Majuro

This is what we do with Curtis + Kathleen

L A U G H

Lovely reception at the airport—

Curtis + Kathleen

Joel, Tammy and Charlene

Before I take you through the highlights 

let’s figure out where in the world we were

M A J U R O

Majuro, the capital of the Marshall Islands, is one of the largest coral atolls in the Pacific Ocean. An atoll is a ring-shaped formation of low-lying coral islands that surrounds a central lagoon. These unique landforms are created over thousands of years as coral reefs grow around a volcanic island that gradually sinks beneath the sea.

Majuro Atoll consists of 64 islands and islets arranged around a lagoon. The atoll stretches about 25 miles from end to end and spans nearly 29 miles at its widest point. Despite the vast size of its lagoon, the land itself is remarkably narrow, averaging just 330 to 490 feet in width. This creates a striking landscape where communities live on slender ribbons of land between the open Pacific Ocean and the calm waters of the lagoon.

Driving to Laura—

a more rural part of the atoll

Bananas

Sooie! Here pig, pig! Come and get it!

B Ō B

Not a man’s name. 

Pronounced bohb (rhymes roughly with robe).

Also known as pandanas.

This variety is tougher, more fibrous, less juice and best cooked.

When ripe, the keys—they look a bit like very large corn kernals, to me—are removed and chewed or sucked for the pulp and juice. The fibrous material is then discarded, similar to chewing sugarcane.

Curtis + Kathleen live just a couple minutes' walk from the Kingdom Hall and Field Residence in Rita. The Remote Translation Office (RTO) is on the same property.

Interesting flower

Very large limb

Some homes are little more than a shack

A wall built to prevent flooding and shoreline erosion from "King tides”.

Some locals dump garbage as backfill.

Mocha Bear, Biscuit, Elliot + Pumpkin

Touring the RTO

New translation team

Matt + Minori happened to be there (from Micronesia Branch in Guam) during our visit. Minori walked us through how a three member translation team works together.

Then we got to make an audio recording. I played the part of Martha when Jesus came to resurrect Lazarus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.”

Aaron was the narrator.

Kathleen played the part of Mary.

Curtis played the part of Jesus.

Aaron got to try the softer, juicier variety of bōb

Lunch with the friends at the Field Residence

Bōb for sale

Burgers with a view

Exploring a park near the airport

An unreal backdrop for shenanigans

Lagoon on the left, Pacific Ocean on the right

Kathleen has the best laugh

I  L O V E  I T

BatMoN vs Majuro

a local parody film made in Majuro in the Marshallese-language

Trouble in the kitchen

Pumpkin soup

Precious when sleeping

A gathering with the friends—

generous hospitality

Dusty

Merita

Lucia and Jamaima

Melila, Cailaya, Florence and Mareen

Les, Fieldmina, Benny and Aerielle

Big brother

(I think that’s Aaron talk outline underneath)

Aaron gave a talk in English on Sunday

Jolina translated into Marshallese

Tiralynn, Lura, Ejkab and Chero

to be continued…