Our Family Returns from Micronesia

        In February we left for Christmas Island in the Line Islands of Micronesia.  We went to Christmas Island, Fanning Island and Washington Island which is all part of Micronesia.  While we were there we served in several different ways, creating relationships with school teachers and business owners, doing programs for children and doing minor wound care.  We also made friends with a man named Mikarite,  the Mayor of Christmas Island.  This will be great for when we go back there, we can communicate with him in advance and see what their greatest needs are.  Creating these life-long relationships was one of the major highlights of our trips!

        On our way to the Marshall Islands, we stopped at Washington Island, a remote island that only sees 3 to 4 boats a year.  We had a delivery for one of the chief's, a hearing aid that had been donated for him when it was discovered that he only had partial hearing in one ear and no hearing in the other.

      It was an amazing experience to be part of, he was all smiles when he told us, "I can hear the children laughing."  Isaiah 29:18 On that day the deaf will hear words of the book, and out of their gloom and darkness the eyes of the blind will see. Wow, God is so good and we are so blessed to be doing his work.  We then went from Washington Island to Majuro in the Marshall Islands, a 2100 mile journey that took us 15 days.  At first, we were not going to do this with the kids, but the opportunity was put into our laps and after prayer and seeking elders in our organization we were at peace with this decision.  It was amazing!  Nick and Sydney were incredible, it was like they were made for being on a boat.  It was nothing short of a miracle that none of us got seasick, thank you Lord!!!  We continued our home-schooling on board during the crossing and the kids were great.  Sydney learned how to play the guitar and ukelele (a little) and Nick knows how all the systems on the boat work, he even became a really good dinghy driver!

Nick and Aaron on the dinghy

Sydney learning to play the Ukelele

      Once is Majuro in the Marshall Islands, we resupplied the boat and made some minor fixes and then picked up a team of DTS (Discipleship Training School) students.  They joined us making our boat full with 16 people on board.  We then headed to Kwajalein Atoll and Ebeye where we did many different kinds of ministry at churches and schools and once again creating life-long relationships with some wonderful Marshallese. 

Ebeye Island, The Marshall Islands

      Ebeye Island was small in size, about 80 acres, but had a population of 15,000 people.  Every inch was covered with people and 72% of the population were children age 18 & under.  While there we met one of the princes, Anjojo Kabua, and we were instant friends with him and his family.  We had a blessed trip, but were sad to leave, there is so much work to continue and we know we will return soon!

To support our ministry make donations to;

Desert Song Community Church

c/o The Suderno Family

640 SW Evergreen

Redmond, OR 97756