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| Moroni High Ward members preparing to dance in their lava lavas |
A few weeks ago we had a Ward Party where the theme was Kiribati Culture. Every one was to wear in traditional dress. The dinner was pot luck but was native island food. Some was very good and a few others we were not brave enough to try
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| The young men perform a traditional dance with some modifications |
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| Trying to figure out how to tie a lava lava was Elder Thorne's challenge for the evening |
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| The young people love to pose for Sister Thorne |
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| Young men doing a dance perhaps not always in harmony with each other |
Today (Sunday April 22) was a regional broadcast of state conference in many stakes in the Pacific and Micronesia. Elder Russell M. Nelson was presiding and gave an excellent talk on the gathering of Israel from the Isles of the sea, quoting many scriptures from the Book of Mormon and Doctrine and Covenants. He spoke of the importance of recording the history of the church in the islands as well as personal histories. (that made me feel like our efforts in making the kiribati wikispaces site need to be reemphasized. Elder Nelson told parents to correct the children in private but to always praise them in public.
Elder Baxter of the 70 spoke in very specific terms about changing cultural traditions that are not consistent with the Gospel. He gave several specific examples such as not drinking coffee at ceremonies, avoiding any type of physical abuse of spouses or children, following Priesthood leaders when their is a conflict between what is being taught or done by village leaders with counsel of Priesthood leaders.
Sister Esplin of the Primary General Presidency taught the Doctrine of the Sabbath. She said the Sabbath lasts all day long. We need to teach children what they can do on the Sabbath not just things they shouldn't do. Brother Matthew Richardson of the General Sunday School Presidency spoke of the Law of Common Consent. How it is not a vote but a personal covenant that we will show loyalty and support those we sustain. He said to stop putting questions marks after what the prophet says and instead put explanation marks.
There was an overflow crowd at the conference today. Yesterday (Saturday) we attended the leadership training and adult session which was sparsely attended but good, I think. Most of it was in Kiribati, but you could feel the spirit present. The broadcast from the area was in English so that was especially enjoyable.
Rain and More Rain
We have received lots of rain during the past few weeks. When it rains it really comes down in bucket loads. It doesn't last very long but with a metal roof on our house it sounds like a jet airplane is flying low over our house. The kids and teenagers love it, you see them sliding on the outdoor basketball and tennis courts on their bellies, rolling in it, or laying on their back like they are making snow angels. Others hurry and shampoo their hair and run for the nearest drainage spout to rinse the soap off their hair and face. Even as I type this, I can hear it raining again, which is ok we need the water.
As I go walking early in the morning (5 am), I often see young ladies washing their hair under the outdoor water taps. While their friends help dry and comb each others long hair. It is fun to see the smiles and close friendships among the students. You see young ladies holding each others hands and giving each other kisses on the cheeks. The boys are a little more subtle about it but you can see the grins on their faces as the see friends. Genuine friendship and caring is shown very openly in Kiribati. It is unfortunate that in the USA, it has reached a point where such expression of love or friendship between the same sexes is looked on with mistrust and suspicion that they are gay.
In many ways the islanders are pure and innocent to many ways of the world, thanks in part to the lack of television and other media. They do listen to the radio, but most of it is music (some of which is certainly not appropriate). Last month Lita (the high school principal) asked me to listen to a song to which a group of students were going to perform at an assembly. I am about the last person she should have asked - being several generations removed from the current music scene. Fortunately, I ran into the Zone Leaders and asked them to listen and see if their lyrics were inappropriate or suggestive. They gave it their clearance as being OK. They did say that they have heard some music being played in the cultural hall, that was very vulgar.
Elder and Sister Colesen from St. George (humanitarian water specialists) have been hear for the past few days working with the Ogborns on water and sanitation issues. They tested the water well just across the fence from the school and found e-coli and other problems. But the good news if they will put the water in clear glass bottles and let it sit in direct sun light for 6 hours it will be safe to drink or else it needs to be boiled. The missionaries have a 3-phase water filtering system for the water we drink and use for food preparation. Elder and Sister Colesen know our cousin Roberta and her husband who also serve as humanitarian missionaries on water and sanitation through out the world. There are so many different types of mission experiences available for senior couples.
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