Week 73 in Tarawa

Last Monday, February 1st, on the young elders and sisters P-Day, I spent some time rehearsing musical numbers with Sister Tanuvasa and Elder Ah-to for the fireside scheduled for Sunday, February 7th.  I've also been asked to speak.  It is a joy to hear them sing, they both have such beautiful voices.

On the same Monday, Michael Carthew, the Pacific Area School director, presented Bwenaua with her ITEP Teaching Certificate.  We are so happy for her.  She started taking our classes when she was a long term sub, but was then hired as a permanent teacher.

Tuesday evening we had a welcoming dinner with all the senior missionary couples for Elder and Sister Henderson.  They are the new ITEP supervisors over all the ITEP couples serving in the Pacific Area.  This was their first ever visit to Kiribati.  From left to right: Elder and Sister Henderson, Elder and Sister Jenks, Sister Olson, Sister Alldredge, Elder Olson, Sister and Elder Waldron, and Sister Sumner.

As we drove them around to see some of the sights on Tarawa, we got stuck behind one of the hand-powered wheelchairs the church provides for some of the diabetes victims on the island.

We took them to visit several of the chapels here, all of which have amazing scenic views of the ocean.

They were amazed at the beauty of the island...

...and also amazed at the poverty.  This picture shows a "bouilla", a home that so many of the people build for themselves to live in.

Tuesday was the opening assembly for the first day of school.  In this picture, taken from where we were seated on the podium, you see our new principal, Banririe, addressing the student body.

On Thursday, we drove the Henderson's to the airport for their return flight to Fiji and Auckland, New Zealand.

Friday night we went on a group date to eat at the "Pacific Chinese Restaurant".  Their food and service was the best we've had on Tarawa, although their facility left much to be desired.

On Saturday, February 6, our 46th anniversary, we were invited to attend another baptism in the ocean behind our apartment.  This picture shows everyone gathering under the tree and along the fence to watch.

We've gotten to know the Zone Leaders, Elder Miller on the left and Elder Ah-to on the right because we see them so frequently.  They often come to us for missionary needs since I keep the petty cash for the mission.

I think we will never tire of witnessing baptisms in such beautiful surroundings.

This afternoon we were visited by Tioromaia, Eutita, and Gloria, who is just learning to walk.  She is still very shy around us, but at least we were able to get her to smile on this visit.  She turns 1 year old tomorrow, February 8th.


Their visit was a short visit because Elder Sumner was asked to speak at a missionary fireside in Bikenibeu. He spoke of the subject of Service.  He quoted from a talk given by Elder Marion Romney in 1976 in which he said that service is not just something we do to prepare for entrance in the Celestial Kingdom.  Service is the very fiber of Celestial existence and is the source or God's happiness as well as our own. We are grateful to be able to serve here and hope that this pattern will continue for the rest of our mortal lives.