Bomb day, Science fair and "Booger Face" Emily.

How much does a Polar bear weigh? Enough to break the ice. Okay, sweet, now the me not blogging in a month awkwardness is gone, so we can go right on into the swing of things.

I’m sitting in my living room on a couch that looks like pepto-bismal, next to Karissa who is peeling off her sunburn from last weekend….gross (she approved of this last sentence). So glad she is here.

Last week we had quite a few visitors from the NAD visit us. It was a nice surprise. It’s always fun to have visitors here and see how they like the island.  They put on a few worships for us and then went on their way to Chuuk. About 3 weeks ago we had 2 men come here named Gary and Chett. Gary has been married for over 50 years and has never spent more than 2 weeks away from his wife, but he is here, helping out the people of Ebeye until the end of April.  That’s dedication to service. Both Gary and Chett are very hard workers and are working in the hot sun each and every day doing construction. We’re very thankful that they are here.

Today I finished my science project for the science fair tomorrow. My second grade class is doing, “The aerodynamics of a paper plane”. When I say, they’re doing it, I mean me. My poor elementary school teachers..It’s as if I’m in a new world. A teachers world. I used to think I was so sneaky, in elementary,middle school, highschool and even in college. My teacher won’t notice if I skip this or if I don’t give it 100%. False, they notice! They may be at the point where it seems useless to fight you, but they notice. I can’t decide if it’s lucky for me or unlucky that my kids are terrible at hiding their lies. “WiWi, did you take Ronalds notebook?” “He’s lying!” I turn over his notebook only to see Ronald’s name…”Wiwi, why does it say Ronald on it?” “ He’s lying, he’s talking about my mom.” Classic. The clever, “He’s talking about my mom”  distraction. Here in Ebeye, and probably elsewhere in the Marshall islands talking about someone’s mom is a HUGE offense. You just are not supposed to mention the word “mom” or “dad” in a mocking tone.. It is the cause of many fights even in highschool. All you have to say is “mom” and they get very upset. I’ve had to give many talks upfront about not speaking of eachothers moms, because fights have broken out in the classroom. Second grade fights don’t involve very much contact, but there’s always a lot of crying. Haha. It’s quite ridiculous that it’s actually funny. Lots and lots of it. I think about on average, 6 people cry a day. From the “he took my pencil” to “he punched me in the face with a broom stick” scenario.  This probably sounds stressful to you readers, but I can’t hold back my laughter when it happens in class now. Their pouty faces are so funny, I just want to hug them and them for making me laugh, and I do. I want them to know that they are very loved, but I also want them to know what's wrong and what's right.

My students are really what keep me going here. People may think that teaching is the hardest part about being a missionary, but that’s not the case for me. I’m going to truly miss my students so much. Spending hours and hours every day, with the same people, you can’t help but grow to love them. But, only if you let yourself though. If you choose to be unhappy, you will be unhappy. If you choose to see the bad in them, you will. But if you choose to remember that no ones is perfect and that someone must have had to muster up that much patience with you, it’s humbling. Most of the times my efforts with them go unappreciated, but they're 7 yrs old, so most of the times it’s understandable…and one day they will look back and see the efforts I made just like this experience has made me look back at all the people who have made an effort with me..

Walking around town is always interesting. There are stray dogs everywhere, and kids everywhere and on top of that, GARBAGE. A common sight that I see, are little babies, who can barely walk, stumbling on all the rocks and garbage in their diapers, with no parents or anyone around...It's sad, but they always end up okay....Most of the little kids are super nice and always say “hi” and then at least once a day you get the few kids/tweens that walk up to you with their group of friends and start mocking/making fun of you in Marshallese to your face, getting attention from their friends. Then they all laugh and walk away. It’s pretty silly that people do that, but they’re in that “I’m cooler than everyone stage” so I don’t take it personally. Unless I actually do have boogers all over my face, then their “Booger face” name calling would just be entirely rude and inappropriate... Hahaha. A lot of the times I wish I could just blend in here. To not feel like I'm being judged, or stared at, but you know, even if I am, my purpose here is still the same.. I am however, able to count the number of white people who live on this island with just two hands. Not very many at all. Especially out of 13,000 people here on this one mile island. Little babies who have never seen “Rubelle”(white skin) burst into tears when they see us, then others profess their love for us right away. “Miss, I love you, be my girl”, “Hello, I love you.” And we’re thinking, “You’re how old?” It can be humorous, depending on their age level though..other times it’s kind of creepy. I know though that when Jesus was on this earth, he was judged before he even spoke, and he handled it with complete kindness, and that’s what I need to do here as well. Love your enemies, and your neighbors. The Marshallese definitely are not enemies though, they are probably the friendliest people I have ever met. This is my home away from home. I love it here. Everything here will be truly missed when these next 3 months are done.

The other day school was cancelled. Want to know why? A bomb that had not yet gone off was found, dating back from WWII at a house near the school. Cool huh? They sent in the “bomb squad” and placed it carefully into a bucket. Guess what vehicle they used to get it out of there? Ebeye style, they got a little red wagon and pulled it around. It was a Happy Bomb day indeed. No school for teachers is way more enjoyable then no school for students, I’ll tell you that.

To a more serious subject than bombs…..wisdom teeth. My wisdom teeth are coming in, while I’m here in Ebeye. Only 2 of them though, but Is till have 3 more months left. Turns out there are dentists here, who are visiting form America and are willing to pull all my wisdom teeth out this next week for free. What a good deal right? Well, there’s no anesthesia, just numbing. I am pretty sure that I am going to do the procedure, but I’m scared out of my wits. So if you could remember me in your prayers, that would be much appreciated.. Also, my boyfriend, Matthew Haus, is currently a student missionary in Chad. Just a few nights ago, the family he lives with little baby girl, Ella, passed away. She has been very sick and trying to fight malaria for the past few weeks. I can’t even imagine how her family feels right now. Her father and Matt’s close friend is a new Christian taking Bible studies from Matt. Please pray that God’s peace will be in their hearts and that they will cling to the hope of Heaven one day soon. I pray that you reading this too, will cling to that promise as well. Jesus is coming soon. Very soon.

Many people have asked me for the address here, so I figure it's easier to put it here.
Emily Olakowski
Ebeye Sda School
Po Box 5070
Ebeye, MH 96970

And thank you for all the hand sanitizer. I am set for the rest of my life. Thank you! God Bless.