Journey to Abaiang

In a small boat named the Riaona (Kiribati for Liahona) we set out into the Ocean for a trip to what is called an outer Island.

We traveled across the Lagoon and around the north end of Tarawa then across the open ocean to the Island of Abaiang. We went with Elder and Sister Wall, Elder and Sister Rasmussen and Sister Casita along with a driver and an assistant. We went to get a Flat ready for two sister missionaries.

This is a picture of Tarawa as we looked back at it. Elder Bogh is on the boat. The Walls are watching as we continue to leave.  We pass this boat just setting on the coral because the tide was out. We had to stop the boat here.

We wade across to the land packing the things which are needed for the Flat.

This is looking down the shoreline.

The flat where the new sister missionaries will be staying is on the left. It is on the same property as the church building shown in the other pictures. The interior of the Church is shown.

  

Some of the neighboring homes are shown below. After we arrived and started working on the Flat, it began to rain.

The senior sisters made curtains for the flat.  We had to use the electricity at the Church as well as at the apartment because it was solar powered with a battery backup on a cloudy day and it was quite limited. You could not use the iron and the sewing machine at the same time.

While the boat was out on the reef the tide kept coming in; so, it was able to get closer to shore. We were able to get in the boat and move down the island to see a family that are members of the church.  This family had a very faith promoting experience.  The father was lost at sea for three months, but later found alive.  Someone from the Church came and took pictures and is writing about it.

This adventure will be continued at a later time.