Pioneer Days in Kiribati

The Tarawa East Stake held a pioneer day celebration on July 21-22.  It began at 6 am with a group walk of about 4 kilometers.  Several students and some adults participated.  To begin the activities at Moroni, there was a grand entry (via Brigham Young) only this one was led by Pres. Tune and his counselors and their wives.  

Next the single adults of the stake did a square dance, and the students from Moroni did the Virgina Reel.  Elder and Sister Bush held several practices for the students and single adults to teach them the steps.  Close to 100 single adults and students for Moroni participated.  They did a nice job and seemed to really enjoy it.  Some of the pioneer customs were interesting but were in the spirit of the occasion.  Unfortunately, we went grocery shopping because we thought the activities were in the afternoon, so we only caught the tail end of their performance.

Virgina Reel with the young men wearing bandanas around their necks

Dressed as Pioneers???  Note their "Pioneer" hats are woven using pandanus leaves.

Exiting the court after their performance, rain and puddles didn't slow down
their dancing.  The young single adults also performed a square dance in the 
Spirit of the Pioneer Day celebration

There were four different groups performing the Virginal Reel 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Each ward had a team for the balloon popping relay

Sister Missionaries

Sister Gardner completed her mission this week and flew home to Henderson, Nevada.  She came to the Eita Ward where she had previously served to say good bye to some of the families she taught and also to the couple missionaries.  Life in Tarawa is not easy for Sister Missionaries from the states with living conditions quite different than from back home.  The mission does provide good housing for the sisters and in most cases for the elders also.  The water must be filtered and eating at some of the members homes can be some what challenging with some of the local fish.  But they do a good job and have very positive attitudes and have much success in teaching.

Saying goodbye to Sister Gardner who completes her mission this week and returns to Henderson, Nevada.  When ever we return from Fiji, we always buy the sister missionaries chocolate bars, which are usually eaten before they finish their visit.

Sister Barlow, from Logan, Sister Gardner from Henderson, Nevada, and Sister Balenacagi  from Suva, Fiji.  They are very dedicated missionaries who are having much success.