Marshallese Church!

     Tuesday was our first school/teacher’s meeting.  We discussed the broken bus which is keeping us from starting school, attendance & grading which are the 2 biggest issues for the teachers, and went over general introductions/who will be teaching what.  The Ministry of Education does indeed have rules & regulations that the schools are to follow, but schools sometimes do not implement these & hold student to strict compliance.  We had heard that the internet bill had finally been paid, but after sitting on a bench directly outside of the school for 15 or so minutes trying to get the wireless to work on my computer, I learned that the bill had not been paid & we wouldn’t be getting internet for ‘another week or so’.  Children tend to flock to computers or any type of technology, so I ended up staying outside with Juwae & Dragel, showing them pictures from home then teaching them ‘minesweeper’ and other computer games—I’m sure now that they are hooked & will be knocking on my door on random week nights to play the games again.  J

      That night we attended our first church service.  At the party we went to last weekend, we met the pastor that would be preaching the service.  We finally figured out what time a church service started here, so we had to go!  When we walked up there was a band of 3 young men singing; two were playing keyboards.  People were just beginning to come in; this was a relief because we definitely thought we were running a little late!  We were directed to sit at the front, in the first aisle facing the pastor & band.  The service was held for 5 young men & 1 young woman that are leaving to attend school in Majuro—a school of Theology, in which they will also learn to become pastors and spread the Word.  The pastor spoke of the sacrifices one gives up to follow this path and to do God’s work.  He used Liz & I as an example, like missionaries, because we stepped out of our comfort zone, left our family, friends & all that’s ‘comfortable’ to us, in order to come here & do our work—teaching the Marshallese students.  He really stressed how God gives people like us, who are driven to go & do their work, strength in order to do all to make it possible.  It made me teary-eyed thinking about this, but it also made me very happy to see how appreciative the Marshallese people are that we have come.  They do know the ‘sacrifices’ we’ve made to be here, but they are so thankful we are in fact here!  It was a very, very nice service & I can’t explain how happy I am that I went.  The singing is beautiful.  People are so open and expressive of their feelings, their prayers, their messages to and about God—it was refreshing to see something completely different than what I’m used to back home.  A huge thanks to Rose who sat with us & interpreted the messages & songs for us.  :)

After the service (about 2 hours in), the 6 students going to Majuro lined up in the front and everyone else formed a line to go to each of them, shake their hands, wish them well & give a donation.  Dinner was then served—white rice, spaghetti with chicken, pasta salad, fish, boiled flour dipped in coconut & rice balls dipped in coconut (the last 2 being my favorite!!!).  At this point I was starving, but needless to say, I didn’t make any sort of dent in the heap of food that overflowed my plate.  As we ate, there was singing—first, a group of women from Gugeegue went up to sing then the women from Ebeye.  Rose really knows how to sing ; I am proud to claim her as my new friend.  :) 

As the Ebeye women sang, members of the Gugeegue crew went up, threw some water at them & danced silly in the crowd.  This is common and makes it a sort of fun little competition between the women.  It was hilarious to watch and nice to see the women let loose.  The women were having a great time, as was I while watching & taking video. 

Around 11:30 we headed home really glad about how we spent our night.  I definitely feel the sense of community here, especially after attending church.  Religion & God are so important to the Marshallese; it was more than comforting to see that in practice.  I look forward to seeing more Marshallese events/celebrations/practices like this, only to become more aware & appreciative for them myself!  Everyone was so warm & welcoming; I couldn’t be more thankful for the experience or more excited to become more involved in their community.