Blankets for the hospital

Kelani and her girls, Jordan and Hailey,  made blankets for the children at the hospital.  Rich and I took them down and passed them out to the mothers.  Within five minutes we had given all of the blankets away. I'm sure they will be well used.  We've had a very cool and rainy spring for Tarawa.

Jordan sewing blankets

Elder Wacolo - Good Bye

On Wed. March 26, we had a going away dinner for Elder Wacolo. He has been the area authority seventy over Kiribati for almost seven years and was being released to serve as a mission president in Little Rock, Arkansas.  Wow, what a change.  Being from Fiji, he has never been to Arkansas before.  We told him he might need an interpreter there as well. He shared some of his story with us.  Over the years he and his wife have raised 20 children, including their two biological children.  It is Polynesian culture to raise children of family members and friends if you financially can do so.  Their own two children include a ten year old daughter and a 17 year old son. When he was called to be a member of the seventy he was a stake president and had only been a member of the church for twelve years. His calling took him away from home a lot, sometimes as long as three weeks at a time.  

???, Pres. Uoritaki, Elder Wacolo, Tiorika, Elder and Sister Rasmussen

He promised his wife that after serving his five years as a seventy he would take her on a week-long cruise.  The first presidency asked him to extend a year so the cruise didn’t happen. He promised the cruise again after the year of extension but they asked him to extend a second year.  He told her for sure after the second extension they would go on a cruise, but before his second extension ended when he was called to be a mission president.  At least he can take his family with him.  I love it when I see such fine examples of members who have truly put the Lord first in their lives.

Turian, Sister Rasmussen, Marinoa, Lita, Mai

Elder Rasmussen eating again!

Hello-Good Bye Again

On March 2, Elder and Sister Bogh arrived.  They are part of ITEP,
(International Teacher Education Program) also, but will be working
specifically with the TVET (Technical Vocational Education Training)
department.

On March 20, Elder and Sister Youngberg completed their eighteen month mission
successfully and began their journey home.

We are the next couple to  leave to return home.  The mixed emotions are already surfacing daily as we contemplate leaving this beautiful island and people to return to 'real life.'

The Learning Garden (Bishop's Garden Update)

 On March 3, the dedication for The Learning Garden took place.  Elder and Sister Youngberg have worked long and hard to have this project completed before they left to go home.  Several dignitaries were there including the vice president of Kiribati. It was renamed The Learning Garden as it is a place to teach the saints how to garden and become more self reliant.

Elder and Sister Youngberg, left-compost shed, back - manieaba

President Weir and Elder Youngberg taste testing the rock melon (cantelope)

Corn is now a success! It is very good.

We now have large tomatoes.  You have to 'spank' them or shake the stems
so the male and female can pollunate. 

Cutting our first large tomatoes for the feast.

Elder Youngberg visiting with Richard Turley, church historian from SLC,
Stake Pres, and Vice Pres of Kiribati

Richard Turley, Church Historian, Bishop Banimone

Elder Youngberg visiting with Taiwan dignitary and his wife

Our YSA return missionaries are our servers for the feast

Mai Tune cooking the chicken legs for the feast

Dignitaries gather for the welcome and feast

Young girls prepare for the garlanding

Peter and, ??? , enjoying the corn

Elder Youngberg welcoming everyone

Vice president cutting the garland (ribbon)

Cleaning Day

Tipo, one of the Vice-principals, is really promoting that we keep the campus at a 2.5 cleaning level, which is some dirt visible. The temple is at a level 1, which is NO dirt visible. They are trying to have a cleaning day once a month after school.

Bruce Yerman Visit

On April 1, Bruce Yerman, the director of the Church schools, made his annual visit to Moroni High School. The students love singing and dancing for anyone who comes.

Welcome Feast

On 4 April 2014, was the welcome feast for all of the new students.  They cooked two pigs. We sat out on the basketball court in the rain with our umbrellas watching the program and were thankful to move into a classroom when it was time to eat.