December in Photos

Suggestion to all who venture this trail: wear more substantial shoes than just flip flops.

I give you: old man by the sea!

Jealous? This view never gets old.

We were feeling adventurous.

Like I said.

Several feet away from me is a ladder that drops down into one of the best places to snorkel.

Luis LaPorte's "fan club."

My costume for the Christmas Music Program

Happy Holidays!

Holiday Food Drive

The idea came to me during staff worship a week or two before Thanksgiving. We had been discussing helping those in need, and I decided our school should host a holiday food drive. We put boxes in every classroom and got the students involved. Food came pouring in. Lots of Spam and various canned vegetables. (Cuz' nothing says happy holidays like a can of mechanically separated pork.) By the last day of school before Christmas break we had collected several large boxes of food. On to step 2 of a food drive: passing along the donations to those who need it.

 Quick flash back to a couple months ago. While standing in line at our bank, Jean (our school registrar) and I made friends with a lady who was standing in line with us. The lines here are always long and slow, so we had plenty of time to become acquainted. Jillian is a reporter at our news station, and since becoming friends with her on Facebook she has become one of my sources for news on this island. About a week ago Jillian posted a tragic story. A mother and three kids had lost their home to a fire that day and she was looking for help for them. After reading her post I got the family’s phone number and called them up. The mother came by the office today to pick up a box of food. Just before she arrived I printed out the last part of Matthew Ch. 6 on a card and put it in the box.

25 “So my counsel is: Don’t worry about things—food, drink, and clothes. For you already have life and a body—and they are far more important than what to eat and wear. 26 Look at the birds! They don’t worry about what to eat—they don’t need to sow or reap or store up food—for your heavenly Father feeds them. And you are far more valuable to Him than they are. 27 Will all your worries add a single moment to your life?

28 “And why worry about your clothes? Look at the field lilies! They don’t worry about theirs. 29 Yet King Solomon in all his glory was not clothed as beautifully as they. 30 And if God cares so wonderfully for flowers that are here today and gone tomorrow, won’t He more surely care for you?

31-32 “So don’t worry at all about having enough food and clothing. For they take pride in all these things and are deeply concerned about them. But your heavenly Father already knows perfectly well that you need them, 33 and he will give them to you if you give him first place in your life and live as he wants you to.

34 “So don’t be anxious about tomorrow. God will take care of your tomorrow too. Live one day at a time.”

This afternoon I got a text from her thanking me again for the food, and also for the card. I didn't do much, I just shared some Bible verses I hoped would be encouraging. Her text told me that it had made a difference. They weren't just words, they were hope. It wasn't just a box of food, it was an answer to prayers. Its a blessing to be the hands and feet of Jesus, and this was by far the greatest gift I received this Christmas.

Christmas Music Programs

This last Tuesday (December 9th) was our CDC Christmas music program themed "Lets Dress Up For Christmas." Two days later we had our Elementary program, which we titled "Christmas Brings the World Together." My role each evening was to hand out the programs, take yearbook photos and run the bake sale booth. During each evening we sold a couple hundred dollars worth of baked goods and school calendars (which I designed and had printed). My roommate Carolyn and I baked a few dozen cookies and muffins for these programs.                                                                                                        
The Christmas Music program is the biggest event of the year. By the end of the second night I was exhausted and ready for the week to be over, but it was worth it to see the kids get up and perform for all the parents. Their songs, skits and poems put everyone in the Christmas spirit.   

Coconut Confessions

Have I told you just how much I love coconuts? I absolutely love fresh coconuts. Coconuts are only good for taking pictures with because they are also good for eating!! Today at the school we had to cut down a coconut tree that was leaning far over in the road. That meant coconuts! Coconuts for days! I must learn how cut into these on my own. As I have said, it is a fine art to open it just right. Since I have not yet learned how to handle a machete, I won't be giving any pointers.
Bringing the tree down was a simple process and afterwards we worked at moving the branches and getting all the coconuts into our wheelbarrow. This was the first of two wheelbarrows we filled up. Young coconuts or old, they are both good. The younger coconuts have sweeter coconut water, and the flesh is the consistency of jello. Its really fun to scoop it out with the spoons we make out of the husk. The older coconuts are great for baking. When you open the older ones up you can see the coconut oil floating at the top. That oil is super healthy, and great to use when baking! Its amazing how blessed we are by what is growing around us.

Lets be Thankful

Yesterday (Tuesday, November 25th) was the school's annual Thanksgiving program. Every year large tents and picnic tables are set up outside in front of the school. On the sidewalk in front of the classrooms there is a long row of tables set up for all the food that everyone brings. The program begins with the CDC (Child Development Center) classes. Even the toddlers, ages 18 months to 2 years old participate. I loved watching the younger classes get up and recite poems and sing. They did so with such enthusiasm as their parents looked on. The smiles were contagious. The older grades did a nice job too. It's good for them to have these opportunities to get up in front of large groups. Next year the eighth graders will be attending the only high school on the island where their classes will be three to four times the size they are here.
   













   



     After every class had shared their songs, poems, skits, etc, it was time to eat. I can honestly say I have never seen so much food in my life as I have when our school hosts a potluck. Eight long tables literally packed with trays, dishes, bowls and platters of every kind of food imaginable. Everything from sushi and pad thai to turkey and mashed potatoes.
   

     Saipan is a culturally diverse island. Korean, Japanese, Chinese, Filipino, Chamorro, Carolinian, (and even a bit of Russian culture) is very present here. In the couple of months I have lived here I have learned a bit about each of these ethnic groups. For instance, I learned from the Korean girls I tutor that in Korea they celebrate Chuseok, a "thanksgiving dinner" in honor of the harvest. This island is a regular ol' American melting pot. We celebrate the differences, and the similarities.

           

           

Managaha

This is Managaha. Smallest island in the CNMI. It's only a couple miles away from Saipan, and if you are a local you get a free boat ride. On my first trip to Managaha it rained practically the whole time. At least we were swimming so a little extra water didn't bother us. On the second trip the weather was perfect. In the sunshine, the water is a dozen shades of clear blue. The variety of fish and submerged WWII army tanks make for an interesting afternoon of snorkeling. Now you know where to find me on days off.

   

While relaxing on the beach we found several crabs. We all took turns being brave and posing with them. Unfortunately Venus didn't think I had had enough photo opportunities, so later when everyone buried me under the sand she had me pose with the crab again. I was grateful when I could move my arms and legs.

Pananampalataya

I have a new name! On one Sabbath afternoon while practicing for special music with a group of the women from church, I asked what the translation of my name was in Tagalog. Pan-an-am-pal-a-ta-ya. I think I finally got the pronunciation right on the tenth try. It stuck, and now I hear it as much as I do Faith.

You know that scene in "The Inn of the Sixth Happiness" where missionary Gladys Aylward is given a new name by the people she lives and works with? I guess it was from watching this movie, but I always felt like part of being a missionary is being granted a new name by those you are serving. It gives you a sense that you are connecting with the people, their language and their culture in such a personal way.

It's now about week fourteen for my roommate and I. We've managed to adapt enough to the heat and humidity to where we don't need to use the air conditioner (much). Good thing too! Electricity here is ridiculously expensive due to the fact that there is only one plant on the island, and the electricity is generated by fossil fuels.

I haven't taken on any additional responsibilities at the school as of late and I am starting to settle into my weekly routine. Yearbook is well under way, the Friday letters are printed on Thursday, and the newsletters are distributed without a hitch. I think this is the first time I have been on good terms with a copy machine. I am still teaching the after school academy math classes for kindergarten through the fourth grade. Last week I was the substitute teacher for both grades three and four. I have had been in the teaching environment long enough to decide that I like my major in public relations just fine. It is a lot of fun though, and the more I get to teach, the better I get to know all the students at our school. I've almost got all 150 names down.

Carolyn and I have become baking pros. The rest of the teachers at the school always tease us and ask us "so what did you bake this weekend," but we don't mind because we know they like it when we bring samples. Pinterest is a never ending source of inspiration. This last week I made an old family recipe. The taste of oatmeal "mookies" was a really welcome taste of home. Thank you Mom for the cranberries!

As far as church involvement goes, I think Carolyn and I are booked for special music for the rest of the year! Ever since the first vespers when Carolyn and I played a duet on the mandolin and violin. . . It is a lot of fun to practice with Carolyn and it gives us something to do when we are at home on the weekends. I am also teaching the youth Sabbath school every third Sabbath.

Just this afternoon I was sitting in my room when Carolyn leaned around the corner and remarked how much she was loving this year. I quite agree.

Missionaries from Guam

Last month the Saipan SDA School had some special visitors from Guam. The SDA missionary staff from the health clinic flew out to give a presentation at our school and provide free health screenings for the students in grades 3 through 8. During both chapel and the health screenings, the medical staff spoke to students about the 8 laws of health. After chapel, the doctor and nurses set up stations where they could measure students body mass index, and check blood pressure & blood oxygen levels.


It was great having the medical staff from Guam come out. So many of our students bring nothing but candy to school as their lunch, so I was glad that there were more voices encouraging them to eat healthier. When we weren't working, we were giving the medical team a tour of the island.

Not many newsworthy things happen on this island, so naturally this visit made the front page of the newspaper that next Monday!

http://www.saipantribune.com/index.php/guam-sda-clinic-holds-outreach-saipan/

Sabbath Hikes & Miracles

On a sunny Sabbath afternoon this last weekend I joined the youth group on their hike to Bird Island beach. Right before we left the church to drive there we said a prayer for God's protection. Never under-estimate the power of a simple prayer like this. Just hours after that prayer, I witnessed God answer it. It all began a half hour after this picture was taken.

I had never been on this trail before. The hike was only fifteen minutes from the trail head to the beach. I was excited to be outside enjoying the island with this happy group of teens and hadn't thought to bring anything in the "just in case" category. The path down to the beach was a bit narrow, a bit muddy, and in some areas quite steep. Down at the beach we played some bible trivia, had a short vespers, and then began the hike back up. We had given ourselves plenty of time before sunset to get back to the cars. On the way back Joeie, (pictured to my side) was hiking with two of the new youth group members Leoni and Carmen. Half way up, Leoni began having trouble breathing. That is when Joeie learned she and Carmen have exercise-induced asthma. This is also when Joeie learned that both Leoni and Carmen had left their inhalers at home in their school bags.

Meanwhile, the rest us our group had made it back to the cars. We hadn't been there long when some of the kids began calling for help. John, the other youth leader, and I quickly headed down to see what was the matter.

I'll pause here a moment to describe the last fifteen feet of the trail. It was fifteen feet of steep, slippery ground that had become so muddy from foot traffic that the park had tied a thick rope to one of the trees so that you could use it to climb up. Leoni made it to the base of this steep part and then collapsed to her knees. Joeie, John and two of the older youth rushed to her side offering support so that she wouldn't not fall back. About this time Carmen, who had made it all the way to the car, was experiencing difficulty breathing as well. After one attempt to help Leoni up the last part of the hill, we called 911.

By now neither Leoni nor Carmen could give us a verbal response, and both were struggling to stay conscious. The sun was setting and we were without flashlights. The mosquitoes were out in full fury and the kids were back and forth between praying, quietly panicking, and trying to offer help. Bird Island is on the Northern end of the island, and a pretty good distance away from the one hospital on the island. It is also well outside of cell range. The first two medics who arrived quickly assessed the situation and called for more help. They would need 6 guys to carry Leoni on a backboard up the hill.

It seemed like an age before the rest of the medics arrived. It seemed like another age before they got both girls in the ambulance and were headed to the hospital. When the rest of us made it to the hospital we were exhausted, dehydrated, ready to hear some good news. Good news came. Both girls were recovering rapidly and would be discharged that same evening.

I don't believe our group could have been more under-prepared for the events of that hike. This is one of those experiences that should go at the top of a list for reasons to remember the boy scouts motto. Yet good things came out of it. The girls learned a valuable lesson about taking their condition seriously. Joeie, John and I know how to better prepare for situations like this, and everyone on that hike witnessed God's hand of protection over us. Praise the Lord for cell reception when you really need it.    

International Coastal Cleanup

One of our goals this year is to have our students participate in some kind of community service every month. You don't have to look too hard to find ways to make a difference on this island. One opportunity present on every beach in Saipan is picking up litter. Trash is everywhere here. When the bureau of environmental and coastal quality announced they were starting their annual international coastal cleanup project, we were the first school to sign up. Equipped with garbage bags and gloves, we made our way up "beach road" and collected everything from gum wrappers to old shoes. Part of our task was to keep a tally of everything we found on forms the BECQ provided. Last years participants recorded finding 1,685,422 food wrappers, 555,007 straws, 940,170 plastic beverage bottles, 4 guitars and 1 rubber chicken. I wonder if they also kept track of shoes because we found a lot of them...

About two hours and a mile of beach later we had collected eight bags of garbage. After a quick pose with our hard work, we loaded everyone on to the bus and drove them back to the school where a reward of Ice Keki awaited us. This project was about a month ago. Just recently I walked down beach road again and all the trash had returned. Its hard to not feel frustrated when so much hard work seems to vanish with the rise in tide. The job is never ending. At least there is satisfaction in knowing you've made a difference, even though it only lasted for a little while.