Christmas & New Year Celebrations in Fiji

Celebrating Christmas in the summertime is a very interesting experience.  The sun is shining, people are playing in the water, and Santa and his "little helpers" (big fierce looking warriors) arrive by boat. It's a time of large extended family get togethers and there's  always lots of food. There are presents, but those are more of a sideline, rather than the main event.

Now New Year's Eve celebrations are a whole different thing!  It's normal for a party to begin at 6pm and end at 2, 3, or 4am.  On New Year's Day, the water fights begin.  It's a week-long celebration of people running through the village with buckets or bottles of water and water cannons to soak anyone and everyone. Good time to wash away the old year and start fresh.  It's a great time for the missionaries!  This year we'll not be watching the ball drop in Times Square or thinking, "It must be midnight somewhere, so we're justified in going to bed early,". That 'somewhere' is here, near the International Dateline. Tomorrow for you is today for us.  And I must say - it's a wonderful day!  Best wishes for a great 2016.

A New Language = Brow-ese

I've often bemoaned the fact that I'm unilingual. No matter how many times I study French or Spanish, it just doesn't seem to click. I figured that the foreign language switch in my brain was stuck in the permanent "off" position. That is, until now!

I am happy to report that I can now boast an understanding of a second language - actually, it's a third if you count Pig Latin.  Now that we've been in Fiji for a full six months, I have mastered Conversational Brow-ese!

In America when someone is speaking and you want to show that you're listening or agreeing, you smile, nod your head, and/or say something like, "Yeah" "Right" or "uh-huh". Here however, a slight, quick raising of the eyebrows speaks volumes.

If both brows go up and down once, it's "Yes, go on..." or, "I see your point."  (Go ahead, give it a try. You know you want to.).   If both brows are raised and lowered multiple times, the translation is, "Absolutely!"  or "Without a doubt!"  I must admit that my first conversation, when speaking with a man fluent in this interesting Fijian language, made me wonder what on earth was going on.  However now that I'm quite fluent in Brow-ese, I understand completely.  In fact, once you start doing this, it comes quite naturally.  Don't you agree?  Hey, I saw those eyebrows twitch.  Now you're well on your way to fluency!

Name That Tune

Each Sunday we attend church at a different Ward, Branch, or Unit throughout Fiji. It's a wonderful opportunity to meet good people, hug beautiful children, and share wonderful experiences and thoughts with some of the most Christ-like people I've ever known. Then after the Sacrament Meeting, we work with the bishops and financial clerks to provide them with a few tools to help them in their important responsibilities.

Now, being old and fairly stupid, I've not been able to learn any language besides English. Yup, Beginning French in Junior High, Beginning French in High School, and Beginning French in College. And for all of that, I can count to 10, recognize a few colors, and recite the days of the week...  Oh well, back to today. We were in a Fijian speaking ward, but I was prepared.  Although I did not understand what was being said, and my name was not announced (whew), I had my Sere Ni Lotu (Hymn Book) with me.  In addition, someone provided me months ago with a little cheat sheet so that, for example, when Hymn #40 was posted as the Opening Hymn, I could quickly refer to the sheet and immediately recognize the song to be sung.  Yes, I know that if I just opened the Sere Ni Lotu to #40 and looked at the music, I should be able to identify the hymn, right?  Big emphasis on the "should". Needless to say, my musical education is fairly lacking - but that's another story.  So I confidently looked at my cheat sheet and this is what I saw.

Yes, Hymn #40 is that old, beloved, well known Welch Hymn "Arglwydd, arwain trwy'r anialwch". Ummmm, I'm guessing that at this point, rather than diving into the study of Welch (and any other language we've borrowed hymns from) I had better bite the bullet and learn to read music!

Wheelchairs, Walkers, and Canes

Last week we had the opportunity to witness some of the good works happening with LDS Charities working with The Spinal Injury Association of Fiji.  Over 700 wheelchairs, built for a very rugged environment, plus hundreds of walkers and canes have been made available to those in need in Fiji.

At the handover ceremony were the Country Welfare Managers, Frank and Susan Stanford, the Area Seventy, Elder Johansson, the Permanent Secretary of Health and Medical Services, Dr. Meciusela Tuicakau, the Executive Officer of The Spinal Injury Association of Fiji, Joshko Wakaniyasi, and members of two stake presidencies, President Varea and President Cava.

The humanitarian organization, LDS Charities, focuses on self-reliance and partners with other organizations to serve all races, nationalities, and religions throughout the world.

To see Christ-like love in action is a wonderful thing!

Little Rachael

As Assistant Area Auditors for the Fiji Suva Mission, we travel around to a different church unit each week, working with bishops, branch presidents, and clerks.  We sincerely thank them for all they are doing, and leave them with tools to make their financial record keeping process easier.  It's a positive experience, the meetings are short, and we leave them with a bag of candy. What could be better?

Well, last Sunday as we walked into a church building, a little girl grabbed my hand and introduced herself as Rachael.  She tightly gripped my hand and told me that she was eight years old.  As she lead me into the chapel and sat very close to me, I looked around to try to spot her parents to make sure they didn't mind, however I couldn't tell to whom she might belong.  She told me that she liked school, especially English, and that she had no brothers or sisters, "just some cousins."  We sang the opening song together, pointing to each word and musical note. Then suddenly she looked up at me with her beautiful dark eyes and asked, "Is your mother dead?"  I hesitated for a moment, then replied, "Yes Rachael, she is."  She searched my face for a moment, then said, "I'm cold."  Although the room was warm, I immediately knew that she was asking me to hug her, as a mother would.

So there we sat, through the church meeting, hugging each other tightly - one small girl deeply missing her mother, and one big girl deeply missing her mother, and being grateful for the opportunity to love this little soul. At the end of the meeting, I found a small key fob and gave it to her.  She said, "I will remember you."  Rachael, your mother remembers you.  Your Heavenly Father remembers you.  And little Rachael, I will always remember you.  

Bilibili - HMS No Come Back

A bilibili is a traditional Fijian raft made up of bamboo lashed together and is steered with a long pole.  People use it to transport goods down the river.  As we were walking through a museum the other day we came to an amazing bilibili exhibit, and I immediately thought back to our time in Taveuni, where these little boys were floating down the river on their own bilibilis.

The bilibili has been christened, The HMS No Come Back because, you guessed it, once the goods have reached their destination downstream, it's easier to leave the bamboo there rather than carry it back up for the next journey.

In life, we each lash together whatever we can in the form of abilities, talents, hopes and dreams, to embark on this river ride we call life.  Sometimes it's calm and smooth and we can "go with the flow".  Other times, it seems to be one wild rapid after another.  However, our ride in life could not be called the HMS No Come Back. Ours is not a one-way journey, but a round trip voyage, returning to our heavenly home - with a few bumps and bruises, but with much more knowledge and appreciation for one another and our heavenly parents.  HMS All Come Back is more appropriate.

Indo-Fijian Fiji

What a fascinating place Fiji is!  It's a land of beautiful Fijian food, music, language, and dancing.  However, it's also a land of incredible Indian art, music, clothing, language, movies, and FOOD!
Between the years of 1879 and 1916, the British Colonial rulers set up recruiting stations in major cities in India and brought indentured laborers (with 5 year contracts) to work in the sugarcane fields of Fiji.  Others from India came later as free settlers.  As guests here, we get to enjoy the very best of both cultures.  What a great place to be!

Little girls waiting for the school bus.

 Sugarcane headed to the train, then the processing plant.

Art,

Architecture,

And Wisdom

Thoughts While Hiking To A Waterfall

A few weeks ago we had the opportunity to hike a long distance to a waterfall.  As we walked, it was also a perfect time to reflect on my journey through this life.  Each member of our group felt ready to start, with the right clothes, sunglasses, bug spray, good walking shoes, and sunscreen.  We felt quite confident and looked forward to an easy stroll to the sought after waterfall.  Our guide was barefoot and knew every inch of the trail by heart - every twist, turn, beauty and danger.  We did not. He exhibited a quiet confidence and earned our trust immediately, however we were each quite certain we could make this journey all on our own, thank you very much.

Our guide showed us lovely things along the way, told us what to eat and not eat, touch and not touch, where to step and what to avoid.  Every turn lead to a greater understanding of nature in this corner of the world. Sometimes the trail was wide and flat, other times it was quite narrow and dangerously steep.  At one point he had to hold us tightly as he stood in the river and we made our way across, trusting that he would not let us go.  When the trail was wide and flat it was easy to look around and enjoy nature, however when it became steep and narrow, I concentrated on each step I took. At one point there were some extremely high stairs.  With these I found that I needed to climb very slowly and rest in between each one.

Sometimes we were all together, but many times I found myself alone - unable to see anyone ahead or behind me, though I knew they were there.  I needed to keep going, knowing that the path lead to  where I wanted to be, holding tightly onto a rail at times, and being grateful that I could hear the voice of our guide at different points.  The trail ended at a specracular waterfall and we all agreed that it was certainly worth the climb. The main thing is that we were all there together.

Our guide to the waterfall was a kind, knowledgable villager.  Our guide in life is Jesus Christ.  It's easy to feel very self-confident when our path is flat and easily discernable. However, when the road becomes a challenge, our confidence fades and we quickly look for help. Christ has walked the path we are now on and knows perfectly our challenges and difficulties.  But more importantly, He knows the beauty and blessings of this life, and the inexplicable joy we will feel at the end of our journey on this earth.  That is, when we all return together, arm in arm, to our heavenly home.

I used to sum up my time on earth as "a low crawl through the barbed wire of life."  Now I see it more like my hike to the waterfall.

#wmpicturejoy

"He marked the path and led the way, and every point defines -
To light and life and endless day, where God's full presence shines."
Eliza R. Snow

A Sunday I'll Never Forget

Last Sunday we had the opportunity to visit the village of Naiburere and attend a Sacrament meeting there. We met in a home, made of tin, leaving our shoes at the entrance.  The small building was filled by the time the meeting started and, as we sat on woven mats on the floor, singing with the village saints, it was one of the most spiritual times of my life. It reminded me of what is really important in life - family, friends, life itself, and the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Sacrament meeting . 

Shoes left at the entrance.

The village chief joined the meeting along with her spokesperson. The Fijians sing all verses of each hymn in beautiful harmony.  Their kindness, Christ-like gentle nature, and humility remind me that I have a lot to learn. They are a beautiful people!

Elder Johansson, with the village  chief and her spokesman. 

Ferry Trip to Vanua Levu

Last week we jumped up at 3am and drove 2 hours to a dock in order to catch a ferry to the second largest island in Fiji - Vanua Levu.  It was a four and a half hour ride on the ferry boat which included cars, trucks, and bus loads of people.  We were wise enough to take a folding chair with us, so it was a relatively pain-free journey.  In order to get to our destination, Savusavu, we were told to "drive toward Labasa and then turn right when you find someone selling lemons."  We drove, as directed, through pine forests and in the distance could catch glimpses of ancient volcanic cones, shrouded in clouds and carpeted in deep shades of green. Then, just as we were told, there was a man at an intersection - selling lemons.  This was two hours later!

We drove for another hour , and we found ourselves in Savusavu - one of the most beautiful places we've ever been!

Volcanic cone in the clouds.

 We met some wonderful children at the Savusavu Branch and some amazing leaders from the Nabua Branch, Tukevesi Branch, plus district leaders and missionaries young and old.

A wonderful visit, but a very long journey. It's good to be "home" in Suva...

Hiking to a waterfall

On our 8 mile hike to a waterfall with Elder & Sister Vermeeren, we were delighted to meet little boys who had constructed bamboo boats and little folks very happy to show us their version of the peace  symbol.  Fresh coconut milk anyone?

Young boys with their bamboo rafts.

Elder & Sister Vermeeren

The peace symbol???

Taveuni Island - Audits and the International Dateline

One of the very best parts of our mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is the opportunity to travel (sometimes in a very small plane) to amazing places and meet strong yet humble leaders. We are training others, but also learning so much from the people of Fiji. This week we traveled to Taveuni Island to conduct three financial audits. We kept very busy, but did have a day to hike up to a beautiful waterfall with some new, dear friends - Elder & Sister Vermeeren.  As we've often thought, Fiji is so very close to heaven. People here have been known to say, "God created Fiji on one of his happiest days!"

18 seats - We all became close friends!

Somosomo Branch Chapel 

A date at the International Dateline!

Pretty close to heaven...

Visiting Navatuyaba Village, Fiji

Saturday we senior missionaries (appropriately named The Twilight Zone by the Fiji Suva Mission President), had the opportunity to visit Navatuyaba Village - a rare treat!  Bishop Savu of the Navatuyaba Ward was kind enough to invite us into the village and arranged a meeting with the Chief.

We got the chance to walk around the whole village, visit with village members and were entertained by a very energetic Primary choir!  One thing I've learned is that when Fijians sing, I usually cry...

Here's the Chief's house and another typical home in the village.
The elder Elders with Bishop Savu.

A new friend in NAVATUYABA Village.