Let me introduce you to some of our missionaries. Sitting on the floor by the door is Elder Gittins, his companion, Elder Taorobaw, is sitting on the floor next to the fridge. Elder Turner is at the table with Pres. Mabey, his companion, Elder Falke, is sitting on the floor back in the corner. Mission President Shaw is sitting on a chair next to the fridge. I can't remember for sure but I think I was sitting in the kitchen sink so I could be back far enough to take this picture. Perhaps Sister Shaw is squeezed back into the bedroom or perhaps out on the porch.  There isn't much space in this kitchen/office/family room, but it works.

Our first set of sister missionaries came to Kiritimati Island to replace the elders who were here to greet us when we arrived here to start our mission.  Elder Gittins is standing next to his companion Elder Taorobaw. Sister Valo is smiling at her companion, Sister Babo. We two elderly folks are next in line. We act as support, the youngsters do all the hard work. We are so happy to be able to associate with them as they serve the Lord in this great work.

WANT A FRESH BANANA?  YES THEY ARE GREEN! 

HERE ARE A FEW OF THE ONES THAT PASSENGERS LOADED ONTO THE KWAI AS PART OF THEIR CARGO. THEY WERE COMING FROM FANNING ISLAND. 

OUR 2 MISSIONARIES ARE DOWN THERE LOCATING THEIR THINGS. 

CAN YOU SEE HOW THE CREW PILE THE ITEMS ONTO THE PALLET SITTING ON THE HEAVY NET. THE  CHAINS HOOKED AT THE CORNERS WILL BE LIFTED BY THE CRANE ON THE DOCK.  THE LOAD WILL SWING UP AND ONTO THE DOCK WHERE THE PASSENGERS WILL SORT OUT THEIR BELONGINGS. THAT IS ALSO HOW THE PASSENGERS ARE MOVED OFF THE SHIP. 

THIS IS THE "JOHN" THAT G-PA USED WHEN HE WAS ON FANNING ISLAND.  THEY  NOW HAVE A REGULAR TOILET FOR THE MISSIONARIES TO USE (I am sure the islanders must use it when they are near it).
Dad told me that one early morning when he got up (still very dark outside) he was pretty shaky.  He didn't dare try to walk across the 'bridge' to the potty so got down on his hands and knees and crawled across the coconut polls.  Inside there isn't a place to sit down or to even aim at...there is just space between the polls. Sometimes it gets pretty messy inside there. I think he said the sides only come to about middle so he felt pretty exposed. It is easy to flush, you just let the waves wash away you 'business'.

Banana Branch invited us to their service project a while back.  The YSA gathered very early in the morning to walk along a couple of miles of the main highway on the island. We were divided into three groups. One group on each side of the road piling up rubbish along the way. The third group followed along with the truck tossing the piles into the back to be taken away. The pop cans made up the biggest part of the 3 truck loads. These cans were crushed then taken to be recycled at the nearby store (JMB) where they await transport from the island by boat. What a fun morning. You can tell the size of the road if you realize that the kids are standing on the full width. Don't worry about them getting hit, there are very few cars traveling along the road, actually on the island. 

 This is at the 2 year anniversary celebration of the Banana Branch. It was so fun!

The people in the center are beating the rhythm on the drum (box) as this young girl dances to the delight of the whole group. Although she is young, does a really good job as she swings her little hips to the music. 

Often the branchs gather together to perform for each other as well as for us and other visitors. They are amazing singers, dancers, and games. The Relief Society sisters of Kiritimati Branch sang during a contest between the three villages that make up this branch. This is London Villages joining as an amazing group.

Getting ready for an ocean baptism

   In Banana the members don't have a meeting house yet. We rent space at the local school. Included in the "we don't have yet" is a baptism font so we use the Pacific Ocean. On this particular Saturday afternoon we are gathered near the area where we generally go to perform this Holy ordinance. These fellows had to turn around to go down the slight ridge to get into the water (which isn't as rough as it looks from this view). This was a very special day for this young man who wants to serve a mission.