Ooo-La-La

Special Assembly Day

These are some dear Bible students who were able to attend the Special Assembly Day with us. We wish there was more space and time so you could know them all, but for now, here is a little bit about them...

In upper left hand corner is Ermine and her family. We met Ermine while trying to find her sister who used to study in the past. Ermine invited us in. That's when we saw the well-loved My Book of Bible Stories on her table. She told us that she reads it everyday to her kids. She, however, had never studied with a Witness before. She was quite pleased to have someone come to study with her that can speak her language using a Bible Teach book in her language. She was so appreciative that when the sister who speaks her language left the room, she grabbed Emily's hand and told her, "Thank you so much for the book!" She and four of her daughters attended the assembly. They have never been to a meeting at the Kingdom Hall...And her little one? She only cried once the entire day!

You'll also notice two girls in purple in the same photo. Those are Ermine's nieces (daughters of her sister that we were originally looking for), Mona and Usha. They began studying this month with us and are doing quite well in preparing ahead of time. Their auntie, Ermine, and cousin, Saveme, join their study too. This was also their first meeting with us. They really enjoyed themselves. They are very outgoing and have sparkling personalities that make them a pleasure to spend time with.

Reelein is the little girl next to Emily in the lower left photo. She has been studying since we moved here. She just turned 11. We recently began studying the Bible Teach book. It is such a joy to study with her. Until a couple of months ago, she was the only one studying in her family. Her 16-year old sister, Moana, began studying this summer. We've replaced her books several times because various family members take her books to read. They all know where her books are hidden. Slowly, the truth is affecting her household. This was the second time Reelein was allowed to come to a meeting. She was able to attend for the entire morning. Then, her family came to pick her up to go to Mass.

Karen is on the other side of Emily in the black dress. She is eight years old. She is the daughter of a couple from Pohnpei that we study with. After she attended Sunday of the district convention, she told us that it makes her feel good. We are sure this is why she came this Sunday.

Keisha is next to Karen. She and her sister, Karen (in the top photo with their mom), attend all of the meetings. Their interest and strong desire to attend meetings has gone a long way in attracting their mom to study. They immediately noticed the difference between churches they had attended in the past and our meetings.

The next photo is of Kayelani, Adrian and Wilson. We love them so much. Adrian is making good progress, attending all of the meetings. He and his sister are attending college down the street from our apartment. When Adrian has a break between classes, even if he has been up all night studying, he will call John to get him for a Bible study--that he has prepared for. He also helps us with some of the newer ones that attend with us. Kayelani is making progress too. She is attending the Sunday meetings and studying regularly. Wilson also is attending the Sunday meeting and is excited about what he is learning.

Jesilin and three of her boys are in the lower right corner. They attended for the afternoon. It was the first time to attend a meeting for two of her boys. They were very attentive and became quite adept at finding scriptures during the program. Jesilin comes to our apartment Sunday evenings to study. We have a wonderful time. She told us that she will be bringing the boys starting this week.

Joycelyn, Eziquiel's wife, is in the upper right hand corner with one of her daughters, Karen. Joyce is 9 months pregnant and was able to stay for the whole morning. She has only studied a few times. She would look over during the program and smile even though her back was hurting.

Meanwhile.....

This is what some of the residents of Yona were doing while we were at our Special Assembly Day.

Wilson

These pictures were taken the first day we met Wilson. He is distantly related by marriage to a Bible student of a young sister, Mandy, in our congregation. Wilson would sit in on those studies. Mandy offered a personal Bible study to Wilson and he accepted. Mandy asked John to visit him and she told Wilson to expect a man named John to see him. Wilson lives behind an apartment building in a little makeshift place that is basically a roof. (a place that would normally not be called on since it is hidden) You can see the corner of it in the photos. We could see a man as we approached, so John called out, "Wilson!" Wilson said,"If a man is calling my name, it must be John!" John showed him pictures in the Bible Teach book, first the one in the chapter about the last days, then contrasted it with the picture of paradise in chapter three, asking Wilson's opinion of the paradise picture, Wilson said,"Isn't this what we all hope for?" Arrangements were made for a Bible study. This conversation took place about two days before the district convention. He attended on Sunday.
Since we returned from the States, we received a Bible Teach book in Kosraean for him. Wilson studies twice a week and attends the Sunday meetings. He is quite excited about what he is learning. We are so thankful for the Bible Teach book that has been translated into some of the various island languages, but not a thankful as those who can actually read the language!

Micronesia Fair

This weekend, there was a fair at Ypao Beach showing dancing, music, crafts and foods from all the islands of Micronesia. A family brought their carabao for rides. Jeremiah tried it out.
The dancers in the photos are from the Marshall Islands. Their dances were about outriggering. It was impressive! All of the way home, Alice told us about the dances that she knows how to do from Yap.

Jeremiah taught himself how to skip on Friday. He is so thrilled when Uncle John skips with him!

Cows on Guam?

There are a few cows. They are used mostly for grazing. Sometimes you'll see them tied beside the road or in a field. They are tied using a nose ring...that's what this man, Ray, is using to control this cow. Jeremiah wanted to see what a cow felt like, so Ray held the cow so that Jeremiah could be near it. He did finally touch her. Jeremiah got his courage up and went without being held to see some large calves nearby.

Rainy Game Day

Last Monday was a school holiday, so we got to spend it with Jeremiah and his brothers. It was a very rainy day. We all went in service in the morning, then played all afternoon. Puzzles, race cars, reading, some learned to play checkers, a few played their first game of Scrabble. Several times, in the afternoon, one or more of the boys would start singing with enthusiasm and others would join in, "With Jesus blood he bought you, to God you now belong. So he will make you firm and he will make you strong. He'll guide you and protect you, as he has all along. Yes, he will make you firm, and he will make you strong." We asked Sam if he knew what the song was talking about. He looked at us like we should already know... Jehovah will make us strong when we need to be.

Clearance Sale

Island Life

Tumon Bay--this morning

Items May Appear Larger....

No! These crabs are really as big as they appear!
We recently had a visitor who brought these lovely crabs to us, along with lobsters and reef fish. These are just a few of the yummy benefits of living here!