We're Home

The last 2 weeks of our mission went by so fast.  Keith keeps very organized records, so we didn't need to do much there.  But we did have a few contracts that still needed signing and some purchase orders that we were hoping would be completed.  The contracts are a little tricky because most people in Kiribati don't know how to sign electronically.  So Keith has to walk them through it.  It's kinda fun to watch as their eyes get big and say "That's it?  That's all I have to do?"  We also visited another preschool requesting toys for their school.  Then it was saying good bye to people we love.  We had a farewell dinner and testimony meeting with all 17 senior missionaries.  The spirit was so strong that no one remembered to take pictures.   

Fetu preschool 

L-R  Ruth and Willie, Uraia who is our supervisor and leader. 
He taught us everything and we couldn't have done anything without him.  
We had dinner during our layover in Fiji  



Our ward gave us gifts of these matching dress and tie.

Timau (center) is the Self Reliance Manager for the church. 
He was soooo helpful for us. 
E/S Frehner are Pathways Missionaries

Kulene, the IT supervisor at the School of Nursing



This is the Tiere family from our old ward.  
We had FHE at their house. Such an amazing family.


Elder and Sister Rollins will be replacing us as humanitarian missionaries.  We spent 3 days with them showing them everything from where to buy groceries to introducing them to the people they will be working with on the projects.  The Rollins are going to be great!  
Picking up E/S Rollins from the airport

Showing them how to get to the Northern Islets. . 

Then it is time to go home.  Very, very mixed emotions.  We are excited to see our family again.  But we are sad  that our service in Kiribati is ending.  

Those who greeted us at the airport
The sign says: "These are the hands that prayed for you" 
Then each of them traced their hand.  How darling is that!

Mission Summary 

22  Projects we submitted:  Hospital Road and Equipment, Hospital Maintenance, Wheelchairs (2025), Eye Clinic, Transport wheelchairs, Kiritimati Island (Xmas) Hospital equipment, Nabeina fishing boat, Abatoa fishing boat, Fire emergency, CURE, Nauru wheelchairs, School of Nursing computer server,, Maurin Kiribati (clean up), School bus for the school for children with disabilities, wheelchair accessible toilets for the Te Toa Metoa (community of the disabled), TVET equipment for KGV high school. Electric wheelchair for Monika, Office furniture for CCNOP (outreach program for malnurished children), fence for the Mamatenanna Primary School, Equipment for the Betio Hospital, School of Nursing laptops and whiteboards. Micro project
7 Projects we assisted with:  Tungaru dental equipment, Southern Hospital dental equipment, Solar panels for the MHS dental clinic, Wheelchairs (2022), Outer island desalination, gardening, Seventh-Day Adventist church. 
13  Projects we closed: 5 outer island secondary schools needing lap tops, Theology school toilets, transport wheelchairs, solar for Dental clinic, Nabeina, CCNOP, 2022 wheelchairs, CURE, Bus for SCCD, 

Fun Facts about us: 
    put 17000 kilometers on the car (that is the equivallent of the length of South Tarawa 600 times!)
        ate 25 pounds of peanut butter
        lost a combined total of  40 pounds 
        attended the ground breaking of the Kiribati Temple
        significantly raised our vitamin D and iron levels (lots of sun and fish) 

Thank you!! to all of you who supported us on this amazing adventure.  We learned so much about ourselves and about our Savior, Jesus Christ.  We have learned that humanitarian work is the Lords work. We have experienced first hand the miracles He is willing to perform to move His work forward.  But mostly, we have felt the love He has for all His children.  We know that God will continue to bless the good people of Kiribati.  





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