Kasalehlie,
Hello friends and family. It is so crazy to think that February has come and gone, and now we get to celebrate an extra day in this month because of leap year. Many things have happened this month and there has been a lot going on around this world too. I am praying for each of you and I hope February has been a lovely month for you all.
This month started out pretty amazing actually, my parents and grandma were here and it was awesome having them here. February 1 was a beautiful Saturday and they had the opportunity to hear me preach at my church here so that was pretty neat. I loved having the opportunity to show them around my island home, and they had the chance to understand a little bit more of what I described when I was talking to them about different things. They finally got to meet my SM family and it was cool to share stories and memories with my dad about the different things that have changed in the 30 years since he was here. I actually got to experience my first hot shower since August, and that was a blessing. On February 3, it was hard to say goodbye, while we were at the airport, I helped them check in and get things ready to go, and I was talking to one of the ladies at the airport and I introduced her to my mother, and she told my mom that I am half-Pohnpaen now, and by the time I leave in June I will be full Pohnpaen. I guess part of me believes that. It was strange being on the opposite side of saying goodbye, because it was not me leaving this time, rather it was my family. With my eyes blurred with tears I waved them off until June, but I know the day that I leave this island will come all too soon.
This month flew by, I spent the second and third weekend camping off island, one was with only 4 SM’s because we went with our church, and the other was out monthly camping trip. It is always so beautiful to spend a few days in the beauty of God’s nature. Pohnpei is such a big island, I often forget that I am on one, but going to the smaller ones puts a lot in perspective.
I am so in love with this place, the people, and especially the kids. I have grown close to many of the little ones here at the school and there are very few places I can go without hearing “CHAPEL KAYLA!” or “CK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!” coming from a distance. It is awesome to be known and loved by these kiddos. They remind me why I am here and why I do what I do. Some of the 7th grade girls have started calling me mom, because I was their female chaperone for their sleepover here at school last weekend. These kids have taught me so much, whether it is playing a game with them, learning a new TikTok, or just reminding me to not take life too seriously.
If I have not mentioned before, I have become the SM “Mom/Grandma” of the group. This cracks me up, and I accept it. Because, I am always the one with the hand-sanitizer, or the one reminding everyone to put on sunscreen, even though I often forget to reapply myself. I mention this because I have picked up sewing. I have always been a person who loves doing stuff with my hands, and sewing is a fun past time, my favorite things to make are scrunchies and hair scarves/headbands. They are easy and do not take up too much time and make for a fun little addition to my island outfits. Also if you are interested in purchasing some, scrunchies are $6 or 3 for $10, and hair scarves are $8, so just let me know and we can discuss colors, 20% comes right back to Pohnpei SDA school to help with some of their projects. So now, there is even more of a reason for people to call me grandma.
As the world is in frenzy over the Coronavirus, our small island has been facing its challenges too. The FSM has a travel ban currently stating that anyone coming in from a place which is affected by the virus, has to stay in Hawai’i or Guam for 14 days before coming here. We had a scare where we had two people who were suspected to have the virus, and they were quarantined in a hotel. We actually had a chance to go to the US embassy for the first time to have a meeting about the virus and what the embassy would do for us as citizens. Fear has struck many islanders, and we have begun to have conversations about what we would do here at school if the virus were to truly arrive on our island.
With all that said, there are plenty more adventures which have been happening. We had a banquet which juniors did a fabulous job putting on. We only have 2 more weeks left in 3rd quarter and then we are pushing towards the end. It is crazy to think that in just 3 months I will be boarding a plane heading east with no assurance on ever returning to my island home. Home, that is what it has become. Often, I catch myself thinking on what life will be like in just a few short months as I head back into life in the states. I am going to miss so much. It hurts my heart to think about it. I could tell you so many stories about answers to prayer, or crazy silly adventures. Maybe one day I’ll sit with you and share some of the whispers of my heart. It feels weird as many things are starting to wrap up and finish up. Part of me never wants any of this to end, but another part of me is ready to leave. Each day it is harder to think about the little things that I will miss so much. Like stepping outside in the early morning and just hearing the world come alive around me, or the beauty of being still. The life I live is so much slower here, and that is something I want to keep forever.
Last thing before I go, I want to share a story with you. So, we only have one working vehicle, that in itself is debatable seeing as though the tire we had on it was half-off. This weekend, the boys have a campout, leaving us girls here alone. They needed to be dropped off at Kitti dock which is about a 45 minute drive. I volunteered to drive them, so Friday after school we took off on this adventure. The van was very shaky and it felt as though we should not have been driving it, but nonetheless, we trucked onward. We arrived at the dock and I bid the guys farewell and started back. On the way back, I was hearing unnatural sounds from our vehicle. I just did what I know best, and I started to pray, and thankfully I made it back safely without any issues. Then Cindy and I headed out to get some last minute items for the bonfire we would be having that night. We were loading up the van with our snacks for the evening and then something funny happened. The van started, which that in itself is a miracle, but once I put the van into reverse, it did not go anywhere. We were perplexed by this problem, and called to school for someone to find out maintenance guy, Noli to come and help. Noli showed up and it turns out we were completely out of oil and transmission fluid. So this lead to a journey to acquire such items. We did, and the van took us back to school. This morning though, we were not as lucky. You might think we learned our lesson last night and decided to find a new way to get to church, but sadly no. We took our old broken van. We arrived at church fairly safely, but the brakes were weak and we did not have much control over the vehicle. So we prayed. Leaving church we decided to try the van again. We were all surprised when we actually started getting the van up the windy road and it died on us about 5 more times. At one point it was only Cindy and I in the van while the other 5 girls decided to push and the van bolted up the last hills. I know the Lord was watching over us and gave us that last boost to get us up there. Then it seemed like a game of how far we could go before it died again. We made it a whole 1/4th of a mile in about 30 minutes until the van gave up on us all together. Mama E, the principal’s wife, was not too far behind us and picked up 4 of the 7 of us and said they would send Noli when they got back to the school. So about an hour and a half after that, Noli showed back up and worked on the van for about another hour or two before we ended up just abandoning it on the side of the road to head back to school. I bet we were a sight to see today, 7 girls in muumuus pushing our por van up hills. I am thankful for today, and I am thankful to be back. I am most thankful I am alive to tell the story. It reminds me of the Good Samaritan, and how there are still really awesome people who come to our rescue.
Once again, thank you for your constant love and support, it means more than you’ll ever know. For those of you who have sent packages, they make my week, as well as letters, or even texts. This year is starting to wrap up, and I look forward to the journey which will come next, but for now I will enjoy these last 3 beautiful months on this home. Thank you for everything, I cannot wait to swap stories one day. Keeping you all in prayer.
(Pictures, family when they visited, SM girls matching for banquet, and Cindy and I standing on top of our broken down van today)
Kalahngan,
Kayla Renee
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