July 7, 2024

Kiribati Part II

Moroni High School.  Rick and I stayed on campus in one of the guest houses.  Several church-owned schools dot the island.  Most are Catholic with a few other Christian schools.   They have an excellent reputation.  Many non-members seek to enroll their children here.  Government officials especially try for Moroni High School.

All the students were friendly, waving as we passed.  The campus buildings are simple and clean.  

A young couple mans the security entrance.  Their daughter really wanted me to take a picture of her.

The covered area serves as a sport court, a classroom, a gathering game area in the evening, and holds many other purposes.

Mid-morning break time draws all the students outside.  Local vendors sell a variety of snacks.  Most vendors are church members.  The Vice Principal pointed out a young widow who brings her three young children while “working” on campus.  I’m certain there are no FDA requirements here.  Some snacks looked questionable to me, but no one seemed at all bothered by any of the offerings.

I interviewed these beautiful girls, students at Moroni High School.  Part of my assignment from the Communications Department included acquiring experiences for the 99+1 initiative (honoring President Nelson’s 100^th birthday).   This proved to me a major highlight of my visit to Kiribati.  I felt as though I stood on holy ground as they recorded a significant spiritual event in their lives when they were the “one”.

Charlie and Jowan also shared simple experiences when they received ministering at a critical time of life.  My eyes welled with tears just listening to their sweet stories.  My view of the rising generation blossomed in their presence.  Each one recognized that God had blessed them through another person. 

As I transcribed these recordings, edited the language and shared with other members of the communications department, all agreed we must place them in the forefront of our media coverage on President Nelson’s birthday.  Our director was so touched he shared them with his family during their “Come Follow Me” study time.  They may appear on the Pacific Facebook group, Pacific Inspiration.

Ocean Family.  Basically, the only restaurant in town (the only one trusted by outsiders).  We enjoyed two meals there.  Thankfully, we brought packs of tuna, crackers, dried fruit, and other packaged items to assist in preparing snacks and simple meals.

We enjoyed the restaurant.  The real estate team joins with one of the contactors and Eritai Kateibwi (front, right).  He was instrumental in the design and building of churches using native materials.  As a young man he developed an aqua-culture project that earned him an entrepreneur aware from the United Nations.  His work in Kiribati aims to uplift the entire country, what an impressive and personable man.

Bairiki is Kiribati’s Costco.  Located in the same “strip mall” as the restaurant, it feels like a major business area in town.  This must be the biggest store on the island.  Gratefully, we found oranges and apples here, our only fresh food.  Frozen items are available and plenty of canned and packaged goods.

Rick cuts the end of a coconut so we can drink the milk.  We then scooped out the flesh.  Delicious!  We appreciated this fresh gift from his excursion to outer islands.

Breadfruit

Taraia prepared breadfruit chips for me.  Delicious!  I shared most with Vernice as they are her favorite snack.  Taraia now handles the housing contracts for MHS.  In a country that doesn’t keep documents – what a challenge this task has been.  However, she’s willing to help and we still communicate about the needed information for OGC. Updating these contracts was a major assignment for our visit.  We share updates with each other, and I promise to send completed documentation for her to create files.  I admire her willingness to learn.

While I worked on campus, Rick, the real estate team, and a few contractors boarded the church’s boat, “Gratitude” for outlying islands.

The entire group waded from the boat to the shore.  Rick was prepared.  They assured him it was a NO TIE day.  He wore a long sleeve white shirt.  Everyone envied his quick drying shorts.

They inspected this church made of natural, local materials.  Membership grows so rapidly in these humble countries; meeting places can’t be built fast enough.  Importing materials to the islands proves to be expensive and time consuming.

A view from inside the “chapel”.  Members feel this is sacred and prefer not to hold activities here.  Often, a second, large covering is prepared for recreation activities.

Smaller teaching areas surround the chapel.

I’d be hard pressed to concentrate in a Sunday School class in this awe-inspiring setting.

The boat could not land on the shore with such shallow water.  Everyone waded to the beach.  They told Rick he needed sandals and shorts.

The “inspectors” wade in from the boat at one of the islands visited.  Rick enjoyed the entire, long day.   They viewed three different chapel sites on three separate islands.

View another sample of simple meeting houses powered by solar panels.  Some of these islands have no electricity.  The back building houses restrooms.  Missionary quarters are generally built on the property also.

Our guest room opened to this ocean view and local children waving at us from behind the fence.  Their shyness appeared when I asked permission to snap a photo.

Miracles accompanied every task.  I met Ruth Cross, an incredible woman working for the Church in Self Reliance, Welfare, and Humanitarian Aid.  She’s seeking a seat in Parliament.  Due to country law, she must terminate her current employment to campaign.  Elections are August 15.  We will be closely watching this race.  She was raised in Kiribati and Australia.  Each country reflects her parents’ heritage.  She inherited the best of both cultures.  Her vision for Kiribati includes elevating levels of comfort, nutrition, and healthcare while allowing the current positive attitude, joy of life, and love of God to flourish.  We wish her well.

View the site for the Tarawa Kiribati Temple.  The property begins on the road and ends at the ocean.  It seems small to me.  Apparently, they (Peter) have also procured bordering property to increase the size of the site.

The Kiribati Parliament building stands stately across the street from the temple site.  That reality is not wasted on Ruth Cross, a Parliamentary candidate.

We stand at the back end of the temple property.  The ocean creates a beautiful border for any temple lot.

An artist’s rendering of the Kiribati Temple.  I easily envision this structure on the lot above.  I rejoice at the prospect. 

I never tire of this beautiful scene.  Viewing the ocean from one side of the road and the lagoon from the other feels surreal. 

Our hearts feel an amazing uplift from this choice assignment.  We bid a fond farewell to Kiribati and hope to return one day!