Medical Happenings

Joy mentioned I would be updating regarding a patient with likely acute appendicitis. She had been having pain for three days when I first saw her. The local nurse/medical assistant was also there and they really wanted a second opinion. She had all the symptoms--Nausea/vomiting, fever, right lower quadrant pain with rebound tenderness, a positive Psoas sign and it was hoped she could travel the next morning to Tarawa to see a surgeon. The next morning we were advised the plane was not flying. I went to see her again and she felt better. The "local medicine" had been applied--tree leaf extract and special massage to the abdomen. The nurse had called the Doctor on Tarawa and he had advised "an injection" with a waiting period of 24 hours to see how she was doing. The patient declined to do that, wanting to keeep using "local medicine." Two days later I discovered that she had been flown to Tarawa and admitted to the hospital. As of yesterday she was still in the hospital and had not needed surgery yet. I was so concerned she may do very poorly if she had ruptured her appendix. Maybe she just had mesentaric adenitis or maybe the local medicine is more beneficial than western medicine!

Yesterday morning I was asked to come and see a man who had been stabbed in the neck. So Joy and I put on our rain-gear and drove our motor bike the 20 minutes to where he was through driving rain and wind. The injury had occurred 9 hours before and he had been attended to by the local nurse/medical assistant. He had had IV fluids and the laceration sutured. Thankfully he was stable, but he was paralyzed in the right arm completely and had only weak movement of the the right leg. He could feel his extremities just fine. The nurse had ridden her motor-bike (about 45 minute in driving rain!) to "Government Station" where there is a CB radio, to try to get a medical transport out for the man. The doctor in  Tarawa decided to send a plane and a medical team! The problem was the weather. It was so bad we could not tell when the plane may arrive. I was concerned about infection setting in with such a deep wound inflicted with a dirty kitchen knife! We had some soon to expire IM/IV potent antibiotics at the school clinic and so we were able to get that administered into his shoulder muscle and that may make a big difference in his outcome if a deep infection can be averted. The man kept asking me if the injury was serious and if he would get the use of his arm and leg back again! I told him I hoped he would but I could not know at this time. Joy had a prayer with him that he appreciated. I hope we can stop and see him in the hospital when we are there next week. I will give you an update on both of these patients if we can see them.

Going with the Flow!

We were to have been in the Marshall Islands by now. Air Kiribati rescinded our tickets to Tarawa yesterday, so we were unable to make the flight to Majuro; and flights to/from there occur only once every two weeks.

There are two airlines here: Air Kiribati, and Coral Sun (see photo) Coral Sun ran out of aviation fuel last week and has been grounded until the boat with their fuel arrives. Air Kiribati (who must use a different type of fuel?) has two planes, a 17 seater, and a 22 seater. Their larger one has been having mechanical difficulties for quite awhile, so the smaller one is their workhorse. They fly to our outer atoll three times a week: Sundays, Wednesdays, Fridays.

Well, it just so happens that there was a very large celebration here on Abemama last weekend, with scores of people visiting from Tarawa, for the special ordination of a Catholic priest. They have all been trying to get back to Tarawa, and what with the one airline not flying, this has made it very difficult to find a seat on Air Kiribati. Plus, the weather has been poor with torrential rains lately.

We were confirmed passengers #21 and #22 on the larger plane to have flown out yesterday. They had to switch to the smaller airplane, and that is why we didn't make it to Tarawa in time for out Majuro flight. Thankfully, though we had reservations on the Marshall Island flight, we were to pay for the tickets just prior to leaving (no credit cards or e tickets used!), and so we were not out any money.

Plan B: we're going to Fiji on the 22nd, next Tuesday. That is if we can get off Abemama! The back-up of people trying to get off Abemama is still long, and the flight Sunday is full from people waiting all week to leave. There may be a 'special' (extra?) flight tomorrow. Emphasis on the word 'may'........just frequently ride the motorbike out to the airport to keep checking (no phones here at the school, or at the airport). That would put us in Tarawa four days before the Fiji flight, but at least we'd be there for sure! So, we will see what happens. Going with the flow! Will keep you posted on our holiday whereabouts!

By the way, the US Peace Corp had workers here for decades, but pulled out September of 2008. We were told the reason why is they could not guarantee the safety of their workers in case a health (or other) crisis should arise during their work in the outer islands. And that is because the air transportation is so erratic, and frequently the planes are not functioning. In addition, Coral Sun Airline had not yet been birthed, so Air Kiribati was the only option at that time.

It is sobering to realize that you may not be able to get to help in time......Just this week, a lady came to see Drue, who was in great pain. Her history sounded quite a bit like an acute appendicitis. We were fearful that she might die out here if she couldn't get off the island for surgery. I'll let him report on the particulars. Suffice it to say, that she 'turned the corner' and did not have to try to get to Tarawa. Thank God!

We know that we are in His care and keeping. He knows our needs and will provide, come what may!

Good Week, All in All

The best news of the week was that our Honda 110 bike arrived from Tarawa! My "world" now feels a lot bigger! We also were able to get completely moved into the new Kitchen hut at base camp. Joy really appreciates having everything in one place now! The roof and walls are not complete yet, but it is so spacious and dry. There is even room to park the motorbike inside out of the weather. We have had so much rain lately making it very hard to get laundry to dry! I put my down pillow out in the sun to air it out and went to the school to check the internet and a big rainstorm hit and did not let up for about 6 hours. My pillow was soaked and I don't know if I can get dried out before it mildews!

We have not yet obtained a work permit an so much leave Kiribati before four months go by. We have looked at so many options. Fiji, New Zealand,  Australia, Solomon Islands, Hawaii, mainland USA--all VERY expensive to get to from Kiribati. So we have decided to go to the Marshall Islands, only 90 min flight (and $650/person round trip!) away from Tarawa. There is one flight every two weeks. So we will be officially on vacation for the holidays from December 17th to the 31st. If we miss our flight back to Kiribati then we have the option of flying to Honolulu, then Fiji and back to Tarawa or extend our time away by two weeks. It is more cost effective to stay two more weeks. We are hoping to get to Tarawa on the Sugar Blues--our first voyage.

UPDATE

We are alive and well, though it has been a tough couple of weeks. The school year is over, and the generator is not used to save fuel costs, and we are often 'in the dark'. The rainy season is in full swing, with six long days recently of drenching rain. We are making small gains in resurrecting SFO's base camp functionality. I bought a motorbike in Tarawa which will give us the ability to get around. We await its arrival via boat: but who know when?! I find 'joy' in gardening and am reading quite a bit. When the school's solar inverter is on, we can make skype calls to our family and friends, which is always heartwarming. We had a lovely 25th wedding celebration hosted by the school. I'll post a few photos. Thinking of those of you who are shoveling snow!!

Thanksgiving

This Thanksgiving will be long remember by me. I am here on Abemama at the Search for One base camp. Joy is in Tarawa getting supplies and a motorbike for our work here. She had hoped to return today but there was not time to get everything done. So, for lunch today, I am having 4 day old 14 bean soup with rice. Garnished with dry crackers. For desert me, myself and I will have cold Chocolate soy milk! I am very grateful for what I do have and as Dad Riederer would say, "my lot in life." I was able to call on Skype and talk with family and managed to catch most of them as they were just sitting down to eat! I am very blessed and know I am where I belong for now. Happy Thanksgiving to all!!

This Wise Man Built His House on the Sand

Meet Rute. Her grandfather was very skilled in I-Kiribati navigation. First of all, building your house on the sand here is wise because if you don't, you will not have a house! It is the only option. When Rute was a young girl, her Grandfather came one day and advised the family that a "big wind" was coming in one month--get ready! He told then to prepare by cutting any trees that could fall on the house. He also told them to brace the inside with ropes and long, strong sticks. Then he came and told them the storm was coming in one week. Then in one day. All the preparations were made. The neighbors were very curious what Rute's family was doing. Many others saw and made preparations, many just watched! Then he came and said, "the "big wind" will come today." He advised two Taiwan fishing boats to leave and get out to sea and away from the Lagoon. They declined, saying they had weather reports to listen to and there were no bad reports they were aware of. The day was calm with light winds and blue sky. Then in late afternoon, the wind suddenly shifted and became very strong. Hundreds of trees were fallen, homes destroyed and the two fishing boats destroyed on the reef with loss of life. There has not been a storm of strong winds here for over 30 years now. When will it come again? How did he know one month ahead it was coming? It is not known. He has passed on with much his knowledge. Rute has a book which her grandfather hand wrote that details many, but not all, of the special navigation skills.

Best Laid Plans of Mice and Men

I always thought I would take Joy on a European River Cruise for our 25th Wedding Anniversary. That has been my "plan A" for a long time. Then there is plan B, Kiribati style. When I knew we would be here for our big 25th day, I started to develop a new plan in my mind. Gary Morgan had told me of a uninhabited Island with a good deep water approach (very rare) that he used to take his family to. Spending a couple of days on the sailboat, anchored next to a small deserted island in the Central Pacific Ocean with my Bride Beautiful, sounded romantic and doable. Sure seemed to fit with my passion for boats and water and our current situation.

Now we all know things out here can be unpredictable. It just so happens that the sailboat has not been working and I have zero hours running the boat as of 2 weeks prior to the big day. I know for a fact that Joy would not even get on the boat unless she was confident of it and me as the skipper.  Zero hours would not cut it!

What to do?  On to Plan C:  I had an idea to take Joy to the main island and go to the north part that is very remote. The tyranny of the urgent kept me from serious planning. (Things like trying to get our composting toilet to compost and 12 volt power system running and other such mundane things.) I am now only eight days away and need to finalize a plan!
Now comes Plan D.  No plan. Heres how it works. Hit me with a first time ever bladder infection. Then two days later knock me flat on my back for five days with Swine Flu (or its equal), then add in acute Erythema Nodosum and Erythema Multiforme Hypersensitivity reaction with associated arthralgia's and fever and HA and then add a GI bug and you just arrived at your 25th Wedding Anniversary with no Plan!

But God is good! He gave me an understanding wife. A family came to visit us at 6AM on our big day to give us gifts and to eat with us. Then, word had gotten out about our anniversary and a cake was purchased for us by the Kauma SDA High School faculty and hand carried on the plane from Tarawa to the school where a small celebration was held in our honor.  Joy made a delicious spaghetti with homemade sauce, a staff member brought 'cabbage' for a salad, and we had guests for dinner.  Joy ate the last remains of our Hershey chocolate bar.  Notice the smile on the photo!

By the way, the mice here don't need to plan. The local people believe if they kill one, many more will come and eat way more food and chew way more holes! I understand the cats here think differently than the humans on this issue. If I were a cat,  I think I would eat some mice and blame some humans and see what happens!

Local Gas Station

We have our deposit in on a motorbike, but occasionally borrow one to do take care of various needs on the island. The photo shows the places available to get petrol for the bikes. The cost is currently A$1.40/Liter. That's Australian dollars. Almost all of the motorbikes are Hondas which are imported from Australia after their postal carriers use them for several years. They provide basic transportation for those who can afford it. One often sees families packed onto them, with little children standing on the back, arms around a parent's neck, or on the front between an adult's legs. Don't forget to drive on the left side of the road!

A Peek inside our Home, Sweet Home

Welcome inside our humble abode! Sometimes we sleep inside, most of the time we sleep outside on the raised platform porch called a kia kia. Mosquito nets are in order. Currently our composting toilet is giving us troubles.....ugh. We cook in a separate building as well. Our basic needs are met. We continue to greatly enjoy the country's friendly, loving people. And did I mention: beachside living is swell!

Progress, Slow but Sure

We are making slow but sure progress here at Base Camp for Search for One. All of the broken water lines have been restored and some improvements made. The Kitchen Hut roof is almost done! I have found a local source for a deep cycle battery, so I won't need to wait until January or February of next year to get the 12 volt system  to work. The food safe will get new screen this week. We will be able to get the "Sugar Blues" running this week possibly.

The boat needs a lot of TLC! It seems to have "good bones." I have not been able really check out the systems well. Everywhere I look on the boat I see the definition of BOAT--bring out another thousand!
It will be a challenge to bring the systems up to par, but I am reminded that Rome was not built in a day either!

Joy has been busy planting a garden this week and really having fun with it!

This past week we enjoyed a 5 day stretch of steady SE winds that kept us cool and we did not notice the humidity as much with things able to dry out. I really savor the breezes! For you SE Alaskans reading this, Here the rain tends to come from the NW and clear sky from the SE.

I have been so busy with repair work that I have not been doing medical clinics. I see the occasional patient that comes to visit at the "Oceanside." The nurse will also refer a patient at times. We recently had a 19 y/o that was short of breath, no cough and had NO breath sounds on the left side of his chest. He was sent to Tarawa and I do not know what the final diagnosis was yet.

Whenever I think of "Oceanside" I fondly recall of the our old 32 Nordic Tug "Makai." Makai means "oceanside" in Hawaii. I always liked the name Makai, but even more so now!

Spiritual Highlights

A High Sabbath

Last Sabbath was a high Sabbath with the culmination of Week of Prayer 

ending with a baptism of 25 students here at Kauma Adventist School.  They had been studying with the chaplain for over three months.  The girls sewed white dresses which they wore into the water.  An ordained pastor came over from Tarawa to do the baptisms.  

The school has around 140 students from all the islands of Kiribati.  The majority are not Seventh-day Adventist Christians, rather coming from Catholic and Kiribati Protestant Church (KPC) backgrounds.  Last semester 17 students chose to accept Christ as their personal Saviour as well.  The students gave amazing testimonies of how God has led in their lives and how much their school experience influenced them for good.

It was a real privilege to witness their commitment.  The staff prepared a lovely dinner for them to enjoy afterwards (potluck style).

Search For One (SFO) was graciously allowed to build a simple 'base camp' on the oceanside of the school many years ago.  Thus, we are able to participate in the school's activities and campus life.

Wishing you all a great day!

Trip to Tarawa week before last

Drue and I have been here on the main island of Tarawa since Wednesday late
afternoon.  We will fly 'home' to Abemama on Sunday (tomorrow) afternoon.
We came here to shop for some needed things.

We're staying at the same motel we were at when we arrived last month.  It
didn't look like much then;  but looks wonderful to us now after our three
weeks of 'camping' on the outer island.  How quickly one's perspective
changes!  The a/c is glorious;  as is the shower.  We ate an apple and an
orange today:  heavenly!

It's Sabbath as we are a day ahead.  We went to a small, youth oriented
church to the north of the island with two I-Kiribati friends.  Their
singing is phenomenal;  and as is their custom here, we, the Imatangs
(foreigners) were asked to 'take the service'.  Drue and I shared how God
has led us throughout our lives, and how we ended up here in Kiribati.  They
seemed to appreciate it.  We stayed for a potluck afterwards.  We stick to
well heated foods such as rice (and Dal) and fresh coconut water (from the
immature coconut).  Everyone here eats meat, as their diet is so limited.
So far, we've done well as vegetarians.

This afternoon, we went to the Taiwan Technical Center's demonstration
gardens.  The Taiwanese have really done the islands a service by growing
seedlings, distributing them, and teaching people how to compost, garden,
and cook fresh vegetables not indigenous to the area.  Even out at Kauma
H.S. where we're located, the school has a very decent garden growing
'cabbage':  which looks more like a type of lettuce;  'pumpkin':  which
looks more like a large squash of some type;  and a long 'bean':  which
looks like a cucumber, but is eaten differently.  The garden isn't huge, but
one of the teachers, a Solomon islander, who also teaches English, has quite
a green thumb, and has grown the above things to occasionally supplement the
student's diet.

We've been given 'cabbage' twice, and the 'pumpkin' twice, and the beans
'twice'.  You can't imagine how absolutely wonderful it is to have something
fresh.  They are real treasures.  We were given a breadfruit (which makes
delicious 'chips':  french fried pieces), but now the breadfruit season is
over for a few months.  A type of native fruit grows on the trees called
Pandanus.  The leaves of the tree are used to make thatch for the roofs.
Our roof is thatch.  I don't particularly relish the fruit, but it is
greatly loved by the locals.  There are some 'paw paws' (papayas) which grow
here.  Unfortunately, Drue and I are not keen on papayas yet.

Back to the Taiwan Technical Gardens:  the man in charge, Jeff, from Taiwan,
graciously gave me some seeds to try my hand at gardening out at Kauma.  I
hope to have some success.  He was growing corn and tomatoes, among other
wonders!

Drue and I bought a tabletop gas (Propane) two burner stove.  I've been
cooking on a one burner Kerosene stove top that is temperamental, makes the
pans black and sooty, and that frequently burns the bottom of my food when
cooking it.  Currently the island of Abemema is out of propane, but we were
assured by the company here that supplies fuel that ten large cannisters
were soon to be shipped to the outer island of Abemema.

We bought two single, foam type mattresses for our sleeping 'kia kia':  a
raised traditional porch like structure, with a thatched roof, open sides,
and tied-together  coconut palm midriffs for the floor.  We've been sleeping
in it almost since day one, using our mosquito net for walls, and our therma
rests on the floor for a mattress.  It is much cooler than in the
traditional house.  The trade winds are generally strong on the oceanside
where we are, and we are practically sleeping under the stars, on the beach.
The surf is loud, and Drue is still having a hard time getting used to it.
I use my earplugs, as always, which helps.

We bought electrical switch plates, fluorescent bulbs, 4 1/2 gallons of
engine oil for the boat.  In addition, we bought a rice maker, and
rubbermaid type storage containers.  We bought some food, including two
precious carrots, three onions, an avocado, and the apples we have already
eaten.

Everything is extremely expensive here:  must be the cost of shipping it in,
plus the markup.  God provided us with some local students who are SDA's who
we bumped into down near the wharf as they were about to set sail to Abemama
to give a concert.  They were traveling lightly;  and they took three boxes
of ours along for which we only had to pay $11.50 in freight charges.  If we
had taken the items as excess freight on the plane tomorrow, the cost would
have been $2.60 per pound.

It's going to be hard to go back out in some ways:  mostly because there is
no place to go to get cool;  and the food choices are so limited.  But
Abemama is very peaceful, quiet, beautiful, and clean;  and the people are
so friendly and fun loving.  Tomorrow, Sunday evening, will be the end of
the year FEAST, something we have been told to 'not miss'.  We'll report
more on those happenings later.

We know are connected to the school's electrical service which gives us
lights two hours morning and two hours in the evening when the generator is
on.  It also provides power those four hours daily to the small chest
freezer base camp has.  This is enough to make it cool for functioning as a
fridge.  Yea:  progress!!

Back to Reality

Well, lets try this again. We went from sleeping in a room with AC and discovering that I had not forgotten how to sleep, to the Kia Kia on the beach with the roar of the surf and the humid breeze. But now I am armed with a new foam pad and ear plugs. The first night we realized that only one of the new pads would fit on the Kia Kia. So Joy tried to sleep on two thermarest pads next to me. She could not sleep there as the tilt of the Kia Kia kept her rolling into me all night. She retired to the hut and the broken bed frame that I have not had time to rebuild yet. (My job is to make the bed bigger and stronger than before using the same amount of wood!)

I was all set with my new pad, lots of room to stretch out and I thought now I am going to get a good nights sleep. Mother Nature had other ideas! I was awakened at about 1AM with rain and wind. It was short lived, and I was only slightly wet, so I went back to sleep. At 2AM I was awakened with strong winds. I decided to head for cover of the hut just as it began to  from the sky. I have a hammock set up in the hut for just such an event. The next morning Joy was up before me and she found my sheets, foam pad and thermarest and ipod and palm all on the ground in the sand. (Yes, I did have my palm and ipod in a sealed plastic bag and it stayed sealed!) It rained and was overcast all the next day. (Very delightful temperature and situation unless you are  trying to dry out!) So, now I am all dried out and ready to try again. I do believe restful sleep in the Kia Kia is possible and I intend to experience that!!

Providential Happenings

The volunteer librarian at Kauma Adventist High School had emailed the mission that we were coming to Tarawa to get supplies and that we would need a car to get around to the various villages for shopping.  When we arrived at the mission to deliver letters from the school we were advised we could pick up the car in the morning and use if for the day--we just needed to put petrol in it. How nice, I thought! I didn't really know where the stores were, but I figured it would be a good way to learn.   When we arrived the next morning, we were advised the car had a bad battery, but they had arranged for a truck and driver to take us shopping. The price would be A$30.00 for a half day.  I am so glad that car had a battery problem!!

The young man that was our driver was SO helpful! He went into every store with us and translated.  Joy saw Mrs. Geno, a recent widow from Kauma, and invited her to ride along. At first I thought, "That poor lady--what if she doesn't want to come bounce around in the back of a hot, dusty truck for four hours?  What if her culture would not let her say 'no'?!"  She decided to come and that turned out to be providential.

We had good success looking for what we needed at the first stop. I found the actual half inch PVC parts that I needed, though it took a long time. Then we went to a grocery store and found canned tomato paste, canned pears and fresh carrots, apples and an avocado! Never mind the price--your imagination will do just fine. Then we went to look for the deep cycle batteries and discovered they were sold out and would not be getting anymore for 3 months. There went my idea of getting a 12V water and light system going....

We bought a tabletop two burner cook stove to replace the one burner kerosene one back at 'base camp'.  Then we went to try to order some propane as there is currently none available on Abemama. We were assured they would be sending out ten, 30 gallon tanks to Abemama "soon" and we could get five of them if we wanted. (We currently have five empty 30 gallon tanks in our storage room.)  No matter what I said, I could not seem to make them understand that I only wanted one tankful of Propane.  We also bought 18 Liters (almost 5 gallons) of motor oil for "Sugar Blues", the Search for One boat.

Time was flying by and I realized it would be very unlikely we could make it out to the airport before the freight office closed. If you leave your excess baggage at least a day before you travel you pay $1.30 per pound instead of $2.60 per pound at flight check-in time.  I was thinking we would just have to leave most of our acquisitions at the mission and hope someone could help us get it shipped to Abemama at a later time. But it was also too late to discuss that option with anyone at the mission as the offices were closed. What to do?! I was really praying for help and thankful for many Prayer Warriors back at home. Then, just at the right moment--the answer!

While I was talking with the propane/motor oil dealer, Mrs Geno noticed some students she knew walking toward the wharf and discovered that they were going to Abemama via a small ship that was now loading! They were a group of Seventh-day Adventist singers that had placed "first" in a government sponsored singing competition. Now the Kiribati government was sending them to the Outer Islands to conduct some programs. They were very able, and willing, to securely take all of purchases. And they will be at the Kauma school when we arrive Sunday PM. So, the Lord provided a personal escort for our freight at a total cost A$11.50--JUST when we needed it!!

Shopping on Tarawa

After 'camping' on the beach for the past month, Joy and I traveled yesterday to the main island of Tarawa for some supplies to help move past the camping stage. We waited at the airport for 3 hours and 30 minutes for the plane as it had been diverted to another island to transport a sick patient to the hospital. There was also a sick man and his wife on our plane, going to the hospital. I am not sure what his problen was but he was breathing 40 times per minute! Two passengers were bumped off our flight to accomodate the ill man and his wife. The plane only holds eight passengers! I am not sure how they decided who gets to find another day to go to Tarawa. At least there are now flights 3 days per week intead of once a week as it was when we were here last time.

We are looking for electrical supplies to wire the new wind generator into the new batteries we are also here to purchase. With the new batteries and the 3 solar panels that are already there, we hope to generate enough power to run a 12V water pump and lights. Maybe even a fan at night once in a while! We also hope to upgrade the cooking stove to propane instead of kerosene. (Won't miss the soot on all the pots and pans!)

Getting propane on Abemama is quite another issue. It can be done. But those on the island that use propane are currently out! Not sure where the "rate limiting step" is in this scenario..... Supposing we do find what we need, the next thing is to actually get it to Abemama. You can take excess baggage with you on the plane for $2.60 per pound if you are very desperate and/or wealthy. Or you can leave your freight at the airport the day before and pay $1.30 per pound. Another option is shipping by boat.  There is no way to know when the boat will arrive and you are supposed to be there to sign for your freight when it gets there!  I am guessing there is some sort of "Island Communication" that I have not yet discovered....Joy thinks communication is done by CB radio.  We have to learn how to 'get in the loop.'

We also wanted to meet with the Minister of Health, Dr. Kautu Tenaua, to introduce ourselves, give him copies of our medical licenses, and learn more about his assessment of outer island medical/dental needs.  We also shared with him our work permit dilemma to see if he could help us. We had a delightful visit with him today. He is a very educated and articulate man who has a great burden to help his country and people. During his OB-GYN training in the United Kingdom for four years he learned some of the positive aspects of the "western" worldview.  It is amazing to see how he has made so many reforms and how difficult it has been to implement these! Joy told him she wondered if he was sent to his nation in this position "for such a time as this" like Esther in the Bible. We told him we will be praying for his work for the I-Kiribati.

In our shopping forays, Joy was very excited to spot an English language training center, run by an Australian, Anthony Hageman.  ESL has always been a big interest of hers.  She hopes to be able to assist with English teaching in Abemama in some way.  Her plans to do that at Kauma school are on hold as the school year is just about over.  The students are taking their final examinations over the next few weeks.  Their summer holidays are November through January.  Anthony was a very gracious listener who shared lots of helpful, local tips (and some needed 1/2" PVC fittings) with us neophytes!  His website is:  www.englishcentre.edu.ki

We're enjoying the air conditioning immensely at our motel room.  Lagoon Breeze Lodge offers basic, comfortable, accomodations in a spotlessly clean environment.  There is also internet here, though we can't get Skype to work consistently. 

New Ways to Think

I am sitting with the surf hitting the beach about 30 feet away and reflecting on the week. Later I will walk down to the school and post this. We are just a bit more settled and have learned some interesting cultural ways of the Island People.
I was helping make the casket of Geno on Wednesday and they were delayed because of not having a hammer. The school had received 4 new hammers last year and they had all been “borrowed” from the school. While the main builder went to “borrow” a hammer, the other helper explained to me what it means to “loan” something. If I borrow your saw, it is never expected that  I will return it to you! Rather, when you need it again, you must come and ask me if you can borrow MY saw. It would be considered very rude to say, “may I have my saw back.”  The problem is, if my neighbor sees I have a saw, he may ask to borrow “my” saw. In short order, what you thought was your saw may have many new “owners” in the next few days or weeks!  So....when you need to use a saw again, it will likely take you days to find one!!
After the burial of Geno there was a huge feast, or “last dinner.”  It reminded me very much of the funeral dinners we attended while living with the Couer d’ Alene Native American tribe in Idaho. So much food!! The dinner did not start until about 11:00 PM. Part of the reason every thing ran so late was the Tsunami warning that occurred in the morning delayed the casket builders and that delayed everything else. It was dark when the casket was lowered into the grave, which I am told is against the law and can result in a large fine to the family! Then again, there has never been a Tsunami warning in the history of the country!

Last evening a young man from the school came by our hut and was complaining of chest pain when he breathed in. As I listened to his heart and lungs I noted he seemed hot and his temperature was 104.2 F (39.2 C) with a rapid pulse of 120 at rest. Clearly he was sicker that he first appeared! We asked him several times if he had an infection anywhere on his body or symptoms of a cold. The answer was always no. It turned out we asked the wrong question--we should have asked if he had a boil and then the answer would have been yes!

The nurse here gave him “local medicine”  (No ne Fruit) and applied a charcoal poultice. Today we had to go find him as he did not come back to be seen as requested, He was better with a temp of only 101.4 and the pulse had come down to 112. The boil was much improved. He was now complaining that it hurt to breathe when he laid down. He was started on Motrin because his history now sounds like pericarditis (but no friction rub for you medical people.)  We’ll see how he is tomorrow, if we can find him!
Today we realized that the mice have discovered our temporary kitchen and are busy exploring our “refrigerator” and cupboard that the rats have previously chewed holes in the sides and doors of. It seems there is  to see who will eat the food first--the ants, the mice, the rats or you!!

One day in Kiribati

Last evening as I was walking to the school by moonlight, a lady on a motorcycle approached Joy and me--looking for "the doctor." Her 48 year old husband with a heart problem had suddenly become very short of breath. She gave me a ride back to our beach hut for my stethoscope and blood-pressure monitor. We arrived to find him lying comfortably on his back but breathing very fast without any pain. His blood pressure was low and his pulse was weak but normal rate. There was nothing I  could do for him and I was called out pronounce him dead at 1:30 this morning.  He will be buried today. He was apparently advised to leave the Island last month by a doctor on Tarawa, due to health concerns. He was scheduled to fly out next week. It is such a helpless feeling to know our patient needs to be in an emergency room and instead they are on a remote island with no medical facilities--except you.

We were just finishing our late breakfast this AM when a man on a motorcycle drove up a advised that a Tsunami may be coming ashore in 30 minutes--about two hours ago now. That is also a helpless feeling. There is really no "high ground" here. You just think of lots of things you never have thought of for a long time and pray that it will NOT hit here. We did not have time to get out to the sailing boat and get away from shore. (3 mile walk!!) The wave was due to hit 90 minutes ago and all is quiet with no wave coming ashore....yet.

I attached a photo of our new home on Abemama. It is in much need of repairs, but the kitchen hut in a higher priority. We hope to sleep in the smaller hut where there is more air flow as it is too hot in the bigger hut at night.

This is serious camping here! The wind generator has not generated a single watt in 3 days now. The "new" $300.00 battery for the twelve volt water pump will not hold a charge. Three of the five solar panels need to be fixed. The 240 V power from the school is to be reconnected "any day now," as of a week ago. There are no light bulbs even if there were power to the fixtures.... Base camp will be slowly, slowly put together, on "Island time!" I am so thankful for the small Honda generator that SFO has!!

Destination Abemama, accomplished!

Gary Morgan and I stayed on Tarawa a few more days and attended a meeting with Mission and Kauma School leaders. The Mission President was not aware of what Search for One was doing on Abemama and at the Kauma School. He said it was "providential" that Gary and I were there for these meetings.

Gary and I spent days wandering through stores looking for parts we needed, especially a piece of 3/4 inch hose for the new 12 volt water pump. We went to EVERY store on the Island that might possibly have it. Finally, it was time to go to the airport to catch our plane to Abemama and meet up with the rest of the team. We checked in at the airport and while we waited Gary wanted to talk with a technician from Australia that he knew. So we headed back to the airport mechanical area and met Jonathan. A very talented and friendly chap from "down under." As we talked, I noticed a piece of 3/4 inch hose on a chair. We mentioned we had been all around the Island looking for hose like that. The conversation moved on to other stories and then the staff of the airline came back looking for us as it was time to board. Jonathan ran and cut us a piece of the hose literally one minute before we boarded to Abemama! Once again, God's timing is PERFECT!! Now we will be able to have real running water! Yes, it is not drinkable, but with some chlorine and our new Berkey Filter it will be.

We hope to get the windmill up and running tomorrow before Gary leaves. I will be able to install the 12 volt lights and pump later this week. The new cook house should also be completed this week. It will be good to get a bit more settled! I hope to get some photo's uploaded this week as well.

Thanks everyone for your support!

First Week Update

We have now been here a week. I am still here on Tarawa. Our things and the teams frieght will be going to Abemama tomorrow, but will need to confirm that tomorrow. Joy flew out to Abemama on Sunday with the other ladies of the team. Gary Morgan (President of Search for One) and I will attend a meeting at the mission tomorrow and then fly out to Abemama on Wednesday. We spent today lining up supplies and tickets.

We met a Kiribati man who works a lot with volunteers from Australia and he had some good ideas of how to work with the Government such that we may not have to leave and come back in four months from now. Gary hopes to meet with the Ministry of Health on his way back home next week. Will let you know how that turns out.

The principal of the Kauma Adventist High school is here now for meeting and he advised us that the school now has wireless internet! That means we can do Skype calls from the school! What a blessing for keeping in touch with family and friends!! "Remote" redefined again! (Still no electricity at basecamp and no running water.)

Bumps in the Road

We have been here now 3 days. The "Sugar Blues," Search for One's 40' sailboat is not working (even though it just had a new engine put in this past March.) The "Super Cat" we took out to Abemama in the past is not operating any longer. The cost to fly our things to Abemama is prohibitive, and there were not seats available for the team even if we wanted to fly. There is a landing craft that will be going out to Abemama next Sunday or Monday.

We wanted to open an account today at the bank and were unable do so without a letter from Immigration. We then went to Immigration to get our letter and "Work Permit." We were then advised that we needed to have a United Sates police clearance report, Curriculum Vitae, United States Medical exam, and were also advised all this had to be done and submitted prior to entering the country! All this was a "change in the law" that occurred within the last 12 months. The "good news" was that the visitor permit is now good for 4 months now instead of the previous 30 day limit. Long story short, we will need to leave the country in four months or pay $5,000.00 per person to try to change our "entry status!!" Unless the Ministry of Health can help us, we will have a "forced vacation" to somewhere! We may have to sail to the Marshall Islands....or the Cook Islands.....or any suggestions out there?!

We ran a clinic at one of the villages here on Tarawa.  The three nurses and I kept busy with lots of patients.  We were able to hand out some needed medicines and encouragement.  There is so much need!

We also stopped by the Australian High Commissioner's Office and met him and his Assistant High Commissioner.  They were very cordial and interested in Search for One's involvement in health and development work in the outer islands.  We were invited to join the Australian expatriate community during their monthly get togethers at the embassy.

Greetings from Fiji

We arrived in Fiji at 5 AM and were met by Gary Morgan, President of Search for One (SFO). We enjoyed a wonderful breakfast of fresh mango, pineapple, papaya, and bananas back at his Hotel. Joy was able to get in a nice swim while I went with Gary down to the boat harbor looking for supplies for the Sugar Blues (40' sailboat that SFO owns.) We are now getting ready to board for Tarawa, Kiribati. I was very blessed to have 4 seats in a row on the overnight flight from LAX and was able to sleep!! I was praying for someway to get some rest on the plane. Need to run--thanks for checking in with us!!

Leaving on a Jet Plane!

I am writing from LAX, about to board Air Pacific for Fiji and then Tarawa. It was amazing to see how we had just the help we needed--just when we needed it! I feel very blessed right now. (And fatigued!)
Still looking for a team member. Boarding in 30 minutes! Many thanks to all the Prayer Warriors and helpers. Must run now and get through security--bye for now!

On The Road!

Wow! The last four days have been a whirlwind! So many last minute loose ends--hard to find time to pack! We had the privilege to share how God has led us to this mission opportunity with our Hamburg church family and with the Pottsville church. We are so warmed by their incredible support and generosity!  We had reserved a 22' truck to take things down to storage in TN. I had thought a 17' would likely do the job, but a 22' was the same price. Why not have some extra room I thought. When we went to pick up the truck, they said they would like to give us a 26' for the same price. And they would discount the total cost by 5% to help with the extra fuel. Well, you guessed it--that 26' truck was just what we needed. ("Before you call, I will answer") So much for "thinning down!" (But we did sell all the furniture and appliances except for our bed, my desk, two chairs, a small dining set, two small book shelves, a sofa and piano.) With timely help from friends and neighbors, we finally got all packed up, truck loaded and then I realized that I did not know where the keys were. That is a real sinking feeling..Then I also realized the special lock was also "somewhere" in the truck. (It was one of those days that our mother's always warn us about!) Joy and her Dad were on their Penske's to pick up another key (at 9:00 PM!) when I was impressed to check the only bag I had access to. What a relief to find both the keys and the lock! We are now at a hotel for some much needed sleep--compliments of Joy's parents. Thanks Mom and Dad Youngberg!! It was not easy to say goodbye them and to son Daniel for the next 10 to 12 months. We need to stop in Chattanooga TN to say good-bye to our daughter Janna and then on to Jackson TN to unload the truck by 3:00 PM Friday. Many thanks to Joy's sister Susan for arranging help. Oh will it be nice to rest for Sabbath!! Our plane leaves for Tarawa Sunday the 13th. Now I must sleep, many thanks to all those Prayer Warriors out there--could not have made it without you!!

Countdown continues

Now just 14 days left! Moving Truck reservation in made! Still trying to order last minute items as we are about out of time to ship things. Dining Table on the Block. House is looking more bare--and messy. Opened/half filled boxes everywhere. Stuff in the yard even! Ping Pong table went to a new home today. Sure had fun with that!! Daniel still lets the old man beat him now and then in the game! I am going to try uploading a couple of photo's as well. There are 16-20 Prayer Warriors supporting us daily! Thank you, thank you everyone!

Soon to be up and running!

Greetings and Welcome to our Blog! I am a real newbe to this and am waiting for son Daniel to get home to give some expert advise on how to get this site set up the best and most interesting way possible. Please be patient! Thank you for visiting!!