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

Thanksgiving

Dear family and friends,

This week there is a chance that our friends and family in the states enjoyed eating too much holiday food, enjoy the celebrated day with family/friends or might have pretended that the holiday wasn't happening and continued with daily happenings.  Either way please remember that we count you as our most priceless blessings. Never enough days in the year to recount tender mercies.  Sometimes distance in miles and/or time makes these quiet events even more meaningful.

The saga of the school furniture project took on a life of its own:  A quick timeline:

1.    We have a project to obtain second hand school furniture from a Charity in New Zealand.  We pay for the shipping and the country of MI waivers all the fees to enter the country.  DONE.

2.    Furniture was to arrive November 1.  We heard nothing.

3.    We were told that the furniture had arrived when we received the shipping invoice, which was November 1.

4.    Ministry of Education (MoE) was redoing their parking lot, so we had to wait for a place to park the large cargo container.

5.    Finally on Friday, November 24 we were told that it would be placed Monday at Marshall Islands HS.

6.    We set the time for 3:00P and all parties agreed.

7.    We waited until 4:00P when Elder Preston called Donny at Stevedores,  to find our when the cargo container was going to arrive.  He checked and told us that the previous job took longer and they should arrive in 30-60 minutes.  After another hour and 1/2, E Preston called again.  Donny - "It isn't there yet?  I'll check. "

8.    Called back and we were told that they could not find the cargo container.

9.    On the next day, Wednesday, we went to Stevedores to check and they said that they checked again and it could not be found.

1.  We went to Damian, who is over the shipping/customs, etc.  He said that it looked as though it would be on the next ship because the cranes were down.  Expect arrival on Monday, November 27.

1.  As we were sitting in another meeting, Elder Preston received a call that Damian's employee had found the cargo container and it had been opened and was empty.

1.  Really - you have to be kidding.  How can 250 piece of furniture disappear before it is checked by customs. After our meetings we returned to Stevedores and reported to Donny the story.  Elder Preston asked if we could go look for the container.  Of course - how could he say - "NO?"

1.  We walked around and between MANY huge cargo containers.  I walked in muddy area that came into my sandals, but we were determined - No find!

We're on a furniture finding trek.

So many shipping cargo container!

Checking numbers.

Tijio came to rescue!

Container found. It is still bound.

Trying to take a picture of the container
number.  I needed spiderman's help.

1.    E Preston called Damien and asked, "Where was the container?  We cannot find it."  Damien said that he would send Tijio to show us where it was.  He would be there at 1:00P. 

1.    We returned at 1:00.  No Tijio.  Finally - another phone call.  Damien gave us the number and after calling the wrong number, Craig talked to Tijio.  He said he would arrive in 10 minutes.  (Heard that one before.) 

 ..  He did arrive and immediately took us to it.  It was down a very narrow area and was stacked high above the large propane cargo containers is the area where only empty containers are stored to be returned to owner in another country.  Good News! The seal was still on.  The container had not been opened.

2.    Tender mercy.  They actually took an hour and the container was delivered.  (Our container was very close to having been returned to New Zealand with all the furniture inside.)

      We realize that you have looked at so many pictures of our every Friday 4 1/2 hour health screening which includes gathering info on patient's blood sugar, blood pressure, weight and height; health education; exercise; and cooking demonstrations where all the participants learn/prepare a new healthy recipe and then eat the food. 

Nicki, Elder Preston, & Anne

We always need a picture of the participants.
Some left after their own health
screening which is free.  

Couldn't let this hypertension education lesson pass by without sharing pictures of three of my favorite people.  (Elder Preston, Nicki from Taiwan Health Clinic, and Anne who works at the Wellness Center)  We have spent many hours weeks, and months with these people.

We would like to end our blog this week by sharing a quote from Shakespere, King Lear in act 1 brought again to our attention by Elder Holland.

There are times in our lives when feelings are so deep and personal, even so sacred, that they either cannot be or should not be expressed-like Cordelia's love for her father, of which she said: "my love's ... richer than my tongue. ... I cannot heave my heart into my mouth."

We love, appreciate, and miss you.
Elder & Sister Preston

Happenings

A week packed with many good-byes and a very rich Mission Tour Conference led by Elder and Sister Ardern of the 70's.  He is our newest counselor in our area presidency.  This incredible day reminded me of the zone conferences held by Presidents Rowe and Grant each month in the ANM.  We were consistently rejuvenated and ready to serve more thoroughly with the knowledge that it was possible.

 

Great group of missionaries having lunch
prepared by the senior missionaries.

Sister Ardern shared a true story about her interactions with a nine year old girl when she and Elder Ardern were the Mission Presidents serving in Fiji eight years ago.  They befriended this young girl, who was the only active member of her family.  Twelve years later as the Arderns were driving to the temple in Fiji and passed the area where this young girl had lived, Sister Ardern wondered what happened her.  Upon entering the temple, a temple worker met them and asked them if she knew the little girl standing with a woman in a picture that she showed her.  Sister Ardern recognized her little friend standing with herself and said yes as she stated the girl's name.  The lady hurried outside to retrieve the now 20 year old girl in the picture.  They hugged.  For 12 years that picture hung on the wall of her very humble one room home in Fiji.  The young girl's mother was the one working in the temple and became reactivated after many years.

We loved her statement:  "Ordinary people can do extraordinary things."

E/S Preston and President & Sister Ardern

For FHE, we went to the airport to say good-bye to two of our missionaries.  Sister Paku, from New Zealand, was an absolute jewel.  She stayed true to her mission no matter what happened.  She is will be very missed.

Elder Polson is on his way home to Oregon.  He has served during the hard times has survived it all with a smile on his face.  He worked very hard as one of our APs.

Elder Polson is in the suit and Sister Paku
is second from the right. Her companion
is next to her and the other two are the APs.

We learned that our dear friend, Allison Hsu, is being transferred to Thailand after only one year.  She is the first woman to be the administrator over Taiwan Technical Farms.  Her work ethic, honesty, abilities to get the most difficult projects productive, and over all goodness to everyone has been such an enormous support for so many of our projects as well as the schools, local government, and the Wellness Center.  She was hoping to be here for the normal 3 years and then retire.  This transition was a unexpected.  (A lot of this - lately.)

She is being replaced her with a "nice" man who has been working in Central American.   Hopefully he will be as proactive as Allison, who has obtained 94% of her projected goals in her first year.

Sister Preston, Allison Hsu, Elder Preston

We had the last office meeting led by Elder Coombs.  I had the spiritual thought and had worked very hard to keep it in check because my heart is so sad to see Elder and Sister Coombs leave  for Tonga for the last year of their mission

.

Sister Seager said the opening prayer and when she stated her humble words about the Coombs, she could hardly be heard through her tears.

At that moment, my tears and emotions were difficult to contain. 

I shared the following:

D&C 49:27 Behold, I will go before you and be your rearward; and I will be in your midst, and you shall not be confounded.

Isaiah 41:13 For I the Lord thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee.

I related that with faith we are able to move forward and that the Coombs would be blessed by in their new area/country/mission.

Wednesday evening we said good-bye to our dear friends, Elder & Sister Coombs.  They served six months in our mission as the very important and outstanding office couple.  She was also our mission nurse.  We were in good hands.  They have received a transfer to Tonga, where they will serve in the dental office.  Elder Coombs is an oral surgeon.  We will miss them so much.

Back row:  Elder Seager, Pres. & Sis. Larkin,
Elders Coombs and Preston.
Seated:  Sisters Seager, Coombs, and Preston

MI flag standing tall as the Coombs leave.

 It is unusual to do an Outreach Clinic on Thursday, but we did so.  President's Day was on Friday so all schools, national businesses, etc were be closed.  - Holiday Time.

Exercise education
for Outreach Clinc.

Many came to be screened
and to learn.

Exercise can be fun even it is 93 degrees.

Children who don't go to school enjoy copying funny
adults as they exercise.

Tuesday, November 14, 2017 was World Diabetes Day.  It is nice that they had it on the same day as Elder Preston's birthday.  Yes, it is the big one.

We had a wind rain storm that swept through the tents.  Everyone grabbed a pole to keep the 20x20 foot tents from flying away.  Then sunshine and heat returned.

Two of our Japanese friends

Another tent raising.

Jon Overy, member of our Uliga Ward,
and his band relaxing  before they perform.
(Assumption Catholic HS students)

The first icon on the bottom of the CLP banner
is LDS Charities.

Band in action.

Rain storm hit - hang on to the tent.

People trying to avoid the rain & taking pictures.

Dancing in the rain.

Saturday, we attended and help with WORLD FOOD DAY!  Yes another celebration.  

When we arrived at the World Food Day, I had no assignment.  Craig did blood pressure and my job was taken over by the nurses, which was great.  They speak the language.  I talked to Allison and a few other people and took a lot of pictures.

Tried to buy some cherry tomatoes from the market set up by Taiwan Farms, but I was too far back in the line.  Maybe another time.  I miss tomatoes.  They are a favorite.

They had cars decorated; Assumption High School Band; local walking clubs who walked to the event and then danced for us (this was delightful); many fruit and vegetable plants were given away; many booths; cooking by CLP and Taiwan Farms; vegetables, fruit, items, and fish for sale.

There was good participation. 

#5

#1

#2

#3

#4

True - the pictures are not in order. 

Surprise.

 To do something positive for Craig, on our return trip from Laura when we gave Allison her gift and said, "Good-bye," Craig found 3 more mile markers.  One was lying across the roots of a tree and he had to lift over 200 pounds to get it standing, so that I could take pictures.  It was concerning for a few minutes.  I knew that if it slipped onto him, I would not be able to lift it to free him.  His determination paid off. 

When we finished the picture taking and Craig laid the cement monument down again, the on looking children clapped.  It was cute to see their celebrating smiles.

Found another mile marker.

This one was harder to find.  When Elder Preston spotted it,
a young man was using it for a bench.

Lifing over 200 hundred pounds of concrete.

Age is no barrier.

Success again.

Half buried - 3rd marker.

We are so grateful to all of you.
This has been a challenging week on the
home front.  We appreciate the support
to those whom we love.
Love, E/S Preston

Dig it out with a tire wrench.
Use what is available!

Voting/Veterans Day

Dear family and friends,

We were still able to vote from across the sea. (Love the internet.) Hopefully you took full responsiblity to value the privilege to vote and to relish being a citizen of the grand USA.  Even though we as American are held in distaste by many, millions seem to take all kinds of illegal chances or work for many years to gain entrance.

Let's never forget to honor the thousands of veterans who served with honor to keep our country free.  These two items add to why I love the month of November.

We have been visiting many of the public school to choose which one needs the furniture that we have had shipped to the MI from a charity in New Zealand.  They donate the good second hand school furniture and LDS Charities pays for the shipping.  We had to get many official stamps from many different government departments to have the fees and taxes waivered.  Worth every hour.

Have to share the bell system at the local schools again.  All that is needed is a hammer and sound resonates across the entire area.

Propane Tank/Bell and
only pure drinking water in the cooler on
the bench for the entire school.
Be sure to bring you own cup or share the
one red available red plastic cup.

We also got to observe the students planting new seeds and seedlings donated by Canvasback Missions.  We are going to partnership with them to build fences around the gardens at the schools that don't already have protestion from animals and people.

Upper graders learning planting skills
from their teacher.

Love this man.

On our return trip, Elder Preston spotted another mileage marker from decades ago, so pictures were needed. He loves documenting historical monuments/markers.

There were so many incredible thoughts and powerful insightful messages of strength and courage to have a better life shared in conference.  Here are a few that hit me today.  Who knows which ones will be at the forefront tomorrow:

"Whenever change in life's circumstance may come our way, and whatever unexpected path we may have to travel, how we respond is a choice." pg. 96

 "Hard makes us stronger, humbles us, and gives us a chance to prove ourselves."  pg. 112

"God does notice us, and he watches over us.  But it isusually through another person that he meets our needs."  May we each recognize the privilege and blessing it is to participate. . . pg. 27

May you have a good week and find the happy side of life.

We love you,
Elder and Sister Preston