October 3rd! One Year Anniversary as Missionaries!

 

 

 

 

     We received a very pleasant surprise yesterday.  The Park Rangers at the the American Memorial Park called us to ask if we could drop by sometime because they had something for us.  When we finally got there they gave a little speech in the lobby about our contributions to the people of Saipan. They presented us with certificates of appreciation and recognition for dedication and service to the people of Saipan. 
     Neither Ranger Nancy or Ranger Susan have heard us teach the Gospel, but they like what we represent for good and their little ceremony of appreciation to us made our day!
     The Memorial Park is a beautiful and well maintained park with war memorials and huge grounds to explore them on.  We take many of our morning walks here and enjoy learning more about what happened in Saipan during WWII in the detailed museum.  There is also a gift shop at the museum where we buy the birthday presents we send home to our grandchildren. 

Here we are actually several weeks ago with Mr. Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan who is running for re-election for US Congress.  We hope he wins and we hope he is there with Romney.  Kilili likes Mormons.  Kilili helped us try to expedite the passport for Mike and Jenney's baby so they could get to back to China.

After District Meeting with our new District Leader, Elder Loveless, 2nd from left we celebrated his call with pizza at Pizza Hut.  All the missionaries have money the first week of the month so we enjoy each others company in the informality of lunch together.  First missionary on left is our new Elder, Elder Lina from the Philippines.  He has spent a year on Chuuk where there is no such thing as Pizza Hut.  Then Elder Loveless, us, Elders Mafi and Andrew, and Sisters Mataele and Pikula.

Saipan holds a huge street fair every Thursday night.  The above pictured congressman Kilili has raised money to keep it going because it draws tourists and more money to Saipan.  We come on occasion to see people in the community and to buy a yummy Asian dinner - 6 choices for $5.  We came this time to see these Carolinian dancers doing highly energetic dances because many of them are from the Igisiar family in our ward. 

We are with Jay Igisiar who is the lead dancer and a member of our ward and Institute class.

Heading into a cave on our morning walk!  This is actually on the grounds of the Hyatt Hotel and this cave leads to the pool and the beach.  It is a really pretty beach walk and we justify passing by the "guest only" signs because we have met ward members who work here and have been invited to occasions here.....it is a worldly respite from the poorer parts of Saipan where we spend most of our time. 

Most recent baptism;  the special occasion was for Clarence who is 9 and his cousin Enola who is 13.  Months ago we went with Elders Allred and Roko  to teach the grandmother who is next to me.  Clarence was hiding from us.  We coaxed him out and while the Elders taught his grandmother, we showed him pictures of Jesus on the iPad and told him stories.  He was impressed and asked good questions.  We had the honor of helping him say his first prayer as we closed the meeting with this family.  We are so happy that the Elders started teaching them again and have brought them to baptism.   We are happy that the family is taking the Gospel into their lives!  Grandmother and Enola's mother are scheduled for baptism next month.  "...and a little child shall lead them."  Isaiah 11:6

The missionaries at a service project in Lito and Cherry Lumbana's beautiful jungle.  No one had lived here for years and it needed civilizing with so much overgrowth.  This good family, the Lumbana's faced many challenges as Cherry and her little daughter spent recent months in the Philippines for mom's breast cancer.  Lito remained here, working and serving in the Bishopric and taking care of his 3 sons.  The cheerful attitude that this family displayed throughout it all, and their hope and optimism spread to all who knew them.  To offer service to them was a way to try and re-pay them for their example. 
We think any child would ABSOLUTELY love this "jungle book" world that this place is   (a member of the Church actually gave them the property to live in, so that it would be cared for).   There are places to explore, trees to climb and swing from, streams to jump over, etc, etc.    But the oldest son said,  "Hey!!! No Internet!!"

Sister Missionaries with Lito and Cherry Lumbana.  She just came back to Saipan this week after 7 months in the Philippines.  She is lovely with or without hair!