You have to be here to Understand

Hotdogs

Then turkey legs

Frozen deep in a chest

And finally real hamburgers

Great Days

This is the first place on the island that actually had a hamburger.  The younger missionaries found it and we had to check it out.  We didn't believe them at first.  This little cafe is called Titarbaks (Starbucks).

 Baptisms in the Ocean
The font wasn't filled so these 5 baptisms were performed in the ocean.

 Unusual Sky effects following the Baptism. It was caused by the shadow of a cloud as the sun set or by...

Dreams

Atoll

Coral Ribbon

Rising out of the Sea

Sunsets and Tides wash the Lagoon

with Dreams

Teachers worked on finishing their teaching degrees with the ITEP Program.  Because Elder and Sister Rasmussen returned home and their replacements haven't arrived, Elder Bogh helped with the presentation of the Certificates.  Two other teachers received them as well, but weren't present.

We were invited with Elder and Sister Wall to attend a small birthday party for the ex-president of Kiribati, Teberuro Tito.  The two missionary couples were treated as if it was their own birthday even though he isn't even a member of the Church. There was food and singing. We were privileged to hear a song that he sang and wrote for the Millennial Celebration in 2000 that was broadcast around the world.  Kiribati was the first country to witness the dawn of the new millennium.  His granddaughter sang a couple of songs with him and acted as the MC for the little event.   Later his son and daughter-inlaw also sang.

Once a month the West Stake gets all the missionaries and ward members out to go visit the less active members and invite them back to church.  Each ward does this one evening each week.  They call it the rescue.  Several people have returned to church through these efforts. The pig wanted to be rescued but seemed to be ignored by everyone. Elder Bogh spent some time with him, but couldn't convince him to go to church. He was afraid of the dogs that go to church.  It's not uncommon to see a dog walk into church and just lay down on the floor.

Still on the Island

Lava and Coral

Water washing it away

The cycle of Foam

The one constant on this island is the sound of the ocean. There is the constant sound of the surf even though the ocean changes how it looks.

One thing that isn't  constant is the mail. Packages only come once in a while. Sometimes it takes 5 or 6 weeks to come from the US. But when they come it is a special day.

It appears that senior missionaries socialize a lot. Our good friends serving is South Africa are shown socializing as senior missionaries. I hope they don't mind that we stole the picture. Below that, is a picture of senior couples socializing in Kiribati. What conclusion can be drawn from the comparison?

I think we fit better on Kiribati. Maybe someone knew what they were doing when they sent us here.

Ocean Views

Though the same ocean

Always changing through the day

Step outside and see

A wave rolls and curls

forever running to the shore

crashes into stone

Comings and Goings

Like the Ocean waves

Time continues to roll by

In our lives then out

Elder and Sister Waldron, the new welfare & self reliance couple arrived and Sister Cassita, the nurse left.  Food was enjoyed and songs were sung.

Below is a road we called the roller coaster.  It was a night time adventure that reminded us of The Indiana Jones ride at Disneyland.  Who needs an amusement park when you have Kiribati.

The umbrella is great in the rain when you have a new generator.

Ships and Boats

Just a few of the ways to get around.

Pioneer Day in Kiribati

The stories are told

of the journey of the saints

on Isles of the sea

The Tarawa East Stake held a "Pioneer Day" activity. It began in the early morning with a "Trek" with service projects along the way. Then there were games and plays depicting stories of the handcart pioneers.

 Other happenings on Kiribati.