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