RELAXING

Recently we had a visit from Joanne Claundria and April Largo from Guam. They spent two weeks here in Chuuk helping with the relief work and joining us in the preaching work. We also had time to relax a little on a beautiful evening at Truk Stop Hotel. It was a gorgeous evening and sunset after a few hours of swimming.

April Largo

Joanne Claundria

Disaster Relief HQ at the RTO.

One of the boats reefed by typhoon Maysak.

Looking towards town.

Katakat!

COLORING

The children were so happy to receive crayons and the bible activity sheets from jw.org.

FINISHING TOUCHES

This past week the paint went on to the three new homes that were rebuilt after typhoon Maysak. We love the colors they decided on. Now we can get back to a normal life here in Chuuk!

School for Kingdom Evengalizers

On Sunday June 28, 2015 the very first SKE graduation took place in Micronesia. It was exciting to hear that two Single sister were appointed as Special Pioneers in Guam, another assigned as a full-time commuter to Bethel. Also one other couple was assigned as Special Pioneers. We we glad to hear that Brother and Sister Dela Cruz were assigned back to the RTO here in Chuuk. We know that this class will bring many blessing to the congregations here in Micronesia.

Progress

Even though our progress has been hampered by bad weather and a few tropical disturbances the houses are coming along. It has only been a few weeks and yet one house is almost finished. 

Arrival

June 9th we had the arrival of the first of the five brothers who will come to Chuuk and help with rebuilding three homes and repairing four other homes as well as work on the Kingdom Hall in Tonoas. 

The work has been long and hard. Along with helping them get all the 16 tons of supplies over to Tonoas on a barge we have been taking care of their food, laundry and other needs. It has been very challenging, but as if it wasn't challenging enough, another storm, tropical storm then a typhoon and now a tropical storm has been bringing high winds, rough seas and a lot of rain. So for the last 5 days we haven't been able to get any work done on the homes. Now another tropical storm is brewing to the east of us in the Marshall islands and is heading in our direction. It doesn't look like it will hit Chuuk, but the same conditions could continue for some time. We will have to wait and see. 

The friends here have been great in carrying the supplies and materials from dock to the other. The community is very impressed with the work being done, except one man who is now claiming that the homes of the friends are actually on his family land. We will have to see what will develop. In the meantime the work continues.

One of the temporary homes.

A container of supplies.

Work begins.

Onto the barge.

First of three loads to Tonoas.

Kathleen has been lifting weights!

Off to Tonoas.

From one dock to the other.

The challenges of the dock in Tonoas.

It takes everyone.

Half way to the work site!

Rain or shine.

The Road is narrow and cramped!

Circuit Assembly

It's June 14, 2015 and we had our Circuit Assembly at a new venue. It was held in a conference room of the local hotel, L5. We are still in the midst of providing relief for our brothers and sisters, but enjoyed the weekend with our Circuit Overseer and his wife. We had 12 attend our meeting with the pioneers and a new peak for our Circuit Assembly of 114. We had a wonderful weekend, but we were very busy preparing for 5 brothers coming to Chuuk to begin the rebuilding work after the typhoon. More will follow.

Pioneer Session.

Circuit Assembly at L5. 114 in attendance.

TRAINING

After 3 more weeks of disaster relief work we were headed out to the Marshall islands. Yet, another storm was forming near the island of Pohnpei and we were not sure if we were going to be able to leave for the second week of sub CO training. We were able to leave Chuuk, but the plane was not able to land in Pohnpei due to the weather conditions so it passed by to the island of Kosrae. There we were grounded for the next 3 hours as they sorted out the passengers who were now trying to find a way back to Pohnpei. The small island of Kosrae was not able to accommodate the number of passengers needing a hotel room, so some had to continue with us to Majuro. We are happy to say that we did make it to our destination and enjoyed a wonderful week with the Rita congregation. We met so many faithful brothers and sisters enduring in their situation. Also while there we received some wonderful news about our friends serving there on the translation team that they were excepted to the next class of Gilead. They friends also gave us such a nice warm send off for our return to Chuuk!

House to House with Antonio. 

Chad and Leah Barrett, CO

On a Bible Study

First Talk.

Having fun.

Curtis with Brother Siren.

Last evening with Congregation.

Language Seminar

Right in the middle of disaster relief I was invited to attend a language teaching seminar with brother Harry Cotton in Indonesia. So on April 9th I headed out, by myself, to Jakarata, Indonesia for a week long class. The class was held at the old branch facility in Ciawi, about an 2 hour drive from Jakarat where the new branch facility is located. They plan to hold two SKE later this year along with a traveling overseers school. This facility is located in a Muslim community who do not tolerate other religious faiths. The last day of class they took us to the branch facility for a tour. I enjoyed the class, but missed Kathleen very much. She stayed behind and continued with all the relief work. I was happy to be home some 10 days later too continue with the efforts of helping the friends.

Area outside of the branch in Ciawi

Classroom

Grounds of the branch in Ciawi.

Brother Cotton and Brother Felix.

48 languages spoken by classmates.

Lobby of the branch facility in Jakarta.