Trying To Fit In

Yes being from another country we don't always fit in here in Chuuk. We try to speak the language, eat the local fruits and foods, wear flip flops and other things not to stand out. Sometimes we are just a bit too tall.......

DRIED FISH

Recently a local couple explained their process of drying fish. The usual fish is reef fish as they call "iken och." The small fish is called "Selif" or "Nuo". They explained that they heavily salt the fish and then dry the fish in direct sunlight. After a few days they rinse the fish and then soak it briefly in vinegar as shown below in the pictures and then it is left in the sun to dry again. We didn't try it, but they said that it is a really nice flavor after being soaked in the vinegar.

Xavier High School

From time to time we are able to explore some of the building left over from world war II. On this particular day while in service we were able to travel up to Xavier High School, the old Japanese communication center during the war, and enjoy the beautiful view from their roof. The building itself is unique. It was built to withstand an onslaught of bullets and bombs. The walls are more that a few feet think and the doors on the windows are made out of steel. From the roof you can see a number of the islands in the lagoon. We went with Kevin and Tabitha Klingbeil, The Asor family and Jun and Jonith Gran.

Jenny Jen was so excited......

GJ, Nana, Jenny Jen, Tabitha, Jonith

January 1, 2015

When you think it is finally over, it just means someone is taking a breath.....

Highly Anticipated NEW YEAR's Post

I guess you can call it another parade. That is three parades in less than three weeks. Where else will you find that in the world besides Disney World. The new year's celebrations actually began right after Thanksgiving. They start practicing with folded up rice bags to create a popping noise. As it gets closer to the new year the activity increases. Fireworks are not the norm for the new year's celebration, however we did see a few of those this year. I guess they have had to improvise for the lack of fireworks for the past few decades as you will see in the videos below. The intense part of their celebration begins on December 31st around 4:00 p.m. and continued until midnight January 1st. As you can imagine sleep is not a high priority this time of year and can effect our ministry and meetings. Enjoy the show! 

How to use the rice bags.

Lame beginning at 4:00 p.m.

It all starts around 6:00 p.m.

Then it continues.....

FUN AFTER THE CA

No words needed.

2014-15 CA "Kutta me Chei Kinamwe"

We recently had our "Seek Peace and Pursue Peace" Circuit Assembly. We had a peak attendance of 86. They came from the islands of Tol and Dublon to enjoy the program. We had several interested ones attend this years program. The only problem was that we ran out of water for the rest rooms. But as one new brothers said, the friends didn't seem to even worry about it. That is because this is the dry time of year and they are used to being without water. All in attendance enjoyed the interviews: a long time faithful sister who endured family opposition. Her family took her husband away to another island because she became one of Jehovah's Witnesses. Now her husband is our brother. Another young sister who is on translation faced pressure to date at a young age and move to Guam and Hawaii to make money. Another highlight was a demonstration of a family pursuing peace. Since we do not have a lot of brothers here many times we have to make our own family. In the picture below it 4 individuals from three different families.

Us

Mitai and her daughter Natapwo

Becky Esteva (Translator at the RTO) Chase a
young bible study who came without his parents.

Family demonstration. Not actually
one family

Jenaly Asor, Kurt Pfister, Wikipwo,
Wandering Child & Amina

Chit Esteva, Sylfia Phillip, Madleen Sonis

Mary Rose Nakayama

Asor Family

Add caption

Jun & Jonith Gran (front)
Keven & Tabitha Klingbeil (background)

Tom & Cindy Robertson

Carlito & Sally DelaCruz (Translators)

Jenny Ruben

Our son Tunuper

Frank Narruhn with our son. (His grandson)

Sasa

GARDENING

We are so glad to be in our new home and have a place to garden. After a long day in service it is nice to come home and spend some time in the garden. It helps us relax and enjoy the different types of plants that grow so easily here in Chuuk. Recently we found that most of our front yard was a cement slab. So we cleared off the weeds and made a little sitting area. This year we have finally been able to harvest tomatoes, cabbage, basil and lemon grass. We will see what this year brings as we try other vegetation.

2015 KM School

Jehovah certainly is our "grand instructor." We recently had the 2015 KM School for elders here in Chuuk. It was such a wonderful school. It was conducted with just the local body of elders, our Traveling Overseer and a Branch Representative. I have to say that it is much different with just a few elders, but in many ways we benefit more with the personal attention.

View of Moen

Because we spend most of our days here in Moen we often forget to take time to enjoy what we have here and post some pictures of this beautiful island. We were on our way to one of Kathleen's call and found a nice spot to take a picture. The mountain in the background is called Tonachou. Visitors to the island would often refer to it as 1 tree hill, because it used to have one tree at the very top. But a few years ago after a very big storm it lost that distinction. Even though Moen can be very dirty and has a bigger population than all other islands here in Chuuk State it is still a very beautiful place thanks to Jehovah.

Christmas Parade Part I & II

We promised you another parade and here it is. Why does the headline read part I and II? Because they have what they call second and third Christmas??? For the Christmas holiday they drive up and down the island on their parade floats and throw candy to onlookers as well as throw candy into the passing cars. Each year we seem to get caught in the middle of the parade while in the field ministry and this year was no different. In fact Kathleen was participating in Public Witnessing when the parade stop right in front of their booth. They witnessed grown men getting angry at the bus full of children because they had run out of candy. They began throwing rocks at the bus and told them to leave quickly. So much for the "Christmas spirit"! But we know the real reason. But wait until you see what they do for the NEW YEAR.

Children running in front of
. the cars to gather candy.

What is that in my mirror?

One boy waiting in the middle of the
road for his candy.

Meet our Bible Students

As most of you know we have been studying with a man in the Chuuk prison. He has been in prison for the last five years. We began studying with Joe Kachuo for the last year and half. On December 14th he was finally released from prison.  While in prison he made enough progress to become and up-baptized publisher. Now that he has been out he is so excited to be at the meetings with his brothers and sisters and wants to be in the field ministry as much as possible. The first week he was out he participated in the field ministry almost everyday. He was even trained to be a part of public witnessing.

At the meeting with his brother MyJoy.

First day in Field Ministry

Being trained in public ministry.

Going to Hawaii

Meet our two Special Pioneers from Tonoas. (Sylfia Phillip & Madleen Sonis) Earlier this year they applied for the International Convention in Hawaii in November. They applied not knowing how they were going to afford to go. But as you see they were on their way to Hawaii to enjoy the International Convention. They have since returned and are so grateful to Jehovah for their time with all their brothers and sisters. For Sylfia it was her first time away from Chuuk. She said it was a little overwhelming, but she enjoyed her time at such a wonderful spiritual occasion. 

From left to right:
Miori Phillip, Mary Rose Nakayama, Sylfia Phillip,
Madleen Sonis, Kathleen Laux

Fun in Tonoas

Trips to Tonoas are always enjoyable as long as it is not raining. This particular Sunday we came with the new maintenance brother and his wife. Before the meeting all the "Children" were playing. (You will see the picture of our speaker giving it a try.) They call it "Kumi". It is a string of rubber bands which two of the children will hold. They start off at the ankle and work their way up until they are holding it at the height of their heads. It is a little awkward when they are not the same size. The idea is to jump over the rubber bands without using your hands. You can use your feet to pull it down or if you can jump really well, just jump clear over the line. They have a number of jumping games and this is one that all can enjoy.

Christmas Tree or Spam

It is a whole new marketing plan.  A spam Christmas Tree?  How many different flavors?  Need to say more?  I don't think so.

The lights as well!

PARADES

Yes, that is right. It is not the Disney Light Parade, but hey. . . . we will take what we can get here in Chuuk. We will be shortly posting another parade they had for their Christmas celebration. Surprised? Yes we had the chance to witness two parades this year and well I think we will let the pictures tell the story. This parade was encouraging good health and hygiene. I don't want to forgot to mention that they were promoting: "Go local!" Enjoy.

Look Closely at the words on top.
Is there another option?