Guam...the cliffnotes.

Tomorrow is a big day here on the island of Guam. There'll be a big parade, pretty much everyone has the day off, and it's all to celebrate a great day in our nation's history....liberation day! During WWII, the Japanese occupied this island from late 1941 until July 21, 1944 when the Americans invaded and liberated the island. I have spoken with many locals who were small children at the time, and they truly went through some pretty horrible times under Japanese rule. It's really interesting living on base surrounded by former battlefields and rich war history.
There's a whole lot more to this island and the people than war history though. After almost a year of living here, I wanted to summarize our experience on the tiny island in the pacific. Guam has about 140,000 people who live mostly in small villages scattered around the island. There is no real "downtown", and the villages are usually rather simple. No freeway, wal-mart or circuit city stores here, few American chain restaurants, just simple markets and shops. There is a main tourist area called Tumon Bay, sort of the Waikeekee beach of Guam. At the north tip of the island sits the Air Force Base, and our Navy base lies 1/2 way down the west coast. In fact, about a mile from our home is the westernmost tip of Guam, which is also the westernmost tip of the whole USA. The island has many thick jungles and warm, clear water great for snorkeling and scuba diving. The year has a wet and dry season, about 6 months each, and they earn their names!
The people here are great. They have their faults, but overall they are a very kind, friendly, patient people who seem to enjoy having us (meaning the military and just Stateside americans in general) living here. In fact just today a local patient of mine brought a huge bag of avacados and mangos fresh from his tree into the clinic. They are a giving people. They also serve in the miliatary at quite a high rate, in fact I treat local famlies all the time who have a husband/father deployed. They know how to make great food, their BBQ and fish is outstanding. They have some really neat traditions, like night spear-fishing, which locals in our branch have invited us to participate in more than once. They are a laid back people which can sometimes test our patience, but I think that's been a good thing. There are less flattering things here too. Alcoholism and unemployment is rampant here, especially among the male population. Teen pregnancy is also a big problem, and it's not uncommon to see a woman in her late 20's with 4 or so kids with 4 different men who never married. I don't know how many times i've seen a female patient in clinic who is my age and has a 16 yr old child. If there was ever evidence that government welfare programs do more harm than good....it's here. They have govt. subsidized housing here called Ghura housing, which is obviously income dependent. The more you make, the more rent you pay. Many residents there make no effort at all to find a job cause that would mean the food stamps and free housing go away. And to get an idea how many are on food stamps, just try going by a grocery store at the start of the month....mind boggling. Many of the youth grow up here learning that living off the government is just the way it is, so the cycle is not likely to be broken soon. I don't mean to imply they're a lazy society. As a whole they are hard working people who love their families and seem to find great joy in life.
The church has 3 branches here. Talisay has alot of great people. It's been a great experience even if we have a little heavier calling load than the average ward in the states (although a cake walk compared to Virginia Beach). We have also made some great friends. The Copelands are practically family, and the Bunch's, Casons, and Monsons have been a blessing in our lives. We have really enjoyed our time here and look forward to the next 2 years.
(visit the family blogsite for pictures/details.)