in their leis, handmade for them by the ward members to show honor and respect to them.

After the meeting, Bishop Ned took his off and had his wife put it around my neck.  I tried to tell him that it was to honor him as the good Bishop of the ward.  He said, "My honor is to give it to you."  

When we left the chapel and were making plans for an upcoming gardening presentation with the Delap RS president for next Saturday, another ward member put a lei around Elder Preston's neck. The people are so good to us.

Elder/Sister Preston & Yolanda Ned, RS President
and her daughter, Liahona.

I am blessed to have my own OR team:

Elder and Sister Coombs (Our office couple consists of a MD and a nurse.) have continued to clean and dress the sore on my leg since Thursday.  After doing some research, they think that I was bitten and infected by a sand fly.  

They started to work on it in the mission office but now they make house calls to our apartment.  They had to scrape the area clean to remove the infected area, add antibiotic, dressings, and plan to continue the process until it is better. 

Infection from a sand fly.

Great improvement

Two girls and one boy were baptized in our Uliga Ward. The boy was eight and the girls were nine years old.  I know - they look much younger than that.  Sisters Marie and Mohetau spent many weeks teaching them the lessons with the support of their grandmothers. 

 Raymond Saipia, from Tonga, baptized them.

Beautiful little children.

We are so grateful to serve as a humanitarian couple in the Marshall Islands.  We are continually blessed by so many. 

We are also grateful to have previously served under two incredible mission presidents and their wives in the ANM.  We were led by spiritual giants.

Serving is the best!  We grow, learn, and then do it again.

We appreciate your goodness, support, and love.

Hope your week is the best!

Love,

Elder and Sister Preston

Marshallese women have fun!

We had Friday weekly Outreach Clinic on Thursday this week, because were having a NCD meeting for five hours on Friday.  A little conflict of time!  

We usually have children attend every Friday, even though the screening is for adults.  These three little girls have attended all four weeks.

So cute.

What an event it was.  We had 24 for people who attended, which is very good for being the 4th of four weeks.  When we arrived, one of the ladies put a coconut candy necklace on Tanner, us, and Russell. When we were eating the fish stir-fry at the end, the group had pans of apples and oranges to add to the healthy food menu. We finished a little after 11:00A, which is unusual.  I'm thinking, "Wow, we are going to get to go earlier than normal!"

Group picture of participates and our CLP group.

Not happening:  The group planned a program for us to show their appreciation.  First they presented a Zumba dance to confirm to us that they are exercising.  

Then, they sang a song.  Of course, they were winded after dancing for a long routine and they had finished the morning of screening, exercising, cooking/eating, and having a health education class.  It took a few minutes to get control of their breathing and voices.

The women in the Marshall Islands have this tradition:  When women are dancing and/or singing, other women enter in front of the performers and spray them with different types of inexpensive perfume, water, or wipe lotion on their faces, arms and/or legs. 

Singing and getting lotioned by Connie, MoH Nurse.

Then everyone laughs delightfully. Also, individuals will jump in the middle of the stage area when the other performances have completed and hysterically make some movements with laugher bursting forth. 

Cathy- one of our RNs taking
down the performer.

Fun for all!

They truly have fun.

After their two performances, they got in a line dancing to the music while singing and presented gifts.  Most of the gifts were placed on the assigned table clothed table

Lovely handmade crafts for all of
the CLP workers.

except for the following:  Tanner, from the Wellness and leader of CLP, Russell from MelGov, and Elder Preston received handmade leis of honor. 

I talked Elder Preston into letting me take a picture of him wearing his lei before church on Sunday.  He was not a happy camper.

Trying not to smile.

 I started to laugh at the dismay shown on his face.  My laughter took on a mind of its own and I was having a difficult time trying to stay still enough to take the picture.  He almost started to smile, but didn't quite make it.

Notice the leis on Russell & Tanner.
Elder Preston took the picture, so you can't see his.

 I received a head piece, a beautiful purse, and slippers, which were handed to me individually by a variety of ladies with a hug.  When I received the slippers, I immediately took off my sandals and put the slippers on my feet.  This delighted the ladies, so then I had to do a dance. 

They were surprised delighted, when I entered the dance area and did a few seconds of movement.

These sisters joined me as I danced.

I don't normal see Elder Preston blush and I wish that I had had my IPAD ready for a picture.  When one of the ladies put a wreath around his neck, she loudly stated, "I love you."  So great!

We went to the first day of the Noncommunicable Disease (NCD) conference. It was outstanding.  Dr. Nia Aitaoto, from Arkansas who is originally from Samoa, and Dr. Trinidad spoke.  The called a spade a spade.  They really put it to the MoH, who often does an enormous amount of talking but not much action. I was so impressed.

Good group of Noncommunicable Disease (NCD) members.

 We have been hearing about blue starfish since the beginning of our mission.  We have looked everywhere that we were told they might be.  We decided it was a snip hunt.  Elder Preston will tell the rest of the story in his upcoming letter.

In case you have forgotten since last week - We love you and are so grateful that you are part of our world.

Elder & Sister Preston