Micronesia Kingdom Hall Construction: the beautiful island of Palau and a change in our life!

So have been in Palau for over two weeks now! Our project has been a bit different from our previous work.

The concrete ceiling was flaking off and falling down in the former missionary home/translation office. Before we got there, the crew had chipped off everything that needed to be chipped off and we had to help apply a special reinforcing concrete. Here is Vanessa and Lacey painting the rebar.

We sprayed the concrete on, so we had to wear these ridiculously hot plastic suits.

It can only be applied in thin half inch layers, and some spots were several inches deep

Always looking forward to work!

The goofy crew!

After all that hard work, we really looked forward to our day off, trip out to the the rock islands and jellyfish lake!

So, We have some news! We just found out a few days ago that we have been approved as Kingdom Hall construction servants! This means we are going full time with the Kingdom Hall construction group! We are looking forward to at least three and a half years of construction! The plan now is to head back to Majuro and work with the crew there! We will be in Palau for at least two more weeks, we will be finishing the former home and remote translation office and then work on the Kingdom Hall roof.

Michael and Vanessa

Micronesia Roof Project 2014: Kosrae, Island of the Sleeping Lady!

Welcome to Kosrae! We thought Pohnpei was rainy! Well, we were wrong. We were is Kosrae for 3 weeks and it probably rained half the time we were there! Fortunately, we accomplished our work, the biggest job yet, the missionary home/remote translation office, Kingdom Hall and a small project for the translation team.  Let us start at the beginning!

First morning..... Coffee.... Not working.... 

Kingdom Hall, form the home/RTO.

It was SO hot and humid! We sought out relief anywhere we could!

The congregation was having their C.O. Visit. They were excited to having many visitors!

We had a few weekends to goof off, here are some highlights.

Surf! 

Waterfalls!

Party!

Food!

Jordan was excited about the 20lb yellowfin tuna he caught, from a local fisherman, for $26.

The views are spectacular!

The head of the sleeping lady

Light pollution is low, so when it's clear, the stars are awesome!

We went to Walung, a village that is accessed by boat.

We also found a tree with hundreds of fruit bats in it!

Unfortunately, this was the last project with Jordan and Hannah. They will be heading back home to Vermont and then on to their next assignment in Mexico! We are sad that they are leaving, but happy that we got to work with them, experience Micronesia with them and make lasting memories with them! We though are continuing on and will be heading to Palau next!

Micronesia Roof Project 2014: Pohnpei, the Island of Rain!

We apologize the tardiness of this post. We are now in Kosrae and have been super busy! But here is what happened in Pohnpei. 

Unfortunately, Vanessa caught a stomach bug in Majuro and was unable to fully enjoy the beauty of Pohnpei. But being the trooper that she is, she insisted on working. She is all better though and back to normal!

Before! Middle! Finished!

We went crazy in Pohnpei!

Pohnpei congregation had their C.O visit while we were there. Saturday field service group.

Field service in slippers = awesome!

The girls at the laundry mat.

And then the dump.

We climbed to the tower near Sohkes rock. 

Bad weather coming to Kolonia town!

Anti-aircraft gun from WWII.

Towards the end of our weekend, we rushed out to Kauproi waterfall. Which was really flowing due to the almost constant rainfall.

It was a little cold!

Here's a few sights from Kolonia town. Such as a tree which grew out of a forklift! 

And the rain that we had to contend with.

Thanks for following our blog and we hope you've enjoyed some of the pictures. It really is a blessing to be able to do this on an assignment, there is no way we could ever do this kind of thing on our own! The work has been great, the places have been greater, but the friends we've met and know are the greatest! Next up! Kosrae: Island of the Sleeping Lady.

Michael and Vanessa