Student Missionary!: Pictures From Around

Moon over Guegeegue

Guegeegue is north of Ebeye about 5 miles on the causeway that connects five or six islands. Guegeegue is a small island with the more well-off people's homes and is the location of the Kwajalein Atoll Public High School. I am amazed at the difference from Ebeye. There is much less trash and many more trees and plants. It's so GREEN! :) I love it. It was a much needed break when we went to Guegeegue for the first time on August 17.

One Sabbath afternoon in September we joined Michael and Love for a ground-breaking meeting in preparation for the upcoming evangelistic meetings. We went out in teams and helped our young church members have courage as they knocked on each door to invite them to our outdoor meeting by the deacon's house in half-an-hour. My entire Marshallese vocabulary at that time consisted of Yokwe (hello) and komol tata (thank you very much). I was able to practice at each door and then nudge Fila forward to invite them. We covered the whole island in about fifteen minutes then meandered back taking pictures of everything along the way and enjoying the fresh scents. :)

Over eighteen people from the island joined our group of young adults and teachers for the FIRST meeting that night. We were so excited, and began praying immediately for each one in attendance that night that the Holy Spirit would work on their hearts as well as guide the message that Michael was presenting. Part way through the sermon, a lady in the back began having a seizure and fell to the ground. Kent (a missionary teacher who is a nurse) quickly went to her side and called Michael (who works at the hospital) for assistance. After about fifteen minutes someone took her to hospital in Ebeye. Michael informed us that she had been to the hospital several times before and had recurring seizures and would be fine. We returned to our meeting and finished without any further incidents.

Because of these meetings that Michael continued in preparation for the evangelistic series, several are now taking personal Bible studies and they are looking into putting a church in Guegeegue hopefully in the near future. God is definitely working here and reaching many. There are over 15,000 people, though, and maybe 30-40 in regular attendance at our church (if you look at the church record, I'm told that there are over 300 members... definitely NOT accurate, or at leas they don't attend). There is much to do. God is ready to use those who are willing to step out in faith.

"Then He said to them, 'The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few; therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.'" ~Luke 10:2

Guegeegue Dock

Fila, Miss Ang, Shania, and Miss Q.

Fila, Shania, Miss Ang, Oronia, Miss Q, and Sharon <3

Sunset

Beach Park is at the southern tip of Ebeye next to the power plant and is a common place to go for a quick swim, a picnic, a sunset view, or any other excuse we can find to go hang out and relax. We end our Sunday morning jog here with a refreshing swim. :D

Beach Park

Rain over Carlos - island on the far side of the Kwajalein Atoll

Beach Park Sunset

I love the little poofy clouds!

The Ladies' Basketball "Coaches"

There are two ferries that run the 15-minute trip back and forth between Ebeye and Kwajalein eight times a day each. It is free as it mostly carries workers back and forth, and you may ride whenever you like. However, you cannot go past the ferry station into Kwaj without a sponsor and a good reason...

Ang and I were able to go into Kwaj twice during first semester. We went with the middle school basketball teams as the ladies' coaches. Despite the fact that I know hardly anything about basketball, I am glad they choose us as their sponsors.

Kindergartner Valerie and 6th-gr. Billica, our students

The students really enjoy the basketball games in Kwaj, except some of the girls aren't so sure about the part where they have to run. And some are scared to play. But they really do enjoy seeing Kwaj (the farthest about 75% of my students have ever been from Ebeye). And they really enjoy the Kwaj food court afterward, almost as much as their teachers. Pizza, Burger King, or SUBWAY!!!

Benji, Rudy, and Waihee

Problem: the first time we went this year the food court was already closed by the time our game was done. No fast food for us. The second time they were just closing, and so a few kids cleaned out what was left at the pizza place.

No Subway, but that's okay, we've had Subway brought to us a few times in Ebeye through a Kwaj worker or something. :) That's a treat!

Benji, Rudy, Wayne, and Waihee in back; BJ and Mardon in front

We had so much fun. Basketball is THE SPORT for boys in Ebeye. Volleyball for girls. :)
I love their smiles, and you can see the joy in their faces. It's always there. :)