December 19, 2009
Bula Vinaka, my friends!
No day is ever like the last one. These were Jessi’s words as
we huddled in the kitchen, safe from the pounding rain and wind. We
were working together to prepare breakfast. It was quite the
challenge to get around in the kitchen, due to all of the tables and
chairs that we moved in to protect from the slowly approaching ‘gale
force’ winds that Fiji weather forecasters had announced were coming.
We are to expect the worst weather tonight, although apparently the
eye of the storm will not come to close to our island.
Cyclone Mick seems to have changed directions, and is expected to
touch down on the mainland tonight. The news here is very difficult
to follow and not often updated. A far cry from the minute by minute
coverage in America!! We received a phone call from a nearby resort
manager, letting us know that the cyclone was coming. Internet checks
have been our only source of updates, but they are quite vague and
confusing.
One thing we are sure of is that we have never seen rain like
this before. The ‘backyard’ of the Mission has turned into a steadily
flowing river. The winds blew hard last night, and for some of the
day today. We started out our morning picking up debris, and fallen
palm branches. As the wind calmed and the rain subsided, more people
started to appear on the roads. Everyone seemed relaxed, and most
were prepared for something to happen, but not sure of when or what
was to come.
As the afternoon drew on, the rains picked up, the puddles grew into
rivers, and the fun was about to begin. As our children were having a
wonderful time, playing in the pond sized puddles, and taking turns
diving and sliding on the lawn, we saw some of the staff in the back
of the Mission, pulling out kayaks. Soon, the whole place was alive
with Kai Viti (Fijians) and Kai Valagi (white people), enjoying the
rain showers, and getting completely soaked. The Mission had become a
natural water world, with lazy rivers, and water slides to enjoy.
Fully clothed, and entirely drenched adults and children ended the
afternoon by throwing everyone in to the pool. It was hard to believe
that somewhere else in Fiji, destruction may be in the works.
As I sit in my bedroom tonight, I pray and hope, that the
powerful winds will dissipate, and leave the residents of Fiji to
sleep in peace. The sound of rain and wind grows louder and then
subsides over and over again. We are safe in the solid concrete
Mission Building, but many Fijians live in much more delicate homes.
The staff here at the clinic have told us they may come knocking
tonight to sleep on the floor of the Mission. Jon and Monique have
boarded up the windows, and secured their temporary home up on the
hill. It feels very much like a blizzard warning in Colorado, when
you don’t know what you’ll find when you look out the window in the
morning.
On another note, you never really know what to expect here. When
someone asks you how you are doing in Fiji, it is never really, ‘same
old, same old’. The last week has been full of more ups than downs.
Thanks for all those encouraging responses and prayers!
Here are just a few of our praises:
*We were invited to a celebration of a 21st birthday/graduation. The
family that owns the injured colt that Jessi has been caring for asked
if the girls would do music for the party. Words can’t describe what
a blessing it was to attend this celebration, and to meet this
precious family. They sent us home with the ‘tapa’, which is a Fijian
handicraft made for special occasions like weddings, etc. They also
sent us home with a container full of fresh beef from the fattened
calf which they slaughtered for this feast. We were invited to return
the next day for a church service, which was incredible. As Monique
commented, we came to Fiji to ‘give’, but we just keep receiving. Our
heavenly Father has filled our hearts to the brim.
*The children and I introduced the Vunikera to water balloons, and had
a lot of fun playing, singing and sharing Bible stories with the
children. It is such a blessing to have these little ones climb up on
your lap, and giggle with delight.
*We made a trip to town as a family, and enjoyed an American style
lunch ‘out on the town’. While we waited for our food, the children
enjoyed opening a care package from the states piled high with candy.
The Australian man at the next table wondered where the dental
package was to accompany the sweets☺
*We enjoyed the youth program that the girls have been a part of in
Savusavu. We have found a reasonably priced bure (tiny house) to stay
in, and the children watched their first cartoons since being in Fiji☺
It was the strangest experience being in town at night. EVERYTHING
shuts down at 5 pm. All the stores are boarded up with metal doors or
gates. Hardly anyone is out, and I could only find one little market
open til 8, along with a bread shop. A very different scene from
America, where many places are open 24 hours, and most stores until 9
or 10. It made me think about how we are so overworked and stressed
in America. If everything shut down at 5, and closed up for the
Sabbath as a day of worship, how much happier would we all be?
*We had about 25 young people show up for our first ‘youth’ night,
that the girls put together at Natuvu. It was quite hilarious watching
the Fijian youth play a very silly game called ‘oom cha’ with our
children. The young people seemed to really enjoy the time of games,
worship, and a brief message from Mike on dedicating their lives to
God.
December 19, 2009 The Continued Story☺
This morning I woke up to a beautiful day filled with brilliant
sunshine. Joy fills my heart, as I recall the events of the last
week. Cyclone Mick did not end up visiting our island in full force..
Unfortunately, other islands experienced flooding and severe damage,
but you all may know better than us the details. We are quite
isolated here from events that occur in distant places. No more 10 pm
news flashes of all the trouble in the world. Fortunately, God is
making history here in Fiji and we are getting to experience it
firsthand!
I started to tell you about the ‘youth’ night from last week. The
girls have named it ‘Generation Y’ or ‘Gen Y’ for short. This name
came from the Malaysian visitors, who visited us a while back, and
were on a prayer vigil for Fiji. God has spoken to them, and revealed
his plan to capture the hearts of the young people of Fiji, and set
their hearts on fire for his kingdom. Just like in America, the youth
here are much more interested in serving themselves, and having fun,
than serving their creator and fellow man. Last week, Mike spoke
about turning your plans over to the Lord, and seeing what amazing
things would happen.
This week, we were blown away by our Gen Y experience. We invited
the youth team that the girls have been joining up with in Savusavu to
come out ‘to the bush’ (as they call it), and join our team for the
youth night. We told them we were very excited about the 25 or so
people that had come, and were hoping for more this week. I don’t
know who was the most surprised when we has about 100 people show up!
Entire families came, along with many youth, and children,
representing at least 4 of the surrounding villages. The cafeteria,
where we set up the program, was packed!
My heart was full, as I watched the local people take in this very
unique night of worship. Our Savusavu friends accompanied our girls
in some familiar worship songs, with an added touch of drums and
electric guitar. They also shared the gospel thru traditional Fijian
music and hip hop dance. The night was beautiful, and God’s Spirit
touched many hearts. As our guest speaker, Pastor Clarke asked the
very attentive group to make a decision about what they wanted to live
for, and who they were going to serve, many people came forward to
give their lives to the King of the Universe. The angels were
rejoicing in heaven that night, along with our exuberant mission team.
We can hardly wait to see what else God has in store!
The children have been getting to meet people from different
cultures, and accents, while we are here. We have met people from
Germany, New Zealand, Australia, Norway, Italy. Malaysia, etc. When we
went to ‘Primal Youth’ last week, we met some wonderful people from
Australia. They came down to stay with us for Gen Y, with one of
their friends, and daughters. Little Laura Thompson asked Sadie,
“Where are they from?” Sadie replied, “Savusavu”. “No,” Laura
insisted, “the other girls” “Oh, those girls are from Australia!” “I
knew it, “Laura exclaimed, “I could tell because of their accidents!”
☺
Justin and Laura quickly won the hearts of our visitors. The
Savusavu group included 6 young Fijian men, who enjoyed playing with
the children, and giving them lollipops for their songs. Three of the
young men stayed in our boy’s bedroom, and I wasn’t sure how that
would go. I was delighted to see the older men treating our boys like
little brothers. As I was walking down the hallway saying my
goodnights, I heard the sound of men singing. What a sight to see the
men surrounding Justin’s bed singing him one beautiful Fijian lullaby
after another. The next time I peeked, Justin was sound asleep. I am
convinced that the angels must sound like Fijian singers☺
Other notes of praise:
*Becka’s boil was healed miraculously, her smile has returned and
everyone is feeling better.
*The sun has been out for 4 days, after a week of continuous rain.
*Jessi no longer runs from cockroaches. She saw one in our room the
other day, and had quite a ‘Fijian’ response. “A cockroach,” she
quietly mentioned, and proceeded to stomp on it, with only a pair of
flipflops on her feet. No more screams, and cowboy boot cockroach
hunting for her.
“We have really enjoyed the Fijian children being on school break. We
have many more visitors, who sometimes join us for school, but usually
enjoy playing marbles, riding bikes, and just playing.
*Mike is making steady progress on the house. The frame is coming
together, and his workers are reliable and willing to work long, hard
days when the sun is shining! Ben has been his reliable assistant, and
loves to work alongside his Dad, as well.
There is much more to say, but so little time. Vinaka vakalevu
(thank you very much) for all your prayers and notes of encouragement.
May the Lord bless you and keep you, and make his face shine upon
you, and give you peace.
Cheering you on!
Sara
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