The Mission Office - Busy like a beehive, special training and more

The office was very busy this week with Zone Leaders flying in for Mission Leadership Council, New Missionaries arriving, and a few departing for home (a bitter-sweet parting).

Elder Waimila (departing home for Fiji Sunday), with Sister Talakai and Sister Baum

Sister Baum and Sister Aviata with Sister Talakai in the background

Sister Martin and I talked to the new missionaries about a few office details. Sister Huni, Sister Wahlquist and Sister McBride are the new arrivals to the best mission in the world - The Micronesia Guam Mission.

Sister Martin with Sister Wahlquist and Sister McBride

We left the office just in time to see the conclusion of a beautiful sunset. This is the view to our left as we leave the mission office. Sometimes, Sister Martin will say, "Turn Left" so we can drive towards the sunset instead of towards our apartment...taking the long way home.

We had the Mangilao Sisters for Dinner. Sister Kuau, Sister Wahlquist (waiting for her flight to Pohnpei) and Sister Kichiro

P-day for the Guam Zone had a volleyball activity. A lot of action and energy. They are each energetic and diligent servants of Christ - in finding, teaching, reactivating and baptizing.

It was our P-day Saturday but we were in the office in the afternoon preparing our presentation for Mission Leadership Council on Fast Sunday.

Elder and Sister Guercio asked us if we were going to the Mango Festival and we said "Yes." So we pried ourselves away from the office and picked them up at 5:00 pm.

Mission Leadership Council was held at the Mission Home on Sunday afternoon. The part we attended went great.

After our office training, Elder and Sister Guercio talked about potential problems with bugs in our tropical island paradise. They gave practical advise on how to protect yourself from these critters. 

Sunday evening after Mission Leadership Council is a valuable time to go to the office. While the zone leaders are calling for Key Indicators or stats, Sister Martin and I can talk to some of them about needs in their areas, like replacing 72hr kits, apartment issues, car issues, financial questions, etc. 

Elder Kim, Elder Bunn (serving on Pohnpei) and Elder Jonas (serving on Chuuk)

Elder Heim (serving on Chuuk) and Elder Holmes (serving on Guam)

 Elder Bunn and Elder Peterson discussing things with Elder Martin

Elder Orton (serving on Saipan), Elder Becraft and Elder Mott (serving on Yap)

Elder Bush and Elder Striplin (serving on Palau)

On May 28th, President Zarbock asked all of us to come to special training for the Guam Zone. He taught about how we need to be "Firm and Undaunted", Alma 57:21. He reminded us to address everyone as "Sister" and "Elder" and not use first names, and also avoid acronyms like "AP's" instead of the proper way, "Assistants". This was part of his, "Careful and not Casual" instructions. He asked us to read 2 Nephi 28 and beware of Satan's tools that deceive and discourage us. It was all very uplifting. I like these shorter, under one hour devotionals.

Sister Zarbock made cookies.

Elder Murdoch and Elder Fabiano enjoying the cookies

Hello Sister Guercio

Sister Rock, Sister Bulewa(front) and Sister Kuau

Sister Thomas, left, trying to catch a photo opp

Elder Canakaivata, Elder Schroath, Elder Fabiano, Elder Murdoch, Elder Ferguson in a break-out session after

Elder Ferguson, right, served in Kosrae

After the cookies and break-out sessions, President Zarbock interviewed some of the missionaries, including a few finishing their missions and going home. Many converged on the Mission Office  and President Zarbock gathered them together to sing their favorite mission song: "What a Great Day!"

Sister Martin standing on her desk to get a good picture

Sister Muamoholeva, Sister Rock, Sister Misinale, Sister Baum, Elder Wright, Elder Matalolo, Elder Schroath, Elder Fabiano, President Zarbock, Elder Arcayan, Elder Waimila

Sister Ta'ase, Sister Kuau (left) joined the group with Sister Aviata (up high)

Air Force Base, Tarague Beach and more

The senior couple missionaries had an opportunity to visit areas on Andersen Air Force Base. This area of Guam received some damage from Typhoon Dolphin recently. Elder and Sister Thomas (retired military), our sponsors to enter the base, obtained a pass for Sister Martin and I to check out the roads and the area. Many of the trail markers were gone, and there were a lot of fallen trees and many broken branches scattered along the beach. But the roads had been cleared so we scheduled our group to go on our Saturday P-day.

The road as you enter the Tarague Beach area. Beautiful cliffs on the left, beach on the right

The sign showing the available trails in the area

Sister Martin next to a Japanese WWII pillbox. I was told this is the only remaining WWII pillbox in the Tarague area

Elder Martin checking out some shells

Sister Martin and Sister Thomas - Rules do not permit us to wear our missionary name badges on base

I think I see a few Star sand mixed in.

Another great day of exploration and some exercise.

There was an overlook that we eventually found. The sign to the overlook was blown away by the typhoon. The base is located on the northern tip of Guam.

A nice look out where we could see the entire Tarague beach area

Interesting sign next to the overlook but it looked like just another tree to me 

After hiking we decided to go to the food court at the commissary. Popeye's Chicken, Pizza Hut, Taco bell, Subway, etc.  

A Fast - Yigo Baptisms, Barrigada Baptisms & Talisay Baptism

Our mission has been doing a 40 day fast where everyday, at least two missionaries are fasting. We fasted that the missionaries would be able to find those seeking Jesus Christ in their lives, be blessed with the spirit as they teach, and that through them they may be touched and decide to be baptized or come back and be active in church attendance. Through all of this, we have all felt closer to our Savior, watching the fruits of the labors being performed.

This last weekend, there were so many baptisms on Guam that Sister Martin and I could not attend all of them. We tried, but when some are at the same time it's not possible.

First was the Yigo Ward Baptism on Friday evening.

An amazing Baptism and experience. A young girl and a woman were baptized.

The Sisters showed part of the Restoration video

Sister Rock have fun playing primary songs on the violin. We loved it.

Sister Muamoholeva, the two who were baptized, then Sister Bulewa, Sister Rock and Sister Kuau

Sister Rock played some prelude music with her violin. Her mom just shipped a violin to her. Some of the missionaries in Micronesia have Ukuleles, Guitars and Violins.

Sister Bulewa from Fiji gave a great message and bore a powerful testimony.

We were all lifted and spiritually strengthened. We could feel that the Spirit of the Lord as we listened, watched and prayed. We know these baptism ordinances were performed properly through the authorized Priesthood authority. It has been confirmed to us again and again.

Elder and Sister Thomas singing in the congregation

We walked outside after the baptism and were greeted with a beautiful sunset.

Basketball under the sunset

It was a Friday night so the senior couples decided to check out a little Japanese restaurant called Arashi on our way back home. Bento, shrimp tempura, curry rice, teriyaki chicken. Not bad.

Saturday was the fifth Saturday so the Guam central missionaries all pitched in to clean the Barrigada church building.

That evening we had to make a choice since baptisms were in both the Talisay and Barrigada wards at the same time. So we chose Barrigada and the other couples went to Talisay.

Another amazing experience. Elder Waimila gave a talk on the restoration. He is returning home to Fiji next week.

Elder Murdoch gave a short talk on the gift of the Holy Ghost. See the video clip below.

Sister Kichiro, Elder Waimila and Elder Canakaivata

Elder Fabiano about to perform the baptism ordinance

 A young girl and a young man were baptized. Elder Fabiano and Elder Murdoch have been teaching this young man. Elder Fabiano said this young man was more prepared for baptism than anyone he had yet taught. He had already started to fast and pay his tithing.

Many ward members attended to support the new converts. It was wonderful to see all of them there.

Elder and Sister Thomas touching up the bus stop.
 

Sister Martin, Sister Thomas and Elder Thomas at the bus stop near our apartment that  the missionaries adopted

Had some great missionaries over for dinner.

Elder Canakaivata and Elder Tafuna joined us

Sister David, Sister Kichiro, Sister Martin, Elder Martin