Two weeks until Christmas

Our week has been filled to the brim.  We arrived back in Majuro at 10:35A on Tuesday even though we left Honolulu at 7:00A on Monday (love passing the international dateline - not); Elder Doig kindly retrieved us; we took our luggage home; changed out of travel clothes; and arrived at the INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON NON-COMMUNICABLE DISEASES (NCD) for the rest of the day and again on Wednesday. 

Yes, this is our conference!

 An entire crew arrived from Taiwan, Nicki's evaluators, plus Ingrid, who will be replacing Nicki in February.  Nicki has remained one of our favorite contributors and dedicated workers in helping hospital staff, community participants, and CLP members in producing step by step progress towards educating and promoting better health in the Marshall Islands.

Five health care professionals (doctors, foot care specialists, dieticians) taught specific health care education: introduction to diabetes; Diabetic Foot care; how to prevent diabetes; healthy food choices; amputation & rehabilitation. These were taught in small groups and then the groups rotated, so all the participants were in a smaller learning environment and important questions could be answered.

Tanner Smith, Canvasback Mission and administrator of the Wellness Center, gave an whole group presentation on the benefits of exercise.  His wife, Kristen - co-partner in all his endeavors, was the MC. 

Tanner & Kristen (MC) Smith - Wellness Center,
 and Nicki (Taiwan Health Center Coord.)

This is probably the best conference that we have attended since our arrival 14 months ago.  Most of the participants stayed the entire two days, which is a miracle around here.  Usually there are many who arrive to eat and then they quietly disappear.  Not this time.

We feel the reasons were:  Russell, Malgov, and Tolina, MoH, made sure that many of the people in the walking clubs attended.  There were fewer hospital employees and more community members.  So many of them want to learn and were excited to be a part of the group.

After the group instructions, each participant signed up to be a part of a student presentation for the second day.  There were many who put in a lot of work and it was evident from the quality of their presentations that they had retained important concepts to move forward in their communities.  What a difference! 

Small group preparing presentation
on Introduction to Diabetes.
Note the good-looking man in the red shirt.

Group in action.

Healthy food presentation by participants.

Of course, we had the people in the upper crust, who have a lot of power:  Hon. Ladie Jack, Mayor of Majuro Atoll Local Government (We actually rent a missionary apartment from him.); Rev. Ainrik George, NCD chairman; Dr. Chien-Huang Lin, President of Taipei Medical University (visiting doctor from Taiwan for this conference) HE. Diann-Wen Tang, Ambassador of the Republic of China (Taiwan) to the RMI; Hon. Kalani R. Kaaneko, Minister of Health & Human Services.

Woman - 4th from the right - Julia Allred, Secretary
of the Ministry of Health.
She could be a great support to our programs if
she decides to be.

We have a new doctor: Dr. Darlene Belonio, Internist, who will take Dr. Lusi's place over the NCD clinic.  She is from the Philippines.  She looks like she is 14 years old, (Could this be because we are aging?) but is very intelligent and has a great work ethic.  

New internist teaching a small group.
Note the learner on the second row.

Our only concern is that she is very mild and soft spoken.  We really need someone who can take charge and give people a kindly push in the corrrect direction.  We are hopeful.

It is the tradition of the Marshallese people that at the end of each important conference, they sing a traditional song and present gifts.  These moments are wonderful and there are usually a few of the participants that add some extra joy to the event. We had some great videos for this, but I upgraded my IPAD and it will no longer read them.  Ugh.

Amazing group of participants learning about
having a HEALTHY LIFESTYLE!
Note - certificates of participation!

We were asked by Raymond, counselor in our Uliga Ward, if we would teach institute while he, his wife, and two young daughters, returned to Tonga for two months.  They have not been in their native country for almost two years.  His wife teaches Chemistry and Math at the college, and Raymond is a student and takes care of the two girls while she works. 

So Wednesday evening we were back in the institute mode, where we have great memories.  Elder Preston taught the lesson.  We really didn't know if anyone would attend and were pleasantly surprised to have five students. (Two of them were our students when we taught last year.)

Friday we had our typical but not so typical follow-up Outreach clinic in Berrack.  The unusual part: We had two vans full of people from Taiwan who videoed and took pictures of every single thing that happened.  We also usually just do the health screening on the follow-up and then shoes and shirts are given to participants who have continued in the walking clubs, plus prizes are given to the people who lose the most weight, have lowered blood pressure, or lowered blood sugar level.

Because of all the journalists and photographer attending, we also did the cooking demonstration, the health education, and the exercising.  

When everything was done and we were packing up all the supplies, the 20x20 tent, and the 50 chairs, this wonderful group received their new walking shoes and/or green walking shirts.

Green group of people changing their lifestyles.

Then they put on their new green shirts that they gained from being committed walkers at least 3 times a week and performed a dance for us. We thoroughly enjoy these moments.

Please enjoy the large wonderful lady on the far left behind the wooden pole.  We have become good friends.  She has a beautiful voice and we just enjoy her humor.

Our lives are full and we continue to meet new people and have ongoing opportunities to enjoy our partnerships with others who serve the good people of the Marshall Islands.

There are small moments when we think of the Christmas music, actitivies, good food, and our wonderful loved ones in our favorite country. Then we get busy and serve so homesickness does not become overwhelming.

We love you,
Elder & Sister Preston