Week 8 in Tarawa

You'd think that after all this time we would get creative on our title.  Sorry, no creativity left.  This weekend makes two full months and we are beginning to feel like oldtimers.  We've driven the dusty , bumpy road all the way to Betio and back in rain and shine, day and night. We've scouted out the places to get the best bargains. We've walked on the reef.  We've learned to buy onions, potatos and oranges whenever we find them.  We've sprayed our house daily to keep down the micro ants.  We've sifted through a sack of rice picking out the bugs. We've hung our laundry out to dry by the sea. We hardly blink when the power and water go out. We've routinely dumped water buckets filled with leaked water out until we finally, just today, got the sink repaired.  We've chased geckos out of the house.  We've gutted lobsters, and tried island delicacies like breadfruit, but not sea worms.  We've taught lessons in church, school, and assemblies. We've smiled when once again we've had a garland full of microants placed on our heads.  We've endured blaring dance music that threatens to destroy what little hearing we have left, and we accept wandering dogs, cats and rats as normal.  In other words, we are loving it here.

Tonight we had the ultimate romantic date.  We happened to have access to a car so we decided to go out to eat.  We found a little Chinese restaurant that we call the Las Vegas restaurant because of the bright lights.  We had never been there; we've only eaten out once before.  To our surprise, it was lovely and had a beautiful deck right next to the lagoon.  We were the only ones there for a long time.  We sat next to the rail looking toward Betio and watched the sun set over the lagoon. There was a cool breeze and everything was perfect.  Even the food was good. When we finally stood to leave, we turned around and saw the most amazing full moon reflecting across the water.  It was a really perfect night.

I have been seeing the comments about police brutality on Facebook, both pros and cons.  I am not going to comment one way or the other on that, but I want to share an observation from here.  There is little crime on Kiribati: the major problem is alcoholism.  Last Saturday, as we left a major store, we were approached by a very drunk man wanting money.  The security guard immediately moved in and escorted him away.  What impressed me was the kind and gentle way he did it.  He put his arm around the man and walked with him down the street then left him in the care of a friend.  There was nothing but kindness in the action.  If only we had more of that everywhere.

As this is the end of the school year, students are busy taking national final exams.  It's a really big deal here because it affects school funding from the government.  This picture shows students taking such an exam in the semi-outdoor setting of a "maneaba".  The temperature was in the mid 80's, with relative humidity near 100%, and only a light ocean breeze to cool them.  Can you imagine students in the U.S. putting up with such conditions?



We heard singing outside last Monday night, and when we opened our front door, this is what we saw: Family Home Evening on the basketball court for the dorm students.  The man standing on the left is Bishop Banimone.

 

 Finally, we had a pot luck after the final class presentations to end our SPED 200 class.  Yup, we got wreathed again!  It is always a great honor, but we never feel worthy of it.  We never cease to be amazed at how much we are honored and respected here.  It's very humbling to say the least.

Best wishes to all,
Elder and Sister Sumner