September

Another productive week in the Marshall Islands/Kiribati Mission for Elder and Sister Preston.

We spent three days this week and will add one day next week delivering books sent to our mission from Deseret Books in the states to distribute to those who would benefit. The books were modern science fiction, a few literature books, and some DK books that were probably the best. (The books for the younger children are being used in the pre-school and after school program created by Elder and Sister Doig, who are the Self-reliant/Education missionaries.)

Before Sister Goodsell left, she and I categorized the books according to reading ability. Since Elder Preston and I had already made connections with the schools, I made the appointments with the principals to deliver the books. 

Students admiring the books at
CO OP Middle School.
Mr. Sidal, 6th grade advisor, is
in our ward.

Mr. Eric Hester, Librarian, from
San Bernadino, CA in the back
of the COOP Library.

      It was an exciting day for educators and students. Elder and Sister Doig were floating with delight as they presented the books to each of the schools.  Elder Preston captured some good moments.

E/S Doig with Assumption High School Librarian,
Erica Block, from Fortworth, Texas.

Sister Preston, Principal Biram Stege,
Sister Doig, & Elder Doig
Assumption HS

The Doigs plus Librarian and Assistant,
Merring Aine & Angeline Derum.

We were invited to Marshall Island
High School's weekly assembly
to gift the books.

Sister Doig presenting books,
while Sister Preston & Elder Doig
hold their favorites.

Vice-Principal, Rubida,  LDS
member, YW President, and our
friend bringing the 1100 students
to order.

I wish that you could have really seen the joy on the faces of these
teachers as they picked up the books.  The math teacher,
left front, let out a cheer.

Group photo with students.

Laura High School students examining the goods.

Laura HS Library.
L/S Doig.  In the back Sister Preston
found another friend, Mr. Tibon.

 It was Labor Day Holiday in the MI on September 1st.  Good news for us!  Our 4 1/2 hour health screening was canceled for Friday.  To celebrate, our CLP group went to the atoll/island of Calalen where we enjoyed snorkeling, eating, enjoying clean ocean water, and visiting with good people of MI, Japan, and the states.

     

It is always great to have more senior missionaries around us.  E/S Belshe, visiting our part of the mission on a special assignement from Tarawa, Kiribati,  joined us at a little eatery called Yummys.  

Sister Belshe, Sister Preston, Sister & Elder Doig,
Elder Preston.  Elder Belshe took the picture.

           Senior missionaries enjoy the hamburgers, fries, shakes.  (I like the quesadas.) It was only 89 degrees, which was great, because there is only outside seating.  Nice part - look at the view!

View from our table.

Minutes later - Sun is lower.

 As we continue to serve, come away from different situations, celebrate positive moments, and encounter bumps in the road, we often ask ourselves this question.  What did I learn from this experience, and what will I do different in the future?  Hopefully you have the opportunity to ask yourself the same question. 

Please remember how much we appreciate your goodness, support, and love.

Love always,

Elder and Sister Preston

Missionaries in the Marshall Islands/Kiribati Mission for 11 months:):)

Powerful Week.

We had the choice opportunity to attend the COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKERS DIABETES TRAINING WORKSHOP from Aug. 21-23 this week.  We had mixed feelings going into the first day of conference. In our past experiences attending conferences in the MI, we have heard an enormous amount of talk that led to no or little action. It is not uncommon to have statistics shared that are over five-seven years outdated.

We were pleasantly surprised by all three days.  Karen Fukfuka and Elesiva Na'ati representing SPC from Fiji were the main facilitators and speakers.  Both were incredibly bright women with an enormous amount of medical background and knowledge in diabetes.  Add to this description - they were excellent speakers and could read a crowd. 

 

I had to add this picture.
Elder Preston is actually smiling.
This is a keeper.
These are some of the people we work with every Friday.

One of the country's senators attended the conference.  Daisy is an advocate of growing gardens and eating nutritionally. She changed her lifestyle completely after attending a Wellness Center's presentation a few years ago. Daisy was overweight and experiencing health problems at the time. She and her husband, who live in an area that has more land, now grow a vast garden and share their seedlings with neighbors and people of interest. With great enthusiasm and power, she shared her insights and desires to promote a healthier lifestyle for the people in Majuro as well as in the outer islands.

Daisy, Senator.
Advocate for a healthier life.

The sessions passed quickly and before we realized it - the three days had come and gone.  (Didn't spend any time checking the time, because of lack of interest or boredom.)

Our hope is that those who attended will internalize the importance of  important facts/knowledge, share them, and implement them in a country, which is listed among the top five countries that are battling type 2 diabetes. This health issue is preventable and/or controllable. It is such an enormous challenge in the Pacific Islands.  Why?  Fruits and vegetables are not plentiful; soil on a coral island does not promote growth; large portions of white rice and fried chicken are the staples; all important celebrations and funerals are surrounded by enormous mounds of food - most not fitting into the nutritional realm; and physical activity seems to stop in the late 20's.  Customs are so hard to break.  We feel for the good people here and thoroughly enjoy working with them.

   

All those in attendance received a Certificate of Completion during the last 30 minutes of the conference.  Certificates are extremely valued in Majuro.  

 

Karen, E/S Preston, & Elisiva (Siva)
Great knowledgeable presenters.

We both received Certificates, too.

We had a valued spiritual boost when we attended the baptisms in the Rita/Jenrok Wards of two boys, one teenage girl, and a husband/father.  We enjoyed hearing the new members' testimonies at the end of the service.  The young girl was so nervous that she would start to laugh to mask her shyness and her true emotion, which was to cry.  This was probably the first time in her life that she stood in front of a group of people and spoke into a microphone. Once she was able to control her emotions, her testimony was sincere, strong, and meaningful. (I just wanted to hug her as she struggled.)

Sister missionaries on the ends.
Sweet children ready for baptisms.

Ready for baptism is the man second from the left.
Three missionaries and the ward missionary, who
baptized him.

This week has been laced with hours spent doing repairs in the apartments of the young missionaries.

Some repairs were due to poor management of the missionaries and many were due to the lack of quality of the buildings and/or items inside of the houses/apartments.

One of Elder Preston delights this week was preparing an excellent lesson and of course the dessert for  FHE.  I found a this yummy dessert on Facebook, which he does not view, but acutally wanted to use the idea.  E Preston found a waffle iron for sale at the local market and produced a popular well-like dessert for all of us.  

Since he made three of large servings, the extra one was served to Elder Doig and Elder Preston after hours of apartment repair work.  Two happy missionaries.

Happy Elders!

One ready to go.

Elder Preston turned his into a Mudpie.
One of his favorites.

As Relief Society members, we were invited to participate and/or attend the Majuro Stake Reliesf Society Musical Devotion.  The theme:  FOR MY SOUL DELIGHTED IN THE SONG OF THE HEART.  

What an amazing treat! Each ward sang two songs that invited the spirit for all.  I wish that I had a recording of their lovely voices, as they sang the hymns in harmony with and without music. Great tribute to our Savior. This moment rejuvenated my heart and my desire to be better.

Our dear Marshalese Sisters.

Thank you for your love and support.  You are the reasons that we keep moving forward. 

We love you,

Elder & Sister Preston

Kojeramon

Another week laced with tender mercies and blessings:

Mindy moved into her new townhouse on August 16th. Blessings have poured forth from the goodness of family and friends across many states and across the sea. Prayers have been answered. 

Sister Doig (a young - almost 70 years) had her cast removed from her broken wrist on Wednesday.  I was praying and hoping this would happen.  She has been the perfect example of how a person handles nonstop pain, still keeps working and serving; learns that there are limitless things she cannot do, but does not whine about it; and stays positive. We could all learn from her.  She knows how to do the hard things and make it look easy.

We had a very successful Zone Conference led by President Larkin.  Our young missionaries, who spoke and led discussions, were outstanding.

So true! 

Doesn't need to be explained.

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• I survived making six large pans of chicken enchiladas for the conference.  You know how much I "love" cooking - not.  Our American missionaries were so jazzed.  That is the reason that I wanted to do it.    

A lot of food. Will it be enough?

Love serving the young
sisters and elders.

We had our CMI Kitchen Kojeramon/Celebration on Wednesday.  What a joyous moment!  Elder Preston did a remarkable job.  We have truly made some forever friends by having the opportunity to support this college to have a kitchen/nutrition classroom.  First ever for this campus that has existed for 41 years.  

Stocked the new kitchen.

More items.

Bego and Sister Preston.
So happy for this occasion.

Coconut milk & water.

Congratuations!

Decorations add to a celebration.

Kelly, the tall one, and her
student helpers in
making the ribbon cutting
moment official.

Our Program.
Elder Preston is the STAR!

Doctor/President Theresa Koroivulaono.
CMI President and true educator.
She is a devote Catholic who has great respect for the LDS
Church.  She mentioned the full name of our church many
times in her speech.

Stake President Zedhkeia Zedhkeia

Isaac Marty, CMI Student
The writer of the Journal Article that
brought us to CMI.
A member of the LDS Church.
(We didn't know it until the celebration.)

Rachel dreamed of this
kitchen for 8 yrs.
She was the MC.

A Fantastic Talk by such a humble man.
So grateful for Elder Preston.

A tribute song to
Elder & Sister Preston

Ribbon Cutting Ceremony by
Dr. Koroivulanono & Sister Preston

A very happy group.
Elder Preston, President Koroivulaono, Sister Preston,
Moses (Nutrition Teacher & RN), Rubidah LDS member and
assistant to CMI President, Stake President Zedhkeia,
Isaac Marty - CMI Student & Journal writer.
(5 of the 7 are members of the Church of Jesus Christ
of Latter-day Saints.)

Students love food.

Food supplied by LDS Charities.
We represent this wonderful
organization here.

Life is good!

Two coconuts gave us over three glasses of drink.

A great character picture of a long-time CMI teacher
who often attends the Farmer's Market, where
we prepare nutritional dishes.

This mission is very different than our previous one.  Humanitarian service opens many doors.  We hope that we know when to enter, support, and hopefully make a difference.

Thank you for always making a difference in our lives.

We love you,

Elder & Sister Preston