Grandkids - Back to School

The end of August means some really cute grand kids are back in school for the 2012-13 school year.  We asked them to send photos of their first day of school.  Because Drew and Luke don't start Kindergarten until after Labor Day, we have also added their photos.

Drew, Jorja, and Luke are all excited for their first day of schoo

Luke (I think??)  is ready for school.   For the first time he and his twin brother Drew will be in separate classes.  Drew struggled a little being away from Luke.  However, it turned out he just wanted to know Luke was OK without him, as soon as the principal showed him Luke through the window, he had a great day.

Jorja wanted to use the name of the last unicorn on earth as her name for school, but finally decided that Jorja V would be OK to use

Drew (I think) is excited for school

The Nowers:  Shannon a mighty Senior, Jeff a seventh grader, and J.J. is in first grade.  Shannon is secretary to the drill team this year and loving it

Elizabeth is a mighty senior in Minot, North Dakota, she enjoys piano and dance.  (Doesn't seem possible we will have two grand daughters graduating from high school at the end of the school year

Madison is our great missionary who has been setting the record straight and defending the Church in her World Religions Class

Ann is a seventh grader and a class officer in her school which was destroyed by a flood last year

Jenna likes her new shirt with a message for Jelly on the front and to PB (Peanut Butter) on the back

What's Up Peanut Butter

Ann in the middle helped break ground on the new middle school which was destroyed by the floods last year in Minot.  It looks like they all could get a job with the DOT, the way they are leaning on their shovels

When Drew and Luke went to their new school for Kindergarten testing.  Jorja (the 4 year old) was quite upset that her brother go to be tested and she didn't.  One of the Kindergarten teachers overheard the conversation in the hallway.  So the teacher came out of her room and announce Jorja Thorne come in for your test.  The teacher asked her a few questions, to which Jorja enthusiastically replied with an answer.  The teacher thanked her and told her she had scored 100 percent on the test.  It made Jorja's day, not to mention her moms and dads also.  Thank goodness for good teachers who are thoughtful and caring.

Pres. Eb Davis and the start of the LDS Church in Kiribati

President Eb Davis and his wife currently serve a the Temple President and Matron at the Suva, Fiji Temple.  He was on assignment from the Brethren to attend the stake conference of the Kiribati Tarawa East Stake as discussed in a previous post.  He was asked by the presiding authority - Elder Kevin W. Pearson to relate his story in Kiribati 40 years earlier.  The following is a summary of his remarks

President and Sister Eb Davis, President and Matron of the Suva, Fiji Temple

President Davis served as the mission president of the Fijian mission in the early 1970's. The mission included many of the islands in the Pacific including what were then known as the Gilbert Islands which later became Kiribati which also included the Phoenix and Line Island groups. At the time there were no members, no chapels, no missionaries in the Gilbert Islands.

President Davis related how he received a letter from Waitea Ataria, the principal of AKAS, a small private primary school in Tarawa. The letter was a request to allow some of his students to attend the church school in Tonga (Liahona High School). So Pres. Davis made the 2000 plus mile trip to Tarawa where he met with Waitea. He also met with the British authorities who ruled the Gilbert Islands. He was told that the British did not want any more Gilbertese students attending secondary school. The only wanted enough students graduating from high school to fill the available government and other jobs. This meant only about 5 to 6 percent of students were allowed to attend secondary school. The British felt if more were educated and couldn't get jobs they would become dissatisfied with the government.

Pres. Davis returned to Fiji, but he had felt a special spirit among the Gilbertese people.  His heart was touched by the Lord's Spirit and knew that the Gospel needed to come to these island people.  So he again returned to Tarawa to request from the British permission to establish a church in Tarawa and begin missionary work. He was told by British officials that there didn't need any more religions in the Gilberts.

He was also informed that to start a church there had to be 30 members. Foreign missionaries could not be brought to the Gilberts until the church was officially recognized by the government, nor could any baptisms be performed.  So again President Davis returned to Fiji.

But the Lord is wiser than the Devil and the British Government. A request was made by the Church Commissioner of Education Neal L. Maxwell to send students from the AKAS school to Liahona High School. The Brethren were concerned about what would happen to the students if they were baptized and returned to the Gilberts where no church organization or structure was in place. Finally, after deliberation and prayer - approval was given for 12 students from AKAS to attend Liahona on a trial basis. In 1972 President Davis and George Puckett, Superintendent of Church Schools in Tonga, returned to Tarawa and to the AKAS school to select 12 students to attend Liahona High school. President Davis came to know that the school was the key to the future of the church in the Gilbert Islands.

All 12 students joined the church while at Liahona and a few years later 6 of these students returned as the first LDS missionaries. The British Government would not let foreign missionaries in but, they didn't know the Lord was years ahead of them and was preparing Gilbertese missionaries to come to Tarawa. From this humble beginning, when the first missionaries arrived in Tarawa, there are now about 15,000 members in Kiribati.

President Davis said it is a Dream Come True for him. Seeing the growth of the church, the chapels, church school and faithful members in Kiribati. The pioneers helped get things started but those in the audience have done the work in building up the Kingdom. But, the work is not done, there are thousands more who need to hear the Gospel. There are those who are lost, who need to be rescued and brought back into the church.

The Lord is in charge of the work and when he is ready to open the work in a country "no unhallowed hand can stop the work.

Happy Birthday Pres. Monson & Kites over Kiribati

Happy Birthday to President Monson from Moroni High School Students

Students at Moroni High School sang happy birthday to President Monson at an assembly honoring our prophet.  In Kiribati each stanza of happy birthday is followed by three quick claps of the hands.  Then they sing "Happy long life" followed with three claps after each stanza.  The final verse is again "Happy Birthday sung in the I-Kiribati language.

Some students and Nadi pose in front of a poster wishing President Monson a Happy Birthday.A special assembly was held at Moroni High School to honor President Thomas S. Monson on his 85th birthday as part of the World Wide Celebration on November 17th.  Except the in the Pacific the 17th is a day earlier than in the U.S.A.

Kite Flying Taiwanese Style

On Thursday a group of Taiwanese put on a very impressive kite flying demonstration for the students at Moroni High School.  They began by launching a large traditional looking kite which was connected to some smaller kites held together an equal distance apart by some strong string (nylon rope).  Each kite with the Taiwanese woman's face also had a small propeller like attachment which kept each kite vertical.   A kite in the shape of a shark was also flown very high to help lift the other kites which were all tied together by very strong cordage.  There was also a kite which was the flag of Kiribati, which they attempted to fly but the wind was not strong enough.

The most popular kite for the students was a model of "sponge bob" hanging on the kite string.  Sponge Bob was filled with candy, when a string was pulled when it was about 30 feet off the ground, candy was dumped to the students standing below.  Each piece of candy had a small parachute, the students jumped and dove for a piece of candy.  The sponge bob dump was repeated three different times to the delight of students old and young.

The dark shape on top is a shark kite followed by a red sea horse, then by a string of kites with the same face of a Taiwanese lady

Happy Jelly Fish flying high

Next they tied this large octopus onto the other kites and with some effort and difficulty it finally lifted off the ground.

Students love to pose for pictures in front of the octopus kite

A good view of the faces on the kites which were used to lift the larger kites.  Attempts to get this kite of a sea horse launched were unsuccessful.  There was also a series of small kites with a picture of a panda bear on each.  But the wind did not cooperate and with the limited space on the soccer field, they didn't attempt to fly the panda bears.

Flying Sea Horse gets off the ground

The sun shined through the sharks eyes and teeth making another spectacular sight

There was even a kite of the Kiribati Flag

Sponge Bob (full of candy) hanging onto the kite string was a big hit with the students especially when the candy was released. 

 A Happy Kite for happy students at Moroni High School.   
Many visitors to the school call it the "Smiley School" or the "Happy School" because so many students are smiling showing their beautiful white teeth

Good photo of the very large Sea Horse

Do you have a feeling someone is looking over your shoulder

 This young Taiwanese man uses a large reel to control the kites

 It was a fun afternoon, it kind of reminded you of the Macy's Day Thanksgiving parade, except these were kites not helium filled balloons.  On Saturday the Taiwanese took the kites to the Kiribati Parliament Building for the start of this session of parliament.

Moroni High School is next to the main road across Tarawa, so hundreds of cars and taxi's slowed down to view the kites.  Nearly every primary age child in the area also came to watch the kites fly.

In spite of the limited wind conditions, it was very impressive to see how they got the kites in the air and used other kites to lift the larger ones.

Stake Conference - A Spiritual Feast

It has been a great three days of sitting at the feet of servants of the Lord.  The Tarawa East Stake is having its stake conference on August 11th and 12th.  Elder Kevin W. Pearson of the First Quorum of the Seventy and also a counselor in the Pacific Area Presidency was the visiting authority.  He was accompanied by Elder Taniela B. Wakolo, an Area 70 Authority who lives in Fiji.  President and Sister Shaw of the Majuro Mission and President and Sister Eb Davis, the Suva Fiji Temple President were also in attendance.

Friday morning was Zone Conference.  Pres. Shaw had all the missionaries from the outer islands including Christmas Island flown in for the Zone conference to hear Elder Pearson.  It was a great zone conference, we were all well taught and the Spirit's presence was very strong.  Elder Pearson was very direct and pointed in talking with the missionaries.

Some of Elder Pearson topics and thoughts include the following:

• He told them to be the kind of missionaries your mothers think you are. 
• He spoke on the importance of having the Holy Ghost in our lives.  
• Every thing begins with a vision, what is the vision of your mission.  
• There is "No Try" in the scriptures instead the example is: "Thy will shall be done"  
• Let go of things that are keeping you from being a Disciple of Jesus Christ.  
• A mission is not about me, it is about Him.  
• When life gets dark and dreary don't forget to pray.  
• The purpose of prayer is for us to align with Heavenly Father not Him with us.
• He drew a matrix showing the importance of Attitude and Effort in breaking through from having selected obedience to exact obedience.  This is where miracles and Spiritual Power happen for those who do so.
• Agency means you have choices, but choices also have consequences.
• The harder you work, your capacity to do things better will increase.
• Repentance is more than changing things that are bad, but changing things that are good for things that are much better.  
• Obedience is the Key to Faith

The missionary couples provided lunch for the missionaries.  Sister Thorne and I were asked to cook our dutch over beans for 80 people.  Using the Dutch Oven receipt was a challenge: finding hamburger, bacon, and other ingredients (we never did find molasses).   It took a long time to prepare everything but it was quickly consumed.  The other couple prepared very large hamburgers, which you seldom see in Kiribati.  The missionaries had a feast both Spiritually and food wise.

The missionary couples cooked lunch for over 80 people including all the missionaries from Kiribati and the special guests.  The food was good and plentiful

The Elders enjoyed a large hamburger, cole slaw, potato chips, dutch oven beans, carrot sticks, and ice cream and brownies.  No one went away hungry.

Friday evening they had a special program for the invited guests on the tennis court.  The Ward and Branch who won first and second place in the Stake Cultural Dance festival performed a number of traditional dances, it was very impressive

Special Guests enjoying the cultural celebration and welcome Kiribati Style.  From left to right - President and Sister Davis (Suva Temple), President Iotua B. Tune (Stake President of Tarawa East Stake), Elder Kevin W. Pearson of the Seventy and Pacific Area Presidency, Elder Taniela B. Wakolo (Area Seventy from Fiji), President and Sister Thomas Shaw (Majuro Marshall Island Mission President) and Elder and Sister Mabie, the senior couple serving in Christmas Island

Saturday was another Spiritual Feast at Priesthood Leadership Meeting and at the Adult Session.  Elder Pearson doesn't hold back or pull any punches.  He teaches the doctrine with great power from the Holy Ghost.  At the Priesthood leadership excellent instruction was given on how to rescue the less active and especially working with the Aaronic Priesthood to prevent more from entering the less active pool.  There are enough members in Kiribati for seven (7) stakes, if only there were more active Melchezedek Priesthood holders.  

He taught why every young boy and girl need to be baptized at age 8, why every young man needs to receive the Aaronic Priesthood and be ordained a Deacon at age 12, a Teacher at age 14, and a Priest at age 16.  As he spoke of the importance of every young man receiving the Melchezedek Priesthood when they turn 18 and serve a mission at 19.

In the Adult Session we had a special treat,  President Eb Davis told about how the church was established in Kiribati.  I was able to record his remarks and put them in the www.kiribati-lds-pioneers.wikispaces.com/ post. 

Elder Pearson taught us 7 things we can do to get the Holy Ghost in our lives:  

1. Worthily partake of the sacrament each week  
2. Study the scriptures every day  
3. Be virtuous
4. Forgive others
5. Repent
6. Pray 
7. Love and serve others

On Sunday, a new era began.  President Tune was released as stake president after serving for over 7 years.  Prior to that he served as a bishop and was the first district president of Kiribati, where he served for 15 years.  He truly is on of the Kiribati, LDS pioneers.  He attended Liahona High School, was one of the first missionaries to Kiribati and graduated from BYU Hawaii.  Pres. Tune is the manager of the LDS service center for Kiribati.  Earlier in his professional career he was principal of Moroni High School and later over all the Seminaries and Institutes in Kirbati.

The new stake president is: Tamaroa Tekeiaki, his wife Teaa is an English teacher at Moroni High.  Pres. Tekeiaki's counselors are both teachers at Moroni.  President Banririe Nenebwati was sustained as First Counselor, he teaches economics and is a HOD (Head of Department). President Tiorika Toromon is the new Second Counselor and teaches Kiribati Studies, Art, and Geography.

The general session on Sunday was also wonderful.  The evening was topped off with a single adult fireside where again Elder Wakolo and Elder Pearson taught with great power and insight.  Special blessings were promised the saints in Kiribati if they will live worthy lives.  They were promised if they will pay a full tithes they will prosper as will all of Kiribati.

It was a very special weekend, as spiritually up lifting stake conference as I can ever remember attending.  The stake choir and the single adult choir's singing was absolutely beautiful.  The I-Kiribati Saints love to sing and have beautiful voices.

Moroni High Olympians

LDS I-Kiribati Students in London Olympics

Two LDS students, who attend Moroni High School are representing Kiribati in the Olympics.  Kainguae David, 17 of the Teaoraereke 2nd Ward ran her best time of 13.61 in the Women's 100 metre trials.  She placed 29th out of the competitors from around the world.  Kainguae is a form 5 student at Moroni High School.

Kaingaue DAVID ran the 100 metre dash in the Olympics for Kiribati

Nooa Takooa, 19 of the Moroni Ward also ran in the Men's 100 metre sprint.  His time was 11.53 which placed him in 25th place.  Neither athlete got past the preliminary round, but what a great experience for these two young people. Nooa is a form 6 student at Moroni which is equivalent to a 12th grader in the states.

Nooa TAKOOA ran men's 100 metre dash in Olympics

To compete at this level in front of 60,000 screaming fans will be a life long memory.  In Kiribati they run their races on a cinder track, usually bare footed, a few wear shoes but not many.  Even in the short sprints the runners start from a standing position, so running in track shoes on a rubberized track with starting blocks was a new experience for both of them.

Nooa was in our family home evening group during the last school year and hopefully will soon submit his papers for the mission field.  The two LDS students competing were on the Moroni Track team that won the Kiribati High School Championship.

Also at the Olympics is Bro. Iobeta (Lita's husband) who is Kiribati's weight lifting coach.  He has one weight lifter who qualified and in the finals of the Men's 85.94 kg class. His name is David Kaloaiau,  he placed 17th.  His combine weight in "snatch" and " was 325 kg

The other Kiribati Olympian - David KATOATAU in Weight lifting

Also in the Kiribati delegation is Bishop Arobati Brechtefeld, who serves on the Kiribati Athletic Committee and is over track and field.  The stake executive secretary Peter (don't know his last name) was also part of the delegation.

A  Rat Ate the Internet Cable to the School 

There continue to be some interesting challenges with the internet.  The latest one stopped all service to the school and apartment for nearly two weeks.  A rat ate the fiber optic cable that runs from the service center to the school.  I suppose it is a matter of "natural selection" - rats that bite into electrical wire are not around to teach their offspring, rats that eat fiber optic cables are.

The IT specialist was able to run a temporary line to the school but it made the internet even slower than normal.  We could get email messages but were not able to open them.  I had to go to the service center to do computer work which required the web, so it has been interesting.  Last Monday a technician from New Zealand flew here to fix the problem.  He also brought a high frequency sound device that is supposed to drive the rats out of the buildings and tunnels where it is used.  It also repels dogs.  We could use it on a few in the neighborhood, but we didn't have access to it.

Our One Year Anniversary in Kiribati

On August 8th we will have served for one-year on our mission.  It doesn't seem possible that time has past that fast.  Sister Thorne will begin teaching her first class as the lead teacher this coming Thursday.  She is excited and has spent numerous hours in preparation.  The class is on Effective Classroom Practices (pedagogy).  Elder Thorne is supervising Lita, Rosila, and a HOD (head of department) in their leadership internship and will begin supervising a student teacher during the next few weeks until the end of the school year in early November.  Approval has been given to teach a course on classroom management and discipline also before the end of the school year.  So life is very busy for both of us.

This Friday will be Zone Conference,  Sister Thorne and I are making Dutch Oven Beans for 80 missionaries and guests.  Our challenge is there aren't dutch ovens in Tarawa.  Part of the receipt calls for ground beef and molasses, which we have been unable to find.  We hoped they had some molasses in the Marshall islands they could ship to us, but they have been unable to find it there either.   We will improvise.

They are reorganizing our Stake Presidency next Sunday.  Elder Pearson of the 70 and Pres. Davis from the Suva Temple along with an area 70 will be here and will also be at the Zone Conference.  We will write more about that in our next post.