Followup Freedom Chairs in Whitehouse & Lashings

 Freedom Chairs in the White House (followup)

In an earlier post (April 14, 2012) we wrote about the delegation from Richfield, Utah going to the White House to be recognized for the communities support of military families.  The delegation had requested to take two Freedom Chairs Jack Hansen and I made last year for the soldiers (we had a few left over).  We agreed to give them two, but we had seen no photos nor received confirmation that the chairs were actually delivered to the First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden wife of the Vice President.


A big thanks to DonaMae Workman from the Family Readiness Support Group in Richfield who sent us some photos of the freedom chairs and gift basket being presented to Dr. Jill Biden at the White House ceremony honoring Richfield's Military Families Community Support Program. A freedom chair and gift basket was also provided for First Lady Michelle Obama.  DonaMae and her husband Captain Cody Workman went to the White house as part of the group from Richfield City.

 Quoting DonaMae's email: 

Our trip was wonderful.  It was such an honor to be at the White House as they honored Richfield, Utah for all of the support and love that they have for their soldiers.  We made a wonderful gift basket to go with the chairs.  Mike Turner and Richard Barnett were able to present them directly to Dr. Jill Biden during a reception.  They were able to talk to her about each piece of the gift and why it is important to the community.  The chairs were absolutely the hit of the whole thing!  Thank you so much for letting us share them with the WHITE HOUSE and being such a great supporter of the Soldiers.

Caption on the bottom of this walnut freedom chair for Dr. Jill Biden (a similar name plate was placed on the bottom of each freedom chair presented to soldiers with name, rank, branch of service and a big thank your for the solders service.  A similar name tag was made for First Lady Obama and placed on a maple chair that was presented to her

Gift baskets sitting on top of the freedom chairs, it was good to also see the book "My Dads a Hero" written by  Pat Wilson's daughter - Rachael.  Some of the rest of the items included: The Community Compact Information,  Camouflage for Christmas Collection Bank, the 222nd Receipt Book, CocoMotive Candy, Redmond Salt and other items and products with Sevier County ties.

Mike Turner and Dr. Biden

Mike Turner explaining about the significance of the items in the basket and the freedom chairs in helping raise funds to support military families as well as other support programs that help the families of deployed military members from the Sevier County area

Richfield City Councilmen Richard Barnett and Mike Turner posing with Dr. Jill Biden.  Note: the freedom chairs and gift basket in the back of the room on the left next to the American Flag

 More on Lashings in building a Maneaba

I continue to be fascinated by the traditional construction of Kiribati maneabas. We were able to get some photos of the lashings and general construction of the maneaba on Biketawa atoll.  In an earlier post January 2012 on this blog, there is a lengthy discussion with pictures on the construction of a traditional maneaba.  This is the first time I have been able to take photos of the inside construction of the different lashings used by the I-Kiribati.

Maneaba on Biketawa atoll where we had the marriage retreat

There were four (4) support posts in this smaller maneaba that hold the
large support beams  (coconut tree trunks)

The diagonal roof trusts are lashed to the horizontal cross beams using coconut leave cordage (string)

Another view of the lashing which hold the roof truss in place, someone cheated and used some nails to hold the small rectangular wooden piece  in place.  The traditional maneaba uses no nails or metal attachments or other modern construction materials but, only those gathered from nature.

Lashing to connect two cross beams at a 90 degree angle also you can see the lashing on the diagonal roof truss

Closer look at a diagonal lashing

Note how the cross beam on the roof trusses are also lashed.  Some of the structure is held in place by making notches in the larger roof trusses to hold the roof mats in place

There were other traditional structures on the island as well which are shown below.  Biketawa is a beautiful island and not very expensive to rent for the day.  I think Moroni High rented it for $13.00 for the day and half retreat.

A place to find shade and eat your lunch

Small maneaba design except it is on a cement pad and used some commercial lumber

For those who want some privacy can sleep in these huts

Another hut along side the beach

A view of another atoll next to Biketawa as we approached our landing for the marriage retreat.  No one lives on Biketawa but there are villages on the surrounding atolls

Biketawa Atoll (island).  
An unscrupulous trader talked a village high chief into trading the entire island of Biketawa for a gun (pistol)

Mothers Day/ Marriage Retreat - Day 1

This is the first of two posts for this week on the marriage retreat with the staff of Moroni High School.  All the information would not fit into one post.  School was out all week for the semester break.  With Mothers Day on Sunday and the missionaries coming to our apartment to SKYPE home and Tuesday and Wednesday was the Marriage Retreat, it was a fun and very worthwhile week for Sister Thorne and I.  It was followed up by the arrival of Elder Val and Sister Judy Bush from Sugar City, Idaho on Thursday and  President and Sister Shaw are also here for a few days.  Life is good under the coconut trees.   

Mothers Day

Sunday May 13th is Mothers Day in Kiribati as well as in the USA.  One of the things that makes it special in the mission field is that the young Elders and Sisters get to call home twice a year, Christmas and on Mothers Day.  We had four Elders and four Sisters make SKYPE calls from our apartment, beginning at 10 am until 6 pm.  It is always a fun day when they get to call home, you can feel the love and joy in the hearts and faces of the missionaries.  That feeling of love and warmth remains in our home after they leave.

Sister Thorne prepared a lunch for them and we bought a large chocolate bar for the Sister Missionaries (future mothers).  Chocolate is scarce so they cherish it.  I looked around for a present for Janis, the best I could do was a small locally woven rug.  I told her it is a prayer rug to keep her knees off the cold hard floor.

The first two Elders (Packer and Armstrong) had to go to another couples home because our internet was so slow.  Fortunately the speed increased so Elders Bush and Norton could SKYPE home.  Then the four Sisters came Sister Barlow from Logan, Sister Gardner from Las Vegas, and Sister Kimmons from a small community near Houston, Texas.  Sister Tenoa is from Kiribati so she went to the Service Center to use a telephone to call her family.

For a Mothers Day Present, I taught the Gospel Doctrine lesson for Janis.  I went to the other Ward's Sacrament meeting, it was in Kiribati so I didn't learn much from the two High Council speakers.  The meeting ended early so the counselor called all the men in the congregation to come to the stand to sing a mothers day song.  He called on one of the brethren to lead the music.  I was expecting some hymn about mothers, but instead they sang "Redeemer of Israel", which is probably appropriate because mothers will play a big part in preparing families for our Redeemer.

Husband and Wife Retreat - Day 1

A lot of advanced work went into preparing a nice setting to hold the workshop.  It was a first class retreat and it all came together very well.  Principal Lita and her leadership team always do a first rate job.

Janis and I were asked to make a presentation at Moroni High Schools husband and wife retreat. Out topic was how to strengthen our love for each other.  

 

Plimsoll Mark

One of the stories I told at the retreat was about Samuel Plinsoll who was born in England in 1824.  As a boy he would sit on the docks and watch cargo ships being loaded.  He learned some of the unscrupulous owners would use un-seaworthy vessels (referred to as "coffin ships"), and would load them far beyond safe weight limits.  The owners would take out large insurance policies on the cargo - so regardless if the ship sank or reached its port - they would make a large profit.  Some owners had little concern for the safety and lives of the ships crew.  

Years later Plinsoll was elected to Parliament and sponsored and passed the "Merchant Shipping Act" which limited the loading of ships to a safe limit.  It required that a line be painted on the side of all British merchant vessels to show the maximum depth to which a ship could be safely loaded.  This line became known as the "Plimsoll mark" or "Plimsoll line".  As a ship was loaded and began submergence - when the Plinsoll mark on the ship reached the water line (or maximum depth), the loading of the ship had to immediately cease, even if there was still cargo space available.  

The point of the story is that each of us have our own Plimsoll line, where our spiritual and emotional health may be in jeopardy if we keep taking on additional activities or responsibilities without getting rid of some others we already have.  As our spouses take on more weight (responsibilities) at home, church, family, and other places - they may go well below their Plimsoll mark and need to be relieved of some responsibilities.  It is a spouses responsibility to help alleviate some of these burdens.   

Janis had gone well below her "Plinsoll Mark", so after thoughtful discussion and prayer, she knew it was time to give up teaching Institute.  The amount of time spent in preparation and teaching had become too time consuming.  It about broke her heart to give up the classes, but to keep up with her missionary responsibilities, it became necessary for her meet with Lita and request not teach the institute courses during the second semester.  Lita was able to cover the courses with the current faculty.

We showed this video as part of the presentation, it is one of our favorite songs by Michael McLean

We spoke about several other things about couples building and strengthening their love for each other.   As usual Sister Thorne spent many hours preparing for the one-hour presentation.  I provided some input during the planning stage.  Then we took turns discussing five areas about nurturing our love toward our spouse: Spirituality, Prayer, Love/Friendship, Appreciation/Gratitude, and Communication.  

In our marriage, I try to follow the advice of Albert Einstein, who when asked on their 50th wedding anniversary, to what he attributed the success of their long marriage.  His reply: "When we first got married we decided I would make all the big decisions and my wife would make the small ones.  We have followed that decision for 50 years and still do".  He then said, "now that I think about it, so far there have not been any big decisions for me to make."

Presenting to the Moroni High Teachers on "How to strengthen your love for each other"

There were around 40 couples in attendance also some who were single or widowed.  As usual Lita and her leadership team had all the tables decorated with name plates and other information in a half coconut shell.

One of Sister Thorne's activities was to have the wives write a two-line love note that rhymes.  This one written on the response board was nice even if it didn't rhyme

The husbands were supposed to write five recreational activities they enjoy doing, the wife then circled two she could join her husband in doing.  This response brings a new meaning to recreational activities.

When ever there is a meeting there is lots of food.  This one included many varieties of potatoes: boiled, french fries, potato salad,  also fried chicken and pork (the whole pig snout - tail and all.  Plus Rice, boiled eggs, raw and cooked fish, potato chips, Frito's, and many local fruits and other dishes.  
Some of the ham(s) were not in serving bowls

Some of the teachers and S&I employees enjoying lunch and posing for the camera

After lunch this was all that was left of the pig (skin, bones and the snout), I assume the tail is also somewhere in the pan.  The I-Kiribati love to eat at events and they to go back for seconds and thirds until all the food is gone.

The I-Kiribati have beautiful white teeth to go along with their smiles

Mary (the school counselor) making her presentation

A few of the couples had a bit of dramatic flair when telling a story.  It was in the Kiribati language, so we didn't understand what was being said but from the laughter it must have been good.

Rusila the Vice Principal also made a presentation on Marriage

 Lita leading a group activity putting a jigsaw puzzle together
  

Couples trying to put jig saw puzzle together was one of Lita's activities
The yellow or green side had all kinds of negative words running all different directions

A few turned the puzzle pieces over and found it was a picture of Christ, which made it very simple to put together.  The message when we focus on the Savior instead of worldly things - 
our marriage will be more successful and fulfilling

Day 2 - Marriage Retreat

The second day started out with a beautiful sunrise

The second morning of the retreat started with a spectacular sunrise.  We were all up at 6:00 am eager and ready to catch the boat to the island retreat.  The only problem was the boat didn't show up until 7:30.  The teachers and spouses just take it in stride and say I guess they are on Kiribati time.  I could probably use some of their philosophy "Don't worry Be Happy"

This is the boat we rode to the island retreat, it was about 40 feet long and 10 feet wide.  We waded through water up to nearly our waist to get to the boat.   To board you step on the outrigger and climb about 3 feet on to a wooden plank that is attached to the main boat.  After boarding, we all sat on the deck.  No chairs, no much to hang on to in rough weather.  We had about 40 people travel on the boat to Biketawa Island and about 55 people on the boat on its return trip after the retreat ended.  Lita and her leadership team took the church boat to the island on Tuesday and stayed over night so they had breakfast and everything ready when the rest of us arrived on Wednesday

We left from Eita and our destination was Biketawa Atoll, a small resort island about 45 minutes away via the boat.  It is the same atoll we went to last fall with the Moroni High faculty.  This time we didn't stay overnight but we certainly enjoyed the beauty and solitude of the island.

The training the second day took place in this maneaba, mats were lad on the coral rocks as people sat cross legged for the training. They insisted Sister Thorne and I sit on chairs, we are always asked to be first in line when ever meals are served even during breaks.

Lita, Rusila and the rest of her leadership team led activities the second day.  We first were asked as couples to go to a secluded spot and discuss some things we could do as couples to strengthen our marriage and commitment to each other.

Husbands and wives sat back to back and answered questions about each other such as what is your spouse's favorite color.  It was a version of the Honeymoon game that used to be on television in the USA.  They had lots of fun hearing what one spouse thought versus what the other spouse told as the correct answer.  Again it was in Kiribati language so we didn't understand but judging from the laughter everyone seemed enjoyed the responses

All the couples gathered in the maneaba to be taught again by Lita and to wrap up the days activities.  After lunch we had some free time to enjoy the beauty of the island and the ocean

During some of the free time Sister Thorne loves to gather seashells by the seashore.  We were on the bay side so there wasn't the variety that there is on the ocean side.  Mary and Lita also found several shells for her.

Returning back to Moroni High campus.  The boat was loaded and no one fell over board (thank goodness).  Sister Thorne and I were the only ones who wore life jackets. 

The Church boat brought many of the other supplies and some of the other couples back but landed at a different dock.  We had to wade to load the boat and wade to get to shore on our return trip and also at the island

It was a very enjoyable retreat and hopefully it helped bring the couples closer together.  Lita believes if teachers are happy at home they will be better instructors and able to love and help the students at a higher level.  Kind of like the saying "when mama's happy everyones happy, when mama is sad every one is sad"  Only put teacher in the place of mama

State Dinner With President Tong

Special State Dinner with President Tong of Kiribati 

On April 30th we were invited to attend a dinner in the Kiribati State Maneaba with President Beretitenti Anote Tong and the First Lady Bernadette Meme Tong.  In Kiribati, it would be equivalent to being invited to a dinner reception at the White House in the USA.  All American ex patriots were invited to meet the  new American Ambassador HE Frankie A. Reed as well as the new Ambassadors for Fiji, Spain and Cuba.  We met Ambassador Reed, she was a very gracious lady who has spend much of her career teaching and working over seas including time in the Peace Corps.  She will be stationed as the US embassy in Fiji.  

The majority ex patriot guests were LDS missionaries.  The three couples: Bonnemorts, Ogborns and Thornes along with six sister missionaries and twenty-nine young Elders.  All in all there were 41 missionaries who stood out in the white shirts and ties and the sister missionaries

The invitation said the attire was Island Formal, we wore shirts and ties and the sisters their missionary dress.  Many of the Kiribati had similar patterned short sleeve shirts with Kiribati designs, with no ties.

 Photo of President Beretitenti Anote Tong and the First Lady Bernadette Meme Tong (photo is not at the reception 

President Tong and the First Lady were there to greet all the guest as they entered the State Maneaba,  they were very gracious and warm in their greetings, as we entered.  The maneaba was of traditional design with coconut logs lashed together with cordage made from coconut leaves (as explained in an earlier post in this blog).  The roof was covered with woven pandanus mats.  It was very impressive architecture.  As we exited the maneaba we were shown to our seats by ushers dressed in all white shirt, shorts and long white stockings.

Traditional Kiribati Dance being performed for President and First Lady Tong, guest ambassadors and other invited guests.  Excuse the picture but it was dark and difficult to get a clear photo from where we were seated.

There was excellent entertainment, a group of student from a Catholic High School performed several traditional Kiribati dances.  They wore the traditional ceremonial  dress which is made from leafs from native plants, trees and other material found on the island.  Mats are tightly woven and then pounded to make them thinner, a similar as making tapa cloth.  The mats are tied around the young men's waists 
so when they hit the mat during their dances it makes a loud distinctive slapping sound 

The young ladies wore grass skirts (probably made from coconut or pandanus leafs.  They each have a wreath made of native materials on their heads.  The dances not only have some of the characteristics of a hula but they also clap their hands in rhythm and hit their sides on the mats around their waists which makes a loud slapping sound.   

The vigorous clapping and chanting of the chorus and their stately controlled movements portray centuries of I-Kiribati history in the detail of their dance and hand movements and words of the ancient songs.  Songs speak of great battles, legends of creation and migration and the everyday I-Kiribati life.

According to an article by Tony Wincup, A New Zealand anthropologist, describing Traditional Kiribati Dance:  "Its performance is the intense focal point of the skills, preparation and practice for the dancers and their families. Bewbwe Kanitio Tearo emphasises the significance of body movements in these tellings: ...the arm, head and eye movements should always follow the rhythm of the song and illustrate the meaning of the words. For example, the arm that stretched sideways with the forearm moving up and down, it illustrates the bird that flies up in the air. The arm horizontally moves forward or inward or outward in an up and down fast movement illustrates the movement of fish. 

There are numerous forms of dance from the ancient and beautiful seated te bino to the dramatic standing dance te buki, in which a voluminous and heavy skirt is flicked from side to side. Each dance has its own particular meaning, costume, sequence and song." 

Hand motions and rhythmic clapping and foot movement are part of traditional dance.  It was a spectacular performance, there must have been at least 30 young people performing with such synchronization was truly impressive.  Another impressive dance performed by three young ladies, who wore the voluminous heavy skirts using rapid side to side hip movements made the skirts roll up and down and in all directions.  The rest of the dancers were performing in back of them. 

Unfortunately it was dark where we were seated most of our photos didn't turnout.  As part of the entertainment there were also a group of men who sat next the maneaba and sang traditional Kiribati songs.

I-Kiribati group performed songs for the honored guests through out the evening

President Tong then welcomed the new Ambassadors and gave a short speech.  After each of the Ambassadors were introduced and gave a few remarks.  We then were invited a table at a time to go to the maneaba to a smorgasbord of traditional Kiribati food.  It was very plentiful and delicious including a chef who carved a large pig laying on a side table (snout - tail and all).  The waiters were dressed in all white made sure there was plenty of soft drinks or water for the missionaries, other guests had other liquid refreshments.  It was an impressive evening for all who attended.

Fiji has provided land for about 5000 I-Kiribati to resettle there because of overcrowding and fear that global warming may cause the ocean to rise and cover many of the atolls.  Cuba has a program to train the Doctors from Kiribati and help them get medical degrees.  I'm not sure what role Spain plays in Kiribati.  Each ambassador covers several nations in the South Pacific.

During the Performance the dancers went to the audience and asked guests to participate in the dance including some of the missionaries and other guests.  Fortunately we were not asked to dance with them

Several Ambassadors from other countries attended we sat at the table with the Ambassador from Taiwan.   We have met him a few times before.  The Taiwanese often come to Moroni High Saturday afternoons to play softball on the playing field.  He has a son who has just been admitted to Rice University for graduate studies and another son going to a prestigious university in England.  He has spent time in the US working in various embassies.  There were also government workers and other members of parliament in attendance.

Enjoying the meal with Elder Corwin and Peggy Ogborn who are Humanitarian Missionaries from Orem, Utah
I stole this and the next photo from Elder and Sister Bonnemorts Mission Blog (thanks).  None of my photos were usable for the blog.

Meeting and having a short visit with Ambassador Frankie Reid who will be working out of Fiji and the South Pacific.  She was a very gracious lady whom we enjoyed having a brief visit and welcoming her to Kiribati.

Our Ward Bishop Arobati Brechtefeld, recently resigned his position at Moroni High School to work as an area Director of Foreign affairs assigned to Asian region.   He is scheduled to go to Japan with President Tong next week.  He is excited because his wife and kids are with her parents in Japan.  She recently had another baby and goes to Japan to receive better medical care.