Dancing with Joy

 Wow! I can't believe it's been 3 weeks since I last posted.  Time seems to be flying and I can't keep up.  

Yesterday was the 183rd anniversary of the Relief Society.  The members here celebrated it by having a devotional with speakers, dancing, and of course food.  The ladies in our ward are so good to me. They again invited me to join them in the dancing. They dance their traditional dances that they learned in primary school.  Here I am, an "Imatong" (white person) trying to learn one of their dances.  They are so very patient with me.  Especially when I don't even speak their language!  Which, by the way, makes it difficult during church services every week.  

They truly dance with joy. And take great pride in their culture. 

 It is beautiful to watch 

These 2 beautiful women spent a lot of time teaching me how to dance. 

I am too uncoordinated and my brain is too old to do this again. 

Working on costumes.  

Everyone wore a yellow blouse and blue skirt to the meeting 

in honor of the Relief Society. They called it the RS "uniform". 

I have mentioned before about the dental clinic here that we are helping to put solar power on.  2 men from the States, a father and son team named Rod and Hayden, came tor a whole week and worked on fixing everything that needed fixing.  What a blessing this will be for E/S Duke and the people here.    

Part of this dental program is to train and certify local people so they can provide basic preventative care.  

E/S Duke, Hayden, Rod, E/S Redmond and S. Martin

One of our projects that we just submitted to be approved is a bus for the School and Center for Children with Disabilities.  It has taken more time than expected because the gentleman who was in charge of getting the invoice for the bus passed away.  A sad loss for everyone.  But these administrators really love these special children and are doing a great job with them.  Half of the children are transported to school in a flatbed pick-up truck.  Of course, safety is an issue here.  3-4 teachers ride in the back with the students to hold those children who cannot support their own body, and to keep those children with behavioral issues from making a poor choice.  They are doing the best they can.  Some people you just instantly fall in love with.  These people are them for me. 

The transport truck for these special needs children

One of the students,  He was just so darling, I couldn't resist. 

Elder Brown, who is trying to get vocational training into the government High School had a miraculous break through this past week.  He was able to get decision makers from the Ministry of Education  to come to a meeting where this topic was discussed at length. They seemed to be very interested in making this work.  We as humanitarian missionaries are prepared to get vocational equipment (ie table saw, drill press, sewing machines, etc.) into one of the High Schools.  And then, if it is successful, maybe we can do other High Schools. 

Peter, from Australia, sells and installs medical equipment.  He will be refurbishing the room and then installing some radiological medical equipment here at the hospital.  The refurbishment of the room will include a new roof, ceiling, flooring and paint as well as appropriate insulation in the walls that will protect the medical technicians from the harmful rays.  This one piece of equipment is so very much needed here.  The good news is: this will be just the first piece of medical equipment our project will provide.  

Peter and Arleen in the room where the new equipment will go. 

One of our wheelchairs was equipped with a trike attachment. 

We have seen this gentleman" triking" along the main road.  So fun!

By the way, did I mention that our project to get wheelchairs to the island country of Nauru was approved!!  It took a very long time to get this approval.  Lots of road blocks to remove.  But we did it. They should be manufactured by June and then delivered in September-ish.  Can't wait!

Don't forget to stop and just feel the joy.