Consecration

Today was consecration. I didn't really know what to expect. All the graduating seniors and 8th graders came. They had chairs in the front. Each student brought a towel to put over the chair for decoration. I lined everyone up in the back and we all went in. The rest of it was a pretty normal church service. They put me on the spot and had me help lead the singing. I don't sing well, but this day my voice was halfway gone from the cold I'm getting over. I kept away from the mic and croked through the song. Finally it was over and everyone marched out. The kids all had matching dresses and shirts. I had a shirt made as well. We took a bunch of group pictures. Usually I hate group pictures, but I really wanted these. I'll be leaving them in less than a week and I will want those reminders. It's so sad to think about leaving. It isn't paradise, but it is a beautiful island. Even though we can become very frustrated with the culture and people, I love them and will miss them. There is true beauty everywhere.

Crazy times

I haven't blogged for awhile because the internet has been in and out. Last weekend we went on our last camping trip. It was awesome. We went back to Rongrong and camped for a couple nights. Sabbath we took a hike down to the end of the island to see a shipwreck. There are two on that island. Both are fun to climb around on. It was a nice break before the end push.

Speaking of the end push, my next week is going to be so busy. Sabbath I have consecration to organize. They will be dedicating the graduating the kids at church. We are still trying to get everyone matching clothes. The kids changed their mind a bunch of times but I think we have it on track. Hopefully everyone will show up wearing something that looks good. Next Wednesday is the big day with graduation and a banquet. We are going to need tons of food. We'll be practicing and getting the program together. I'm already stressed and it's still 6 days away.

On Monday we had an 8th grade party. We went to MIR, the resort and had a picnic. It was crazy. We ordered pizza, which disappeared in a few seconds. Almost everyone jumped in the pool and started swimming. There was the usual pushing people into the water, but they were being pretty careful. Sancha wasn't going to swim but some of the girls tricked her into going to the edge of the pool and then pushed her in. Edward wasn't planning on getting wet but someone pushed him in. The problem was he had Haneo's girlfriend's cellphone in his pocket. I don't know if it works or not. It as frustrating though because the group was split into two groups. Pearlynn and Mary were at odds with Sancha and Jasmine. All the girls divided on that and the boys tried to hang out with both. Finally some of the kids came over and talked with Pearlyn and Sancha and they made up and everyone was friends again. I was really happy because this had been going on more than a week and I was getting tired of it. The girls were crying good tears. Then George said he was leaving for the US the next day. Then he said something mean to Nujin and she cried for about 20 minutes about that. He was moping around. We rented kayaks for 2 dollars and played in the lagoon. I found half a surfboard and used it as a skim board. Everyone wanted to try, but they found out it was much harder than it looked.

When we were getting ready to go when the "stuff" hit the fan. I was telling everyone to put the kayaks up. Characteristically, it took them a while. Then I saw George jump in the kayak and start paddling out. I kept yelling at him to come back but he ignored me. He got out into the middle of the lagoon, which is 200 feet deep, and flipped it over. His friends and out and started swimming to him. A bunch of people were starting to swim and the close ones I told to go back and I started out. I got out there and Edward and Haneo were with him. I asked him if he was ok and if he could swim. He smiled and gave me a thumbs up. Since I had signed for the boat I went to get it before it sunk. It took me 30 minutes to get it out of the water. There is a strong current and it carried us a long ways. When I got back I chewed George out. The kids were shocked because they've never seen me loose it with a student before. I've never yelled at anyone like that before. George was trying to get attention by acting like he was in trouble. Some of the other kids could have drowned trying to save him and I had no sympathy for his attention getting stunt. It turned out he wasn't even leaving for the states. They say he's afraid to return to school because he's afraid of me. School is almost over and he was failing anyway. He won't go to the next grade so there is no point in him coming. After he looked stupid by not going to America he made up another story about seeing the ghost of Marsh, a high school kid here who drowned awhile back. He said Marsh was trying to drown him because they were enemies. The Marshallese are superstitious enough to believe what he says. I believe there are spirits that could appear like that, but I think he's just lying again so people will feel sorry for him. He also says his dad kicked him in the face for what he did. If it's true, that explains some of his problems, but I don't believe anything the kid says now.

Today I got really sick with a fever but after sleeping five hours I'm feeling better. They've taken two of the four finals. I have them graded already, so I feel good about that. Tomorrow is going to be a busy day and I hope I can make it through.