The People of Pohnpei

One of the most senior members of our faith community invited my husband and I into his home to provide ministry to a gathering of people from the tiny Island of Pohnpei.  It is one of the many islands of Micronesia and home to some of the most gracious people I have ever met.  Tonight was our first opportunity to share with them. We knew we had arrived at the correct apartment when we encountered a doorway with twenty some pairs of shoes left behind at the threshold.  Although we were told that it was not a requirement, we were more than willing to add our shoes to the collection.  When we arrived, there was a handful of people, and I tried as much as possible to learn their names, but it required much listening on my part and much patience on theirs to teach me how to pronounce their names.  As the time neared for the brief worship service, I counted twenty-two people, not counting us, seated on the available chairs and mostly seated on the floor.  There were more children that there were adults, and the children not only politely complied with their parents instruction to stay, but seemed eager to read scripture and listen intently.  My husband and I would have been more than content spending the entire evening listening to the songs sung in a language we could not understand.  Their voices rise in harmony and rhythm that speak to our souls and give praise and glory to God even without words.

 While I was chatting with some of the women, I looked over at my husband.  He is quite the chick magnet!  He was being entertained by three of the young ladies in attendance.....all under the age of 7.  They were trying unsuccessfully to teach him the fine art of Sonic the Hedgehog.  Although he didn't quite get the game (I don't think they were willing to actually let him hold the PSP) I could tell they were all pretty enamoured with each other!

 When we first had arrived, we were given a guided tour of their home and I was enthralled with the treasures that adorned the walls......a small replica of a wooden canoe, a tortoise shell, fans and many things that had been handmade with shells and reeds....things that connected them to their island home.  After the service, I asked them a little about their lives and what had led them to leave their homes and venture into the unknown and to the United States.  They told me that they came for work, but mostly because they needed something more in their lives. The island is so small that it can be seen in it's entirety, on foot, in a day.  I think they have much to teach us about vision, faith, and courage.  I can't wait to hear the rest of their story!

-Today I am thankful for:
- the gift of new friends and old friends.  I have much to learn from all of you!
-the internet which allowed me to learn about the Island of Pohnpei before our visit. It is a place where there are beautiful coral reefs and lush forests. (It rains every day - if only briefly.)
-As my husband voiced tonight - the blessing of no urgent messages on the answering machine!