SEARCHING FOR ARITFACTS

As most of you know the islands of Chuuk were a hot spot during World War II. There are many artifacts from that war that lie at the bottom of the ocean as well as on many of the islands here in Chuuk. You will find them on Moen, Tonoas, in the Mortulock islands and some of the smaller islands here in the lagoon. 

We set out to see some of the cannons in the caves just above our home. The young Chuukese boys said that it was going to be about a 10 minute walk up the hill. I guess their 10 minutes translates into 45 minutes or longer. We left about 1:30 in the afternoon and didn't return until 4:30 or so. I call it a walk but it was a moderate to difficult hike to the top. But the views and terrain was beautiful and enjoyable to take in. 

Once to the top we had a great view looking over the lagoon and explored a large cave system left behind by the Japanese army. The boys encouraged us to go to the top, but after surveying the terrain we decided best to be happy with what we saw and return back down the mountain side. It was a great day with many stories to tell.

We Begin.

Our fearless leaders.

Aaron finding his way out of the weeds.

We stumble across the caves.

The natives are restless!

Garypo and his two birds.

On the way back down. Do you like Kathleen's
hiking outfit?

FONAU (Fono)

During Aaron and Christy's stay we planned a service trip to the island of Fonau. You can check our May 2012 post, which was the last time this territory was worked. We had a very kind reception from the Mayor and the Village Chief. Both welcomed our work and allowed us to spend the whole day preaching in their villages. Everyone, almost everyone, warmly welcomed our visit. (Except the man who Aaron talked to who said "he was busy building his Church.") 

There is a population of about 400 on this small island close to Moen. There were six of us all together and we were able to cover the island in one day. Afterwards we made a short trip for a quick swim, in service clothes, on a small picnic island they call Pissiwi.

Searching for the Mayor & Village Chief.

The island of Fono.

Met on shore by a boy and his bird.

Immediately met by the locals wanting magazines.

Kathleen calling on a woman.

Lunch time!

Very attentive!

Basketball Chuukese style.

Our service group for the day.

A view of Moen from Fono.

Fun on Pissiwi! Swimming in Service Clothes.

Good Times

Aaron & Christy
PS - Christy I posted it in a higher resolution just for you.

Last week we had our friends come to visit from Guam. Meet the Suttons, who moved to Guam in 2009 from Salem, Oregon. During our many travels through Guam they kindly had us stay with them, including a two week stay for Pioneer School back in 2012.  We have been anticipating their visit for some time now and thoroughly enjoyed having them here for a little more than a week. (Not long enough) It was an awesome time in service and exploring the wonderful things here in Chuuk. More to come from their stay........ But here they are upon their arrival and on to Truk Stop for Sun-downers and the sunset!

Drinks at Truk Stop Hotel

Relief Supplies

As posted earlier we have been involved with relief work since Typhoon Maysak hit our islands of Chuuk. The brothers and sister in Guam we very generous as well as the local branch office. But we also had help from a elementary school in New Jeresey. The students from that school gathered clothes, tooth brushes and tooth paste, toys, school supplies and some other materials. We are posting a short video thanking the Thomas Payne Elementary School for their help and support. 

AUDIO TRAINING

The past two weeks Curtis was invited to receive training in audio recording at the Remote Translation Office here in Chuuk. It was a detailed class on the use of such programs as Pro Tools, and Final Cut Pro. It was a lot of information to process in only two weeks time. Jehovah's organization is truly amazing and producing some wonderful Bible educational audio and video products.

Kondo Parks instructing
us on the work flow.

Learning computer applications

Patrick Calhoun will be the
 audio contact in Guam

Jun Gran taking it all in.

The whisper room with Kurt Pfister.

Cleaning up the files. Very intense work.

Our work stations.

2015 Regional Convention

Our "Imitate Jesus" (Appiru Jises) Regional Convention was held on August 29-30, 2015. We enjoyed a peak attendance of 101, which is more than double our 41 publishers. This was despite having two days of heavy winds and rain. They rain was blown under the structure and at one point everyone in attendance moved to one side of the auditorium to avoid getting wet. We had a number of 1st time attenders who enjoyed the two day convention. One Brother had his Bible Study, who is blind, attend from the island of Tonoas. It was truly a very encouraging and spiritually up-building weekend.

Our stage with video screen above.

Auditorium

Day 1

Kathleen sporting a chuukese dress.

SKE Meeting

Matleen Sonis (Special Pioneer, Kuni Shirai (Pioneer)

AV Department

Watchtower commentors ready to go on stage.

Kathleen and Curtis commenting during WT

Enjoying the program on day 2.

Clean up.

Robertson Family

Tom and Cindy Robertson

Tom and Cindy Robertson are leaving the Moen Congregation for a new start in Florida. They have been with our Congregation for the past two years and have made many new friends here in Chuuk.  They moved to Chuuk after spending many years in Taiwan and China. We know that they will enjoy their new Congregation.

Food, food and more food.

Jun and Jonith Gran enjoying the food.

One hungry little girl. Marianne

Local entertainment and a good bye song.

Off to Florida.

SAPUK

Sapuk is a small village on the north east side of the island of Meon or Weno. We live only some 7 miles from this village, but to travel there by car still takes about 45 minutes. This is due to the poor road conditions. There are 4 publishers that live in this part of the island and cover the territory very thoroughly. We still enjoy working this territory and is one of the most beautiful parts of the island. Back in 2009 and 2010 we used to travel there every Sunday and conduct meetings in a local hut. We have also conducted a number of memorials on this part of the island. This part of the island you will see many military artifacts and buildings from world war II. Below you will see some beautiful pictures of the area.

A local bridge.

Camouflage.

Narrow pathway.