Slideshow of translation at work and various dedications from the stamp dedication

The Story Behind the Stamp

Like any good organization, SITAG can boast many servants who stay in the background and work. Early Thursday morning, I found several men trimming errant vines and bushes...

...and several ladies working hard in the kitchen preparing lots of yummy snacks. Another SITAG lady who has been behind the scenes since the inception of this stamp celebrates with us from the States.

A collection of the finished Bibles and New Testaments.

The SITBLP (Solomon Islands Bible and Literacy Partnership) executive board with the Governor General.

From the program: "Following the dedication of 2008 as the Year of the Bible and recognizing the Bible translation efforts of more than thirty years, the Solomon Islands Philatelic Bureau proudly issues this stamp "Celebrating Bible Translation." In the words of former Prime Minister Dr. Derek Sikua, "There is no greater place to build the character of our people than from Biblical foundations and values."

"These beautiful waterclour illustrations tell the story of the arduous task of translating the Word of God (upper right) and after man years of hard work, the arrival of the printed Bibles. Symbolically representing the arrival of the Gospel to the islands (upper left), the bible is carried into the church on a ceremonial canoe. Following a thanksgiving service, the people rush to purchase the treasured Bibles (lower left). As the people read the Word of God in their heart language, it brings understanding and joy and refreshment (lower right).

"The open Bible in the center of the stamp block features two Bible verses, Hebrews 4:12 and John 17:17, taken from the Solomon Islands Pijin Bible which was launched in 2008."

Afterward, SITAG offered a tour of the new translation center which is coming along quickly!

Commemorative stamp block celebrating Bible translation

Yesterday, our family attended the launching of a new stamp celebrating Bible translation in the Solomon Islands. I'll post pictures later, but you can view the local television coverage here. Thanks to my friend, Ann, for the tip!

Finishing up in Marulaon

Tuesday, August 24

We caught the morning shipping report which only told us that the Bikoi was still out West. When we asked our neighbors what time they though the ship would come, we got answers that ranged from noon to "evening". So, we enjoyed the day by visiting with neighbors and reading books. I can't remember the last time I've been able to just be still and quiet - what a blessing! Aaron had to hook up a small canister of gas to cook lunch since the two big ones were already down on the beach awaiting the ride to Honiara. At 3 o'clock, we heard the shipping report estimate that the Bikoi would arrive in Marulaon at 6 o'clock. So, we began last minute preparations. As the sun sank a little behind the trees, I watered the seedlings so Eileen wouldn't have to, and everyone grabbed backpacks and headed down to the beach.

Right at 6 o'clock the Bikoi stopped in between Marulaon and Karumalun as usual, and motor boats and dugout canoes began racing to the ship. We waited and waited and waited some more until Hensi's sister, Grace, came to tell us that the motorboat we would use was taking a sick old man to the Bikoi first. Just as the motorboat came to shore, the Bikoi began to pull out, and we began to PRAY! Thankfully, our friends had passed word to the captain that we were still coming, and another motorboat showed up to get our stuff. So the two motorboats quickly transported us and our belongings to the Bikoi where we hurriedly climbed on board. Our favorite place to ride at night is on top, so we lugged our backpacks and computer bags up to the open deck while the crew loaded our boxes into the hold. We spread out our two thermarest mattresses and arranged the backpacks for pillows - our whole family sprawled all over each other in about 42 square feet! By this time, it was quickly growing dark, and we watched the sun sinking in the West and the moon rising in the East - beautiful!

We dozed among the commotion until we arrived in Honiara around 1:30 a.m., where we found a smiling SITAG friend awaiting us. He helped us unload our baggage, waited while we paid our fees, piled boxes into the van and a taxi, and got in the van. At 2:30 a.m. when he finally put the key into the ignition, all we heard was "rurr, rurr" as the vehicle refused to start. So, Aaron hailed a few big guys, and he and the men pushed the van so our friend could pop it into gear. We finally arrived in our SITAG house a little before 3 a.m. to find several care packages and supper waiting! God knew that we needed a little boost. We are soooo greatful for your prayers as we travel back and forth. Our safety and our stamina are upheld by our many gracious prayer partners around the world.

Monday, August 23

In the midst of packing and cleaning, I took a break to go say goodbye to some of our neighbors. Since we all anticipate seeing each other again, we don't have to go through a big ritual of feasting together, but I still like to make the rounds in the village. Leku's mama, Sarah, has been struggling for over a year with paralysis and a weak back. She spent several months in the hospital in Honiara during the first part of this year. Every time I see her, she smiles her sweet smile and thanks me for praying for her. As you can see above, she's up and walking now!

Thursday, August 19

This morning, we left around 7 a.m. to try and get the work done before the sun got too hot. When Eileen and I arrived, we found Isabella already hard at work burning the leftover brush. I brought our big (and heavy) rake, so for a long time Eileen and I just raked and burned while Isabella began to dig the mounds for planting. Soon, Pogo and Justina showed up to help - I was so thankful! Digging mounds for ubikola and umalau is back-breaking work. By the time we were finished around lunch, we had close to 100 holes dug and planted, I had a hole burned in my skirt, and all of the green coconuts I brought to drink were empty!

After I took a shower, ate a little bit, and rested, Katherine and I grabbed the camera and the voice recorder and walked over to Kiko's house. Her mother (picture above) is one of the oldest ladies in the village, and I wanted to try and record stories from when she was young. Unfortunately, she doesn't remember anything and couldn't even tell me stories from when her kids were young. But she does make great brooms from the spines of coconut leaves! I got some recordings from Kiko, her sister, Grace, and her neice, Lauren, while we all munched on ubikola that had been roasted in the fire. We'll listen to the recordings when we are in Honiara to help us with language learning.

Wednesday, August 18

Yesterday, Aaron paddled over with Hensi to Karumalun to surprise Ezekiel. They had a great visit and Aaron continued building his relationships with both Hensi and Ezekiel. This afternoon, Eileen and Isabella (her sister-in-law) broke their week-long mourning period early so that we could go burn the garden. As we walked the path to the garden, my friends cut down dried coconut leaves. By the time we got to our destination, we were all carrying big loads of leaves. When we arrived, we turned over the piles of brush to let the sun cook them a little longer while we sat and storied. Then we took our coconut leaves and spread them on top of the brush and set them on fire with a coal Eileen brought from the village. We'll go back tomorrow to finish burning and preparing the ground, and then the hard work will really begin!

Cookie Time

Tuesday, August 17

Cookie Magic

by Mary Ann Hoberman

Cookie cutters

Cutting cookies

Cutting different

Shapes and sizes

First you make them

Next you bake them

Then you take them

And you cool them

And...

That's weird.

They've disappeared!

Thumbprint Cookies

Beat together 1/2 cup butter, 1/4 cup brown sugar, 1 egg yolk, and 1/2 tsp. vanilla. Stir in one cup of flour. Cover and chill until firm to handle. Using 1 Tbsp. for each, shape dough into balls. Gently press thumb into the center of each ball and fill with about 1/2 tsp. of preserves (any flavor). Bake at 350 degrees until lightly browned (12-15 minutes).

Marulaon Woman's Daybook

For today...Monday, August 16

Outside my window...Olivia sitting in our new ila (hammock/net) reading a book, a steady stream of visitors to the rain tanks, newly transplanted seedlings

I am thinking...about the lack of water in the Russells. School was canceled for the 1st and 2nd graders last week and this week because the school has no water.

I am wearing...sour, sweaty clothes

I am praying for...the family who lost their son last week. Extended family continues to come into Marulaon to mourn. Most of Jakob's brothers and a grandmother all from Makira arrived yesterday on the Bikoi.

I am thankful for...the rain we got last night. Looks like we might finally be in the pattern of sun during the day and rain at night.

From the kitchen...using up the end of our supplies as we plan to go back to Honiara next week, baking a cake tomorrow to help the 6th graders celebrate as they finish testing, yesterday we enjoyed a yummy pizza with some of our own bell peppers on top

I am reading..."Stradivarius: Five Violins, One Cello, and a Genius" by Tony Faber. I picked this up in a second-hand bookstore in Honiara before the store went out of business. This book makes me miss playing my cello soooo much. I will definitely be finding a practice room for these rusty fingers soon after we arrive back in the States on furlough in 2012.

On my mind...being flexible again. Because of the week-long mourning period, most of the village will stay home this week. So, going back to my garden to burn and plant will have to wait until Saturday. I'm going to be cutting it close!

Noticing that...last weekend, we had nothing extra on the calendar (a first for this trip!), and it felt so good just to rest.

One of my favorite things...friends willing to help out. The shade for the Chinese cabbage fell over last night in the heavy rain, so I had to ask for help. Two of my neighbors rebuilt it in no time this morning!

A few plans for the rest of the week...packing, cleaning, and counting

Here's a picture though I am sharing with you...

God's creation of Chinese cabbage - the leaves make any water go right down to the roots, amazing!

Odds and Ends from Marulaon

Sunday, August 15
I had a great afternoon of language learning and laughing today. I went down to Eileen's house where lots of people were gathered and worked on figuring out the different verbs for "carry". We have "kerui" - to carry something that has been heaped up, like food or dirt (aram ekeuri - carry ground). Next, I practiced with "tutuari" - to carry on the shoulder (man atutuairire ngolei? - what are you carrying, with "on your shoulder" being implied by the verb). The third choice was kuku - just plain, ol' carry (vovo mution akukure - girl child carried on the back). And the last one, my favorite, is "kokosori" - carry on the head (marigen ubikola ekokosorire - yesterday I carried ubikola on my head). Can you see the verb stems? I have to know which prefix matches for gender and which suffix matches for tense.

Saturday, August 14

We haven't had a housegirl on this trip to Marulaon because I finally have a good system in place and lots of hands to help keep the house reasonably tidy. However, the yard still presents a challenge! Since we got a little bit of rain last night (our daily ration from the Lord), I asked Pogo to come and "housegirl" today to help me weed and transplant the tomatoes, peppers, and Chinese cabbage. She and I spent a couple of hours weeding and raking in the morning, then she came back in the evening to transplant when the sun wasn't so strong.

Marulaon funeral

Friday, August 13

Last night around 11:30, I heard lots of shouting and banging and assumed that somebody had been drinking too much Solbrew again. In less than an hour, the shouting had been replaced by the wailing I've come to dread hearing, and I knew that somebody had died. A little after six this morning, I crept down to water my bell peppers and Chinese cabbage and heard a woman crying, "Ngavovou" (my son). When I finished watering, I went down to return Eileen's plate with some pumpkin bread on it and to find out who had died.

I discovered that Jakob, a young man of 25, had gone spear fishing at night with his uncle. While they were fishing, a crocodile had attacked the young man. His uncle was able to follow the crocodile and kick it until it released Jakob, but the reptile had inflicted fatal head wounds. So, we spent part of the morning crying with the family, and Aaron went to help the men dig the grave. Death here isn't sterile and distant, it's too frequent and real. As I sat in the house with the family, one of the aunties fanned the body to keep away the flies. Once again, our neighbors asked us for nails to build the coffin. Aaron frequently jokes that we are the local hardware store, but I wish the nails had a different purpose.

The funeral was around 3:30, Aaron and the big kids attended while I stayed home with a sleeping Katherine. When she woke up, I finished radio sked with SITAG and then the two of us joined the funeral down at the burial site. Afterwards, Olivia, Katherine and I walked down to Eileen's house to story for a few minutes. When Eileen discovered that we had been down to the grave, she quickly looked at our feet. She saw that Olivia was barefooted and that I was wearing flip-flops, so she asked if Olivia had walked to the burial site barefooted. At the affirmative reply, she hastened to tell Olivia to go wash her feet in the saltwater. I asked if this was their custom, and she replied that it was. We still have a lot to learn.

More from Marulaon

Wednesday, August 11

One of the hardest things for me to adjust to in this culture is the flexibility of time. We have to be able to drop whatever we are doing at any time to be able to accomodate our neighbors, just as they do for each other and for us. Ezekiel dropped by this morning around 10 o'clock and joined Aaron underneath the house where he had been studying. The two men worked on corrections for the prayer book, shared their hearts, and planned for the future. I took down some kino and a green coconut as I finished hanging out the clothes on the line. Their meeting was very fruitful and very long. When I was on the porch finishing reading aloud "The Wolves of Willoughby Chase" (we just couldn't put it down), Aaron came up and asked if I could bring them some coffee. Soon afterward, Benjamin spotted a beautiful blue bird perched in the molokita tree in front of our house, so the kids quickly ran in the house and grabbed the camera. We need to buy some field guides to help us recognize all of the beautiful flora and fauna around here.

Around 12:30, I served the guys coconut rice and stir-fried veggies I bought at market this morning. Finally, around 3 o'clock, Aaron finally came up and Ezekiel left with banana cake and 4-inch nails to take back to Karumalun. They enjoyed a very productive meeting!

Tonight, Barnabas came by around 7 o'clock when we were snuggling the kids before bedtime. It's his favorite time of day to come over and a very appropriate time, too, since it's when all of our neighbors are eating and visiting with each other. He visited for a little while and then asked for some tea leaves. I guess today was a pretty normal day for all of us, and God is teaching me that He will give me the time to accomplish everything that He wants me to accomplish.

Tuesday, August 10

We finally went to my new garden today! Eileen, her husband David, Pogo, and I tromped off through the bush to a plot of land owned by Eileen. It was hard to pay attention to the work because I kept finding beautiful butterflies, seed pods, and mushrooms to distract me (butterfly - felfel, grasshopper - fanfan, firefly - funfun). Since I used Aaron's big bush knife, I quickly developed a blister at the base of my right first finger, so I began to hack at the trees with both hands to provide a little bit more leverage. We cleared away a small plot and piled the brush to dry. In a few days we'll come back and burn the brush and dig up the ground. After several more trips, I hope to be able to find my own way to the garden, but for right now, I still need help navigating all of the forks and turns in the path.

Marualon Woman's Daybook

For today...Monday, August 9th

I am thinking...how different this trip out has been. Last time, I didn't want to go back to Honiara. This time, I can't wait to get back. I am exhausted in every way - physically, emotionally, spiritually, mentally. I feel like I am walking in molasses up to my chin.

I am wearing...denim skirt, pink t-shirt, wet hair hanging down my back.

I am praying for...myself. This prayer from Lynn Walker Bowen's book "Queen of the Castle": Thank you, Lord, for being so faithful to work in me. Help me to remember to turn to you in my life...when I am not feeling very fruitful. Thank you for the assurance that you are the fruit producer; I am only the distributor.

I am remembering...eating fresh cherries at my mother's just before we left the States two years ago.

I am thankful for...SITAG's deputy who has access to our e-mail accounts and has been reading us a few e-mails over the radio. He has been doing LOTS of extra work because of our lack of e-mail connection. Thanks a bunch, Andy!

From the kitchen...I bought two big coconut crabs (urio) at market this weekend (I never know what I'm going to find!), so I'll mix them up with some pasta and tomato sauce and cheese for lunch today.

I am reading..."The Secret Life of Bees" by Sue Monk Kidd

I am hoping...that a little bit of running is better than no running at all. I still can't make it very far running, but the kids and I are still getting up and moving around that soccer field as the sun pokes its head up over the horizon. Benjamin is actually hoping to run in the 5K if the rules allow.

I am creating...my order for Sonlight and other complementary books for our next year of school so my parents can bring them in December. Two great things to which I can look forward - new books and my parents' visit!

On my mind...Katherine has been running a fever for about 24 hours with no signs of infection, so we started her on malaria meds this morning as a precaution.

Noticing that...we have been incredibly busy this time - not a free weekend our entire stay in Marulaon.

Pondering these words..."Some Christians praise the Lord and some do not. Perhaps the difference is this: the believers who praise the Lord have their eyes of faith fixed on Him, while the silent saints look only at themselves. When God is the center of your life, you can praise Him everyday, because you will always find blessings no matter how difficult your circumstances. To a praising saint, the circumstances of life are a window through which he sees God. To a complaining saint, these same circumstances are only a mirror in which he sees himself. That is why he complains." --Warren Wiersbe

I am hearing...Lyrical Life Science playing while the kids clean up the breakfast dishes.

Around the house...accumulating dirt. I've been putting off mopping, washing windows, etc. because of the lack of water. The louvers now bear messages begging to be washed, courtesy of my children. Guess we'll be cleaning house today since we got a little bit of rain yesterday.

One of my favorite things...radio sked. Our time to reconnect with the outside world.

A few plans for the rest of the week...trying again to go to my own bush garden and begin clearing the ground with Eileen, beginning to make piles and lists for our return to Honiara in two weeks.

Here is a picture though I am sharing with you...

Katherine holding Delcia, her favorite baby in all of Marulaon

Picture Dictionary Workshop

Sunday, August 8

I am super proud of my husband! The picture dictionary workshop was a huge success this weekend. Men came from many villages in the West Russells to share ideas and to learn about compiling a Lavukal picture dictionary. Aaron did a great job coordinating and teaching and handing out assignments, and our community offered food and taught me how to host a workshop underneath my house. I made curried lentils, rice, and lelenga to go along with the fish and lelenga shared by Marulaon. I also made a HUGE pot of tea (it must hold at least a gallon!) and learned that six tea bags in that pot is just right for our neighbors.

Yesterday, while I was preparing the fire for lelenga (you can see our kitchen in the background), Susi asked me for a lolly. I told her no because I don't often hand out candy. Later, I saw her digging up roots by our kitchen and eating them, so I asked her "Inu keakia?" (You hungry?) She answered affirmatively, so I ran up to the porch and retrieved some kino (cutnuts) for her to eat. I'm so thankful that God always provides enough for us to eat and to have enough left over to share. Today, Susi and her little sister came to get water from one of our rain tanks during the workshop.

For Your Information

A little tidbit - all of the postings from Marulaon (from June 27 until the picture dictionary workshop photos) were done during one great day of e-mail connections. I stayed at the computer for eight hours pushing send then going to help with math or stir a pot or hang out clothes. As soon as one batch sent, I was ready to send another one. Just gives you a little taste of the speed of our e-mail connection - technology continues to amaze me!

Back in Honiara

We're back safe and sound. The Bikoi pulled into the wharf around 1:30 a.m. yesterday morning, and we arrived at our SITAG house a little before 3 a.m. Give us a few days to begin to "fill back up", and I'll continue to catch up the blog.