Marshallese cooking lesson #2 - Donat (Donut)

Donat, donut, donaj, doughnuts.  Whatever name you want to give them they are basically the same thing.  Yummy pieces of sweet dough fried up in shortening.  Mmmm Mmmm!

Our amateurish attempt at making donat.  They tasted delicious, but their size wasn't quite uniform! Guess we need a little more practice.

Donat is similar to the American version of doughnut holes.  It's a round piece of slightly sweet soft dough that is dropped into hot shortening and then fried up to perfection.  What most interested me is the soft dough.  The dough is so soft that you cannot form it into the balls by rolling it in your hands the conventional way.  The ball is formed by putting a little bit of the dough into your hand.  Then, using a quick motion, you flip it about three times to get a good ball shape.  Then you just squeeze the dough from your hand as you drop it into the hot grease.  The balls are then cooked until nicely browned on the outside.  And, Voile! they are ready to eat!  No added toppings are necessary, no powdered sugar or frosting is added.  You just eat them as they are.  They have a slightly sweet taste, and are very addictive!

Sister Butler putting shortening in the pan to melt

Tania, our Marshallese friend and instructor

the dough is all ready and waiting for the shortening to get hot

Tania flipping the donat in her hand

cooking them to perfection!

Elder Becker waiting for a taste!

Sister Butler's turn at dropping the dough into the shortening

now it's my turn to try!

I think I got it!

Donuts are basically the same thing, only they are rolled out onto a board with a little flour and then are cut out into a circle with the top of a glass or lid, similar to the typical american doughnut.  A hole is then poked in the center of the cut out piece of dough, and then cooked up in the same way in the hot shortening.

The BEST way to eat donat is RIGHT after they are done.  HOT. FRESH. Crisp on the outside and soft on the inside.  YUM, YUM!

Here is as close as I could come to a recipe.

Marshallese Donat or Donut

3 cups flour
6 tsp baking powder
2 eggs
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup milk
3/4 cup water
pinch of yeast
1 tsp shortening

Mix together.  Add more water if needed to make a soft dough.
Fry in melted shortening over medium heat.
Donats are dropped into the grease by squeezing through the hand and making a ball.

A hit with Elder Becker!  They are disappearing fast!

24th of July Pioneer Day on Kwajalein!

Thursday, July 24, 2014
What?  Pioneer Day in the Marshall Islands?  I know, crazy!

Pioneer Day is an official holiday celebrated on July 24 in the U.S. State of Utah. In addition, there are some celebrations in regions of the surrounding states originally settled by Mormon pioneers. It commemorates the entry of Brigham Young and the first group of Mormon pioneers into the Salt Lake Valley on July 24, 1847, where The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints settled after being forced from Nauvoo, Illinois, and other locations in the eastern United States of America.

Balloons, crepe paper, butcher paper tableclothes, and markers for drawing

Alison Sok, a member of the Kwajalein Branch, wanted to have some kind of commemoration of that day, so we told her if she wanted to head it up, then we would support her efforts. So, a big thanks to Alison for all her efforts!  Decorations were gathered (a limited resource!), the large pavilion was reserved, materials for crafts were purchased, and food was prepared for our one-of-a-kind 24th of July Celebration in the Marshall Islands. 

Having fun visiting while we wait to eat!

Diane Elliott, and the Tippetts

Not everyone has what we would term "pioneer stock" in their family, or should I say, members of their family that immigrated across the plains in the mid 1800's.  But in one way or another, we all have pioneers in our family heritage.  So we wanted to put out a salute to everyone in our lives who persevered and worked hard to pave the way for each and every one of us.  Toward that end, everyone was asked to bring food items that represented their family ancestry.  We ended up with a nice ethnic blend of food, ranging from Swedish meatballs and danish cookies to Chili and cornbread.

Parkers and Dr. Skinner dishing up some food

"Happy Pioneer Day" sign at the food bar

Jon Sok making donuts!  Yum!

Elder Becker used to teach the Virginia Reel when he taught 5th grade, so we offered our services to teach everyone how to square dance. We downloaded some suitable music, did a quick review of the dance steps, and we were ready to go!  The Virginia Reel is a pretty easy dance to teach and learn, so even the young children were able to follow along.  A good number of us, young and old alike, tried out our skills for the fun event.  We worked up a good sweat in the humid pacific air!  And everyone did a wonderful job at following along.

instructions from Elder Becker, all dressed for the part in jeans and a button down shirt

Greeting our partner

all a blur as we swing. I was able to find a red handkerchief that I tied around my neck for the occasion.

here we come as the lead couple!

Swinging! (sorry it's all a blur, my iPad can't handle the action shots!)

a little do-si-do around your partner and back

even the little girls got to lead the group

We also had a crafts table to occupy the kids, big and little.  There was a game with mason jars and clothespins to see how many clothespins you could drop from your nose into the jars.  And for crafts, there were little stick dolls, made with coffee filters, sticks, and markers.  Even the boys got involved!

Alison helping at the craft table

rapt attention at the craft table

voila, the finished product!  cute little stick doll

and of course, at the end of a fun night there is always the clean up. thanks guys!

We thought our night was going to end there, but we had ONE MORE adventure in store for us that night.  We headed back to the Sok's house after the party and were visiting away.  Next thing we know is we get a call from the Dock Security Checkpoint asking where we were.  What?  We were right here visiting, of course!  Long story short - we mis-read the ferry schedule and we missed the LAST ferry of the night back to Ebeye!  Yikes!  My heart dropped and I was sick to my stomach!  I was so afraid that our privileges for coming onto Kwajalein Army base were over.  Argggggh. I couldn't believe it! This was the first time we had come over to Kwaj on a week night (Thursday) and we had not taken into account the different schedule.  One the weekend there is a 10pm ferry, but we now know very well, the last boat during the week is at 9:15pm.  Since it is an Army Base, in order for us to get onto the base we have to have a sponsor check us in and out.  So those times are very precious to us.  We can stay no more than 12 hours, and have to be off the base at the end of the day.  There is no spending the night, at least for our type of sponsorship.  So, we headed back to the dock, and profusely apologized to the security people.  They were very kind and tried to find us a water taxi, but to no avail.  So, to end the story, we ended up spending the night in the ferry terminal!   Yes, you heard me right!  We couldn't stay on base, so that was our only option.  We settled in for the night and waited for the next boat, which left at 4:20 am the next morning.  We had our iPads for reading, two blankets that were loaned to us, and a couple of desk chairs for comfort (security took pity on us and didn't make us sit on the hard benches for 6 hours).  And we waited, and waited, and read, and read, and read.  I tried to sleep a little, too. At 4am we jumped up eager to board the ferry home.

camping out in the ferry terminal for the night!

Whew!  What a crazy ending to the night! 

What do we do?

Many of you may be wondering just what are we doing here in the middle of the Pacific Ocean?  To summarize, we are missionaries for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  We were called to serve in the Marshall Islands Majuro Mission for 23 months.  Our mission covers a huge area, spanning from the Marshall Islands, south to the Kiribati Islands ( I previously knew them as the Gilbert Islands) and then to the tiny Republic of Nauru. It is the largest mission in our world-wide church. However, if you measure by land mass, we are only about the size of Maryland in the United States.  We could have been assigned to serve anywhere within our mission boundaries (except Nauru, which we are still working on to accept missionaries), but our mission president was inspired to put us on Ebeye.  We were officially called to be MLS missionaries. Member Leader Support.  Basically that means we do whatever is needed!  Simple!  We are here to support the members in the Kwajalein District.  We are not here to take over.  We are here to stand by their sides, leading and guiding.  We are to lend support and help in whatever capacity that may mean.  Our purpose is give them guidance so they can be self sustaining in running their church units.  There are three Branches (congregations) on Ebeye, one on Kwajalein Army Base (four miles south of us, and a ferry ride away), and one on Lae Atoll (90 miles away).  No day is really the same, so we just go with the flow.  Much of our support comes in the form of attending Sunday meetings, attending leadership meetings, speaking in various capacities, teaching (institute/Young Adults and Temple Preparation), assisting the Branch clerks and Branch Presidencies with recording and updating records, coordinating temple trips, family history work, participating in or coordinating service projects, supporting the young missionaries, and whatever else comes our way.  Oh, and enduring nine hour boat rides to Lae every six months (and then five more hours on to Ujae)!

We have been living on this tiny little island of Ebeye in the Kwajalein Atoll for about ten months now.  And we will probably be here for another year unless our assignment should change (highly unlikely).   We pretty much stay right here on our little Island in the Kwajalein Atoll, except for the occasional boat ride.  We love it here.  And we feel loved here. This is our home.  We are surrounded by many, many wonderful people who make our time here worthwhile and rewarding. We feel the warmth and the love (not just from the sun!) as we walk around the island, greeted by young and old alike.

Here are some photos, in no particular order, that capture some of the essence of what we do. I don't take pictures of our Sunday meetings, so know that our Sunday is FULL of meetings and singing! Oh, I love the singing in Marshallese!  We attend all three Branches on Ebeye every Sunday, as well as attend other meetings. On occasion we go over to the Kwajalein Branch to speak or to just visit.  Many Sundays our day goes from 9:30 am to 9:30 pm.  Needless to say, Sunday is generally our busiest day of the week.

waiting to talk to the King, Mike Kabua

Getting ready for a meeting to start with some of the missionaries and Branch leaders

decorating Christmas cookies for Christmas baskets with the Kwaj sisters

fixing a bike, never know when you will be needed!

helping Relief Society leaders sort donated clothing

Young Women and their mothers at Mother-Daughter night.  I was privileged to be one of the speakers that night.  Aren't they all so beautiful?

helping with Young Single Adult activity

Young Women dancing for us.  Beauty and grace!

We attend many Yokwes, going away parties.

Women feeding us again!

Kwajalein District High Council and their wives as we said good bye to the Thomas's

Elder Becker checking progress on the roof repair

honing our homemaking skills

learning the art of Marshallese weaving

making sandwiches for the school children

Delivering lunches to the special needs students at the local public school

creating relationships with the local school admin

Checking out one of the local school rooms

Attending one of the many activities and enjoying their Marshallese dancing

Singing with some of the men on Mother's Day

Speaking at a meeting, with Pres. Kajai as his interpreter

Speaking at a wedding

Attending the wedding of Kamina and Mickey

And even making the wedding cake!

Speaking at the Lae Branch Fireside, with interpreter James Jelke

Teaching Institute, with a little fun thrown in for good measure!

Men of honor cutting the cake! Pres. Kajai 2nd Counselor Kwaj District Pres., Branch 1 Pres. Loeak, Branch 2 Pres. Jibas, Branch 3 Pres. Anjain, and Elder Becker

attending a funeral at another church to support the members

Attending baptisms in the lagoon

Enduring the wild boat ride to Ujae and Lae

District leaders who helped us find a home for the missionaries on Ujae.

Ready to find a home for the missionaries on Ujae

Helping with a service project to clean up the island.

Visiting with some of the Kwaj members (Skinners and Tippetts) after speaking in Sac. meeting.

Feasting on Kwaj before Family Home Evening with the members and Pres. and Sister Weir.

Attending meetings on Lae (notice the cloth in Elder Becker's hand? that's for wiping sweat). No A/C here.

Visiting with some of the sisters after a Relief Society meeting.

In addition to supporting the members, we also help out the young missionaries assigned to Ebeye.  You could say we kind of have our own mini mission on Ebeye (the mission home is on Majuro, a one hour plane ride away).  There are six young Elders and two Sister missionaries assigned to proselyte on Ebeye.  We are here for them and try to help them with whatever need they might have - living accommodations, personal, or financial.  We try to fill whatever needs are there.

One thing we do is take care of apartment issues.  We have dealt with flooding, broken fixtures, holes in walls, mice infestations, missionaries being locked out, cleaning filthy apartments.  The list goes on and on....  We also do apartment cleaning checks (my least favorite job) and we purchase items for the apartments.  This includes monthly purchases for phone cards, prepaid electricity, and never ending kitchen and cleaning supplies.

We also attend weekly missionary district meeting along with a variety of other meetings, cook (on occasion for the missionaries and visitors), and maintain the checkbook and the finances.  We are also their first go-to when they have a medical issue.  We have a stocked medical first aid kit if the need should arise and a mission nurse just a phone call away, if we don't know what to do. We have also been the listening board and the shoulder to lean on.  We love to hang out with them and we try to make their holidays away from home as memorable as possible.  We can't fix all the comfort foods for them, but we do the best we can with what we have.

cooking Thanksgiving dinner, thanks to a donated turkey!

missionaries at our place for dinner

Missionaries gathering at our place

One-on-one time with a sister missionary

attending baptisms in the lagoon

listening to updates from Pres. Weir on one of his visits

watching baptisms

making goodies, of course!  cinnamon rolls, good to the last drop!  It doesn't even look like there was anything in the pan!

feeding the poor and the hungry. :)

buying apartment supplies in one of the local stores

teaching the Elders to play "Ticket to Ride" on Christmas Eve

greeting new missionaries at the dock

receiving support from our mission President, Pres. Weir, & his wife

feeding missionaries, again, at Christmas!

Attending the Jeiks' baptism.  Amazing people!

Ebeye District along with the visiting AP's (assistants to the Pres)

Doing member visits on Lae with Sister Tafili and Sister Butler

watching General Conference in English at our place, then feeding them

playing Ticket to Ride on P-Day with the sisters!

Doing apartment checks and changing filters in the water filter system in the Sister's apartment

Hosting special guests.  Area Seventy, Elder Hamula and his wife (front right), and President Weir and his wife (front left)

more Hellos and Good-byes at the ferry

Purchasing apartment items to send off with the new Ujae Elders

Being trained in our weekly district missionary meetings

I am sure there are many items that are not represented here, but this is some of what we enjoy as we serve with these awesome missionaries and the beautiful people of the Kwajalein District.  As it states in the scriptures, "when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God." Mosiah 2:17.  And that is exactly how we feel.  We are doing this for Him. It is our privilege to be here serving in this capacity.   Our lives have been blessed as we have labored in this part of the Lord's vineyard.  And we know our family has been blessed as well.  We have come closer to our Heavenly Father as we have been in His service.  We know that we have been put on this earth for a reason, that our Heavenly Father has a plan. And if we listen to His words, He will show us the way.  We love our brother, Jesus Christ, and are grateful for His sacrifice he made for us.  In this we testify in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.