Independence week

 It's independence week again.  Actually, it's a two week celebration.  Keith and I went to the fishing competition again.  Loved it.  We also attended the MHS Cultural Day.  

The fishing boats lined up for the competition - beautiful 


The winner was 61.5 lb yellow fin tuna 

There's a beauty contest 
and the winner is chosen for Miss Kiribati.
She serves for a year

Former President of the country of Nauru, Marcus Stephen. 
We will be going there in about 6 weeks. 

Sashimi - raw fish served in a soy/pepper sauce. 

The people call this Disneyland. It's part of the Independence Celebration 

One of the rides at "Disneyland" 

Students dancing for Cultural Day 

This is a typical drum used in their traditional dancing

Part of the dancing is someone 
who sprays perfume on all the dancers.
The perfume is really strong. 

We took a couple of trips to North Tarawa.  The first one we walked with other senior missionaries past Nabeina.  The second one, we joined Sister Martin who went to give a piano lesson, to Abatao. We went to talk to them about their boat project and their school fence project.  The boat project is taking a very, very long time to get a decision on approval.  They are so frustrated, and I don't blame them.  

Sister Martin teaching piano 

The teachers of the primary school are housed on campus
 as part of their compensation. 
This is one of their facilities. It's just a bedroom 
The toilets, shower, and cooking area are shared by all. 

We visited 2 preschools who have asked for assistance.  We have found it best to always do site visits so we can see for ourselves what their needs are.  Neither of them are asking for much ie; white boards for their classrooms, or a printer so they can print off worksheets for the children, or materials to fix their water catchment system.  We left both of them with the assignment to get us a quotation from the store.  We will see if they follow through.  I hope so.  /We can't help unless they do.  

Discussing needs in one of the classrooms

Broken catchment system 

I saved the best for last.  We now have Starlink!!  Our internet access is so much better.  

AND  One of the stores here had 12lb bags of pepperoni for $180 each.  There is no way to know whether or not it is good.  So one of the other couple missionaries decided to take the risk.  We bought a quarter bag from them.  It was so good!!  Thank-you E/S Frehner!!
Mounting Starlink 

Homemade pepperoni pizza - heavenly. 













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