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!!