Week 52 in Tarawa

 

On Tuesday, September 8th, we had a farewell get together for Tani and Leilani Lasike.  They have been active in our ward since before we came, but now they're returning home to New Zealand.  We had a wonderful beach barbeque with them about 6 weeks ago.  They will be missed in the ward.

 

On Thursday, September 10th we prepared a welcoming meal for the new elders and sister who arrived from the MTC in Provo.  This was our first time helping with an intake, as it's called.  What a wonderful enthusiastic spirit they brought with them.   They loved the spaghetti Sisters Sumner and Alldredge prepared, but we could tell they were dead tired from their long journey.  We were impressed that they already knew the language so well.

While we were at the intake meal, the school had a fashion show to celebrate TVET (Technical Vocational Education and Training) week. Several of the faculty and administrative staff were the models, but the clothing was all sewn by students.

Other TVET activities included cake baking,

Construction,













Agriculture, including raising chickens for egg farming,

and sewing, which was one of the more popular exhibits.  Most of the things on display were for sale, and everything sold out very quickly.  We are always amazed at what the student are able to do with so little.

The reason all the exhibits were indoors this year was that it rained all day, and not just a little bit.  It poured all day, which is very unusual for this time of year.  We had to laugh when we say this student washing her hair in the rain water coming off the roof.

The final event of the week was a TVET beauty contest, with representatives from each TVET area vying for student votes.  The teachers came out wear sashes, and after a short talk about their TVET area had to demonstrate a talent.  Most demonstrated dancing,

 

but the cooking representative hilariously demonstrated how to get fat very quickly by cooking.

 

Miss TVET kept the students laughing with her antics.

But the one that got the most laughs was when one of the male teachers came out as Miss TVET!

This week was made extra special by the arrival of a care package.  This is only the 3rd box we've had sent to us because they're so expensive.  This box cost $86 to send.  You can see why fragile items do not survive the journey.  However, the treats contained therein seemed worth it to us.  In addition to the items we asked to be sent, Becca snuck in some of Sister Sumner's favorite grapefruit gummy candy.  Even simple things can become appreciated when one is so far away from home.  I am already drooling to taste the Sweet Baby Ray's barbeque sauce.



On a final note, we had Sister Pasina and Sister Rourou for dinner Friday evening.  After eating, they always present a spiritual thought.  Sister Pasina touched our hearts as she related an experience her father had with obeying the Law of Tithing.  Her family was going through difficult financial times, and her dad had to make a decision to pay tithing or buy food.  He decided to pay tithing on Sunday.  Monday evening, when she and the family sat down for dinner, the children asked where the food was.  The dad said that they should say a prayer first.  After the prayer, he explained that there was no money to buy food because he had paid his tithing.  The family was preparing to go to bed hungry when there was a knock at the door.  Their bishop was there with a large tray of food and explained that they had had a family gathering and he had been impressed to gather all the left over food and take to their family.  He didn't know that they were going hungry.  After telling us her story, we told of our experiences as a dirt poor young married couple.  We had had a similar experience when a neighbor, Lewis Pope, brought us a box of food.  While we are not always blessed so immediately for obedience, but firmly believe and testify that the Lord knows our needs and he knows our hearts.  As we do our best to follow Him, He will watch over us for good.