Yigo Baptism, great friends and a Polynesian style show

Sister Martin and I were fortunate to attend a baptism in the Yigo ward. It is a ward North of Guam near Anderson Air Force Base.

Everyone that participated did a great job on this baptism program.

Sister Bulewa led the music and gave a talk on baptism

Elder Stripling about to perform the Baptism ordinance

Elder Arcayan and Elder Dann

Sister Rock, below, is a new missionary that joined the Micronesia Guam Mission this month.

Sister Rock and Sister Muamoholeva

Sister Rock and Sister Muamoholeva shared the story of the restoration of the Priesthood and the true Gospel of Jesus Christ. We were all touched by the spirit which testified of the truth of their words and the powerful testimonies they shared.

Sister Rock playing the closing Hymn, "High on a Mountain Top"

Elder Thomas, senior missionary for military relations, finished off the program with an excellent talk on the Holy Ghost. Since he was asked just before the service began, he called himself a pinch hitter.

We are so blessed to have had the opportunity to attend this amazing baptism. I was told that the young man baptized is of Chamorro decent, which means many of his ancestors are from Guam and Spain. We have met many wonderful people of all backgrounds in Guam.



We had a wonderful family over for dinner last week, the Deeds. Their three years is up for military duty in Guam and are moving to Louisiana. Before Guam they were three years in Alaska.

Marthalina, who went with us and Bishop Davis on many hikes, has joined their family.

Elder and Sister Deeds gave talks in church that really pulled at the heart strings. Brother Deeds gave a talk on Temples and Family history and how their family felt so close to their ancestors in the temple. Sister Deeds gave an amazing talk about keeping a journal and gave several stories about her Grandma's journal and her own. We will miss them a lot. Ward members wanted to take pictures of them at church after they spoke.

Later that night we had an opportunity to go to a dinner and Polynesian show at a military function that Elder and Sister Thomas arranged. President Zarbock was in Pohnpei so Sister Zarbock joined us. Some of their family flew in the next day before the President returned.

 

Fishing for MahiMahi / "Fishers of Men"

Brother Fee, of the Barrigada Guam ward, asked me if the senior missionaries would like to go fishing out in the ocean. We asked them and everyone said "Yes". This rare kind of break from the long hours in the mission office is one fun part of being a senior couple serving on Guam.

Sister Martin mentioned she had never been fishing except at a fish hatchery long ago. I went lake and stream fishing more as a young man in scouting, but never in the ocean.

Brother Fee set it up so we could take five of us at a time. So, Elder and Sister Guercio and Elder Thomas joined Sister Martin and I to make five.

We arrived before sunrise, 5:45 am, at the Agat Marina. It was a beautiful, calm morning.

Then the sea got just slightly rough, but still not too much. Only one wave was big enough to come over the boat, hit the roof, and splash us a bit.

This boat ran 4 lines. We trolled for about four hours. Here are the action photos.

Sister Guercio

Elder and Sister Martin

Sister Martin reeling it in

Sister Martin's MahiMahi

Brother Fee

Elder Guercio

Elder Thomas

Elder Martin

We caught five nice size fish - 8 - 12 lbs.

Guess what we ate for lunch? You guessed it...fresh fish. We fried it with a coating of coconut milk and egg dipped in a mix of crackers, crushed macadamia nuts and cashews.

We are thankful to Brother Fee arranging this excursion. It was a fun opportunity to try something new.

We really love helping out in the Micronesia Guam Mission office. Here, missionaries are literally becoming "Fishers of Men", as Jesus said to his future disciples. Here's a link to a great video clip of this event from the New Testament.Follow-me-and-i-will-make-you-fishers-of-men

 

Stake Relief Society Dinner - Outing with Elder and Sister Guercio

Barrigada Stake Relief Society Dinner-African Safari Theme

Elder and Sister Martin

Behind the scenes - Servers at work

Many of the husbands/brethren did some of the final prep, serving, dish washing, and even finished off a few leftovers.

Safari themed dinner

Sister Guercio, Sister Thomas, Sister Reed

Sister Nakamura with Sister Martin and other great members

 Several faithful young sister missionaries were there to fellowship the many members and non members who attended. Over 120 were served at this dinner. Some said it was the most ever.

Sister David and Sister Bulewa with Sister Roberts

New missionary, Sister Kichiro, center, just arrived a few days ago

Sister Bulewa and Sister Kuau

Sister Laanan, left

Outing with Elder and Sister Guercio

Hike back to Gadao's cave

Sister Guercio and Elder Guercio in Gadao's cave

We saw a lot of butterflies on the trail.

Old oven and bakery in the village of Inarajan.

We then went to the Magellan festival in Umatec

The local students offered us a historic walk around their town.

The remains of Forte Santo Angel, upper left, was built in 1737

The remains of the old church after a couple of earthquakes long ago. The walls were a few feet thick.

Birthday party at the Fiesta Hotel for our friend's one year old grandson