Congratulations Isaiah!

Surfing the internet, came across a former junior highschool social studies student, Isaiah. God bless him, his Mom, and his coach! Congratulations go out to him for his exemplary representation as one of the CNMI's finest world class athletes. It was an honor to have been one of his teachers. All of us, in the CNMI, are very proud of you, Isaiah!

Isaiah will be lone wolf for CNMI in Tokyo Jr. Olympic Cup

 

 

 

 

 

 

March 26, 2024

By MARK RABAGO, Saipan Tribune 

Isaiah Aleksenko, right, with Tsunami Saipan Swimming Center head coach Hiroyuki Kimura pose for a photo after practice yesterday at Pacific Islands Club Saipan. 

Isaiah Aleksenko will be the CNMI’s lone entry to this year’s 47th Junior Olympic Cup at the Tokyo Aquatics Center that will start in Japan this week. The 17-year-old Marianas High School student and reigning NMSA Male Student Athlete of the Year will be accompanied by Tsunami Saipan Swimming Center head coach Hiroyuki Kimura. 

Aleksenko will compete in the 50m butterfly event on March 29 and the 100m butterfly the next day on March 30. Kimura said his ward will swim against 72 swimmers in his first event and 32 swimmers in his second. 

“Honestly it feels weird because I’m used to traveling with teammates. I think I’d do better when my teammates travel with me because I have more motivation and support which makes me have more adrenaline making me swim better,” said Aleksenko when asked how he feels being the CNMI’s lone entry in the Tokyo meet. The Junior Olympic Cup Is held twice a year—the long course in summer and the short course in spring. Although it is a competition for junior swimmers in Japan, there are many participants from overseas. 

Last year, the Australian junior team participated. Guam swimmers also participated several times before and this year will mark the very first the CNMI will taking part in the event. Divisions include 10-and-under, 11-12, 13-14, 15-16, and the Championship Class where Aleksenko will be participating in. “It’s a competition for top swimmers in the world for junior competitions. The winner’s time is equivalent to the World Junior Championships finalist time. Isaiah is the only swimmer to qualify with a Junior Olympic Cup time,” said Kimura. 

The many time CNMI national coach said the qualifying time for the Junior Olympic Cup is extremely fast and even the CNMI record is far behind. “For example, the qualifying time for the girls 11-12 50m backstroke is 32.20. The CNMI’s national record is 33.20, which means that even the fastest swimmer in Saipan history has not achieved a qualifying time of even a 12-year-old swimmer in this meet!” Kimura said Aleksenko would have to be in his best element to make an impression at the Junior Olympic Cup. “It’s a close race with dozens of swimmers crowded together within 0.5 seconds. It will be a thrilling race where the winner will be decided by a 1mm or 2mm difference in finishing touches. Isaiah needs to be 100% in shape without fail.” He added their first goal Is just to survive and make it to at least the finals. “The Top 8 from preliminaries will go to the finals. Our chances are 50/50. It’s very scary but also so exciting.” Kimura thanked the following for making their trip to the 47th Junior Olympic Cup in Japan possible: Northern Marianas Sports Association, Northern Mariana Islands Swimming Federation, Pacific Islands Club Saipan, Aqua Resort Club, the Tan family, Saipan Swim Club, and to all the Tsunami Saipan swimmers and parents who support the team. Aleksenko and Kimura will leave for Japan on Wednesday.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Isaiah bags 50m butterfly bronze 

By MARK RABAGO, Saipan Tribune 

April 1, 2024 

Isaiah Aleksenko completed his own resurrection in swimming after bagging a bronze medal in the 50m butterfly in the 47th Junior Olympic Cup at the Tokyo Aquatics Center in Japan. Swimming his first event last March 29, the 17-year-old Marianas High School student and Saipan Community School alumnus finished third with a time 23.46 behind 18-year-olds Shouon Mitsunaga (23.11) and Rento Touge (23.31), both of Japan. Aleksenko’s 23.46 also marked a new CNMI short course national record. 

Aleksenko, who finished fifth in the preliminaries with a time of 23.87, said the 50m butterfly race was so close but fun at the same time. “It was a fun event because of how close the race was. I was very surprised and happy because now that I think of it, I’m basically the third fastest 18-and-under male in Japan which is crazy to think about. I want to thank God, my mom; my family; my coach and his wife; Kensuke [Kimura], who is my coach’s son, because he helped me throughout the event; as well as my teammates for being so supportive.” 

Asked if the bronze medal atoned for his disqualification in the 200m individual medley in last February’s 2024 World Aquatics Championships in Doha, Qatar, Aleksenko said it definitely did. “Ever since the DQ I have been practicing harder and harder so this is definitely a redemption from the World Champs.” 

Coach Hiroyuki Kimura said Aleksenko’s first race in the Junior Olympic Cup was an extremely high-speed race and was a real dog fight. “I’m super happy, of course he is very happy and he got higher motivation for his 100m butterfly the next day. The 50m butterfly is a little bit hard for him because he is not a sprinter. Though Isaiah is very fast even in a short sprint event, top junior sprinters in Japan have the sprint event as their No. 1 style. However, Isaiah survived to the finals, then won a bronze medal in the finals. It was more than amazing,” he said. 

Results of Aleksenko’s 100m butterfly event on March 30 will be published in the next issue of Saipan Tribune. 

 

Another bronze for Isaiah in Jr. Olympic Cup

By MARK RABAGO, Saipan Tribune 

April 2, 2024

 

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Lighting struck twice for Isaiah Aleksenko as he made the CNMI version of the 1993 blockbuster hit “Cool Runnings” when he again won a bronze medal in the in the 47th Junior Olympic Cup at the Tokyo Aquatics Center in Japan.  

 

A day after his third-place finish in the 50m butterfly, the 17-year-old Marianas High School student swam the 100m butterfly in 51:98 last March 30 to again finish second behind 18-year-olds Shouon Mitsunaga (51:22) and Rento Touge (51:44), both of Japan.  

 

While ecstatic with another podium finish in the biggest stage of high school swimming in the Land of the Rising Sun, Aleksenko pondered if he would’ve been faster if the CNMI actually had a full-fledged swimming pool to train on.

 

"Our pool is small compared to the regular pools and I was just milliseconds behind so with a proper pool I definitely would’ve been faster,” he said.

Nonetheless, the Saipan Community School alumnus again thanked everyone instrumental in his swimming journey.

“I’m very grateful to represent Saipan. People should know more about Saipan and the amazing culture we have. I’m proud to be from Saipan,” he said.

CNMI national swimming coach Hiroyuki Kimura likened his ward’s performance last week in Japan to the movie "Cool Runnings" where a coach, played by the late comedic genius John Candy, mentors a novice four-man bobsleigh team from Jamaica in the Winter Olympics.

Isaiah unfortunately lost the gold medal. I think he was very disappointed, but he looked very cheerful. I'm really proud of Isaiah. It was a great fight.:

Kimura agreed with Aleksenko’s comment after his bronze in the 50m butterfly that the Tokyo meet served as a redemption tour for him following his disqualification in the 200m individual medley in last February’s 2024 World Aquatics Championships in Doha, Qatar.

“The moment the race in Doha ended, I switched my mind to the Junior Olympic Cup. Isaiah and I vowed to take revenge from that regret in Japan! On the way back from Doha, in the plane and during transit time at the airport in Incheon, my laptop never switched off. This is because I made a detailed practice plan for Isaiah for Junior Olympic Cup.”

For a second, Kimura revealed that they were dreaming of a gold medal in the 100m butterfly after Aleksenko finished first in the preliminary round.

“In the prelims, Isaiah hit the top-ranking time and advanced to the finals. Second was Rento Touge (52.38) and third was Shouon Mitsunaga (52.68). Only Isaiah marked a cut of 52 seconds in the preliminary heats, but Touge and Mitsunaga were clearly saving their energy for the final. We know their potential is to cut 52 seconds.”

Kimura went on to say that Touge and Mitsunaga are top swimmers in Japan, so they swim at a 25m short course meet every week to gain experience in racing. On the other hand, Aleksenko has been practicing for six years on an island without an official swimming pool and only has race experience about twice a year.

“While Japanese top swimmers have experience in countless 25m short course races, the prelims was only Isaiah's second short course race experience in his life. The difference in racing experience was obvious. Therefore, we never had the luxury of saving strength for the finals, so Isaiah swam as fast as he could in the prelims. Japan's top junior athletes I guess didn't go to the beach to lose to an unknown swimmer who came from a small southern island with a population of 50,000,” he said.

April 23, 2024

Congratulations Rovin!

Very proud of Rovin! Had the honor of being his 8th grade social studies teacher! Keep up the good work, Rovin!

God bless you!

 

eggplants growing well

About a month ago germinated lots of eggplant seeds - about 150 long purple and about 30 black beauty.

So, it's been more than a month now. Actually ended up getting about 135 long purple sprouts and about 30 black beauty. Thank the Lord, they have all been growing well, with plenty of tropical sunshine, Rota mountain spring water, and love.

118 long purple seedlings are 100% organic - just sunshine, spring water and love. These are for a local farmer. The rest of the eggplant seedlings, including the black beauties have been getting fed Miracle Grow, and, Lord willing, will be planted in my garden.

The four green eggplant seedlings are very young, and hopefully will also go into my garden in another month.

Thanks for visiting and hope you enjoyed this post. Very glad to be gardening for Jesus.

my garden on Rota: 2024 cukes & stringbeans

 1st cucumbers for the new garden

Thank you for visiting the blog. Hope you enjoyed it. Want to thank God for giving awesome fruiting with the stringbean vines and the cucumber vines.

Jesus said something like, "I am the vine, and you are the branches. Stay connected with me and you will have lots of fruit. Without me, you can do nothing." Lord, help us to live in you.

my newest garden on Rota

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 6th garden since moving to the island of Rota almost 5 years ago. Would have to say it has already become my favorite. It consists of two parts - the frontyard garden (here), and the roof garden.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 The roof garden

Black Beauty & Long Purple Eggplant seedlings

Holiday greeting from Toku and I

Thanks for visiting our blog. This new garden is another, of many, new starts. The biggest, of course, is starting a new life with Jesus Christ. His love and mercy are new every morning. When he touches your heart, give in to him - you will never regret it.

new project at Man Amko Center

Cans from Luta Man Amko kitchen staff (to recycle), soil, and flower bush sprouts all from Luta Man Amko Center (Office on Aging) property.

Seedlings need to grow some, then we plant them on the south edge of the Rota Office on Aging property to make a tall, bushy hedge.

Each seedling will sprout into a small flower bush, which will eventually be part of a tall bushy flower hedge.

Still don't know the Chamarro word for this particular flower. One English name for this flower is, "Jungle Germanium."

Si yus masse for viewing our post. Bible Man Amko!

avocado thanksgiving

Growing up in a U.S. military family was always very interesting. We never lived anywhere longer than 3 years at a time, whether in the continental USA or overseas. 

Our family was always considered "big" by American standards - Mom and Dad and 6 kids. Wherever we lived, Mom always did things in eights - 8 terracotta Portugese roosters on the kitchen windowsill in the Azores, 8 big red Christmas personalized Christmas stockings hanging over the fireplace in Arlington, VA, etc.

Whichever State of the Union or whatever country we lived in, my Mom would always  have, at least, one avocado seed germinating in a wine glass, always placed in the kitchen window. In the 18 years living at home, never once saw any of her germinating avocado trees grow taller than one foot, or have any more than a few leaves.

More than a year and a half ago, a good friend, here on Rota, gave me a big bag of advocadoes from his farm. Held back 8 seeds, and set them up to germinate just like my Mom used to do. 

Put all 8 avocado seeds on the kitchen windowsill. That was one and a half years ago. Between then and now, only 4 of the original 8 seeds have survived.

Now it's the Thanksgiving and Christmas season - can't stop thinking about my Mom and Dad, both of whom passed away many years ago. So many fond memories.

 

Of the 4 surviving avocado trees, one has been doing so much better than the other three. So, today, the 24th in the Marianas, but Thanksgiving in the States, planted an avacodo tree in my front yard in honor of my Mom and Dad. I thank God for giving me such good parents, and will always remember them, love, and respect them, even in my old age.

My new puppy, Toku, was right there helping me plant the avocado tree. Toku gives a, "Bark, bark," as well as a full body, enthusiastic tail-wag to everyone who reads this post.

both sides of a cookie pop

Both sides of a cookie pop I just got at the Veterans Day Commemoration at Veterans' Beach, on this beautiful island, in the Mariana Islands. From all the people of Rota, "Thanks for your service!" goes out to all those who have served or are currently serving in the U.S.A. military - Si yus masse, and Salem-it bo! God bless you all!

all souls day

All Souls Day - Mariana Islands

the key to the missionary message

October 15th entry, taken from, "My Utmost for His Highest," by Oswald Chambers

war of kindness

The War of Kindness

A war which will never appear in the history books, nor will it ever be known in folklore. This war started about 53 years ago, in the United States of America. In actuality, it was not a physical military conflict between enemy nations – it was a spiritual war, of significant scale, between specific forces in the kingdom of darkness and the kingdom of light. It was only just recently concluded. Albeit,  no white flags were flown, nor were any peace conferences held to establish terms of truce or cease fire. Called a “war” primarily for its evergrowing scale and scope, over several generations. This particular war has spanned many countries, languages, and socio-economic stratum, from world leaders to the poorest of  beggars. Yes, an invisible war, not merely exisitng in people's minds, like some philosophical debate, but instead, an actual physical, mental, and emotional conflict of varying degrees of ferocity - with great pain (emotional and physical), betrayal, deception, death, damage, loss, and tremendous financial waste. 

At the very beginning, the first conflict started when a young man, 17 years old, was recruited into the kingdom of light, in Kansas City, Missouri, U.S.A. in 1970. Through various circumstances, and a childhood of maticulous preparation, the Lord of Hosts’ selection of this particular recrute seems to have provoked certain high level elements in the kingdom of darkness.
 

This War of Kindness, from it’s onset, comprised innumerable conflicts and battles, all of which raged on with great intensity. Many battles were lost, with many casualties, seen and unseen, deep and superficial. In most cases, no one even knew or understood that such a war was taking its toll - many, many wounded, with few recoveries. 

With the passage of time, and again, well orchestrated cirumstances, the Kingdom of Light, started to get the upperhand around 2015. The final, deciding conflict,  occurred almost one year ago, on a remote Pacific island, in the CNMI (a new U.S. island territory).
 

Although the enemy forces (darkness) will never acknowledge their loss or even existence of such a war, the Commander and Chief of the forces of light, has regained much lost territory, retrieved/regained the heart of many traitors, and restored countless assets for the Kingdom of Light.

  
Thousands and thousands of scurmishes, conflicts, and battles for the past ½ century, and, the enemy could never get over the  kindness, forgiveness, mercy, and purposed forgetfullness (all from the power of the Holy Spirit).  

The conclusion of the War of Kindness brought great clarity, from the Holy Spirit, for some who may have entered other, similar wars, that have yet to be won. Our Commander and Chief, Jesus Christ, the Lord of Hosts, strengthens our hands for battle against the powers of darkness. Our weapons are not physical, but quite powerful in the Holy Spirit. We musn't forget that God, Abba Father, fights our enemies.

Thank you for visiting the blog site, and reading this post. Hope you will look to Jesus Christ for the strength you need.

 

peacekeeper

 

Came across this beautiful iris on the internet - peacekeeper. Made me think about what had just happened this past month.

Last month, was compelled to quickly pull up roots, leave the jungle-farm, and follow the glory cloud back to the Village, south, my 7th move since relocating to this beautiful island, from Saipan, four and a half years ago.

While the landlord was off island, paid rent to the accountant of the farm. Last month we had a misunderstanding - my bad, thought the accountant  didn't want to accept my rent. Had nowhere or no one to turn (except the Lord of course). Had no one to accept my August rent. Actually, very fortunate and glad all this transpired as it did. 

One month has already passed. Renting a small furnished studio apartment in the Village now - this place is unbelievably perfect for Toku and I (only God can do things like this). Have a huge yard adjacent to the jungle, have 2nd floor cement patio areas overlooking the Rota West Port Marina, and the Island (a small mand-made island-park and fishing spot). Our yard has two huge mango trees, and at least three mature bananna trees, all under my care now. Jehovah has jired again!

The new landlord was my 1st landlord on Rota, 4 1/2 years ago. A copy of, "My Utmost for His HIghest," by Oswald Chambers (one of my favs), as a welcome gift, was left on a table in our new apartment.

So, every day for the past month, it's like, "How can I pay the August rent and utilities for the jungle-farm place, with no farm accountant and the landlord is off island?"

Several times yesterday, one thought just kept coming into my head, "Tomorrow, get the rent/utiltites-cash from the ATM, bring all the farm keys you were given, and ride your bike over to the landlord's house - be there at exactly 10:00 am."

Early this morning, first thing comes to mind - "10:00 am this morning, exactly." Rush, rush, rush, feed the dog, out the door, and cruising on the bike to the ATM. Timing  good so far - 10 am sharp, looked quite possible. Riding along at a good pace, couldn't stop asking God for His help to get the rent into the landlord's hands - still wasn't even sure if he had returned to Rota yet. Pulled the cash out of the ATM, looked at my watch - 9:59 am. Hopped back on the bike and was standing in front of the landlord's house at exactly 10:00 am. All the gates were locked, doors and windows shut, and several guard dogs were barking loudly their displeasure at this stranger standing too close to their house. Obviously, no one was home. But, just to be sure, I yelled out, loudly, several times, "Anybody home!?" Nothing, just dogs barking louder and louder.

Jumped on the bike, and was just about to start peddling back home with a pocket stuffed full of cash and keys, when I hear something from a restaurant, right across the road from the landlord's house - "Hey, Jerry!" Out walks this friend (who just happens to be the ad hoc manager for the farm, while the landlord is away). Hadn't seen him for awhile, so I was grinning ear to ear. Within a matter of minutes, my friend, the accountant, and I are huddled in the middle of the road, shaking hands, apologizing, explaining, counting out the cash, handing over the keys, etc.

What a misunderstanding - was so embarrassed but was super glad to acknowledge my stupid mistake, apologize, and get everything all straightened out. Happy people all around. Even more, much lighter without all the cash, those keys, and a renter's responsibilities.

Riding back home, kept thanking God and thinking of that friend - peacekeeper. 

toku & new place

Loved living on the jungle-farm, but after a short 5 months, had to move again. Again? Yes, the 7th time (ugh). Made a new friend, and she needed a different environment, as well as other reasons. Going to miss the jungle wildlife friends, except for the swarms of insects.

Before moving back to the south of the island, a good friend introduced me to Toku - she was very young, and needed a home. Soon found out, she was recovered by three young undergraduate biologists from the States, who are doing research on Rota. Toku seemed to have been abandoned at a very early age, left to forage on her own, in the jungle. Her condition was quite bad when they got her. They took it upon themselves to get her to a healthy condition. We don't have vetenary services on Rota, so how they actually saved this puppy, was quite remarkable. Toku has been with me now, about three weeks. Because of a friend, Kaye, and the three young biologists, Toku has been dewormed, had all her shots, had her claws trimmed, and seems to have made a full recovery.

At 11 weeks, when I first got her, she seemed a little lethargic, and not too hungry. After three weeks, after loads of help from the biologists and that friend, Toko has a good diet, pooping regularly, and always full of energy.

Special thanks to these three biologists for their unselfish care and dedication. They definitely know their stuff about puppies and dogs - they put a lot of love into Toku's little life.

Toku and I moved to our new place, in the Village, right above the West Dock, quite near to Wedding Cake Mountain.

 

To the North is the Village and Mount Sabana. Now we live on the south of Mount Sabana, in Liyo Village, which is right next to Songsong Village.

To the South is Wedding Cake Mountain, the southern most part of the island of Rota.

 

Just today the three biologists, with some new co-workers, came by to check on Toku. We all hung-out in the yard, under the mango trees, playing and talking about Toku's recovery and progress - nothing but smiles all around. You could tell that Toku loved every minute.

Turned out, the biologists not only love Toku, but had lots of useful, and even professional, advice on how to care for this new member of the Petway family, on Rota. Overall, they were all quite pleased with Toku's progress in the past three weeks. All along (in my head), I've been thanking God for them and Toku.

 

 

Thanks for visiting our blog. Hope you enjoyed it. 

If you need a friend, hope you will go to Jesus Christ. He will always be there for you and will never let you down. You will find he is the best friend you can ever know. He is the way, the truth, and the life (for reals, not just words, a religion, or a philosophy).

friend taking a bath

Living on this farm, in the middle of the jungle, already 5 months, now, and thanking the Lord for putting me back on the path of life, about 10 months. "Have decided, to follow Jesus, I have decided to follow Jesus. I have decided to follow Jesus. No turning back, no turning back."

The farm is in a cell-phone dead zone, except for one small place about 10 feet from my room/building. Set up a table and chair, out of the rain, to go on-line (order stuff from e-bay, FaceBook, on-line bank, make phone calls, etc.). Usually spend a little time at that table once or twice a day. 

Have made many friends here on the farm: geikos, fruitbats, and kingfishers. 

The geikos are ubiquitous in the Maraiana islands (as they are on Taiwan). While living in Taiwan, noticed the geikos would sing, short, but pleasant, melodic-type sounds at night and through the day. They live on the walls and ceilings - quite harmless, not scary at all. Here on Rota, they make more of a clicking sound. There are a few in my room/building. Glad to have them, to illiminate some of the bugs. They usually remain at a place on the wall or ceiling, stationary. When they do move, it's quite fast. Acutally seen them jump several feet, from one place to another. They have never been any bother, except for the poop they leave, usually on window seals. Take that back, once, after turning in for the night, a fairly large geiko plopped right on my face from either the ceiling or the air conditioner. Wasn't shocked or frightened - laughed to myself, because that gentle slap on the face was like a reminder for me to pray about something super important. One particular geiko, named Leonard, rarely crawls on the walls or ceiling for me to see. He rarely comes out from his hiding place. When he does, it's always the same path to the same window, lightening fast. The only reason he has a name is because he's so big (largest geiko I've ever observed). 

Walking up the dirt road to the farm from the main road, have already encountered two super large lizards (3-4 feet long). Some people call them, "monitors." Not agressive at all, except when it comes to stealing eggs from hen-houses. The moment they see me - quickly into the bushes or up a tree. Very beautiful looking. What a prize one of those would have made for one of my brothers, myself, or one of our cousins (when we were kids). The monitors are fast, but I'm sure we could have easily caught one.

Although they always keep their distance, the sanbar deer, all around the farm property, call out at all hours of the night, barking (mating calls) - not a nusance at all. Consider myself a friend to them - I'm totally not into hunting (no killer instinct here). 

While living at the very southern tip of Rota, at the foot of Wedding Cake Mountain, right near the seashore,  used to love to sit in the backyard, listen to the waves crashing on the rocks below, while counting and watching fruitbat overhead, flying north. Was told, there are two fruitbat colonies inside the grotto on Wedding Cake Mountain. Remember once counting 40 flying over my backyard, in a period of one hour.

At first, was afraid that fruitbats might not fly over this part of the island. Of recently, a pair of large fruitbats always fly directly over me (while I wave at them), here, at least two of three times a week. They are the number one gourmet delicacy in the Mariana Islands. The laws in the Mariana Islands are extremely strict to protect these awesome flying foxes.

                                                                                                

This morning, while checking FaceBook, a kingfisher (my favorite friend on the farm), landed on the edge of the water trough, and proceeded to take a bath. Love to watch how they dive into the water, then fly out, sit back on the edge of the water trough and shake off all the water, over, and over again. That kingfisher sees me here all the time, so must not have felt any threat - he or she let me take loads of pictures, from my table less than 10 feet away.

Hope you enjoyed this post about some of the wildlife where I'm living, on this beautiful island of Rota, in the Mariana Islands.

This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it.

refurbishing grow beds

After Covid-19 and a typhoon, the Man Amko Center (Rota Office on Aging) aquaponics project had to remain "on hold" for quite some time. The center's garden also was impacted.

On Rota, we don't like to waste anything. Fortunately, a couple key persons have been focusing their efforts and restoring the garden, refurbishing anything usable to cost affectively, organically, and  sustainably grow veggies at the Manako Center in Sinapalo.

While riding into the Village a couple weeks ago, bumped into an old friend from a few years ago (one of my gardening teachers). Was very honored to be invited to help out at the Manamko Center - primarily focusing on refurbishing veggy grow beds, and helping to set up a sustainable mulch system. Gladly accepted the opportunity to work with him and another former gardening teacher (always working in the garden, solo, on my own, recently, has been boring). Besides, the 3 of us can get lots more done than just 1 man alone - more people will benefit this way.

So glad to have a good bicycle to ride into the Village a couple times a week, to check the mail, go to the Medical Center, or buy groceries (been averaging at least 30 miles a week riding time - mostly on the road from the farm to Songsong Village). Had the bike almost 4 months now, and my life's back on track. Took almost a year to get a new bike - walking everywhere, hitchhiking, and getting rides from so many kind people here on Rota. Learned to be thankful to God for the exercise (for muscle groups unaffected by cycling for 8 years on Saipan and Rota). Also got over my fear and ability to walk long distances under the tropical sun. My friends tell me I've truly become an "islander". 

The new mountain bike was a significant answer to specific prayers, bringing to mind the Suzuki 1000cc motorcycle God blessed me with during my last few years in the States (in L.A.). Not only were the motorcycle and bike answers to very detailed and specific requests to the Lord, but far exceed my wildest expectations. Our Abba Father is just that way - He knows us very well, and knows how to make us happy.

Thanks for viewing the post - hope you enjoyed it. Hope you will also consider living your life for Jesus Christ, 100%. He will never let you down, and there's nothing like it in all the world.  🙂