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