Sailing on Traditional Canoes

We decided to go sailing on the traditional Marshallese canoes. These are handmade by a company called WAM (which stands for something in Marshallese) which trains youth not in school otherwise. They kids learn their cultural tradition, sail guests around the lagoon each day and also learn marketable carpentry skills. It was a fun ride.

This is Sister Pat Smith, our Mission Nurse.  She is awesome and takes good care of all the missionaries in her charge.

 These are the two young guys who sailed us around the lagoon.  They use an oar to steer.  We sailed out into the lagoon and when we got to the other side, they switched the sail from one end of the boat to the other to sail us back.

This is one of the small tuna boats in the harbour. Sometimes there are up to 22 there. Do you see the small helicopter on the top deck. They use that to herd the tuna into their big nets.

This is a tuna boat from the other side. See the smaller boat they can put in the water?  They use it to run the big nets around the schools of tuna. RMI is the largest tuna transshipment port in the world.

Presentation to Assumption Catholic School

In order to encourage more physical activity and to help children here develop a passion for physical fitness and we hope prevent diabetes, we made a presentation on behalf of the Church of a variety of sports balls to Assumption Catholic School.

 President Anien is making the presentation to Evan, the basketball coach.  The children and staff were so excited.  It was such fun to see them wanting to play ball.

These two little guys knew what to do with the volleyball.  We hope the school can start up some sports leagues with other schools.

Presentation to Uliga Public School

 On August 6th, we presented soccer, basketball, volleyball and playground balls and cones to Uliga Public School.  President Zedhkeia of our Church made the presentation.

This school doesn't have much in resources so it felt good to encourage the children to enjoy some play things. We hope the children can be involved in some sports leagues that keeps them active for their lifetime.  Regular exercise is needed to prevent diabetes. 

Fun at Billfish Tournament

We went to the Billfish Tournament last weekend. A billfish is also known as a marlin.  19 teams took part.  There was music, kiosks that sold food like this one selling grilled chicken.

This is Elder Larry Baber. He is our Mission Auditor and also helps run the Mission Office with his good wife.  He likes fishing.

These are the Daltons - Elder Dennis and Sister Barb. They are the Self-Reliance Missionaries in our Mission. They like lots of action so they came to see what was happening too.

While we were waiting for the boats to come in to weigh their catch, we watched this man catch a pretty white and blue bottom-feeding fish.

Besides marlin, the tournament also was for tuna, barracuda, and wahoo.  These are some of the tuna caught by one team. I wonder how many cans of tuna can be made from one fish?

This is the winning billfish. Do you see its big "bill" at the end of its nose?  As each boat unloaded its catch, a big crane lifted it up and weighed it.  This was a fun day.

Presentation of Donation to Diabetic Wellness Center

 This is Majuro Stake President Zed Zedhkeia. We invited him to meet us at the Wellness Center to present the Church donations.  He is a wonderful man and we enjoy working with him and appreciate his support.

 We introduced President Zedhkeia to the cooks who will be using the new equipment before we made the presentation.

 This is a picture of Tanner and Krystin Smith and staff in front of some of the equipment donated.  It includes things like a rice cooker, soup warmers, electric griddle, warming pans, new cutlery and plates. 

Here is the official presentation. Diabetes is an epidemic in the Marshall Islands and most countries in the Pacific. The Wellness Center provides wonderful holistic education about diabetes and also runs a restaurant that provides healthy meals.

Shipwrecks and Dance Festivals

 July was a busy month.  We had a typhoon that left four shipwrecks in our harbour.  This one came from the lagoon side, which is supposed to be safe.

 We enjoyed a week long visit from youth and leaders from Ebeye. Pictured in the front row are District President Seremia, Gibb and Wendy Schaffer and Mission President and Sister Weir.

 Their visit was part of a Youth Conference and Dance Festival.  Most wards youth had practised for five months. They were wonderful!

Here are all the youth at their final banquet.  They made lots of new friends.

New Ajeltake Ward

Our little Church branch became a full ward the end of May. Pictured left to right are 1st Counselor Brother Ken, Bishop Banny Lamille, 2nd Counselor Jimmy and Stake President Zedhkeia Zedhkeia.