1st District Convention in Guam (Aug 2-4 2013)

We had a great time at our 1st District Convention of Jehovah's Witnesses in Micronesia. It felt like a mini-international convention because of the variety of countries, cultures, languages and races represented in the building.

Stefany and Russel

...and our friend Sesa from the Chuukese Congregation

We met the Saavedras from Rota.  Patricia will be staying with us for 2 weeks after the District Convention to attend Pioneer Service School.  Her husband has to return to Rota for work.

Why did this brother bring a suit coat???  Oh, because he's from GA and this is his 1st D.C. in Micronesia. Brother Scibetta, from Griffin, GA, visiting his son, Matt.

Our friend, and my householder, Reimi Shiroma.

Thank you for your work Jasmine.

Day 2

Lunch time, Guam-style!  Groups of family, friends and food! Single brothers have no need to bring a lunch. They can just pick and glean from each group. :)

Pans, coolers, pans of food!

North Guam Cong. gets in the fun.

Plenty of food!


We truly enjoyed our 3-day convention!  We hope you do too!

Fun work at Bethel & the best restaurant in town

We stay busy at Bethel.  We thoroughly enjoy our days there.  Here are a couple of pictures capturing our attempt to do some landscaping. Although Russel's work experience is primarily IT over the past 2 decades, he really loves to do landscaping as well. Both of us enjoy working on the grounds at the Guam Branch.

Edge.

Rake and weeding

Rake.

Cut grass.

Sweat!

Blow

Cut more.

Robynn works at Bethel 2-days/week in housekeeping!

Bushwack/weeding.

Always nice to find a shady spot!

Multiple auditoriums in this facility (There are 5 English, 1 Chuukese, 1 Tagalog & 1 Ilokano congregations)

Sweeping and picking up all trash

Mike and Vanessa working on foundation for a new room being built. Mike and Vanessa come to Bethel 1-day/week.  They are very helpful every Friday.

A picture from 1 roof to another.

Fixing the backs and seats of the old kingdom hall chairs. We are in the process of selling these chairs.

New chairs were purchased and the materials of the new chairs are much more conducive for the climate in Micronesia. Stefany is assisting John (volunteer welder) with making the new carts & racks for the new chairs. Its time to sand the newly welded carts.

Back to work.

John...welding.

And, of course....LUNCH!  The best restaurant on the island, Bethel!! Vanessa and Sherwin.

Hide, from Japan, but has been serving in Guam for several years.

Lunch: fish, white rice, edamame and bing cherries (approx. $8.99/lb.)

Passing the cherries...not eating the whole plate!

Dessert: maybe apple crisp.

Hanging out after lunch.

So, this is just 1 day.  We'll show you more as the weeks go on.  Thank you for sharing our day at Bethel.

Lunch for the fulltime volunteer ministers at Pioneer Service School

Thursday, Aug. 8, North Guam Cong., along with Central Guam Cong. collaborated to feed approximately 60 people (including Pioneers, instructors and volunteers).  There are 2 classes (Micronesia Circuit 1 & 2), both on the same schedule.

8:30am breakfast.  School started at promptly 9:00am.

Freida and Segismundo.

Stefany (volunteer) and Patricia (Pioneer from Rota).  We were privileged to host Patricia in our home for the 2 week school.  What a treat!!

Freida: North Guam Cong.'s shining star student!!

Brenda (student).  From NJ about 20 years ago.

Sorry this is so dark.  Several of the sisters from outer islands.

One of the Classes (Chuuk, Kosrae, Ponpei, Majuro, Palau and Yap were represented)

AM Break

Sally (one left) sharing pictures from where she's from with other pioneers.

Curtis and Sheila Coes, from Riverdale, GA, then Circuit work in Roanoke, VA and currently serving in Palau...until Oct. when they move back to GA.  Also pictured, Tod (volunteer for food).

Students enjoying a nice conversation

Getting to know each other outside of class.

 Break time goes by so fast!

L - R:  Odani (instructor), Segismundo's (volunteers)

Patrica taking it all in.

Justin.  Finally making it to Pioneer School, after serving as a Pioneer in the past, and before his 1st year was up, he was called into Bethel.  Now, back in the field and made it to his 1st Pioneer School.  He has also served in Acapulco, Mexico.

Justin and Tod.

Freida and Debbie (volunteer for food)

Classroom 1

Classroom 2

North Guam Cong. volunteers, yeah!!!

Will we have enough food???  This is just food.  The dessert table is around the corner.

The students come out of their classes.

And, the circle around the table...

We're all here.

Let's eat!

Michelle.  She looks like a princess.

..just noticed the camera was on her. SMILE!

We still have food, and they keep coming through, on both sides!

The Ealeys getting lunch.  From Douglasville, Georgia, now serving in Saipan.

Small world.  Mike Hill and Russel.  Mike is from Rex, GA.  Friend with some of our friends from Atlanta.  He, and his wife, are serving in Majuro.

Lunch was so successful.  We had enough food for all students, instructors and volunteers!  Pioneers were able to glean for dinner.  Jehovah's hand is never short!!

We are so happy to be apart of this happy day!!