Endings do come

We are entering our last week as Humanitarian Missionaries in the Marshall Islands/Kiribati Mission.  The hours are passing so quickly, that running doesn't seem to help.

Even good times come to an end.  

Early Tuesday morning Elder Preston went with Elder Seager and the APs to the island of Arno.  This is a first time that missionaries have served there.  Elder Demke from Tennessee and Elder Tuilagi, from New Zealand are the two lucky elders who are traveling with the four just mentioned.  The excitement was contagious.  They traveled by boat.  It had been raining hard since five that morning, so the sea was rough.  Unfortunately with the rise and fall of the boat, wind, and heavy rain, Elder Preston's vertigo grabbed ahold of him, but as always, he braved it through.

Breakfast before getting on the boat.
Elders on the end will be serving on the small island, Arno.
Elder Preston with the APs.

Ready to go.

Bishop Ned & Elder Preston after arriving in Arno.
A little wetter.

TThey had an amazing trip in spite of Elder Preston being dizzy and sick.  He will have great pictures for you.  They were supposed to arrived home around noon, but they arrived closer to 4:00PM.  The APs helped bring in coconuts for us.  The three of them were so drenched that my pictures could not captured how wet they were, because there was not a dry dot on any of them.

3 drenched elders.

Wednesday, we said good-bye to E/S Doig.  We have served for 18 months with them.  We could not have served with a more hard-working, sharing, giving couple, who are also blessed with great senses of humor.  They will be missed by everyone.

Elder & Sister Doig
The center of our mission.

Thursday we finally got to go to Rongrong.  Elder Preston will have the great pictures of the island, water, and more of the people.  I just wanted to share a few. Our main reason for the trip was to present a Health Education segment on the problems of tobacco for the high school students and good Marshallese local game activities for the elementary schools.  

Elder Preston always like to be where
he can see everything.

Closer view.

Upon arriving, the school had also planned a mission group from their Majuro church to do a presentation which would last most of the day, so our project was cancelled after we arrived.  What do you do?  Have a great day snorkeling, eating, and playing.

Perfect day for a trip to an outer island.

Our group!

Gilligan gathering shells. ::)

Great caption of a good man.

We do know how to have fun.

We have received many gifts of Marshallese crafts as going away presents.  As we were driving away from DO IT BEST (our home depot away from home), I said of all the t-shirts that I have seen, I would love having a DO IT BEST one.  Guess what?  I received one.  No one will miss me walking early in the morning wearing this.  

Receiving my new shirt from Travis, surrounded by
employees.

Travis, who is the manager of DO IT BEST, had his little girl with him one day at work, so I captured the two of them.  She is so cute and so smart.

Travis & Tautiana

Friday, we attended our last Outreach.  Thought you might enjoy seeing the 20 x10 foot tent that had to be hauled and erected every time, plus chairs and tables had to be brought, along with all our health screening supplies.  Set-up and take-down took much time at each event.  Note that the Malgov workers.  Some are working and some just stand and watch the workers.

Stage 1.

Almost ready.

Lift quickly.

We have our apartment cleaned and most of our bags packed.  We need to be ready for Elder & Sister Skibbe who are arriving Monday.  We will have 2 1/2 days to have them meet our working contacts, learn where buildings and meetings are held, review multiple projects, understand the finances that are necessary to do these project and where and how to buy the merchandize, plus add the many mission responsibilites to the weekly schedule.

We are excited that we will be able to pass the baton to such capable people.  Elder & Sister Skibbe have lived the last 13 years in Australia.  They are originally from Eastern Germany.  He is an engineer and she is a RN, who specializes in Diabetic Education.  Perfect match for this area.  

Hugs are coming.

Love,
Elder & Sister Preston