A Conversation with a Friend

The other evening I visited with an old friend. It had been a while since we last sat down together.

I missed our conversations. They always challenged me to think deeper and pay more attention to things.

We spoke on things past. He shared with me a recent observation he had made.

He had noted that many of the newer generation are unaware of the history that surrounds them. What things conspired in the very place that they stand.

For example, just down the beach from the balcony that we were sitting on there is an old bunker from the war many years ago.  He observed how so many of the beachgoers did not take notice of what they were leaning against, hanging their clothes and towels on. Likely, the majority of them did not stop to think about what they were seeing.  Or rather, what they would see if they were standing in the exact same place over 60 years ago. 


Soldiers burdened down with artillery. The deafening sounds of ammunition loosed from their confinement. Humans calling out in pain, praying that some deity would look upon them with favor and spare them from the horrific circumstances they have found themselves in. The violence and brutality that overcame this island and the rest of the world.

No, it is much more likely that the many gathered at that beach were mainly focused on enjoying their time with their family and friends, the tropical paradise and all around pleasant circumstances
they have found themselves in.


It is not to say that we must constantly dwell on the morbidity of the past, the vast array of mistakes and horrors that our species has taken part in. Or that we should not be allowed to enjoy anything in the present.


It is more that many in the world today simply never think of the many things that can be learned from the past. Which, as he and I concluded, is likely a result of the educational system turning history into a chore, a mind-numbing obligation to remember facts and numbers that we just as quickly forget after we inscribe them on compositional paper. It is something that we are trained to avert. Once we're done with it, we're done with it.


But were we to take no notice of the past then we would have no knowledge of our future and no wisdom for our present. It is unfortunate that few do take notice. But it is what it is.


It is these conversations that I missed. I often wish I had taken more advantage of the opportunities I had before as now there are not as many.


And so we were called in for dinner and our conversation concluded. But as he was about to slide the door shut he made one other observation.




"Oh look, there's a bit of a sunset there."




















From the letters,




joel

There’s a Shoe Outside My Door

You walk up and there are plenty of shoes outside the door. Some of them you recognize, most of them you don’t.

Standing outside the door you can hear the laughter, the conversation, the joy that awaits you inside.

But at first, you’re afraid.

“Will they like having me around?” “Am I really welcome here?”

At this point the choice is up to you. You can go inside or put your shoes back on and head back to where you came from.

But were you to make the other choice. And leave off your shoes…

The door opens.

You step inside and at first it might seem overwhelming. So many different faces scattered across the room.

“How could I ever feel comfortable around so many people?”

But it is a warm atmosphere. It is. There is embracing. Sincere introductions and loving smiles. And yet at first they’re still just people that you hardly know.

In the corner or down the hallway there may be a few that you’ve known much longer than all the others, ones that you can feel comfortable around.

But those at times can end up being fewer and farther between.

So as you reconnoiter around the room, time passes.

The initial shock is wearing off.

And before you realize it, as is often how it works, you start to feel comfortable.

Almost without reason, it’s like you’ve known these people for years.

You find connections. Discover mutual friendships. Uncover familiar experiences. Define similar interests.

The more you learn about each individual, the more you learn about yourself.

And you stop asking yourself so many worried questions. You simply enjoy. You enjoy their company. They enjoy yours.

That warmth that you felt when you first walked in now feels familiar. As a matter of fact, it feels familial.

Now every time you walk up to the door you can tell who is there just by looking down at the shoes that you’ve come to know so well.

This place becomes a home. These people become family. You become family.



In case and point, you cannot build a structure and call it a home. It is the people inside that will make it a home.

It is the ones you surround yourself with. Whether you have known them for years upon years or whether you have only known them for around 2 months or so.

You’ll be given more than you could give. You’ll be loved more than you could love. You’ll laugh harder than you ever have.

And you’ll smile more than you ever have before.



In a life fully devoted to Jehovah you will always have family, you will always have friends.

Everyone is inside waiting for you.


Simply untie your laces. Use one foot to push the shoe off the other foot. Repeat.


And step through the door.














From the letters,

joel

The Past Few Days

These are some pictures from my last few days here in Majuro.

With my good friend Kiti

Junior, Dicksen and Koa

Rodrigo, Sherington and Judah

With my electrical instructor and work buddy, Richard

Emryann, Crystal and Matilda

On Sunday, Polli organized a talent show and there were plenty of participants. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed the event.

Matthew as the M.C.

DJ BLT

On Monday we took another boat trip to Enemanit Island. It was nice to just hang out with everyone and relax.

I even got to see Kitten again!

Anntarina the Mermaid.

One final game of Risk at the Hill's.

From the letters,

joel

Roof Pour in Laura

This past Saturday we accomplished the monumental task of pouring the roof for the Laura Congregation's new Kingdom Hall.

Us in Rita left at 5 in the morning to make it there by 6. We had around 50-60, if not more, people working that day.

I am very pleased to have that be my last day of work out here in Majuro. 

It was an indefinitely memorable event.

'Twas early in the morning.

Considering the text.

Crane and bucket.

Mixing crews.

Pit and Bucket.

Shem and Starlee.

Roof pour accomplished.

High-fives are a thing now.

I will be posting one more blog while I'm here in Majuro. I leave on Tuesday to head back to Guam.

Keep a weather eye on the horizon.

From the letters,

joel

Progress

Here are some pictures of the progress we've made on the Kingdom Hall. As well as other goings-ons over the past few weeks.

Crystal

Monalyn

Matta

Kiti

Defending his territory.

Rodrigo and Obed. Rodrigo recently joined Group B as a volunteer from Pohnpei.

Working in field service with Kiti and Antharina.

With Kiti on a bible study. His name is Joel as well. As one would rightly assume, he's quite the genius.

Taking down the old sign.

Emryann, Allen and Crystal.

Seeing Matta off at the airport as he heads back to Minnesota.

Dinner by candlelight.

Final touch for the Kingdom Hall electrical.

"High five, buddy!"

Hung the new sign(s).

First meeting in the newly renovated Rita Kingdom Hall.

Rita Congregation.

Sherington, Kiti, Limony and Randy.

Dicksen.

Rodrigo and Judah.

Jeff and Polli Andrews.

Michael and Melody Hill.

There is still much more coming up. I will do my best to report on it while juggling the pandemonium of this final week.

From the letters,

joel