Dublon aka Tonoas

We traveled to Tonoas last Thursday for the meeting despite the change in weather. We are now getting winds from the south which causes more severe storms and which results in rougher seas. We experienced waves between 3 to 5 feet. You can imagine the toll that takes on the body in a small 19' skiff. In most other countries it would call for a small craft advisory and one would probably be discouraged to be out in conditions like that. Yet we arrived safely and the brothers and sisters were very happy we made it for the meeting. Most months we travel to this island at least 4 times and sometimes up to 7 times. Yet we always enjoy the meeting there. 

In the months of November and December the other missionary couple will be heading out for vacation, thus leaving the two of us to go over each of the weeks by ourselves. 

MINA

Kathleen has started studying with a women, Mina, who has made some progress in learning the truth. She had studied with a brother who was serving here from South Africa and has realized that Jehovah is the true God and it is important to make changes in her life. 

She has made some changes, such as not celebrating Christmas and not attending her former Church among other things. However she is facing opposition from her family who do not like Jehovah's Witnesses. Her brother is prominent among her clan and wants to be in politics and realizes that if she becomes a Jehovah's witness it could hinder his aspirations. Kathleen recently viewed the Faith in Action Part I video in hopes of helping her to make the stand for Jehovah.

TIME TO RELAX

Last week we were without power for several hours on a couple of days. We thought it would be nice to try and work on a puzzle by candle light. It was a big challenge, but three days later this is what we created.......

Public Safety Officer

His name is Mickey Shirai and is from the island of Tonoas. He has been very supportive of our study with Joe Kachuo. He is anxious to receive his magazine each month and speaks positive of Jehovah's Witnesses. At times Kathleen and I have been able to witnesses to him extensively. We hope with the changes Joe has made that he will accept the truth one day.

RTO WORK

As of June we were asked to help out at the Remote Translation Office (RTO) here in Chuuk. Two to three times a week we support the work of the translators by being commuter bethelites. Kathleen is assigned to the kitchen and prepares lunch and cleans the common areas. We also care for the maintenance of the building such as lawn care, cleaning, and taking care of necessary repairs such as leaks and other problems that may arise. Below you will see a picture of my very first tile job. There was a leak in one of the showers and thus we had to remove some tile to reach and repair the leak. You may notice the color of some of the tiles is a little off due to them being wet from the leak, hopefully they dry back to match the other white tiles. 

The RTO consists of two teams of three and the RTO overseer, Lito DelaCruz. (Pictured below.) They have been able to produce a number of books and our Watchtower each month. We are grateful for their work in supporting our ministry here in Chuuk. I forgot to mention that our assignment is only temporary and hope to receive some help soon. The branch office said that it may be a few months to a year. We will just wait and see.

Our Beautiful Chef

Lito DelaCruz - RTO Overseer

CO Visits Groups

This past week, a week after our Regional Convention, our Circuit Overseer and his wife arrived to our islands. Chad and his wife Leah Barrett are coming through on their first visit to our congregation. The first week of their visit they visit with the isolated group on Tonoas and the isolated Publishers in Tol. This past week we have been to both locations. Saturday was a highlight with our visit to the island of Udot where we had a Public Talk, abbreviated Watchtower Study and his closing Service Talk. Kathleen had the privilege of interpreting his closing talk and did wonderful. We had a some 22 individuals attend, including the isolated publishers from Tol. Afterwards we spent time to witness to some of the ones who attended and had questions about our event. We also enjoyed time to eat and relax. Onto next week and his visit to our congregation.

Looking Back to Meon

Meeting with Kathleen interpreting Chad's Talk

Our Lunch

Lunch time view......

REGIONAL CONVENTION

Our regional convention was a true blessing from Jehovah. We had a peak attendance of 97 with 4 individuals symbolizing their dedication by water baptism. Even though we are on a distant land we still enjoyed the media productions provided by the Governing Body. All in attendance were thrilled to see the videos and dramas. It is the first year since our being here in Chuuk to have such a wonderful provision. Even though it was a small convention it didn't lose any of its intensity or urgency of the program. We are truly thankful to Jehovah for a wonderful convention.

Before Baptism

Jenny being baptized 

Our 4 New Sisters

Watching the Drama on Large Screen

UDOT

This past Tuesday we set sail for a island in the lagoon about 12 miles from Moen. Leaving at 7:30 a.m. with a group of 8 publishers we were going to continue to follow up on the interest that has been shown from our previous trips to this island. The group of need greaters have been working this island for the past several months an have a a few interested individuals that are progressing very well. One man in particular, Danny, has just recently retired as headmaster to the local school on this island. He and his brother began studying the Bible many years ago with a missionary who served on these islands for some 30 years. Now after some 10 years has taken a serious interest in furthering his knowledge of the God's word. At the beginning of his study this week he mentioned that he was confused and needed to talk about something after the prayer. He started with the words: "I am confused." Come to find out he wasn't confused at all. It is his neighbors and relatives that are confused. He said that most people believe in a spirit that leaves the body after one dies, but through his personal study of that scripture said that it was the source of life that leaves the body. You can imagine that his Bible teacher was very happy to hear that he was confused and offered him encouragement to continue and tell others about what he learned. At the conclusion of the study he mentioned that he often thinks of preaching with us in the ministry. We hope he will join us soon.

Danny's Home

Seichero and his wife

View from Udot

CONCERT IN CHUUK

This past Friday we enjoyed something very rare in Chuuk. We attended an actual live concert! Granted it wasn't your normal venue. We attended at the parking lot of the Chuuk International Airport. Sierra Hull and her Bluegrass band performed for the locals. Very entertaining and enjoyable. It was unique in the fact that during part of their performance they invited locals from the area to sing or perform with them. We were pleasantly surprised to enjoy this rare experience here in Chuuk. Or maybe our standards have just lowered a bit. But hey it was free and the music was great. 

Sierra Hull

After the concert

Return from Bali

We had  great time in Bali. It was a beautiful country. Staying in Kuta, Ubud and Candidasa gave us a nice idea of how much you can enjoy this captivating part of the world. Hiking, biking and shopping were on our things to do. We enjoyed all of them and much more. Exploring this country we saw monkeys, rice fields and some amazing sites from long ago. We highly recommend a visit here for anyone who is looking for a change of pace. The sights from the beaches to the mountains were astonishing. We can't forget to mention the food and plenty of opportunities for a great massage. Also the locals were very helpful and friendly. We hope to go back soon.