Au Sega Ni Kila

June 23, 2010

 

Au sega ni kila.  “I don’t know.”  This is Ben’s common answer to questions lately, if he doesn’t know the answer.  Where are the matches and where are the lanterns seem to be two common questions asked of Ben.  He is our supervisor of lighting, and mosquito coils right now.  When the sun is setting, everyone wants to know where Ben is and how long til we have light again  

 

Ben seems to be the quickest at picking up the Fijian language in our home.  Along with Jordan, our current house guest, who has been avidly studying the language, just for the sake of learning, while he is visiting Fiji for one month.  Jessi gets the most practice speaking Fijian in the clinic, but we are all picking up more and more each week.  Vinnie, our language teacher, has been very patient with us, and doesn’t seem to mind that it takes us awhile to catch on.  Fijian is a very different language than English—in some ways, simpler, and in others, much more complex.  There are at least 8 ways to say, ‘we’, depending on if the ‘we’ refers to 2, 3 or more people, and if the ‘we’ includes the person being spoken to.  If you were telling someone, ‘we are leaving’, it would be a different word than, ‘we are having dinner now’.  Oh, for a fresh brain with not so much data already entered!! 

 

Of course, Justin and Nathan have developed the needed vocabulary for all the games they play with the Fijian kids.  Not too mention some not so polite words that young ones pick up and repeat to the amusement of our Fijian friends.   I still remember when Margaret Thompson meant to say excuse me, to an elderly woman, and she accidentally told her to ‘be quiet!’  Amazing the difference in meaning from ‘ti lo’ and ‘ti kolo’  I am sure we have made many more embarrassing statements than that, but no one told us!

 

The most common Fijian greeting is ‘bula’, which means hello, but can also mean ‘life’ or ‘bless you’.  Good morning is ‘yadra’.  If you add ‘vinaka’ on to either word it makes it a ‘warm hello’ or ‘warm good morning’.  The word ‘moce’ means good bye, but can also mean goodnight, or sleep.  You would think that ‘moce vinaka’ would mean a warm or friendly goodbye.  However, I just learned that it means, ‘sleep well’.  I wonder if in saying goodbye to someone, I ever said ‘sleep well’  I guess that is better than other mistakes I am sure to have made.  Most of the time, I fall back to English, in fear of making mistakes, but I realize I won’t learn if I don’t try.

 

It seems like making mistakes is a big part of learning in every area of life.  Whoever coined the motto, ‘if at first you don’t succeed, try, try again’ was certainly a wise one!  In this journey of life, where we continually fall down, I am thankful for a God of grace, who never fails to pick me up.  When I don’t have the answers to the questions of life, I can go to the one who gives me strength and wisdom for each day.

 

The last couple of weeks have offered some challenges that seemed insurmountable.  From misunderstandings, to increased difficulty seeming to mount in our home school and home building, discouragement was setting in.  However, the more time spent in prayer and seeking the lord’s will, the more peace and joy have returned.

 

As I spent time with Becka this morning, we were doing a lesson on the quality of ‘joy’.  As we discussed the fact that God promises that all things work together for good for his children, we realized that this means ALL things.  The good things, the bad things, the easy things and the hard things.  ALL things!  The apostle Paul reminds us to give thanks in ALL things.  In the story for our lesson on joy, the young man reminded his ‘grumpy’ sister about the thankfulness machine.  His point was that whenever something seems like a negative in your life, you can turn it around to be something to be thankful for. 

 

It wasn’t difficult for Becka to point out the ‘negative’ in her life.  Little brothers who can be annoying, of course, and even worse—math!  So, we got to talk about why she can thank God for those 2 things  When you are thanking god for something, it is difficult to stay negative.  I don’t know if it is just me, but it seems whenever I am trying to build character in my children, the words hit home for me, just the same.  I, too, must choose to thank God for the hard times.  

 

What is the other saying that I’ve heard?   What doesn’t kill us can only make us stronger  Interestingly enough, there has been an email circulating about destruction that was to come to Fiji on this very day, June 23.  Reactions to this so -called prophecy varied from mocking amusement to outright terror.  A certain Fijian man sent out an email, which was forwarded to us, along with most of Fiji, and all over the world.  The ‘coconut wire’ was ablaze as people discussed whether this declaration of doom would come true.  The email said that ‘catastrophic events’ would surely come to Fiji in the form of natural disasters like we’ve never seen.  

 

Yesterday, we received a text reminding us not to panic, but to be prepared.  Coincidentally, yesterday we went to town to stock up on groceries. No worries there  This morning, we awoke to a bright sunny day, and no sign of disaster.  Of course, that is probably what the folks said the day that God sent the flood in Noah’s time!  Truthfully, we weren’t worried, and as the hour of doom—2:30 pm—passed by uneventfully, we all joked about feeling the earthquake and checked the sea for the threat of tsunami.  Yet, all was quiet.  Rumor has it now that the author of the email is facing his own personal storm.  Apparently, tourism is down in Fiji, and the news reporters are blaming this email for keeping travellers away.  Supposedly, this man could be in serious trouble with the law.  I don’t know how much of that is true, but I will say this, ‘never a dull moment in Fiji!’

 

Highlights of this month have been worship sessions with Jordan, who used to play on the praise team with Jessi at our church in the states,  fellowship with fellow Christians who came to visit us from Malaysia,  attending the ‘sports fun day’ with our local school kids, and watching them play rugby and netball, and Mike’s being able to purchase us a truck on the main island.  Bailee and Mike spent a full week looking for an affordable twin cab truck, that will be reliable for the rocky dirt roads we travel regularly.  Bailee enjoyed her time with Dad in the ‘big city’, and entering urban civilization for the first time in 9 months.  She did admit that you can get sick of McDonald's food very quickly.  Four visits in 5 days was more than enough for Bailee:)

 

We have already put the truck to good use, in many ways.  With hardly anyone owning vehicles in our area, the requests for rides came quite frequently, at first.  Beginning when we were using our friend’s truck, we had to limit rides to emergency situations.  One morning, a woman came to my door with a ‘kere kere’.  (a big favor)  She needed a ride for her and her friends to get to the next village with baked goods for a town meeting.  I told her I could only give rides for emergencies, and her response was, ‘this is an emergency…we were supposed to be there an hour ago!’  I had to give her credit for her logic, and made the group of ladies very happy for the transport, but from then on, I’ve had to tell people, ‘medical emergencies only’.  I would love to be able to give rides to each person who asks, but truly, I would never get out of my car.  If you say yes to one favor, you have to say yes to all, and it isn’t fair to show favoritism.  It is a huge blessing to have a truck, and most days we pick up several people on the way wherever we are going.  We have been able to help people with true emergencies, as well, and we are looking forward to being able to visit villages that we haven’t been able to visit by walking. 

 

This week, I will be helping at the local school, as the children in class 8 prepare for exams.  Their teacher has been unable to complete the term, and they have been combined with younger classes over the last few weeks.  Pray for me, as I seek to help them master the necessary skills for exams, and pray for them as their families make decisions for their future.  Once again, I am reminded of how young the students are when they head off to boarding school.  A great joy this week has been receiving news that one student we got to know and help over summer break placed 2nd in his class in exams.  After several suspensions, expulsions and nearly failing out, this young man made a full turn around in his life this year that makes us so happy we came to Fiji, even if it was just for him!

 

July 6, 2010

 

I had every intention of completing, and sending out the last update shortly after I started it.  However, time seems to slip away from me here, and it has been a couple weeks before I could find time in front of the computer again:-)

 

This last week was action packed, as we had our first ‘mission family’ come to visit us and serve in Fiji.  We had met the Odells 6 years ago, when Jessi first gave their 3 year old daughter horse rides in our riding arena.  Never did we imagine that 6 years after meeting, we would have the privilege of working together to bring the message of the gospel to the people of Fiji.  We had an incredible time serving together in some local villages, with VBS and sports programs, as well as doing our first outreach program to a local secondary school.  Our first volleyball tournament at the Mission was a huge success, and brought men and women of all ages, and from several villages together to play on common ground. Becka, especially was blessed by the companionship of Jasmine, the Odell’s daughter.  The 2 were inseparable from the time they arrived, and it was a sad goodbye this morning, as these dear friends headed back to Colorado.  Thank you, Odells, for letting God use you to bless Fiji and our family!!

 

Jon Thompson has arrived back in Fiji, along with their 2 oldest daughters, Sadie and Mary Sue.  It has been bittersweet getting to spend time with them as they reunite with many friends, and try to pack up items they need back in the states, and dispense with the items they don’t need.  Sweet to get to spend time with them, but bitter, knowing that they will be leaving soon.  How I long for the days of no more goodbyes!  

 

The Fijians sing a beautiful goodbye song to the many guests that come and go.  “If we never meet again this side of heaven, we will meet on that beautiful shore.” Tears often flow freely as people leave part of their hearts in Fiji, no matter how short of a time they stay.  When I asked the Odells about their ‘favorite’ part of Fiji, Bart answered that it had to be ‘the people’.  Until you meet the people of Fiji, you may not understand.  But their is something about their beautiful smiles, and abundance of kindness that wins your love without effort.  To feel the children’s trusting hands clinging to mine brings joy to my heart.  When you drive down the street, and pass by the same people you see every day, everyone waves and smiles like they haven’t seen you in a month.  We missed this aspect of relationship in our larger towns and busy lives in America.

 

Another medical team has come to the MIssion, and it never ceases to amaze me the number of people that come from far and wide to see the specialists.  They come by bus and boat and wait all day to see the doctor. Yet few complain, and most people walk away happy and helped.  From a pair of eye glasses, to miraculous surgery, no act of service seems unappreciated.  What a blessing to be able to offer hope for the hurting in the middle of the jungle on a tiny island in the South Pacific! Thank you to all those who make such a great sacrifice to come to Fiji to use your skills and gifts to benefit others who don’t have much to offer in return.

Fiji has been so much to us.  A paradise, and a testing place.  A home, and a strange land.  Peaceful, yet turbulent. A source of tears and laughter. Fiji is far from perfect, and Fijians have their struggles just like the rest of us.  We praise God that he has allowed us the time here to serve, and to be shaped by all the experiences that have come our way.  The good times and the hard times all work together to make us who we are.  Recently, a friend sent this poem to me, and it really spoke to my heart.  I want to share it with you, in hopes that it will lighten your path, as well...

 

 

 

My life is but a weaving between my God and me

 I cannot choose the colors He worketh steadily

 Ofttimes He weaveth sorrow, and I, in foolish pride

 Forget He sees the upper, and I the underside

 Not til the loom is silent and the shuttle cease to fly

 Shall God unroll the canvas and explain the reason why.

 The dark threads are as needful in the weaver's skillful hand

 As the threads of gold and silver in the pattern He has planned.

 -Author Unknown

May you find joy in the journey.

Blessings,

Sara

 

I wanted to close this letter, but feel the need to include one more beautiful prayer sent by a friend to Mike, this last week...

O Christ our Lord, Thou has been our dwelling place in all generations. As conies to their rock, so have we run to Thee for safety; as birds from their wanderings, so have we flown to Thee for peace. Chance and change are busy in our little world of nature and men, but in Thee we find no variableness nor shadow of turning. We rest in Thee without fear or doubt and face our tomorrows without anxiety. Amen.

 

July 14, 2010

Over a week has gone by, and I still haven't gotten this letter out!  Sorry to those of you who I told it was coming soon!  Soon is relative, I guess:)  Before I press 'send', I have to fill you in on the last few exciting happenings here in Fiji.  As I type, I listen to the rustling of our rat population, which we took down by 2 last night.  Our traps have been unsuccessful in catching these pesky rodents for the last few weeks, but last night we had some success.  Tonight we have enlisted the help of a neighbor's cat, as we seek to exterminate the lastest enemy.  Fijian kids enjoy a traditional game called 'cats and rats', where everyone tries to help protect the 'rat', from the 'cat', who is it.  I have to side with the cats, however. Oh, for a thousand cats to go hunting tonight!

 

Continuing on, I will relate some exciting stories from this past week.  After saying goodbye to the Jordan, the Thompsons, the MNC medical team, and the Odells, we got to say hello to another friend, Kristine, and also welcome a couple of ER doctors, and their daughter, as well as a team of over 20 people that are serving with the Dream Machine Foundation.  As we were enjoying meeting some new friends and visiting with old ones, and making plans for visits to villages, outreaches, etc., I had settled into bed, and was fast asleep by 9 pm. last Thursday night. Suddenly, Jessi came into my room, and excitedly told me that one of our friends was in labor, and needed a ride to the hospital!  We quickly found Mike, and he got ready to take me to pick up Vinnie, our friend and Fijian language teacher.  After a quick 10 minute or so drive, we found Vinnie in the middle of a contraction, and found out that her water had already broken.  As we waiting for her family to get her things together, I timed her contractions, and knew that there was no way she was going to make it the 4 hour drive to the hospital, where she planned to have the baby.  After speaking to our Mission's nurse, we agreed that the MIssion was not set up to deliver babies or give proper care to the infant, so our best bet was to take Vinnie to the local health care center that did her prenatal care, in hopes that they would allow her deliver there.  Rumor had it that they would not keep her overnight, but tell her to head to the larger hospital, which was a long and bumpy drive away.

 

This was not what Mike had in mind, as one of his great fears was to have me not make it to the hospital when I was pregnant.  Now we were looking at delivering a baby out in the bush of Fiji!  All of a sudden, Mike realized that we had 2 ER doctors staying at the Mission!  We quickly called back Nani, our nurse, to see if she thought they would like to accompany us on this 'labor of love'.  She told us to go check with them, so we turned the car around, and and headed back to the Mission.  After arriving, it took a few minutes of loud pounding on the door to wake them from their much needed sleep.  After learning about the young lady in labor, they were excited to put their 'ER' skills into action.  We quickly got Vinnie set up for an exam, and they determined that there was no way she would make it to the distant hospital.  The baby promised to make its arrival within the next couple hours.  Nani advised us to go to Tukavesi, where they were set up for overnight care.  All of us jumped in the truck, and ambulance driver Mike got us to the health care center in record time.  Vinnie's contractions were coming closer and closer, and I wasn't sure she would make it, but thankfully, the baby was patient in coming.

 

After arriving at the Tukavesi Health Care Center, Dr. Heather and Dr. Andy met up with an amazing Fijian Doctor, who was on duty that night.  The 3 of them worked together to get Vinnie comfortable, and joked about who would deliver the baby..."Do you want to deliver it?  I don't know, do you?  Well, how many have you delivered?  Oh, about 6, I guess:)  Well, it's up to you!"  As we overheard the conversation, it sounded like they were deciding who was going to drive the car..."Here, you drive tonight...okay, honey, here's the keys!"  It was an incredible night, and as we all waited and prayed outside, the docs took turns with quick naps, and finding supplies until about midnight, when Dr. Heather proudly announced, 'We have a baby!'  A healthy little boy delivered by the American husband and wife team.  Now, that doesn't happen every day!  To top off the whole experience, we were invited by this lovely Fijian family to a 'feast' in honor of our family and the doctors, and we were told that the precious baby boy is being named 'Mike-Andy', after the guys who had a part in bringing him into the world.  What a special 'first' experience for all of us!  

 

The ER docs experience was just getting started, and they got to enjoy some great 4 wheelin' medical outreaches to a couple of local villages, which ended with another trip to the Tukavesi Health Care Center, with the chief of one of the villages, for an emergency visit.  Once again, our truck came in as a life saver, as Ratu Manoa passed out, and could not regain a healthy heart rate, as the docs monitored him.  We took him and his wife to Tukavesi, with the doctors watching over him, and getting him set up with IV fluids and rest.  Looks like these visiting doctors got to treat more than fungal infections and your typical Fijian ailments...and we are considering purchasing a flashing red light for the roof of our truck for future outings.  :-)

 

Looking forward to seeing the whole Farley family again, for some more island adventures!!  As well as the DMF group, who was able to work as a multigenerational team, serving the local children, doing medical clinics, and a construction project all in one week.  We were told they were able to rebuild a community center that may have taken 10 years to save up for the resources to rebuild from the last cyclone.  Thanks to all of you, for giving of your time, energy and resources to bless the people of Fiji.  We got to enjoy many bumpy roads and conversations together, and we'll look forward to the next time:)  Most people, when they leave Fiji, are already planning their next trip down.  If any of you are considering a visit, we'll leave the light on for you:)  Or I should say, lantern.

 

Our home is progressing, slowly but surely, and needless to say, it will feel like a castle when we get to move in.  I will miss living in this community, but I will love having a steady supply of water, and screens on my windows.  But for now, I say 'moce vinaka' as I continue my evening 'under the mosquito net'.