2014 - Palau Part I

As part of the assignment as an AP, Eric and Elder Gubler had the opportunity to visit Palau. Eric recorded flying off Guam in the tiny island hopper. They were airborne, then down again:

   Flag of Palau
History of Palau
Palau, officially the Republic of Palau, is an island country located in the western Pacific Ocean. It is geographically part of the larger island group of Micronesia. The country's population of around 21,000 is spread across 250 islands forming the western chain of the Caroline Islands. The most populous island is Koror.
Timeline 
The country was originally settled around 3,000 years ago by migrants from the Philippines. The islands were first visited by Europeans in the 18th century, and have been a part of the Spanish East Indies in 1885, sold to Imperial Germany in 1899, conquered by the Imperial Japanese Navy during World War I, fought over in World War II, made a part of the United States-governed Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands in 1947, voted against joining the Federated States of Micronesia in 1979, and gained full sovereignty in 1994.

See how beautiful and green Palau is as the Missionaries get their first glimpse of the island:

 And drive across a bridge that connects a large expanse of water:

There are only two Elder companionships on Palau, so APs went on splits with the Elders and the Zone Leaders on Tuesday and Wednesday. On Thursday and Friday they were able to see a couple sights. Unfortunately, most of the beauty of Palau lies underwater and Missionaries are not allowed to go into the ocean except to baptize.

There was only a small Branch on Palau, but the people were wonderful and faithful. Everyone there speaks English, but some of the older locals can still speak Palauan. English is taught in all the schools.

The Missionaries were able to have lunch at a local place

Enjoyed the local scenery and residents.

They had an opportunity to visit many different homes from the prosperous

to the humble.