The (Church) Learning Garden

The Church, over the last couple of years, has invested in the creation of a "Learning Garden" for the purpose of teaching people how to grow a more nutritious option than the current staples in their diet.  Though bread fruit, coconut, and papaya are healthy, the volume of rice consumed is out of proportion for health reasons.  The people here desperately need more green vegetables in their diet.  The trick is, given the poor soil (100% sand) most things won't grow without serious tender loving care.  This garden was founded to help people learn how to do the TLC necessary to grow more healthy foods, decrease their food expense, and show them how to become self-sufficient.  The previous welfare missionaries, Elder and Sister Youngberg, were instrumental in the development of this garden.  They did a great job on their mission and these pictures reflect their work.

In the back is the Mwaneabe.  This is kind of a bowery where classes and demonstrations can be held.  Upper right is a restroom with showers and everything.  This picture shows covered spots where compost is curing.  Also, you can see the corn in the upper right.  This was planted about a month ago.  Today it has tassels.

Above shows some eggplant with some tomatoes immediately behind.  Continuing to the right are beds with more tomatoes and beans in the last bed.  The gardener is staggering the beds so that he always has some vegetables ripening.  You can see him and Sis Waldron in the upper left.  His name is Tioromaea (pronounced Soro-my-aya) and he spends all day at the garden five days a week.  He is learning a lot and wants to go into the gardening business for himself with a goal of becoming self-reliant.

This is a bed planted in sweet potatoes.  No one here has ever heard of them.  We can't wait to do a demonstration to show what fun things can be made from sweet potatoes--SP fries, SP pie, SP casserole (we'll have Sis Bogh make marshmallows for the topping), etc.  Yum.

A great picture of Sis Waldron standing in, get this, a watermelon patch.  We visited the Taiwan Mission Garden one morning and they shared some watermelon they had grown with us.  I would never be an unappreciative guest but couldn't resist the temptation to purloin a couple of seeds.  I stuck a couple in my pocket and badda boom...

You can see three melons getting just about ready.  The green one on the left is from my illicit seeds.  The one at top should be ripe in a couple of days.  

As mentioned the corn is just over a month old and as you can see, it is tasseling and there is silk where the ears are starting to form.  Can't wait to see what this produces as we don't know what variety of seeds we planted.  

VTEP and Cultural event of 26 Sept

Today saw a fun event for Moroni High School.  The Vocational and Technical Education Program of the school put on a cultural event to show off their newly learned skills and talents.  There were eight or ten tents set up with demonstrations of various aspects of the vocational training here.  One was a tent where students were assembling a Briggs and Stratton engine--automotive shop.  Another was Home Economics with pastries for sale.  A third had fun boxes the wood shop students had made (all dove tailed corners).  But all demonstrated some aspect of the vocational training received preparatory to entering the job market.

This is one of our favorite little gals here.  She has a cute, fun personality and was one of the first sufficiently outgoing to rush up and give us a big hug, introduce herself and welcome us to Tarawa.  Her name is Teresa (Teh-reh-saw, much like Teresa in English), she is about 17, here from Christmas Island and sporting the dress she made in Home Ec.  

They had all the girls who made their own dresses model them at the opening exercises for the event.  These little gals were all dressed to the nines and all heart-breakers.

 Watch out Elders, maintain control at all times.  In the background on the right, seated, are Elder and Sister Bogh, the VTEP missionaries.  He is an old shop teacher from Mayfield and she is a homemaker.  Together they have done an incredible job setting up and coaching the vocational training at Moroni High.  From wood shop to electrical and gas motors to cooking and sewing, these students are getting the best training around.  

In these little Buias (pronounced Boo-yaw) students were demonstrating/sharing their home cultures for those at Kiribati; the kinds of homes, foods and lifestyle they enjoy at home.  This one shows a palm frond basket on the table with bread fruit and coconuts.  Bread fruit is quite yummy, by the way.

Here they are seated on banana leaves and singing with a guitar accompaniment.   

Abemama is one of the outer islands SE of Tarawa.  She has some fruit and fish on the table.  In her right hand she has a small leafy branch they use to shoo the flies.

This concession is made up like a little porch setting with a covered bench and the beach out front.  The little sign on the front says Beru, a small island further SE of Tarawa.  Not only are there students representing most of these islands here at Moroni, but there are missionaries out there preaching the gospel.  

East Stake Song Fest, 19 Sept

The song festival is a once a year deal here and a BIG deal at that.  All the wards and a branch participated and worked for weeks on their performances.  Not just the singing, they were judged on parts, creativity/choreography, arrangements, etc.  They did three numbers each and it just got wilder and crazier as it went.

This is one of the wards doing their number at the song fest.  Part of the judging (in which Sis Waldron took part) was costuming.  They looked great in their dark skirts/trousers and colorful shirts.

This was a primary group from one ward--led by a primary child.  Soooo cute.

This group was huge and chose to be seated.  Their number was very well orchestrated with a tremendous bass section--notice all the neckties on the back row.

One group showed up late but better than never.  They represented a branch located on one of the outer islands and came in on a two hour boat ride.  

This group was from Eita Ward and won the deal.  They had not only musical numbers for the song fest but had huge choreography to go along with their numbers.  My problem was I didn't think to do movie or sound.  Next time I'll bring the Church's movie camera so I can capture the real spirit of the event.  It was wonderful and very moving to hear the saints put their hearts and souls into their respective numbers.  Sorry about the lights in the back--couldn't help that.  It really fouled up most of the pictures.  These are the best.

Early September on Tarawa

We were tooling down the road and pulled up on a family apparently moving their home.  This is a buia (pronounced like the marines would--boo-yaw) on the back of a Nissan p/u truck.  Who says there are no Red Neck motor homes on Tarawa?

We took a little excursion out to the north end of the island (far as you can walk anyway) and at the end of where we could drive was a lovely crossing to the next island.  We rolled up our pants and waded in.  It was about 300 yards across.  Here are three intrepid waders.

Here are the rest, ready to embark or disembark as the case may be.

When we got to the other side there was a noticeable starboard list while everyone removed their port shoes.  They are sitting on a little outrigger (more modern than the hollowed-out-log kind).  It has a little trolling motor on the back.  We rode it back on the return trip because by noon the tide had come in and a walk across would have been somewhat above our waist.  Manageable but more wet than we wanted to  be.

The hardy hikers (hardly hiking) after crossing the crooked bridge.  It was a little worse for wear but easily passable.

 
Fun in the trees.  They dared me to climb one so I did.  Sister Waldron kept seeing visions of the cherry tree incident so the next tree I didn't climb, I just imitated.  Looks just like me, don't you think?  The branches of these trees have the most incredible stickers.  They must be related to cactus somehow.  I wouldn't risk it again except maybe on a double-dog dare.

This is one of the little villages we passed on our hike.  It was so pristine up here.  Much less population/congestion and therefore less pollution.  Still friendly, the people were gracious and smiley.  You can see a water storage tank dead center in the picture.  Further north they were still using poles and buckets to dip their water from a well.

This is a picture of the crossing looking back to the main island.  Really quite picturesque--Sister Waldron didn't hurt it either.

The other day we found a formidable homesteader in the pantry.  On the left you see a 32 oz can of  fruit cocktail--just to give you some size perspective.  Sister Waldron was surprised but not apoplectic like some of her daughters would have been.  We captured and put him out.  We don't hold with no homesteadin' sod-busters in our territory.

Late August--early September

Our neighbor, Ratuti, is showing Sis Waldron how to weave a basket from a palm frond

Here is the finished product.  They were both surprised at how good Sis Waldron was--multi-talanted missionary.

This is a little home, typical of the area and one of our neighbors.  We thought it an interesting contrast of old culture and new.  In the foreground you can see their car.  There is the Puia, Kiribati for home or hut, and if you can blow up the picture, the little light dot in the middle of the hut is a laptop monitor.

The day is overcast but you can see the institute on the right and the bishops' offices on the left and behind is all the classrooms for the West Stake Center.  Located in Teaoreireke, it is the home of two wards.  We attend the Teaoreireke second ward.

This is taken from the rear and you can see the manieba which serves as the cultural hall.  The chapel is located in the middle.  It is about 2/3 the size of one of ours, full of fans and open windows.  Very like attending church in a sauna.

Bairiki chapel from the causeway.  Utterly picturesque.  We had a "Rescue" here a couple of weeks ago.  The missionaries in the zone gathered and divided into small groups to go visit less active RMs and Priesthood holders.

 The western view of the same chapel.  It is out on this little jut of land out into the ocean side of the island.  Beautiful setting and a beautiful chapel.  Notice no grass--it doesn't grow here.  Lots of pretty flowers though.

This is the learning garden.  Established by the Church two years ago, it is a garden where the manager grows various vegetables and teaches people how to grow them at home.  This is supposed to help them provide a more nutritious diet and develop some self sufficiency.

We took a little excursion on the church's launch the other day.  It has twin 90 horse motors and moves out pretty good.  We went around the southern end of the atoll and visited a small sandbar that used to be an inhabited island.

The launch is named the Riaona (Liahona).

Finally, Tarawa

This is the front door to our apartment.  There is kind of a patio around this and the side in the back ground.  It is surrounded by bread fruit and coconut trees.  Our neighbor has already treated us to coconut meat and milk fresh from the trees.  Some of our neighbors are members but we don't see them in church because the Mission President assigned us to a different ward.  We live in the Taoreireke 1st ward but attend the second.  Our ward neighborhood is 1/2 mile up the street.

 

On our first morning here we were welcomed with a devotional and a breakfast.  They even made us crowns/leighs of fresh flowers.  We are on the front porch of the Service Center.

 

This is a little better picture of the SC from the front.  It is a nice building that houses about a dozen church employees that manage the administrative affairs (finance, facilities, motorpool, etc.) of the church in this part of the mission.  They have loaned us an office until ours is done.

A picture from the road looking up the "street" which is a gross exageration of the term here.  Where there is foliage, it is dense.

We passed some children swinging on a rope from this tree.  When the tide is in, they can swing out into the ocean.

On evening we were having a farewell party for the mission nurse, Sister Cassita, and who should show up and even sang some fun songs?  The past president of the republic, President Tito.  Though not a member of the Church some of his family is and some of the songs he sang were hymns.  He will be a good friend to the Church.

Another picture of the foliage you see from the road.  We'll stop here for now, having trouble with the internet which is more the case than not.

 

 

The Waldrons reach New Zealand

 

We landed at the airport in New Zealand at about 5:00 am and were greeted (after an hour in customs and emmigration) by Elder and Sister Reynolds.  They picked us up and drove us to our hotel in Taka Puna where the area office is also located.

When we arrived at the hotel room, Sister Waldron threw open the blinds and a beautiful rainbow greeted us.  The rainbow ended at the true pot of gold.

 

This is a picture from our hotel window of the area headquarters building.  It is just beyond the parking lot and on the right hand side.  Notice the speck on the white wall in front.  It has the offices of the area presidency and all the operational managers (finance, facilities management, legal, public affairs, welfare/self reliance, etc.)  The lake in the background, if I remember correctly, is the mouth of a volcano but filled with water now.

Pictured with us are Elder and Sister Reynolds.  He is the secretary to the area presidency.  He is also involved with the welfare and self reliance activities.  They were our hosts and could not have been more hospitable. 

 

We are standing in front of the area headquarters.  In the picture two frames above this, you can just make out this sign (a little speck) on the front of the building.  It is winter here and because we didn't pack any warm clothing (weight limitations) we had to borrow a couple of coats from the Reynolds in order to brave the out doors and not freeze.  Just the two block walk from the hotel to here was bone chilling.  Still, not a winter in the Utah sense unless you are from St. George.

This is a picture from the area office taken back to the Spencer on Byron, our hotel.  Our room was a corner room with a balcony, the highest one.  We had a pleasant stay there.  Very comfortable with a great complimentary breakfast.  Dinner was another story.  A bowl of soup was $15 but was delicious none the less.

This one is a view of the pool from our room.  I though I could just about hit it but Sister Waldron forbade.  I went the easy way, through the gym, and swam a quarter mile or so one afternoon.  It was chilly at best.  Great lap pool, though.

Taka Puna beach on Saturday morning.  It was a beautiful "winter" day and the place was full of walkers with kids and dogs, sail boats, swimmers (brrr.), and kayaks.

 

Sister Waldron with her sister, Tina, on the beach under one of the enormous, Swiss Family Robinson trees there.  Living in Wellington, she was able to join us for the day for a little site seeing and reconnecting.

 

When we left NZ we were greeted by the same beautiful rainbow as when we arrived.  This is taken from the Area Doctor's office on Friday evening.  Sister Waldron wanted him to check her ears and I needed his final blessing to depart for Tarawa in spite of my painful hip.  Needless to say, on with the show.

MTC for Welfare Services Training

     July 28-31 was our extended training for Welfare/Humanitarian Services.  It was great in that it answered a lot of questions about what we are actually supposed to do on our mission.  Turns out, we are really not supposed to go to the Gilbert Islands to help people--we are supposed to go and partner with existing NGOs, government agencies, programs and resources that are already there doing some kind of humanitarian work.  We can perhaps support financially, organizationally, or logistically those groups already on the ground doing work for the people in the area.  We haven't found out what our "area" is but I'm guessing we'll be more or less confined to Tarawa unless there is something of note happening on another atoll and we can justify/manage travel there to assist.
     We have heard rumblings about a major initiative surrounding the issue of diabetes.  Seems the Pacific Islands are getting some influence from the western culture (the bad stuff, naturally) such as high fructose corn syrup, mono-sodium-glutamates, and all the stuff that makes you fat.  The obesity, because of poor medical support, education, and cultural impediments; is turning to diabetes and is an emerging problem in the Pacific area.  Perhaps we will find government/non-government health agencies with whom we may partner to provide consulting, management, or financial support to stem the tide.
     On another note, for the last two months I've been struggling with a pain in my hip that has radiated down my leg and substantially restricted my activity.  Sometimes I could hardly walk.  Thinking it an injury (pulled muscle or a tendon), I have waited for it to get better on its own--to no avail.  Finally I resorted to a doctor who took some x-rays and said there was nothing wrong with my hip.  We then went to and orthopedist who took some more x-rays (I suppose because the others weren't good enough) and agreed it was not a hip problem per se.  He suggested it might be a spinal problem.  Oh no, we're flying out of here in less than a month.  We went the next day to a PT and a Chiropractor who worked their magic--frankly, I felt better after the chiropracter's adjustment, but still the problem persisted.  While at the MTC I got an appointment with a radiologist who did an MRI and sent it to all concerned and, yep, bulgy discs and pinched nerves. They referred me to a spinal surgeon who sent me to a clinic where they administered an epidural of cortisone in two vertebrae.   This was done on the last day at the MTC in Provo.  Interestingly, the best therapy I've enjoyed is sitting with correct posture (even exaggerated) for several hours a day at the MTC. Hopefully I am ready to fly out of here on Sunday.  Much prayer and the ministrations of many Elders and doctors should do it.