The Chuuk ladies retreat is always an evening event as most everyone works six days a week. I don't always love my band schedule, but when I get really tired and exhausted, I am grateful I don't have the typical Filipino work schedule. (And it's not just Chuuk, it's all the islands.)
When they greeted me at the airport, I was showered with gifts. I always feel a tad guilty as I'm the one that should be bringing the gifts! (And I do. Pasalubong is always packed. That's the Tagalog word for welcoming gifts, and is one that is a part of my regular vocabulary.) I was given a mwar mwar (head flowers...real ones, not the plastic). I was presented with a new Chuukese skirt to wear to the ladies retreat, a couple of pairs of cute earrings, and snacks! Gifts I bring are homemade cards, homemade soap, home canned jelly, pecans, and Bedre chocolate. (I did not bring jelly this year as the suitcases were already both at about 60lbs. And though I can have 70lbs, that is a lot to handle.)
The above paragraph was just so you would know I was wearing my new skirt, mwar mwar, and earrings in the pictures.
We had amazing Filipino food to kick of the evening...
Then they opened the evening with music! (The keyboard player and drummer didn't make the pic. Sorry)
There were games, but I couldn't take pictures and facilitate at the same time. (I'm pretty sure the gift exchange was the favorite.)
There was a devotion followed by small groups
We had Christmas themed prayer stations
And with all functions, there was the group picture(s).
And I was given another skirt!!!
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