Monday, April 6, 2015
Dear Family,
Well
apparently there is email for us here in Mili. They just
installed it and fixed it so it's not too slow. So hello from Mili!
Mili is a really cool place. We live in this really small concrete
house by the beach. It kind of sucks sleeping on the ground my hips
and back hurt every time I wake up but I guess it is life.
The first two days we were here there was no food on the island so
for 2 days we ate 3 servings of plain rice which also kind of sucked
but now we have ramen so we’re all good. Plus we were able to get some
soy sauce so in case of rice eating emergencies it isn't that bad.
Also the mosquitoes are straight from Outer Darkness, I swear my legs
look like a mine field.
Speaking of minefield Mili Mili used to be a one of the Japanese
bases so the whole island has become really hilly from all the bombs
that were dropped. There are still some bunkers and Japanese military
structures here. At one persons house there is an old generator that
wasn't destroyed. Today we may go and see the turrets that are still
here from the Japanese military. I think it is totally awesome, it's
cool seeing all the WWII stuff here. I’m literally on the islands that
all the Island Hopping battles commenced between the U.S and Japanese.
The food comes on a old amphibian U.S military boat that the
Military gave them. When it comes it brings supplies to the island
like food for the Mon Wia's (stores) and things that the Iroij's
order (the kings/Princes of the island). Then the people make their
living off of kawainini which is husking, and cutting the coconuts to
then sell to Majuro. Depending on the pounds of each bag they fill
they get a certain amount of money for each one. Technically if we
wanted to we could do it and get paid or we could give our work to the
stores for food and stuff but that's if we need to and we don't right
now.
Because we came here when the boat was going to arrive soon our
missionary work is kind of slow because the people are doing last
minute work and preparing for the boat. But soon it will pick up
again.
Sunday was pretty interesting. Our chapel is built like one of the
huts and we had our strong members of 5 show up to our First session.
We prepared talks and gave them after the sacrament. We didn't have
Sunday school this time but we will next Sunday. Church lasts about an
hour. 40 minutes for sacrament and 20 for Sunday school. We have 2
sessions because some members live on one end of Mili Mili and some
live on the other end so some go to the chapel and then after that
session is done we hold a 2nd session at a personas house for the
other end. Total including us we had about 11 people show up. We are
going to work to get more less active and new converts to come.
We are going to start working on a bigger chapel right by our
house on an old concrete foundation that used to be an old classroom.
Today I think we are going to go cut wood to prepare for the building.
I guess I am living really close to Elder Kolipoki type stuff haha
(Other Side of Heaven). I am already starting to feel that sense of
I'm on an island in the middle of nowhere so this may be a long 4
months hahaha. Hopefully it passes and I get used to it better.
Well thanks again for all the support you give me and I love you all.
-Elder Romney
installed it and fixed it so it's not too slow. So hello from Mili!
Mili is a really cool place. We live in this really small concrete
house by the beach. It kind of sucks sleeping on the ground my hips
and back hurt every time I wake up but I guess it is life.
The first two days we were here there was no food on the island so
for 2 days we ate 3 servings of plain rice which also kind of sucked
but now we have ramen so we’re all good. Plus we were able to get some
soy sauce so in case of rice eating emergencies it isn't that bad.
Also the mosquitoes are straight from Outer Darkness, I swear my legs
look like a mine field.
Speaking of minefield Mili Mili used to be a one of the Japanese
bases so the whole island has become really hilly from all the bombs
that were dropped. There are still some bunkers and Japanese military
structures here. At one persons house there is an old generator that
wasn't destroyed. Today we may go and see the turrets that are still
here from the Japanese military. I think it is totally awesome, it's
cool seeing all the WWII stuff here. I’m literally on the islands that
all the Island Hopping battles commenced between the U.S and Japanese.
The food comes on a old amphibian U.S military boat that the
Military gave them. When it comes it brings supplies to the island
like food for the Mon Wia's (stores) and things that the Iroij's
order (the kings/Princes of the island). Then the people make their
living off of kawainini which is husking, and cutting the coconuts to
then sell to Majuro. Depending on the pounds of each bag they fill
they get a certain amount of money for each one. Technically if we
wanted to we could do it and get paid or we could give our work to the
stores for food and stuff but that's if we need to and we don't right
now.
Because we came here when the boat was going to arrive soon our
missionary work is kind of slow because the people are doing last
minute work and preparing for the boat. But soon it will pick up
again.
Sunday was pretty interesting. Our chapel is built like one of the
huts and we had our strong members of 5 show up to our First session.
We prepared talks and gave them after the sacrament. We didn't have
Sunday school this time but we will next Sunday. Church lasts about an
hour. 40 minutes for sacrament and 20 for Sunday school. We have 2
sessions because some members live on one end of Mili Mili and some
live on the other end so some go to the chapel and then after that
session is done we hold a 2nd session at a personas house for the
other end. Total including us we had about 11 people show up. We are
going to work to get more less active and new converts to come.
We are going to start working on a bigger chapel right by our
house on an old concrete foundation that used to be an old classroom.
Today I think we are going to go cut wood to prepare for the building.
I guess I am living really close to Elder Kolipoki type stuff haha
(Other Side of Heaven). I am already starting to feel that sense of
I'm on an island in the middle of nowhere so this may be a long 4
months hahaha. Hopefully it passes and I get used to it better.
Well thanks again for all the support you give me and I love you all.
-Elder Romney
Dear Family,
This week has become pretty chaotic as I was going to be working
in one area and the president had a skype call woth our ZL and told him lots of
things are changing. Most importantly im going to Mili an outer island. There
is hardly any modern things there, the most modern thing there is solar panels
for power. I will be fishing (spear fishing, shark fishing, net
fishing) and kawainini every day. Kawainini is husking and cutting out the
meat of a coconut. Kawainini is how the local people of Mili make money. They
make bags and bags of kawainini and then a boat comes and pays them for their
work. To get there we will be on a kawainini boat on Wednesday. Faleono said they finished the airport so
maybe in the future air maybe will be flying there. Usually Elders live in the
huts you make out of sticks and banana leaves and whatever surrounds you. But
my new companion who is from Pohnpei said we have cement floor . So we are lucky! We also sleep on those mats
like Elder Kolipoki, here they are called jaki's. (Pronounced like the name
Jacky) Elder Bascom said that the members in Mili are really great and the
pastors of the other churches respect you because they are actually ex Mormons.
The reason they are ex is because at one time the elders left and the church
kinda fell so they started another church. When I get there I will be branch
president, Elders quorum pres, every leadership position in a branch. Me and my
companion are the leaders out there. We can marry people but only on permission
from the Mission President. Mili has about 200 people I believe. Probably less.
Faleono said that they installed internet for the first time there but the day
he left it wasn’t working. So I may or may not be emailing for 4-6 months. To
communicate with the office we ham radio in. It is pretty exotic haha. If you
imagine a post card picture if a small beautiful island it is what Mili looks
like. It is beautiful. I will have pictures of it all so don’t worry haha. So
that is the bug news from the Marshalls!
I love you so much and thanks for all the support.
- Elder
Romney
Pictures and Videos taken in Mili
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