Traveling the Islands of Chuuk

Here in the islands of Chuuk the locals travel the seas by a small skiff. The usual is a 19-23 foot skiff that can carry a number of passengers. Years ago they used to have water taxis, larger boats that carried the islanders to the different islands in the lagoon for a $1.00 each way. Now as seen below they will put as many as they can in one boat. In the first picture we see that they are coming for a circuit assembly to Moen from the island of Tonoas. And then leaving after the assembly. 

NEW MISSIONARIES

It has been sometime now that we were hoping to get new missionaries here in the islands of Chuuk. Well last Sunday we had a new couple arrive from the Philippines. They have graduated from the Bible School for Married Couples and were serving in a very isolated territory in the Philippines. They were special pioneering in the area where there is a big influence from the Muslim population. They are now excited to be here in Chuuk and look forward to learning the new language and applying their training to serve the congregation here. Meet Petronilo and Jonith Gran.

Petronilo & Jonith Gran

Petronilo trying his new presentation.

Meet Some of our Friends

We wanted to start posting some of the pictures of the brothers and sisters in our congregation here in Chuuk. We will try to post some of their pictures throughout the next few weeks or so, this will allow you the chance to know them. Below you will see the pictures of one of our Missionaries with two young sisters, the picture of Cylene David from the Philippines and the picture of young Zia Sturdivant who arrived here with her parents to work where there is a need for more publishers. (Recently they have moved on to the Marshall islands.)

Left to Right: JennyJen Asor,
Natalie Balboa
 (Missionary from Philippines),
& Maraine Nakayama

Cylene David with her son Kirou

Zia Sturdivant

Getting to the Territory

Some days it takes a little longer than usual to get to the territory to preach. On this particular day we took a sailboat to another part of our island. Afterwards we boarded a dingy and traveled through the mangroves to begin our preaching. As seen in the pictures we had a couple of Chuukese boys lead us through the mangroves to find our first house. It is always an adventure, but the rewards are always great. 

RETURNING FROM PREACHING

This is an older photo. The picture was taken while we still had the brothers and sisters from South Africa and Japan here in Chuuk. Since then they have moved on to the Marshall islands, in particular they have settled in Majarou. We had enjoyed a day of preaching on Udot with locals from Tonoas and a visiting brother from the Guam branch office. It was a beautiful ending to a great day of preaching on Udot. We were on a 42 foot catamaran sailboat and had enough room to relax and enjoy the trip home including the amazing sunset.

Another Sunset

This was taken a few months back, but it is worth showing. From time to time we are able to go to the local hotel and enjoy happy hour! In local terms: "Everything is more cheaper." I guess that is correct. And the view is wonderful.

Fun In Dublon

Friends of ours from Pennsylvania sent some supplies for the locals here in Chuuk. After the meeting one day we enjoyed the afternoon of making different hair pieces, wrist bands, and necklaces. It is wonderful to see how simple things can be so much fun. Enjoy the short slide show.