March 14, 2010
Bula from Wet and Windy Fiji,
We have been on a wild ride, since I last wrote to you all. We
are still experiencing considerable amounts of the 'pure joy' I
described for you awhile back. As our families were very blessed to
head over to Rainbow Reef to recover from being sick, we found that
the journey had just begun. After spending a few relatively peaceful
days together, the Thompson's 10 year old daughter Margaret injured
her elbow. Mike and Jon were scheduled to leave Rainbow Reef and get
back to work building our houses, so Jon took Margaret for a check up
with the doctor. With recommendations for ibuprofen and ordering an
xray if there was no improvement, Margeret came back to RR to hang out
with the Moms and other kids. Jessi and Sadie were excited to be able
to stay at the MIssion with the Dads, to help out a visiting team of
college students from the states.
Nothing seemed to go as planned or hoped for, as Margaret's
pain increased and Monique's illness produced a severe and painful
rash. Both Monique and my computer completely crashed within a day of
each other. Back at the Mission, Sadie was diagnosed with fluid in
her lungs and sent to bed rest. Without filling you in on all the
details, things went from bad to worse, and the Thompsons had to fly
out to New Zealand with a critically ill Margaret for life saving
treatment. They had done all they could here, seeking the best
treatment Fiji had to offer, but it was not good enough. God was
gracious thru every detail, and worked many things out, so that they
got help in the nick of time. I stayed at RR caring for their 2
younger daughters (with help from one of our Fijian 'aunties'), and
Jessi took care of Sadie, while we prayed fervently for a miraculous
outcome. Monique recovered from her illness, and Margaret is now in
stable condition in a hospital in Auckland, NZ. Her injury resulted in
a serious staph infection, and she also came down with pneumonia.
They are praising God for her healing, but she still has a long
recovery ahead of her.
At the same time, our Becka has been dealing with recurrent ear
infections, that have not responded to normal treatment. While we
were at RR, she started to have severe pain again, and when we got
back to the MIssion, Dr. Annibal confirmed his earlier suspicions. He
had told us before that he was not sure what was going on with her
ears, because his normal course of drops/antibiotics were not
effective. He suspected a fungal infection, but had told us that we
may need to go see a specialist in AU or NZ to get it resolved. Dr.
Anibal is very good at what he does, and also knows when our
limitations here in Fiji require outside help.
After much prayer and talking with Monique's sister, Margie,
who is an ENT, in the states, we have made plans for Becka and I to
travel to AU for treatment. Margie was incredibly helpful, and told
us how to make a natural remedy for fungus, of vinegar and water,
which has eliminated Beck's pain. Thru all the trials, we have seen
God's hand. From helping the Thompsons with many divine
interventions, to providing us with the right advice, we have felt his
strength and presence thru it all. As we were debating whether to go
to NZ or AU, it came to mind that my step brother and his family, who
I have only met once, lived in AU. I thought they lived in Sydney,
but wasn't sure. After getting in touch with my Mom for their contact
info, and her talking to them, I have felt like I had a guardian angel
working out the process with me. Sean, my step brother and his wife,
have their own ENT, who they highly recommend. They were able to
schedule the appointment for Becka for me, and offered to pick us up
at the airport, let us stay with them and take us to the doctor. Many
times, Sean has closed his letters with, "Don't worry, we'll take care
of you!" Those words bring tears to my eyes now, as they feel like a
warm hug across the miles.
Words can not express what I am feeling at this moment. Back
in the states, I was always the 'strong' one. The one that other
people came to for help. Before our decision to come to Fiji, it was
our family who was a source of strength to many others. I love
serving people, and that is one of the biggest reasons we came to
Fiji. When it came to actually getting to Fiji, we ended up needing
lots of help with packing/moving/childcare, etc. and this help was
highly appreciated. Now that we are here, I am so humbled to have to
be the one 'in need'. Our goal in coming here was to serve, and we
have had many opportunities to do so.
Lately, however, we seem to always be on the 'weak' side. Back
in Colorado, we almost NEVER went to the doctor. We rarely got sick
with anything that needed extra care, and were able to give others
advice about how to stay well, eat well, and treat things with natural
remedies. Here in Fiji, we are facing so many new things for which we
have no answers. We have had more than our fair share of visits to
the doctor, and lots of loving care from our Fijian 'moms' and
'aunties'. It seems like the tropical, hot and humid environment,
combined with a drastic change in diet, have left us vulnerable. We
are no longer the ones with answers. Instead, we have lots of
questions!
Presently, the question is, when will Cyclone Tomas get here,
and how hard will it hit? I sit in my room with the wind blowing
hard, and heavy rains coming on and off. Palm branches litter the
ground, and coconuts plummet from the trees in increased numbers. We
have tied down and packed up everything possible, and now we wait and
we pray. It seems incomprehensible that another catastrophe is
impending, before we have caught our breath from the last one. As we
prayed and hoped for the best outcome for Margaret, it was clear that
no one could be themselves. Our Fijian friends were constantly asking
for updates, and some of the ladies were praying together every hour,
until the good news started coming. As the Thompson family realized
that they would be gone for a long time, their relatives made plans
for the remaining 3 daughters to travel to the states to be with
family, and for Sadie to get well. As the girls hugged us goodbye, I
fought back the tears. This was not how things were supposed to go.
Some people say that if we have faith, everything will be okay.
Nothing will go wrong. Some people say if we obey God, he will
protect us from all harm. I don't find this to be true. I know that
the scriptures talk about the great faith of people like Abel, who was
murdered by his brother. People of great faith were stoned, sawed in
two, they were destitute, persecuted and mistreated. Jesus, our
ultimate example of faith, was nailed to the cross. In no way do I
consider our families in the league of faith, of these great men of
the scriptures, but I do know that Jesus promised this: "In this
world, you will have trouble. But take heart, I have overcome the
world." He also said that the devil is a roaring lion who is looking
to devour us in whatever way he can. Jesus said that he would never
leave us nor forsake us. THis I know is true. He is good to us, all
the time. Faith is being sure of what we hope for, and certain of
what we do not see. I am sure of my Father in heaven, who will allow
nothing to happen to me that is not good for me. I am sure of my
Saviour, who is holding my hand, when the storms are raging around us.
I think of the story of the disciples in the boat, when the
storm came up, and Jesus was sleeping. They were terrified, and they
woke him up to save them. "Oh you of little faith", he said, "Why did
you doubt?" So, when I hear the rushing wind outside, and I see the
coconut trees bow down to its power, I rest safe in my Father's grip.
No matter what comes, he is good, and i can trust him.
We knew when we came to Fiji, that God was not sending us with
all the answers. We knew that he was sending us to serve. We knew he
was sending us to learn. We are learning to depend on him. That
nothing we do in our own strength will last. That in our weakness,
his strength is made perfect. That being humbled in such a way as to
need others is okay. We have seen the truth of ALL things working
together for the good of those who love him and are called according
to his purposes.
It is hard to believe that we have been here 6 months. In some
ways, it has flown by. In others, it feels like I have lived a
lifetime in Fiji. Shortly after we arrived here, we had some
visitors from Malaysia. They spoke to us some words that have rung
thru my head since they left. "Fiji is the beginning for you, and not
the end." We spent the first half of our live with all the creature
comforts and resources of being in the states. We are now being
stretched beyond all that we have ever experienced. We are learning
to see thru the Fijian's perspective. You do what you can, and don't
worry about the rest. Sega no leqa. May our new dependence on the
Father shape us more and more to be like his Son, Jesus.
The verse that I read yesterday in my morning devotions was a
huge encouragement to me. "But we have this treasure in jars of clay
to show that this all surpassing power is from God and not from us.
We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not
in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not
destroyed...for our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us
and eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not
on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary,
but what is unseen is eternal." 2 Cor. 4:7-9,17,18
Just so you don't think it has been all bad for us, I want to
make sure and share some highlights from the last several weeks:)
*We received a visit from our good friend, Jason Watts, and he brought
down loads of care packages from our friends in the states. He worked
hard with Mike on our roof, and plugged into lots of ministry
opportunities while here. What a blessing it was to get to speak
English to someone other than our group, about things that matter!!
(English as a second language makes it challenging for the Fijians to
have 'deep' conversations in English.)
*We have one of dear friends staying with us for a couple months form
the states, also. Hannah is one of Bailee's friends, but like a sister
to all the kids. She has been a breath of fresh air, and a source of
smiles, while all the discouraging things were happening. Her
artificial French accent, and her silly ways have shaken things up,
especially since all the Thompsons are gone.
*The care and concern of our new Fijian friends, and our old friends
have been a source of strength and joy for us.
*Many acts of service and kindness and prayers have made us feel
incredibly loved.
*Everyone is healthy in our family right now:) All of the kids are
staying positive and taking one day at a time. Jessi, especially,
demonstrated a tremendous servant's heart during the many challenges.
All the children had to work together with Moms sick, and I was so
blessed by the team effort.
*Mike and I have had incredible people working for us on our house, in
the kitchen, etc. We are so blessed by the hard working, dependable
and amazing people we've met.
*We have all of our needs met, and over the top of that, many extra
blessings from friends, like hot chocolate, spaghetti sauce, new
socks, laffy taffy and more!!!
*We have seen many opportunities to pray more than ever, and seen many
specific answers to prayer. Hallelujah.
*I love my Fijian homeschool students. and they have fit right in with
our kids, as well as making school a lot more fun (if not a bit more
challenging to get everyone focused).
In closing, I want to thank you for all the personal email
responses I have received from you. And a big thank you to those who
have sent gifts. With my computer down at RR and no internet, I have
not been able to keep up with responses. Most moments on the computer
have been to check on Margaret in AU, book tickets and appts. for
Becka ,and track Cyclone Tomas.
The plan right now is for me to travel to AU with Becka this
coming Thursday, the 18th of March, and return on March 25th. The
cyclone may disrupt these plans, however. Please be praying for God's
will to be accomplished. Of course, our desire is that the Cyclone
diminish completely. The news keeps changing, but the latest was that
it has slowed down, and targeted to hit our area tomorrow. It has
been downgraded to a Cat. 2 from Cat. 4 so this is awesome. Our homes
are in a delicate stage of building and high winds can be devastating.
Not to mention, more importantly, all the Fijians make shift shacks
they live in. Last night, the news said a cyclone this bad hasn't hit
since 1972. We are not fearful for our lives, as we are staying in a
solid, concrete building. Mostly, the concern is for damage to
homes,and injuries to people from things blowing in the winds when
houses go down, as well as trees, etc. All emergency services are
activated throughout Fiji.
We desire to be a light to everyone here in the storm. I have
recently read all the amazing things that God is doing in Haiti, since
the earthquake. Revival is breaking out, and many people have forsaken
the occult to worship the one, true God.
As God shook up Mike's life back in the states to get his attention,
so natural disasters tend to get people's attention. Sometimes people
forget that they need God, and build up a fortress around their
hearts. The lyrics to a song that we love, express this thought very
well.
"I have built a city here.
Half with pride, half with fear.
If destruction's what I need.
I'll receive it Lord from thee.
I need you like a hurricane.
Thunder, crashing wind and rain.
Tear these walls down.
I'm only yours now."
In the past, I often prayed, "Whatever it takes, God, to make
me fully yours, I want it. Whatever it takes God, for Mike and my
children to fully know you, do it." Some people said that was a
foolish prayer. But it is still the prayer of my heart. Ultimately,
the only thing that matters is your relationship with God. Many
things can jump in to your life, and take his rightful place as number
1. When the storms rage, we can try to fix things on our own, but
God, in his mercy will stretch us. He delights to be the love of our
life. The fortress that we run to.
Whether you are walking on the road that is plentiful, or you
are found in the desert place, may your heart rest in your creator,
and may the cry of your lips sing with me:
Blessed Be HIs Name!
All my love,
Sara
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