Jolene Visits the Branch of Micronesia

Fun with Caleb and Sophia

Our lovely tour guide, Megan explains that the area covered by the islands of Micronesia is approximately the same as the continental United States. Here are some additional fun facts from wikipedia: Micronesia is a region that includes approximately 2100 islands, with a total land area of 1,000 square miles, the largest of which is Guam, which covers 225 square miles. The total ocean area within the perimeter of the islands is 2,900,000 square miles.

Explaining the process of translating our literature from English to the many languages of Micronesia.

This stick chart hanging on the wall is a tool for navigating the seas. According to the October 1, 2006 Watchtower (p. 32):

THE Marshall Islands consist of over 1,200 islands and islets, most rising no more than a few feet above sea level. They drop out of sight from just a short distance out to sea. Yet, ancient Marshallese seafarers in their outrigger canoes were able to navigate from tiny island to tiny island, finding their way in some three quarters of a million square miles of the Pacific Ocean. How did they do it? They were guided by the use of simple, yet remarkably effective, “maps” called stick charts.

Through experience, Marshallese navigators learned that the presence of land creates certain wave patterns that reveal the location of an island up to 20 miles away. There were dozens of wave patterns to learn, and the stick charts served as memory aids. What were stick charts like? As you can see in the picture, sticks made of strips of pandanus roots or the ribs of coconut leaves were tied together to form a latticework that represented wave patterns. Small seashells were fastened to mark the relative positions of islands.

For many years, navigation by stick chart was kept a secret, revealed only to certain chosen ones. How would a young navigator learn to use a stick chart? Only through training and practice. An experienced navigator privately tutored the young sailor, perhaps taking him on trips to nearby islands. As the apprentice learned to recognize wave patterns, he gained confidence in his stick chart. Eventually, he could set out on the ocean by himself.

Images from the various construction projects over the past 8 years in Micronesia.

You should come take a tour too!