A Little About Weno Chuuk . . .

We have had a fun time learning more about areas of the Micronesia Guam Mission and wanted to share a few statistics about Weno Chuuk, which is Sean's first area in his mission.

Chuuk State comprises the volcanic islands in the Chuuk Lagoon and some 24 outer-island atolls--in all, some 290 islands. Chuuk is the most populous of the FSM states, with 53,000 people and a land area of 49 square miles. It is a world famous spot for divers, with a sunken WWII Japanese fleet to explore.

Chuuk was one of six districts of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands (TTPI) which were administered by the United States under charter from the United Nations from the end of the Second World War to the mid-1980s. The termination of U.S. administration of the Chuuk, Yap, Kosrae, Pohnpei, and Mariana Islands districts of the TTPI occurred on November 3, 1986. The Federated States of Micronesia, including Chuuk, Yap, Kosrae, and Pohnpei, was established in 1979 and signed a Compact of Free Association with the U.S. (effective November 3, 1986).

 

Climate data for Weno, Chuuk
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Record high °C (°F)	33 (91)	32 (90)	32 (90)	33 (92)	33 (91)	33 (92)	33 (92)	33 (92)	34 (93)	33 (92)	33 (91)	33 (91)	34 (93)
Average high °C (°F)	29.9 (85.8)	29.9 (85.8)	30.2 (86.4)	30.4 (86.7)	30.7 (87.3)	30.7 (87.3)	30.6 (87.1)	30.7 (87.3)	30.7 (87.3)	30.7 (87.3)	30.7 (87.3)	30.2 (86.4)	30.4 (86.7)
Daily mean °C (°F)	27.4 (81.3)	27.5 (81.5)	27.6 (81.7)	27.7 (81.9)	27.8 (82)	27.7 (81.9)	27.4 (81.3)	27.4 (81.3)	27.5 (81.5)	27.6 (81.7)	27.7 (81.9)	27.6 (81.7)	27.6 (81.7)
Average low °C (°F)	24.9 (76.8)	25.0 (77)	25.1 (77.2)	25.0 (77)	24.9 (76.8)	24.6 (76.3)	24.2 (75.6)	24.2 (75.6)	24.2 (75.6)	24.3 (75.7)	24.6 (76.3)	25.0 (77)	24.7 (76.5)
Record low °C (°F)	21 (69)	21 (70)	22 (71)	22 (71)	21 (70)	21 (70)	21 (70)	21 (70)	20 (68)	19 (66)	21 (70)	21 (70)	19 (66)
Precipitation mm (inches)	228.1 (8.98)	163.1 (6.42)	229.9 (9.05)	291.1 (11.46)	354.1 (13.94)	300.7 (11.84)	365 (14.37)	349.8 (13.77)	306.6 (12.07)	361.4 (14.23)	281.9 (11.10)	293.4 (11.55)	3,525 (138.78)
Avg. precipitation days (≥ 1.0 mm)	14.8	12.2	14.9	16.2	21.2	20.3	20.8	21.0	18.6	20.0	20.0	18.8	218.8
% humidity	78.7	77.7	78.7	81.0	82.6	82.9	83.9	83.2	83.0	83.1	81.9	80.8	81.6
Mean monthly sunshine hours	195.3	197.8	217.0	195.0	192.2	180.0	195.3	195.3	177.0	161.2	162.0	167.4	2,235.5

 

 

Message and Photos from Elder & Sister Crisp . . .

We are so grateful for the "seniors" who have the desire to serve the Lord and also to serve these young missionaries. It helps to know they are taken care of wherever they turn. Elder and Sister Tiffany have had this role for the first few months of Sean's mission. They have returned home to the "states" and Elder and Sister Crisp, from Arizona, are now serving on Chuuk. They have only been there a short time, but certainly hit the ground running! We are very grateful for pictures as Elder McEwan's camera has not been returned by the boy who took it and he hasn't yet received the second camera we sent. We wanted to share a message we received from Elder Crisp about Elder McEwan:



Elder McEwan, ElderBowers (District Leader), Sister Crisp, ElderWalters,
 Elder Toa (on knees), Elder Fermannis (Elder McEwan's trainee
from New Zealand), and Elder Mackie (Elder Crisp is taking the picture :)

Hi Sister McEwan,

We are sending two pictures of Elder McEwan, one of our District and one when we sent Elder Jones home!  I am attaching them both to this email.  We will also be on the lookout for the package with the camera in it for Elder McEwan.  The Zone Leaders and I are the ones who get the mail, so I will alert them to be on the lookout as well!

All is well on Chuuk and the Mechitiw area is doing very well!  We got to go out with Elder McEwan and his companion and did some teaching!  Elder McEwan is an excellent missionary!  Very strong and very committed.  We love working with him!

So, here are the pictures!!

Elder Crisp

One of the last pictures of Elder McEwan and his Trainer, Elder O'bray before
Elder O'bray headed to an outer island to share the gospel and serve
the people of Romalom.

Hello from the Island . . .

May 20, 2013

 

Dear Family--

 

It was nice to talk to you guys last week!! I'm glad you guys get to see the Tiffany's today, you will need to let me know how they are doing. I'm doing great, Elder FERMANNIS got here on Wednesday of last week, and now we are in Mechitiw, and Elders Walters and Mackie are in Nantaku. It's weird to not have Elder Obray here with me, but I know he's doing good work out in Romalum. So exciting to hear how everyone is doing, and I'm so glad that everyone is staying busy. Give my best to the SHHS baseball team, because I want them to play for championship AND still get to go to all of graduation. Haven't gotten the announcement for Holly and Ronel yet, should be here today or sometime this week though. Which temple are they getting married in?

 

Things are good here, just trying to get in a groove as far as how to teach and finding people and such. I'm trying to stay happy, but you know, this work is hard and it has it's ups and it's downs, and along with training a new companion, it's got me super super busy. But busy is good right?  We are hoping to have two baptisms this weekend, so we are praying for that. Also, I got that email from Brother Nicosia about the mission video for Stake Conference. You guys can just give them the ones that you have, as I am unable to take more and send them home.

 

Driving a car out here is a challenge, because only small sections of the roads are paved, so you really have to watch where you are driving so you don't hit potholes. Still haven't tried dog yet, but a couple of people have asked me when I want to try it.

 

I love you guys, I miss you guys!!

 

Elder McEwan

 

P.S. Anymore news about people I know getting mission calls? Any more people getting married soon? I know everyone is in a different place than when I left and life gets crazy busy.

Happy Mother's Day from Chuuk . . .

Mom called and spoke with President Mecham on May 6, to let him know of the unexpected passing of Grandpa Darrel Ockler. This happened to be the week that Sean was on Guam doing training with his new Elder, so President Mecham said he would talk to Sean and make sure he was okay. Just another tender mercy from a loving Heavenly Father that this happened while he was close to the Mission President.

Sean is sad about Grandpa Ockler, but so grateful that he knows and understands the Plan of Salvation. This is what is getting him through, as it is those of us on the "main island" of Utah.

What a wonderful time we had talking/skyping with Elder Sean McEwan! It was so awesome to hear how happy he is and how much he is learning. He loves his companions and the Chuukese people. His new companion is still on Guam though. He is from New Zealand and doesn't have his Visa for Chuuk yet. They are hoping it will come through within the week.

The work is going well, so the area has been split into two areas. The apartment in the new area isn't quite ready, so Elder Walters and Elder Mackie are staying with Elder McEwan and the three of them are covering both areas. This worked out well since his companion, Elder Fermannis, hasn't arrived yet. Needless to say, they are staying busy doing the Lord's work.

We were able to have video on for a short time. He not only sounds happy . . . he looks HAPPY! It was so reassuring to be able to see him and know he is doing well. He said it was great to see us, too. The connection wasn't extremely great, but considering he was talking to us from the middle of the Pacific Ocean, it was amazing!

What a great blessing to be able to talk to our missionary!

Greetings from the Island of Guam . . .

May 5, 2013

 

Ran Annimami Ai Famini!!

 

So, hopefully you guys got my letters this week. Let me just say it was a lot of fun writing it all in Chuukese and then translating it :) Glad to hear that it's finally warming up in Utah. I'm not really missing too much yard work, because right now I'm helping the Lord in His yard to "find, teach, and baptize". Hopefully the baseball team does well this week. I've been thinking about how much I have missed of Garrett's Senior year and it makes me really sad, because I was just thinking the other day that when I have been out here 7 months, he will go into the Dominican Republic MTC. All the Elders in Chuuk are very excited for him, as am I. I know he'll do good work. I'm also glad to hear that he is almost done with his Eagle Project, and that's sweet that he wants to do it for the area that he will be serving in. Please send me the announcements for him so that I can pin them up in my house.

 

Things are going good here in Chuuk. We just had two baptisms on Friday and District Conference on Saturday and Sunday. I had my second baptism on Friday, a boy named Rimanny Reuben and he's super sweet. We've been teaching him for about two months now, and his brother Rimanno has been a big help with him and his learning. Also, we had a big dinner with a great member family the other night. That's one thing I love is eating with members and non members, because then we get to talk with them and also get to teach them as well. Along with that, I'm glad that you guys are feeding the Elders, because when I get home that is one thing I want to do. I'm really getting a feel for the importance of members in the missionary work, because they are the ones that can really connect well with the people and they generally are just more comfortable with the people.

 

I found my glasses today, because right now, I'm in Guam!! Yes, the wonderful period of transfers has come again, and this time...I'm training. I'll be training in Mechitiw, Elder Obray will be going out to an outer island. I'm a little nervous because I'm not remembering things like I want to be, and I feel dumb when I can't remember. But...God obviously wants me to learn something from this, so we'll see what happens. I have not found my camera, because like I said in my letter, a boy came up to the house and stole it when the little kids were looking at my pictures. So, I'm very sorry, because that was a super nice camera and now I don't have one. All I want is to have a camera so that I can take pictures of baptisms, pictures of the people and be able to show them to everyone when I come home.

 

Thanks for the boxes and letters, and I'm sorry that I'm so tiparoch (or "stupid") when it comes to writing you guys. Out here though, on P-days, it's hard to write because we plan for the whole day and by Monday morning, I'm super tired anyway. That, and my money. I'm so so SO SO sorry that I've been careless with it, and I'm sorry that Sister Eakins emailed you to put more money in my account. I just knew that I was going to Guam and thought I would need money for luggage and what not. We also have no money for this month from the mission, as they gave us twice the amount of money that we usually get, they gave that to us last month. We didn't realize it and used it last month. So I still have a little bit of money from that, and I still have the $50 that you put on my card. Although, I do now have a budget drawn up.

 

I just want you guys to know that I really miss you, and I know that it probably doesn't seem that way right now because I haven't written you very much or told you of any experiences. But... I do have ONE experience that will forever stay with me and remind me of the importance of preparation. For District Conference, whenever a Chuukese person would speak, one of us missionaries would translate into a microphone/headset for President and Sister Mecham and I was one of the ones that was asked to do it.... Needless to say, I failed, but it was a good learning experience because I realized that as hard as I have been working, I know I can work harder. I also have a testimony that if I do, Heavenly Father will help me to make it through, because I have seen so many miracles in my mission thus far, and I've been a part of so much happiness that has come as a result of me doing my part and trying to be in the right place at the right time.

 

I love you all, I miss you all, I pray for you all!!!

Elder McEwan



 

Note from Elder and Sister Tiffany prior to returning to the states ~ We texted our Mechitiw Elders, McEwan and Obray to make sure they would be in.  We will see them again before we leave but it is always good to see them and get a few picture shots for the mom's back home. Also it should be noted that these boys keep a clean house. Thanks, Moms.

We are definitely going to miss all of the updates from the Tiffanys as they have truly taken care of their Elders! However, the Lord never leaves us alone and Elder and Sister Crisp from Arizona are ready to step in :)
 

Thankful for the Translation of Chuukese . . .

Thankfully, this letter followed the previous one in Chuukese! Now we understand why it was so long between letters. What an amazing Elder we have! It is so awesome to see and hear how he trusts in the Lord in everything that he is doing and experiencing.

April 29, 2013

Dear Family~

How are you guys? You all doing well? Man, I woke up this morning and realized how much I miss all of you. I miss you guys SO MUCH!! What's the news of your lives? If you guys don't know, I'm writing two letters, in Chuukese and in English. This is what I've been doing. Last week, me and Elder O'bray did a change (or "exchange") with the Elders in Sapuk. I stayed in Sapuk with Elder Bowers and Elder O'bray stayed in Mechitiw with Elder Pita. At the time, I didn't know if I would like that plan, because I wanted to stay in Mechitiw, because I want the people in Mechitiw to know me and not hate me. But I still learned a lot from that exchange. I taught about the Book of Mormon to a lady named Sharneen, and I taught the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ to a man named K3 and a man named Asanno. I'll be honest, when I started teaching, I was nervous. I felt that I would forget things that I wanted to teach, but I prayed that morning and also prepared a plan of teaching and I think it turned out alright.

Today, I'm thinking about what happened yesterday in Church. At this time, there are eight priesthood holders in our branch, and yesterday they all showed up! One of them his name is Wi K, Sdawe's younger brother. He wants to be a missionary like his brother and he's starting to change his life. He passed the sacrament in Church and he came with us after church when we took the sacrament to the older members in our branch (just like "shut-ins"). There are two other priesthood holders named Rimanno and Sat and yesterday they came to church and came with us after, like Wi K.

This week we have District Conference, just like Stake Conference back home. It'll happen on Saturday and Sunday, which is bad because that means that we can't have our baptisms on Saturday. But don't worry, don't be sad, we're hoping to do the baptism on Friday.

So, because of this, I've been studying the baptismal prayer just in case the three people that are getting baptized want me to baptize them.

Also, I just want you to know that yes, I'm still alive even though I haven't sent you guys news or letters. I still haven't found my camera and there is some news about that. A young boy, I don't know his name, stole my camera when the little kids were outside the house looking at them (the pictures). At this time, I know that my camera is on an outer island called Tol. I feel sad because I  lost all the pictures of my first baptism, along with the people of Mechitiw that I've taken pictures of. But . . . if you guys can put some extra money in my account and I'll see if I can buy a cheap one when I go to Guam next month.

There is however happy news about my glasses! They are still at the A.P.'s house, and I'll find them when I go back to Guam.

So enough about me. Garrett, I'm so excited for your desire to be a missionary and I know it'll be exciting for you as you really start to prepare. Start NOW! I believe you said you will be teaching in Spanish, which means it'll be good for you to study the principles of the Gospel in English and in Spanish. Read from the Book of Mormon in English and in Spanish, and write down a lot of words and their meanings in a book. You'll learn that if you try your best and believe in God, He will help you and strengthen you so that you will be able to teach and help people come unto Christ. That's your calling. Never forget that. I'm also excited about what I hear of news from the baseball team. Congratulations on being #1 in 4A :). Continue to be strong, continue to try hard, because you are an example to your friends and teammates (D&C 18), and they will follow after your example. I believe in your last letter, you asked what my favorite missionary experience has been. Me personally, it's been learning a language, because when we all learn a new language (Mosiah 5:5), it's really hard because the experience is new and we don't know if we'll be able to overcome our nervousness. but I can promise you this, if you try harder than you've ever tried before (D&C33:7) and put your faith in God and Jesus Christ (Alma 22:16 & 18, 2 Nephi 2:27), you'll find yourself start to grow so much in your life. I hope Prom was fun for you and Stefani! :)

Parker ~ 3 Nephi 13:1-4 ~ I hope that things are well with you and I'm happy that you are working as an umpire. It'll help so much in your life because you'll know how to work (D&C 4) and that knowledge is good for everyone to know in their lives. Continue to study, continue to be strong, and continue to lift weights every day! :)

Dylan ~ Alma 48:17 ~ I hope your campout was nice, and that you learned lots and had fun (Alma 48:11, Enos 1:12). I still haven't had dog yet or driven our truck. How's your baseball team? Think you guys will be good this year? Keep trying hard, and continue to lift weights like Parker. I'll be honest, I haven't been lifting weights because there is none in our house.

3 Nephi 18:21 ~ I hope and pray in your names everyday, all the time and I ask God that he will continue to bless you guys. I'll look forward to your emails and letters in the mail.

I love you all!
Elder McEwan

 

Greetings from Chuuk . . . LITERALLY!

This is the letter that arrived in the mail today! I'm sure I've slaughtered the spellings here because it was difficult to tell what some of the letters are. It's amazing that after only three months on Chuuk, Elder McEwan is able to write a three-page letter in Chuukese! How much do you understand?

April 29, 2013

Dear Family ~

Ran Annimami!! Ifa usumi?? Ami Mi pochokun? Mwa, ua nnena, ikenai me va esinna pwe va posiiti kemi. Mi watte ai pwusiiti remi. Metpourousen manavemi? Ika ouse sinei, ua fini mak ei tarapwaen tong non fosun Chuuk me pwan fosun Merika. Ion met va fen furi. Non ewe wik, ngang me Elder Obray fori waveu siwin (ika "exchange") ren ekkewe Elder non Sapuk, wewen va nom non Sapuk ren embou Elder itan Elder Bowers, me Elder Obray a noun non Mechitiw ren Elder Pita. Non ina fansoun, ngang vsemo sinei ika upwe soni ewe kokkot, pun va mochen nonnom non Mechitiw, pun ika Elder Obray a ane seni Mechitiw, use mochen ekkewe aramos non Mechitiw repwe oput I. Nge, va caio chommong seni ina siwin. Ua afanotan ussen Ewe Puken Mormon ngeni emon fefin itan Sharneen, me Ewe Aniwin sefaniton Ewe Kapas Allimen Jeses Kraist ngeni emon mwan itan K3 pwan eu emon mwan itan Asanno. Upwe cnnet, nupwen ua poputa affanafan, ua nuakos. Va mefi pwe upwe mennukanu mettoch ussun met ua afonafan, nge ua iotek ina nessessorewe pwan ammonata eu kokkotun afanafan, me ai nuku a och.

Ikenai, ua ekkieh usson met a fisneaneo non fan. Non ei fansoun, a wor wonumon chon pristuut non ach ei branch non Mechitiw, me neaneu, ir mi wonumon ra fan. Emon at itan W.K., Sdawe pwinwe mi kukkun, a mochen em on missionary, me a poputa siwini manauan. A ngeni ewe sacrament ngini aramos non fan, me a fiti kem mwirin fan nupwen ava ngeni ekkewe aramas mi chinnap ewe sacrament (ussen chok "shut ins"). Awor pwan ruemon chon pristuut iten Rimanno me Sat, me neaneu, ra fan me fiti kem mwirin fan, usson chok Wl,. Ngang me Elder Obray awa misake ussun ina. Awa fen sotuni ne kutta ewe chon pristuut non ach ei branch, me ai nuku awa kuna eu efeiocho semi Semach won Nang.

Non ei wik, a wor District Conference non Chuuk, ussun Chuk Stake Conference non Merica. Epwe fis non Ammon me Raninifel non Mwan, nge in a wewen pwe am ause tongeni paptais Rescue, pwan emon at itan Rimanni me emon frfin itan Berninita. Nge ousap nuakos, ousap netipechoo. Aupwe chok fori ewe rannin pupatais non Enimu.

Iwe, pokiten ina, va fen estutti ewe ioteken pupatais ika ekkewe aramos ra mochen ngang upwe papataisir.

Iwe, ua chok mochen oupwe sinei pwe ewer, va chuen manau ina mo use sentikemi porause ika taropwean tong. Usemo kutta neiwe camera, me a wor poraus ussun ina. Emon at, use sinei itan, a sonani reiwe camera nupwen ekkewe semirit ra caton ne ekkewe sausingen nei we camera, me non ei fansoun, va pwisin sinei pwe neiwe camera a nonnom non eu fenu itan Tol. Ua sinei pwe ami oupwe song rei nupwen oua annea ei porous, nge use sinei met upwe fori. Ua poutana ekkewe sausingen awkevin papatis va fori, fiti chon Mechitiw. Nge, ika ova tongeni, wanong money non neiwe card, me upwe chok kama pwan au nupwen upwe nena Guam non man eu maram. Awor poraus mi misake usson mesei Kiras. Ra chuen nom non Guam, non imwer A.P., me upwe ang ei nupwen va tori Guam.

Iwe, a nuff porous usson ngang. Garrett, va misake musson om mochen emon missionary, me va sinei pwe epwe misake nupwen Ka ammonata. Poputa iei. Ai nuku Kipwe afanafan non fosun Mexico, wewen (ika mi tiffich), estuuti ekkewe nongonongen ewe kapos allim non fosun Merica pwan fosun Mexico. Annea seni ewe Puken Mormon non fosun Merica pwan fosun Mexico, me mak chommong kapas pwa met wewen. Kopwe kaio pwe ika kopwe achocho me nuku non kot, epwe annisuk me apochokunok pwe kipwe tongeni afanafan me anninis repwe feito ren Kraist. Ina wisom. Kesop mennukana inn. Ua pwan misake ussun ewe porousen ewe team yakiu. Sepueno pochokun, sepueno achocho, pun en emon apirru ngeni chienom kewe, me repwe tipueno mwirin om apirru. Ai nuku non om Saigon taropwe, ka eisitiei met ai ekkeik mi ewe auchea kinikin ika atun non angangen missionary. Ngang pwisin, nupwen sa sotuni kaio pwan eu fos, afakkun weires pun ewe atun mi minafo me sise sinei ika sipwe tongeni pworacho ach nuakos. Nge va tongeni pwon ngonuk pwe ika kopwe achocho me nuku kot pwan Jises Kraist, kopwe tongeni mammarita non manuom. Va apinuk pwe Prom apwapwa rem pwa Steffani. Parker, va apinuk pwe mettoch a och rem me va pwapwa pwe ka angangen umpire. Epwe anisuk non manvom pokiten kipwe sinei ifa usson angang, me ina mettoch mi murrinne sinei non manuach. Sepueno estutti, sepuemo pochokon me sepueno kekki torro iteitan ran :).

Dylan, va apinuk om picnic (ika campout) mi murine me va apinuk pwe ka kaio chommong pwan pwapwa. Usemo ochoch Konak pwan wa wa wam truck. Ifa ussun om team yakiu? Ami mi chuwen och? :) Sepueno achocho, me sepueno Kekki torro usen chok Parker. Upwe ennet, use Kekki torro pun ese wor non imwem.

Ua apinuk me iotek fan itemi iteitan fansoun meinisin me eisiti kot pwe epwe sepueno efeiochuemi. Upwe apinuk ren taropwe seni ami non ei wik! :)

Ai tong ngeni kemi!!

Elder Q