Stop #3 - Ebeye, Marshall Islands

   Yes, this is my 3rd stop of this year's exciting journey. Arizona, Hawaii, now Ebeye. Here I am living for 10 months. WHAT?! How can I do that? That is crazy! I mean, I've never even left North America before except for being born in Pohnpei, but I know NOTHING about Ebeye. I don't understand their culture or their language! Well, here I am!
   In Stop #2 I described our arrival in Kwajelein. I will now attempt to describe our first impressions of Ebeye...

  The ferry ride was suspenseful as I waited to see what our new home would be like. Everyone on the ferry stared at us for the ten minute ride while we took pictures with each other and asked a few last minute questions before our arrival.
   The ferry landed and we were greeted by more teachers who took our luggage to our apartments and Mr. A took Ang, Robell, and me on an island tour. We walked around most of the island, and at one point Mr. A walked through a door that looked like someone's home. We ducked into a dim hallway that left us in a restaurant which was actually quite big with two rooms full of tables and booths and even a counter and register. Jun (SM from Thailand) joined us here for lunch, and we all enjoyed becoming more comfortable with each other as we (we being mostly the guys) started to crack jokes and stuff. Also, my meal of tofu, rice, and noodles was excellent! :)
   After lunch Mr. A proceeded to lead us to Ebeye SDA School where he showed us our classrooms. We stopped for 50-cent ice cream cones and we enjoyed the race against the sun's melting power while we meandered back to our apartments.
   We stepped into our apartment where all our baggage had been safely delivered. Side note: The teachers had mistakenly grabbed another passenger's bag with ours. Both Ang and I thought it was each other's bag, so we didn't say anything as we each waited for the other to unpack their extra suitcase. Thankfully, everyone knows someone in Ebeye, and when we spoke up it was quickly - 2 weeks later - returned to the owner. Oops!  Mr. A. was very kind and made sure that we didn't need anything and left us to situate ourselves.
   As soon as the door closed, Ang and I looked seriously at each other. I knew that the stress, confusion, and overwhelming questions I could see in her face were mirrored in my own. Most people say that for the first 1-3 months of your SM trip is the "honeymoon" period - everything is an adventure and you love the people, the food, the language, and the newness of it all. Well, I really feel like I skipped that phase of cultural adaptation. We had just seen a place so totally different from anything I've ever known, and I wasn't excited at all. My heart was hurting for the people and I just wanted to help them all, yet selfishly, I just wanted to go home. Right then. Thankfully, Ang and I have each other. We really understand each other and it meant the world to me to know that she was struggling with the same thoughts that I was, and that she cared to listen and talk about it, too!

First Ebeye sunset from the roof

   After an afternoon of relaxing - during which we were told to take a nap and definitely did not - we were shown around a little more by Mrs. Maan so we could shop for our supper and breakfast. Then we returned to the apartments and Mr. A took us all up on the roof. He built a ladder that goes up past the railing so we can have a secluded place outdoors where we can "get away". Roofs have a special place in my heart, and my roof here in Ebeye has become my sanctuary where God and I meet. I was so excited when he showed us, because God knew that I needed a place like this! :)
   We watched our first Ebeye sunset, and I have seen many beautiful sunrises and sunsets since. God sure paints the sky and the ocean beautifully here! :D The panorama shot below is looking to the south. You can see the lagoon on the far left, and the ocean on the right. If it weren't for a few trees and buildings that block the view a little bit, I think we could see both the northern and southern tips from the roof as well. Small island! But it's beautiful! 

First of MANY times to be on the roof :)

   

A Few Thoughts from Today

   This summer was a time that God knew I needed. As I'm sitting here typing this, I can already look back at so many things I learned this summer that are helping me as I adjust to life here in the islands and learn how to teach! :)
   I'm learning to think differently about challenges; I know God uses challenges to help me grow! To change me from the inside out. To present different issues I'm dealing with as He convicts me of each one. To help me trust Him and not myself. To remind me that I cannot make it on my own. To teach me how to surrender each day...no, each moment... to Him. To not ask Him, "Why is this happening to me? It's so hard!" but instead to ask, "God what would you like me to learn from the new adventure?"

   I would like to pause here and say something. I am sorry for my terribly inconsistent blogging that has, so far, told you absolutely nothing about my actual island experience! :/ I will not make any promises at this point, because I know myself. But I will do my best to fill you in quickly and at least give you an idea of what the last 7 weeks have been like here in Ebeye. My blogs will be entirely confusing as I will jump from what is currently happening, to old stories as I remember, and then back again. :) So bear with me if you are so inclined, and would like to know of my adventures!
   Today was my first sick day. I woke up at 4 AM with diarrhea and proceeded to throw up all morning. I was able to get a nice 4 hour nap when my body had no more fluids, and since then I've been getting better. I've had a lot of time to think about my students, school, and why I am here. Interesting thoughts.
  To summarize them: I will just say we are guilty of losing our focus, our calling and the real goal! As a close friend reminded me recently: 

   "But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."                                                                                ~Philippians 3:13-14

The prize being eternal life and bringing others with us. Everything else is secondary.

   I've thought a lot about this today. How easy it is to forget this! Everything else is secondary. I am here in Ebeye because God has called me heavenward and I want my students to know; I want them to move heavenward too! I want them to know Jesus. To have a better life. Hope. Peace. Trust. A Father. A Best Friend.
   My strength is from God, and with Him leading my life, I will continue forward and upward. Toward that prize; toward God.

Stop #2 - Island Orientation. Honolulu, Hawaii

MIRACLE #4:
   To fly to Hawaii for island orientation, I needed to leave camp at 3:30 AM. The ShuttleU would leave at 4:00 AM for Phoenix, where I would check in at 6:00 AM and fly out by 8:00 AM. A friend volunteered to drop me off at the shuttle station in Prescott, which I gladly accepted. They mentioned that I should reserve a shuttle seat. I said that was silly, because it was 4:00 AM on a Sunday and their would not be hardly anyone going. They said I should check. (Good idea!)
   I grudgingly called the Shuttle place on Friday afternoon. They said the shuttles all Sunday morning were booked.... "Except, Oh, I guess we do have one seat left on the 4:00 AM shuttle, would you like to reserve that seat?"
   Wow, God, you really do always take care of your children!!
   "Yes please, I would like to reserve that seat. Thank you!!!"

Summer camp is over. Ebeye, here I come! (PHX > HNL)

   That Sabbath I spent a lot of time contemplating life and situations and people and change. It was a beautiful thing to witness over 20 campers' baptisms just for that week and probably about 100 total this summer (my guess)! My campers continue to be on my prayer list each and every day. I missed not having campers on the last Sabbath, but it was very to sit back from the scene and think over the summer.

    I arrived in Hawaii on Sunday around noon. I was greeted very warmly by the Ebeye SDA Principal, Mr. Alamo, and by the Guam-Micronesia Mission (GMM) Education Superintendent and his wife, MY PARENTS!! :D It was wonderful to see them. We enjoyed talking a bunch and catching up, and also seeing friends from WWU for a few days was great. I met 2 Student Missionaries who would be going to Ebeye with me. Angela (from Southern, my roommate and Pre-S/K teacher), and Robell (Andrews, our Chaplain/Counselor) both seemed awesome! We started to chat and get to know each other. They are both very nice and I thought right away that this would be a great year. I started praying that God would build our friendships in a positive way where we can be a team that is working together and focusing on Ebeye! I believe He is already answering that prayer. :)
   While in Hawaii we had some time to just relax at Hawaii Mission Academy where we were staying. Some of us chose to walk down to the beach and explore the area a little bit. After our chill-time we had a busy schedule with meetings and training sessions all day long on Monday and Tuesday. On Monday I joined the group that hiked Diamond Head in the early morning rain and watched the sun rise. My good friend Kaylie (from WWU, going to Pohnpei) and I ran to the top, and there were a lot of stairs. Just sayin', because it was a GREAT workout. :D

SM team for GMM, 2013-2014

    I enjoyed those few days to connect with the other SMs, and especially the Ebeye Principal and SMs. We were able to discuss some of our fears, concerns, and just general questions. This was all very helpful, and it brought us to a point where we were just ready to go!!! We felt like we were as prepared as we could be, and we were ready to just see for ourselves and find out what all this talk was really about. :)

   We packed our bags Tuesday night and I was too excited to sleep! Honestly, I stayed up all night until we loaded the bus at 3:30 AM and headed to the airport. There is a plane called the "island hopper" that flies from Hawaii > Majuro > Kwajalein > Kosrae > Pohnpei > Truk (or Chuuk) > Guam, so over half of the island SMs were on the same flight. (Those going to Yap or Palau would fly straight go Guam and then on from there.) I immediately fell asleep for most of the 4.5 hour flight to Majuro. Each time the plane stops, security comes through the plane and you must move to first one side of the plane, then the other to give them space to check everything. Many of us took the other option of getting off with our carry-ons and waiting outside. This was where I said goodbye to Dad and Mom for a few weeks, then went to the holding area. Here, Ebeye's pastor and his family joined us for their flight back to Ebeye.
   We flew on to Kwajalein, where the only people allowed off are those who are staying. This was my stop, and since Kwajalein is a U.S. Army Base I was praying for a quick, safe trip through the extra security measures and onto the ferry for Ebeye.

MIRACLE #5:
   To get to the ferry for Ebeye is not a hard thing to do, but I was a little nervous. We lined up our carry-on baggage, and the K9 team came through with their dogs to check it while we sat on the other side of the room. One guy talked to the group (rather gruffly) for a bit before letting us out of the building. We then walked a few buildings down to collect our luggage. In the process of finding our luggage, Angela (Ang for short) and I were seperated from Robell, Mr. A, and the pastor's family. Mr. A was escorted seperately as a "foreign national" (not a local or US citizen), and Robell and the pastor had already jumped in another van. Since my bag was hard to get to, we had taken longer and didn't see them leave. Suddenly Ang and I realized that we were the only two passengers still standing there and both vans to the ferry had already left.
   Okay, Lord, maybe this is silly and I shouldn't be freaking out already, but I'm more than a little nervous. Can you please help us get to the ferry? We don't want to make them wait 3 hours until the next ferry!!
   One Marshallese man who was working with the luggage asked us what was wrong, and then he started jabbering in Marshallese to another guy. Then yelled down the street and two intimidating, large men jumped in a truck and drove up to us. They all promptly started loading our bags without a word. I asked, "We are going to the Ebeye ferry?" just to be sure. One man grunted yes, and we climbed in. Ang and I shared a look, and I realized we had no idea what we were doing. I mouthed, "PRAY!" and she nodded.
   The men drove us with little comment straight to the ferry station and unloaded all our bags.
   Thank You, Lord. Whether we should've been worried or not, thank You, Lord!
   At the ferry station we were reunited with the others and we met Maricel (my mentor teacher) and Maan (principal's wife), who later told me that if we had been 3 minutes later we would've all had to wait 3 hours or so for the next ferry. (I believe I'm remembering that right.)
God is so good, and takes care of even the little concerns!

Pali Lookout, Hawaii

Stop #1 - Camp Yavapines

   Monday morning (June 17). It was the day after Marianne's graduation from WWU. Mom, Jannetta, and the kiddos took me to the airport in Pasco. I flew to Seattle where I had a few minutes to settle my mind and recuperate before boarding my flight for my first visit ever to Arizona. I prayed, closing out the school year and looking ahead to a fun summer dedicated to God.

MIRACLE #1:
   I stepped off the plane in Phoenix, not sure how to go 2 hours north to Camp Yavapines in Prescott. I had been told there were shuttles, and it was "easy", but that did not relieve my nervousness. So I breathed, said a prayer, and stepped up to wait for my luggage. It was one of the first pieces on the carousal. I thanked God then turned and headed for the door with my awkward load to go find a shuttle. Right next to the door and around the corner, I saw a counter...labeled: "ShuttleU". I bought a ticket for the next hourly shuttle and it left in the next 5 minutes, with me safely on board! After a couple questions, the driver discovered I am a pilot, and then a SDA and he had sooo many questions about both! It was awesome, and the lady sitting by me joined right in the conversation too, while the third passenger listened intently. :)

   I arrived Monday evening during Spanish Camp meeting and was fed Taco Bell (YAY, I love Taco Bell!!) then worked in the Kindergarten department the rest of the week. Then came staff training week, which was a lot of fun! We cleaned the whole camp and then began our meetings. After training (which was a lot more fun than I expected, and really not too tedious) we had a wonderful treat. We drove up to Sedona on Sabbath and enjoyed our day at Slide Rock! We witnessed the beautiful baptism of two camp staff and really enjoyed the day. Yes, I did jump off a 60-foot cliff into the water...and screamed loudly both times despite my efforts to hold it in. :) We also enjoyed the natural water-slides in the beautiful red rocks, and I didn't even burn too badly!

 
... And then... the kids came! We had 200-250 campers each week and I was one of the girl counselors. I had the green cabin and so I decorated accordingly. I had fun with streamers and duct-tape. Then I made construction paper flowers to cover the duct-tape and made it look like spring. The girls loved it, and I had fun doing it. :)

   It was a weird feeling to welcome the 6-9 year olds into the cabin, and suddenly become their mother for a week. It was hard, but sooo worth it. I told them to shower in the morning, told them to brush their teeth, and then had to help them!! I brushed and braided their hair, and showed them how to make their beds and clean the room. I sang with them, played with them, and talked with them. Each night I would do worship with them in the cabin then walk around to each girls' bed to pray for them and chat for a minute. They were full of questions! It was so exhausting and yet so fulfilling. We did everything as a cabin because of supervision rules, but they began to love it. They wanted to hold my hand and walk as close to me as possible. On Monday and Tuesday a few were crying for their mothers and home, but by Wednesday they were crying because they were thinking about the coming Sunday and they didn't want to leave for home!
    We had a wonderful week, and each week this process repeated itself, just with different girls who were older with different activities and different questions. :) I really didn't like the goodbyes at the end of the week, but I pray that each one of them will remember their week as well as I remember them. They are such sweeties. I hope and pray they learned more about Jesus and choose to be His friend.

Sacrifice of Isaac by Abraham

Junior Camp

    On Sabbath afternoon, the girls would take natural items and create a Bible story. Then we would go and collect small flower bouquets for different staff members. It was little things like that they had the most fun doing. :)

15-foot Yucca stalk

Two of the sweetest Adventure campers <3

 

Tween Camp

Staff Prayer Group one Sabbath :)

MIRACLE #2:   The third week was about to start and all the counselors were ready, with our cabins swept clean and emptied out. I was sitting there waiting when I felt like I should check my email. Well, we had been told we were welcome to check our email any time....except Sundays from about 10 AM-5 PM because of registration.... The time was 1:30 PM.
I felt like I really should check my email!
   Leanna, you are being ridiculous; this the ONLY time you are NOT allowed to be on the computer, why would you check your email right now?!
   I felt very impressed to check it, so finally I did. This is crazy and you are slowing down registration. You haven't checked your email for 2 weeks, why should you today?
   I opened my computer, and there was an email from Jeanne, the Student Missions director at WWU. She had emailed my itinerary for my SM year on Friday afternoon. It was a tentative plan including a flight out of Pasco, WA on the 28th! I was supposed to fly out of Phoenix, and had not communicated that to her. Praise God, He impressed me to check THAT DAY so I could call Jeanne and tell her to change my flight to Phoenix  before she finalized the plan that Monday! :) God is so good!

Thumb Butte on my day off. Conquered it!

MIRACLE #3:   The last week of camp we had 200 campers. With 10 kids per cabin, that meant 2 boys counselors and 2 girls counselors were not going to be counseling. I chose to step out of the position when the director asked for people who were willing. I wasn't sure why because I really wanted to keep being a counselor. But I did. I took over for the geocaching teacher who had to leave early. In addition to that class I worked for the activities director and was just a "floater". At first I was frustrated and missed being with the kids. But then, I was able to sub for one counselor who was sick. And step in and help out in ways I hadn't expected. And additionally I was able to have more rest and thinking time. I didn't realize how important that would be in preparing me to leave for my SM position. Also, I left EARLY Sunday morning and would've had to have a sub for the last day if I were a counselor. What I thought was a disruption to plans, turned out to be part of His plan and my 3rd Big Miracle of this experience.

   I had a wonderful summer at Camp Yavapines and I know I learned a lot. About kids, myself, and God. He taught me a lot of patience and how to adjust to change. How to pray through the hard days AND the easy days. He gave me a wonderful support and camp family who prayed for me and with me. We were a great team, and God did some incredible things this summer! Both in the staff's lives and our kids' lives. Their questions and searching was incredible and though-provoking. They were drawing nearer to Jesus, and taking me with them!
   God sure knew I would need the space and beautiful nature that Camp Yavapines offered me as well. On my day off each week I was able to go for a long run/hike in the hills and enjoy the nature different than anything I've seen before. He knew I would need that before my SM year.I will not see anything similar for a year. He gave me time and space to think, pray, and BE. It was a spiritually growing time and I want to continue that growth. I really enjoyed the worship thoughts that were presented and the guidance given to us by Pastor Ben and the other leaders. The challenges were realistic, with methods to help us attain our goals.
   God is so good, and I know He has the WHOLE WORLD in His hands....
From Walla Walla University (Washington), to Camp Yavapines (Arizona), to Ebeye SDA School (Marshall Islands).... :)
   Thank you, Lord, for a great summer!

SM Retreat and Preperation

   I am halfway done with Spring Quarter of my Sophomore year. I WILL finish strong!

   Next school year, I will be taking a break from my studies for the adventure of a lifetime; I will be going as a Student Missionary.

   "Going where?" you say.

   Well, that is an excellent question, and I will let you know when I figure that out. I am definitely struggling with the suspense...it is so hard to trust God when I'm feeling so unsure! However, I do know that He has great things in mind, and I do not need to worry. I need to pray.

"For I know the thoughts that I think toward you," says the Lord, "thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart."       ~Jeremiah 29:11-13

   This Bible verse is in the front of the new journal that I received today at Walla Walla University's Outgoing-Student Missionary Retreat. How perfect! And what a relaxing yet thought-provoking weekend. I have much to mull over tonight.

   One suggestion from this weekend was to start a blog. This is for all my family and friends who are interested in keeping up-to-date with my life. So, if you enjoy my ramblings and would like to hear my thoughts and adventures, you are welcome to follow my blog. I may also put a few posts about camp this summer. Do not expect me to be extremely regular with my posts (especially depending on where I end up and the internet access in that location), but I will do my best to keep you informed. :)
   It is so easy to worry about the details. What if I don't finish this year strong? What if I don't figure out where to go next year? What if my best is not good enough? What do I pack? How do I prepare?

"....For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble."      ~Matthew 6:32-34

Okay, God. Here's me, focusing on today, trying my very best to seek You and and not stress about tomorrow and its troubles...Trust You...Pray, Seek, Believe, and Trust in You...