Celebrations in Majuro

As I was sitting in the RS class while quietly listening to the closing prayer spoken in Marshallese, I heard the most beautiful choir of young male singers.  After "amen" was said I walked across the cultural hall to the door to the only room in this church that has AC(not working of course) and in that small room were all the YM men singing.  Not all of the boys had access to a hymn book and the song was being sung in English.  Both times when they sang the chorus the music was priceless and the volume was far reaching. I immediately told them how wonderful they sounded.  After I left, I saw the Bishop walking across the walkway.  I hurriedly told him how magnificent the YM's singing was and suggested that next month when the YW/YM spoke, it would be so great if they could sing.  Bishop Ned smiled and said, "We started singing that song last week.  I'll see what I can do."

As we driving away, the Bishop waved us down.  I rolled down my window and he said that the YM would be singing in Sacrament next Sunday.  I guess that we will be going to both wards again next week.  Can hardly wait!!!

Yes, we just returned from Sacrament Meeting in Delap and the YM did sing SECRET PRAYER.  The harmony was wonderful.  Next week we will try to video them singing in their classroom and share it with you.

The people who work for Tanner in the Wellness Center are very special to us.  They work hard and smile even when life is a challenge. They make so many people happy.

Sister Preston surrounded by good people.

Four roses surrounded by two thorns.

We did a second week of health screening and education at Rita Salvation Army Church.  Many people came and many have high blood sugar and high blood pressure.  So sad. Shra, MoH employee, is sharing the education lesson after the health screening.  Then we have the raffle ticket drawing and the prizes.  Stay + listen to the education = a chance to win!  The strategy works.

Shra is teaching.
Are the people listening?

We did a health screening at the two day Majuro Days celebration in Laura on today, Friday.  Wow!  There were hundreds of people.  Not many were interested in having their vitals taken when the atmosphere was filled with dancing, talking, eating lots of food and celebrating.  We tried. 

As we doing the health screening, I looked across the field and spotted a whole box of See's suckers that was being sold individually.  How could this be?  I pointed it out to Elder Preston.  This good man purchased me one.  

See's suckers in MI.

Our CLP Outreach Team.

Shra and her sixth grandchild
6 months old.  2 lbs. 13 oz at birth.

Louisa, our neighbor from Taiwan,
thought I was doing a video of her.

Laura Elementary School boys performing in the parade.

Float displaying local fruits.

Please enjoy watching these two boys.  I was late
in capturing his flip as he ran off the front of the
truck to the field.

At the end of the parade. A few people entered the field
dancing.

Only the VIPs joined the dancing.

A few more of the VIPs joined the group.

See if you can find the tall Majuro Sheriff from the
state of Washington.

We returned to Laura on Saturday with E/S Doig to see what was happening on the second day of Majuro Celebrations.  It was raining very hard, so the numbers were much smaller.  They did have a 800 meter race by the teenagers and we got to see Elizabeth and her two daughters.

Mat making competition.
People sleep on them.
Use them for rugs.
Hang them on wall for
picture background.

800 Meter race.

Elizabeth and her two daughters, Lillian & Pearlina.
Love this family.

You might have had the opportunity to read about the ferry that sunk in Kiribati, which is a huge part of our mission.  Plywood made government boat was carrying 84,000 lbs. of cobra and 100 people.  The boat is only capable and is legal to transport 50 people.  It sunk leaving only seven survivors.  Death was slow for many. The story is so sad.  If the captain had returned to shore when the passengers begged him to do; had enough life jackets (or any) on board; had any emergency equipment that is supposed to be on all boats to call for help; or only carried the amount of pounds that the boat was to hold, the people would all be here today. 

It was a week before the government in Tarawa even started looking for the boat.  When journalists appeared to share the story that had already been on facebook at the end of the three week ordeal, they were kicked out of the country and their laptops with pictures and notes were deleted.

People can complain about their governments, but all of us should grateful for the good things that happen and do something productive about the things that could be better.  We are so blessed.

Manmade disaster vs. natural disaster:

Cyclone Gita did a lot of damage in Tonga.  Our good friends, Elder and Sister Kapp have kept all of us up to date through the ordeal. Our LDS chapels are the finest buildings in all the Pacific Islands.  Consequently members and many nonmembers found safety inside these well built structures. There were no fatalities and our many young missionaries are working diligently to help clear and reestablish the communities again. So many people from around the world want to do something to help them. The best way to help is to send funds to lds.org, where the money will be spent wisely with no middle money making people.  Elder Kapp has done an excellent job of capturing the damage of this event.  Please visit their blog at /http://kennybecky.blogspot.com/ where the real story is revealed.

As a reminder - WE LOVE YOU!

Elder & Sister Preston