May 19, 2010
As the lantern flickers at my side, it is the only source of light except for the glow from my computer. After a busy week full of late nights, the whole family has settled in to bed by 8:15. And I get a moment of silence to reflect on the events of the last few weeks. It has been of season of great joy and solemn remembrance. Good news and disappointment. A time to rejoice in the one that does not change with the seasons.
I will start with the good news! Two miracles and a tiny baby:) In my last update I shared with you that a dear friend of ours in Fiji was diagnosed with breast cancer, and she was scheduled to have a double mastectomy. After much prayer, our friend had no peace about going forward with the surgery. She had been prayed over, and prayed for by so many people, she believed that God had healed her. To make a long and glorious story somewhat brief, our friends went to the doctor and told them they wanted more tests done to make sure the cancer was still there, and the treatment was still necessary. The doctors were cooperative, and called in for another test and opinion. When the results came in, the doctors were dumbfounded. The cancer was gone, and the operation cancelled. They still want to do follow up exams on our friend, due to the confusion, but we are not confused. The same Jesus that walked the earth and healed the blind and weak is alive and well today. All glory to Him for allowing our precious friend to continue to bless people with the story of her healing, and the power of our Father in heaven.
The second miracle is the simple story of my Mother’s Day gift from my Heavenly Father. I went over to the MIssion to check my email and Facebook that morning and saw some incredible posts from a friend who has spent the last year wandering from her faith and family. My heart burst with joy to hear from her family that this prodigal friend had returned home and given her heart back to God and her family. I cannot tell you the number of tears I cried and prayers I prayed for this friend, and how amazing it is to see the power of God thru prayer and perseverance. Don’t give up praying for the people in your life who are struggling. God is eager to answer those prayers, and mighty to save. His timing is not always what we like, but when we pray in accordance with his will, he answers! He does not prevent all the pain, but he does use everything for good for those who love him and are called according to his purposes.
In addition to these major miracles, came one miracle that we have grown to take for granted. A new life has been gifted to one of the daughters of our dear Fijian friends. To all of those who know Siwa and Vika, you can now call them Kuku and Nau (Grandpa and Grandma). The little guy, born to Mareta and Sam, has become Dr. Anibal’s namesake...Anibal Kamek, known as Kam for short. It is nearly impossible to believe that my children started out that small. We look forward to all loving on this ‘small brother’ as he grows up amongst such an incredible community. We pass by their home every day to shouts of ‘Bula’ from whoever is sitting on the veranda. ‘Come eat!’ is another standard greeting, and is just another way of saying, ‘come in and talk with us!‘ Fijians never seem to be in a hurry, and make people the priority of their lives. We need more front porches in America, where we can sip lemonade together, and share each others joys and sorrows:)
The Mission at Natuvu has officially experienced its busiest month ever. Dr. Laurie Nelson arrived with a team of 26 Pepperdine University students right about the same time as the Tooma family (founders of the Mission), in addition to a Cataract surgery team of 6, followed by a general surgeon, plastic surgeon and our first anesthesiologist! A whirlwind of activity has been the norm for the last couple weeks and blessings have abounded as all the kinks have been getting worked out.
The students have gotten to observe and assist with all sorts of surgeries and procedures. Blind people have received their sight, cleft lips repaired, rotten teeth have been pulled, internal organs attended to, and so on. They have gotten to help out in the local school, and on service projects, as well as have many fun adventures. We have been blessed by the energy and enthusiasm of the young people and their leaders, and the time and talents of the doctors and their teams. The Fijian people have so much to return to the visitors from America, and no one leaves here it seems without receiving more than they give.
On the disappointing side of things, we received word from the Thompson family that they will not be returning to Fiji. They have been instructed by their doctors that Margaret’s health would be at serious risk, if they were to come back. Her body and immune system need at least 6-12 months to recover, and she needs to have close access to the best health care. Unfortunately, that means the Thompsons have decided to plant their roots, once again, in Fort Collins. We understand and support their decision, of course, but their presence will be missed in Fiji. Keep them in your prayers as they seek God’s will for employment, housing, etc. They know that God used their time in Fiji for good, and know that his faithfulness in saving Margaret’s life will continue as he helps them establish their lives once again in the states.
Fiji is definitely a country with an environment that brings challenges to our health. Mike has struggled to keep weight on, fungus seems relentless, and every cut needs to be monitored closely. We have to chuckle as we see the Pepperdine students, who have been here for a couple weeks, now covered in bandaids, and complaining of different ailments they never had in the states. Changes in climate, and different bacteria, and different diet, etc. make first aid a whole new ball game!
We were sad to see Bailee’s close friend, Hannah, leave us after a visit of 2 months. She was already like a sister in the states, but going thru so much wild and crazy life experience together made her even more so. She won the hearts of many of our Fijian friends, and the house was packed for her going away party the night before she left. Tears were flowing all around, as our friends sang a good bye song for Hannah. “If we never meet again, this side of heaven, we will meet on that glorious shore...” We hope Hannah will get to come back and see her new friends, before the day when we meet in heaven by the river of life:)
The last couple weeks have been a mixture of laughter and mourning for the nearby villages. All of the secondary (high school) children are home for a 2 week holiday, so we really have enjoyed spending time with many of them. We have one of the young men staying with us on his break, and he has truly become like a brother to our children. As Nathan calls Mika his ‘brother from another mother’, he has become a regular fixture at our house. We love to have him and many of the youth around, as they keep laughter abundant, life interesting, and because we know when they are with us, they aren’t getting in to trouble, like many of the youth in the villages. Jobs are almost non existent, so drinking kava and smoking is a common activity for most.
We hosted our first Generation Y , since that last school break, and were delighted to have a great turn out. How amazing it is to get to praise the Saviour and share the hope and vision with young people that have the world in front of them. The Pepperdine students hosted another Gen Y this last week, and had a blast planning and leading out in the worship and speaking, as well as in dance and special items. The locals were so blessed by their energy and creativity throughout the evening!
We will be sad to see the Fijian students leave us again for 3 months, but I have realized that the time flies by like the wink of an eye. Time is such a funny thing. Sometimes it feels like a minute takes an hour to pass, and at other times, a month is gone in what feels like an afternoon. I have really thought lately about how precious each day is.
We all know that each day could be our last, and that any one of us could get hit by a car, contract an illness, or even get struck by lightning. But we don’t really think any of those things will happen. We all think that we have plenty of time left on this earth, and plenty of time to get our lives in order. But the truth is, we are mortal and only are kept alive by the grace of God.
Five people have been buried in the last two weeks within just a short distance from us. A newborn baby that was born prematurely, and underdeveloped. A young man of 24, who died within 2 weeks of developing just a ‘bad headache’, which turned out to be meningitis. And 3 adults, one in their 40’s, one in their 60’s, and just one, who died of old age. Another friend (a 14 year old boy) from Romania nearly died, when he came to close to an electrical wire, which literally set his body on fire. A miracle that he lived. A boy just the week before, died from accidentally touching the same wire.
The funeral bells ( which are actually drums) sound solemnly. At the graveside, Mothers and Fathers wail hauntingly. Emotions are not hidden, and it was hard for me not to cry out, as I felt the pain of these parents who lost their 24 year old son before his time. It could have been any one of us. It makes no difference where you are born, or how you live. Pain and loss are a part of life. I do not personally know any of the families, who lost their loved ones. But I know what it feels like to lose someone close to you. I lost a brother, age 23, when I was 15 years old. The pain was sharp and constant for a long time. As time passed, holidays and special places would resurrect those old feelings, but eventually I could think of him without aching inside. My prayer for these hurting people is that they would feel the comfort of the Saviour. He is the one who can hold our hand, and heal our hearts unlike any person can.
What about you? Has it been a season on rejoicing, or a time of discouragement? Spring in America brings graduations, weddings, and births! Many people are making plans for the future. Some are just trying to survive. Whatever the day brings, don’t forget to that many are the plans of man, but the Lord determines his steps. Don’t forget to dedicate each day to your creator. In doing so, you will find his peace thru the highs and the lows.
In Fiji, we are experiencing cooler nights, and less humidity than the summer time here. We laugh as the visitors complain about the heat! Our bodies have adapted to getting cold when the temps hit 70*. May you all have a blessed change of seasons, and don’t take for granted your air conditioners this summer!
Cheering you on!
Sara
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