Hello, my deer!

Kym shows a little love to a local deer.

Be like little children....

About three weeks ago, I spoke with a friendly young lady who invited me to come back. When I returned, the family sent Jaylinda (in the photo) out to Megan and me. She didn't seem to think it was odd that two women that she didn't know would be waiting at the door for her. We decided to see if she was interested in spiritual things. When asked if she liked to read the Bible, she said yes. We asked if she read anything she enjoyed lately. Yes. Then she told us all about Noah, the conditions in the world surrounding the Flood and how Noah survived in an ark. She found it interesting that Jesus compared our time period to Noah's after we read those scriptures in Matthew 24. She was thrilled to accept the Learn from the Great Teacher book and readily accepted a Bible study after it was demonstrated. When asked when she would like for us to return, she put her hand on her hip and said, "This is important, right?" "Can you come tomorrow?"
She studied for the next three days straight, began sharing what she was learning with her family and neighbors, even conducting a Bible study with some of her friends. Apparently, she has listened in with others in her area that have studied with Jehovah's Witnesses, because when she saw the Bible Teach book, her face lit up! She showed us all of the things she had read in it. She then held her new copy of the Bible Teach book and Bible close to her and said,"I've always want to have my own Bible study teacher--and now I do!"
She has attended all of the meetings since we met and commented at the last one. And at the last meeting, she brought her neighbor who she says really needs to know about God. She took such pleasure in helping Georgina find scriptures, in showing her around the Kingdom Hall, and introducing her to others attending.
Jaylinda has been studying for two weeks. She is 11. Because of her zeal in sharing what she is learning, four members of her immediate family have also shown interest, including her mother.

Georgina (8) and Jaylinda (11) after Georgina's first meeting at the Kingdom Hall and Jaylinda's third. Jaylinda commented for the first time at this meeting. They both said it was the best night they'd ever had. Megan, who goes on Jaylinda's study, had a talk and John and I had a demonstration that night. Georgina said we all did good in the show!
We met Georgina's mother, Delores, for the first time when we went to pick up Jaylinda for the meeting and she told us Georgina was coming too. Delores said that she wanted her daughter to have good influences in her life, so she was very happy that she would be coming with us. She was happy to receive an invitation to the Kingdom Hall as well.

Just a Swangin'

Merianne beats the heat most days in this fashion forward look. The first time I met her, she sat with her sister, Imalia, and me while we were studying. After about 10 minutes, she stood up and stripped down to her undies.
When a person enters her family's home, shoes are left outside. I saw her trying on my shoes. She seemed to like them because she took them for a spin to visit someone else, then kindly wore them back to her home.

Do you actually know what you are reading?

Gloria is guiding Merlina to find satisfying answers in her own copy of the Bible--and in her own language.

Merlina was able to express herself in Ponapean to Gloria. Merlina told Gloria that until she started to study three weeks ago, she had never had an interest in the Bible, but now she sees that it is something good for her.
When Merlina and I studied together, we were only able to cover basic truths. Now she can share what is in her heart. It was a most wonderful day!

For those in the mainland...

This is betel nut. It is sold with little bag of lime (that's the white stuff) right by the cash registers in gas stations and local marts. Although it is green, the juice is reddish orange. It stains people's teeth and mouth and anything that it gets spit on.

Quinata Family

John has been visitng Joel for quite some time. It was difficult at first to find a regular time that he could study. When we returned from Pohnpei, he came out of his home, saw John and hugged him! From that time on, he usually studies twice a week. He says that he can see a difference in the way he treats others since he has been studying the Bible.
Now, his girlfriend, Rose, is around on Saturdays, so she is able to share in the spiritual discussions as small children allow.
Why the computer? Joel is watching the dvd about Jehovah's Witnesses for the first time.

What Is Important...

This photo is about a year old, but I wanted to share a funny story about Reelein (pronounced re--lane). First, you should know that she is the only member of her family that is studying. I have had to replace her books and Bible several times. Different members of her family take them from her hiding place to read them and don't return them to her. After over a year and a half, her father (who has read the Bible Story book and Learn from the Great Teacher--and did not return them) agreed to study with John.
Last week, Reelein and I were reading together chapter 16 in the Learn from the Great Teacher book. When we got to page 89, where the book begins to talk about having toys and wanting more toys, we both realized this did not apply to her since she doesn't really have any toys. So I asked her what she had that could possibly lead to problems like the rich man...wanting more or something becoming more important than her relationship with Jehovah. She thought for a long while and said, "Goats."
She has pet goats that she dearly loves.

All the lovely ladies...

So, I've been dying to tell this story, but haven't had a photo to go with it.
From left to right: Merianne (5), Merlina, Karen (8), Maylene (11), Imalia (16)
About three of four weeks ago, I was checking on a study on a Sunday morning. Imalia was outside with Merianne. Imalia kept smiling at my partner and me. By the time we left the return visit, she had moved right by where we would walk and kept smiling. So, I got to try an introduction for the 'direct approach' that I hadn't tried yet. After identifying ourselves as Jehovah's Witnesses, I told her that I give free Bible classes and have some room in my schedule. Would she be interested? She said yes. She stayed with other family during the week (for school) and would be home again on the next Sunday. She was waiting for me and had prepared ahead for our discussion. She attended the meeting last Sunday.
After our study, I was able to meet her mother, Merlina. She accepted a personal Bible study so that she will know what her daughter is learning. Merlina reads (and speaks) very little English. She is from Pohnpei. So we study in Ponapean and English...Well, she studies in Ponapean and we do a lot of gestures hoping we understand one another! She has studied twice now and is happy to be able to show others that God does not cause the bad things that happen. There is a sister in a neighboring congregation that is from Pohnpei. She will be coming with me next week. We are both happy about this development!
After Merlina's study today (that all of the girls listened to), we all studied the first lesson in the Learn from the Great Teacher book.
As my partner, Megan, and I looked around, there was nothing but five GIANT smiles filling the room and our hearts.

Plumeria

This is one of the biggest plumeria I've seen so far.

Three Out of Three Kids Agree....

Lions and Tigers and Bears

What else do you do at night with no power? Check out all the animals that came for a visit...We had a least one ibex and a carabao.
Even a big boy got in on the action!

Samuel

Samuel is reading a scripture for first time in the ministry. Proverbs 2:21, 22 He reads quite well. He made us laugh, though, because the scripture says the 'treacherous' will be torn away from the earth. He kept reading the 'teachers' will be torn away from it....I guess he's happy to be out of school for the summer.

The couple, Frank and Lindsay, were very nice. They actually live across the lane, but were enjoying the shade of their neighbor's breadfruit tree.

This isn't Kansas anymore

We've traded in raccoons, opossums, skunks and squirrels for THIS!!

Pretty cool!