Am teaching a lesson on dating tonight. It wasn't going well. As of last night I had no lesson. Today Scott and I were talking about what I could do. One of his suggestions led to an idea. I went to our bishop and our stake president who work here in the Service Center. I asked them about their concerns for the YSA in their care. Minus the accent it could have been any bishop or stake president in the U.S.
Does this sound familiar? YSA are hanging out instead of dating. They want to have their education finished and a good job before they start to seriously look. They are waiting way too long to get married. They lack faith in marriage. One of the men said, "They need to be more spiritually minded." I asked what their advice would be and I was surprised when both said that a young man and woman should go on two dates and then head for the temple (alone) to pray about marrying that person. Two dates? I thought about it and realized that Heavenly Father knew the heart of the one praying and the one prayed about and He could say what was right and it would be right. Simple. Why do we complicate things? Why do we lack faith--either faith in Heavenly Father or faith in our ability to hear Him. It reminds me of the scripture that says something about lean not unto thine own understanding. (close?)
We found the gecko again! We put him/her out again! (3X) This time Scott tossed him across the fence into the neighbor's yard. We have a bet. Scott thinks he/she will be back in a week. I say we will see him/her before this week is over. Stay tuned.
One good thing about the gecko is that it is creating a wonderful conversation with Tori and Ammon--especially Ammon who thinks having a gecko in the house a wonderful thing. Boys!
It has rained so hard the last three days that I can't write on my lined paper. It is too soft and damp. Really. Even my Book of Mormon tore this morning when I was underlining a passage. Got to stop using a pencil or a pen. My bath towel was still damp this morning when I showered. Hopefully it will stop raining enough to let everything dry out.
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
July 24
We had the best news this morning. Scott and I were getting a little discouraged. We have been here one months and although much cleaning and moving has been done at the institute the go-ahead for the basement renovation and to wire the upstairs for internet had not been given. Everyone kept saying they were checking their budgets. If there was no money we would have to wait till January for anything to happen. January? That is 1/3 of our mission gone and still no real institute. HOWEVER Heavenly Father has answered our fervent prayers. Today we got word twice from two different sources that that there was budget enough for the internet and for the renovation. The internet should be in within two weeks, and the renovation will begin soon whatever that means. But we can move ahead. We have our first real Institute Council meeting set for next week to plan the grand opening. We are so grateful. Heavenly Father has blessed us.
Scott got another referral yesterday while I was having my hair cut. No wait! Hair sheared right off. Anyway he thought I would be a while so he got his shoes shined. In Suva there are a million, OK that is an exaggeration, a thousand, men sitting on the sidewalk with a little shoe shining kit hoping to make a living. One shoe shining man (young) called him Elder Tennis, so he stopped and then agreed to have his shoes shined. The kid told him he had a friend that was LDS (who is on a mission now in Hawaii). Scott ask if he had read the Book of Mormon and when he replied that he had not. Scott ask him is he would like to read it, and when he said he would, Scott got his name, address, and phone number. He will give it to the APs. That's two. Not bad.
Almost all of the active LDS kids, both men and women, serve missions. They do it for a host of personal reasons, I am sure, but many serve because it opens educational and thus economic doors for them. It is practically impossible to get a PEF loan if one has not served a mission, and getting into BYU-H on I-work is impossible without a mission.
Robert, our son, got on us during our last phone conversation, because we are not working on our Fijian. My excuse to him was that even when we speak to the members in what little Fijian we know they always reply in English. "How can I learn if they won't speak Fijian to me?" I complained. He reminded me that it was important to learn all the Fijian I could. The conversation we had has been bugging me. Scott and I have spoken about it several times. Bless Scott's heart. This morning he told me he knew what we had to do. Let's hire Sukanika to tutor us. So today we hired her to tutor us until she leaves on her mission the end of October. We will have a one hour a day lesson until she leaves. I am hoping by then we will be able to hold simple conversations, bear our testimonies, and say a prayer in Fijian.
Scott got another referral yesterday while I was having my hair cut. No wait! Hair sheared right off. Anyway he thought I would be a while so he got his shoes shined. In Suva there are a million, OK that is an exaggeration, a thousand, men sitting on the sidewalk with a little shoe shining kit hoping to make a living. One shoe shining man (young) called him Elder Tennis, so he stopped and then agreed to have his shoes shined. The kid told him he had a friend that was LDS (who is on a mission now in Hawaii). Scott ask if he had read the Book of Mormon and when he replied that he had not. Scott ask him is he would like to read it, and when he said he would, Scott got his name, address, and phone number. He will give it to the APs. That's two. Not bad.
Almost all of the active LDS kids, both men and women, serve missions. They do it for a host of personal reasons, I am sure, but many serve because it opens educational and thus economic doors for them. It is practically impossible to get a PEF loan if one has not served a mission, and getting into BYU-H on I-work is impossible without a mission.
Robert, our son, got on us during our last phone conversation, because we are not working on our Fijian. My excuse to him was that even when we speak to the members in what little Fijian we know they always reply in English. "How can I learn if they won't speak Fijian to me?" I complained. He reminded me that it was important to learn all the Fijian I could. The conversation we had has been bugging me. Scott and I have spoken about it several times. Bless Scott's heart. This morning he told me he knew what we had to do. Let's hire Sukanika to tutor us. So today we hired her to tutor us until she leaves on her mission the end of October. We will have a one hour a day lesson until she leaves. I am hoping by then we will be able to hold simple conversations, bear our testimonies, and say a prayer in Fijian.
Saturday, July 21, 2012
July 21
Hurrah I am finally caught up!
Had a lazy morning. We laid in bed planning until 7:30. Then I washed. I have a funny story about the washing machine. Remember when I said that our machine started to make noises when it was turned off and the electrical switch was off? Well, the landlady had a repairman come in to see what the deal was. He took the machine apart and while he was off getting a part, the cleaning lady and I heard the noise again. We went in to investigate. There was the washing machine laying in pieces all over the floor. She was perplexed. I was amazed. Then the landlady's mother came in and listened. She said that the noise was the solar water heater on the roof over, you guessed it, our laundry/bathroom. The noise happens when anyone is using the hot water. Both the cleaning lady and I laughed until tears came. I don't think the landlady's mother thought it was very funny. I do have to say that my washing machine is working much better. It doesn't sound like it is going to expire every time it changes cycles. We have bought a little gift for the landlady and her mother.
Spent some time today at the seawall just outside of town. It has rained off and on all day, but for a while it cleared so we sat and watched a rugby match at the national rugby stadium (I love watching rugby almost as much as I love American football) and then we walked along the wall. It is so lovely to be here. I am waiting for some kind of hard adjustment to happen. So far it just has not.
Tomorrow they are splitting the ward. It will become one Fijian speaking and one English speaking ward. People in the ward can choose which they want to attend. The boundaries will not change. I can understand wanting to worship in my native language. It will be interesting.
Had a lazy morning. We laid in bed planning until 7:30. Then I washed. I have a funny story about the washing machine. Remember when I said that our machine started to make noises when it was turned off and the electrical switch was off? Well, the landlady had a repairman come in to see what the deal was. He took the machine apart and while he was off getting a part, the cleaning lady and I heard the noise again. We went in to investigate. There was the washing machine laying in pieces all over the floor. She was perplexed. I was amazed. Then the landlady's mother came in and listened. She said that the noise was the solar water heater on the roof over, you guessed it, our laundry/bathroom. The noise happens when anyone is using the hot water. Both the cleaning lady and I laughed until tears came. I don't think the landlady's mother thought it was very funny. I do have to say that my washing machine is working much better. It doesn't sound like it is going to expire every time it changes cycles. We have bought a little gift for the landlady and her mother.
Spent some time today at the seawall just outside of town. It has rained off and on all day, but for a while it cleared so we sat and watched a rugby match at the national rugby stadium (I love watching rugby almost as much as I love American football) and then we walked along the wall. It is so lovely to be here. I am waiting for some kind of hard adjustment to happen. So far it just has not.
Tomorrow they are splitting the ward. It will become one Fijian speaking and one English speaking ward. People in the ward can choose which they want to attend. The boundaries will not change. I can understand wanting to worship in my native language. It will be interesting.
July 20
We still have our friend the gecko living with us. We have chased him all over the house. He has made me jump so many times that I have begun announcing myself every time I enter a room. I just call out, "Hello, little friend. I am coming in. Hide before I can see you." He has been most cooperative lately.
Spent the whole day downtown getting stuff. It takes so long because the shops are not like our shops. We have to go from shop to shop looking for whatever it is we want. One can't go to a grocery store and get everything.
It was crowded. I don't know why, but it was. We have a little man that allows the missionaries to park for less than others, but he is a ways away from the stores we want. It costs us $2F and that was for five hours.
We ended up at the market (farmers market). Bought lovely tomatoes, cucumbers, 1/2 watermelon, bananas, apples (.40@ for very small ones), lettuce.
Just outside the market is where one finds the flowers. A beautiful medium sized arrangement costs $10 to $15.
Spent the whole day downtown getting stuff. It takes so long because the shops are not like our shops. We have to go from shop to shop looking for whatever it is we want. One can't go to a grocery store and get everything.
It was crowded. I don't know why, but it was. We have a little man that allows the missionaries to park for less than others, but he is a ways away from the stores we want. It costs us $2F and that was for five hours.
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| One of many city buses. There are no windows in any of them, just the green plastic that can be lowered in a blowing rain. |
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| Just one stall in the market. |
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| Bananas, Chinese cabbage or Bok Choy |
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| Women selling outside the market. The big tuber is dalo or taro. |
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| Just looking is wonderful |
When the flowers the little flower girl sold us are gone, we are going to buy an arrangement. Scott just loves having fresh flowers in the house and at these prices who can resist.
July 16-19
A long week. Spent it running around trying to find prices for our wish list for the institute. Adding new things to the wish list, and getting things so I can cook meals. Hurrah for a new hand mixer, and a small frying pan that is not peeling teflon. I bought cookie sheets (1/2 sheet cake size) that do not fit inside the oven (BOO). I can't imagine how long it is going to take me to bake a batch of cookies if I can only bake 6 cookies at a time. I am praying that the cost of fixing my oven (door, and coils) will be so expensive that I can get a new larger one.
Food here isn't cheap especially stuff Americans want. We paid $15.80F for a kg of stew meat and I nearly died, until I figured out a kg is just over 2 pounds. 2/3 of $16.00F divided by 2 = $5.44 more or less and that is not a horrible price just not good. All meat is expensive, but the veggies and fruit we buy at the market are not.
Went to the temple on Thursday at 4. The session was full. Two of our YSAs were there and can help when needed in the temple. The members are so honored to be in the temple that they take their shoes off at the door. Dumb us, we didn't notice until we were on the way out. Everyone was bare foot but us. There are actually two chairs between the front door and the inner door to sit on.
There are more youth here from the US doing HEFY. This time the Suva Stake is hosting them. I actually met a classmate of my niece Lindsey. Small world.
Food here isn't cheap especially stuff Americans want. We paid $15.80F for a kg of stew meat and I nearly died, until I figured out a kg is just over 2 pounds. 2/3 of $16.00F divided by 2 = $5.44 more or less and that is not a horrible price just not good. All meat is expensive, but the veggies and fruit we buy at the market are not.
Went to the temple on Thursday at 4. The session was full. Two of our YSAs were there and can help when needed in the temple. The members are so honored to be in the temple that they take their shoes off at the door. Dumb us, we didn't notice until we were on the way out. Everyone was bare foot but us. There are actually two chairs between the front door and the inner door to sit on.
There are more youth here from the US doing HEFY. This time the Suva Stake is hosting them. I actually met a classmate of my niece Lindsey. Small world.
July 15
Last night as we were pulling into the flat, the sisters were walking by. We invited them in and had a lovely visit. They were returning from a stake mission open house. They said there were over 200 people there.
The sisters are both from India. As we were talking I asked them what their chances were of marrying in the church. Both told me that parents still arrange marriages in India and that that would be a problem for them as their parents are not LDS.
I copied the following from my email to the kids.
After we had eaten in Denarau we were walking along (Scott was on his way to watch a rugby match on the TV behind the bar in the restaurant) when I heard. 'Hey, badge! What's with the badge?" I turned to see about 8 men and two woman sitting at a long table. One was waving at me. I walked over and asked if he was talking to me. "Yup" I want to know what the badge is all about?" Well he couldn't read my mission badge because it is in Fijian. So I told him that I was a representative (notice I didn't say missionary which is what I generally say) for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. "Oh," one of the guys said, "Your church was started in my state, NY." I explained to the rest of them that we are sometimes called Mormons and asked if they had heard of us. They all had; they knew we were polygamists. "Not any more," was my reply. "Deny, Deny. I have seen Big Love." said one guy. I looked him right in the eye and said, "My church (then I named it again) hasn't practiced polygamy since the 1800s. Those people on Big Love are not members of "The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints." Well we talked for about 10 minutes, laughing and exchanging information. They brought up polygamy two more times and then I finally said, "Help me out here, guys. When ever someone says that my church still practices polygamy will you correct them and use me as your source." They said they would. As our conversation was winding down, one guy said, "We don't belong to a church; we are in the sinners club." I replied, "Well when that gets old and you truly want to be happy, find someone with this (tapping it) badge. They will help you." They all wished me well for my 18 months in Fiji. Nice to have an opportunity to change some misinformation. So much for blending in.
The sisters are both from India. As we were talking I asked them what their chances were of marrying in the church. Both told me that parents still arrange marriages in India and that that would be a problem for them as their parents are not LDS.
I copied the following from my email to the kids.
In the MTC the security guy who spent 3 hours teaching us (senior couples) how to be safe kept saying, "You will never blend in. Never. Whether you serve in the US or abroad; you will never ever blend in." Well we have had some experiences this week that testifies to the truth of what he said.
After we had eaten in Denarau we were walking along (Scott was on his way to watch a rugby match on the TV behind the bar in the restaurant) when I heard. 'Hey, badge! What's with the badge?" I turned to see about 8 men and two woman sitting at a long table. One was waving at me. I walked over and asked if he was talking to me. "Yup" I want to know what the badge is all about?" Well he couldn't read my mission badge because it is in Fijian. So I told him that I was a representative (notice I didn't say missionary which is what I generally say) for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. "Oh," one of the guys said, "Your church was started in my state, NY." I explained to the rest of them that we are sometimes called Mormons and asked if they had heard of us. They all had; they knew we were polygamists. "Not any more," was my reply. "Deny, Deny. I have seen Big Love." said one guy. I looked him right in the eye and said, "My church (then I named it again) hasn't practiced polygamy since the 1800s. Those people on Big Love are not members of "The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints." Well we talked for about 10 minutes, laughing and exchanging information. They brought up polygamy two more times and then I finally said, "Help me out here, guys. When ever someone says that my church still practices polygamy will you correct them and use me as your source." They said they would. As our conversation was winding down, one guy said, "We don't belong to a church; we are in the sinners club." I replied, "Well when that gets old and you truly want to be happy, find someone with this (tapping it) badge. They will help you." They all wished me well for my 18 months in Fiji. Nice to have an opportunity to change some misinformation. So much for blending in.
On Sunday we went back to the resort, so Scott could take pictures. I sat in the car as we were illegally parked. He was gone a long time and when he came back he said that he had been stopped by a Hindu lady that say his tag. It seems her husband let her be baptized with the stipulation that she could not/ would not try to convert the children. Her oldest in now 18 and coming to Suva in January for university and she wondered if he could connect her daughter with the Young Adults in Suva when she gets here. "Yup! We surely can." We have the phone number of the mother and will keep track of developments. No blending in here.
So today we were looking all over Suva for a road map of the city. We finally ended up in a book shop that used to have them, but no longer do. The clerk who helped us looked at our badges and said, "I know who you are. I have read your book.......(thinking)......"
Three times in three days of not blending in has made us really aware of where we are, how we are acting, and how we treat those around us. Sometimes not blending in is a good thing.
Life is going well for us. One last story. Scott and I were sitting in the living room last week studying when we heard this awful humming sound. Loud. I followed it into the bathroom and discovered it was the washing machine. It wasn't on. It was plugged in, but here in Fiji each electrical outlet has a switch that allows electricity to flow or not. The switch was in the off position and yet the machine was making an awful racket. I opened the door. Nothing. Switched the power on and off. Nothing. Shook the machine. Still nothing. It finally just stopped humming. Well it happened twice yesterday and once this morning. Gremlins in the machine I am sure. Kind of spooky!!!!
Life is good here. Three weeks in the mission field and we have our first referral, the institute is cleaned out, we have desks and air conditioning, a wish list that someone in Auckland is going to laugh at and then hack way down, and a dream of what the institute can be. Life is good.
Friday, July 20, 2012
July 15
Slept through Sacrament Meeting. I don't generally do that and can not tell why I am so tired all the time. The pieces I heard were good.
Spent the day driving. First we went to Lautoka, just so we could say we had. On the way there we passed this cute train and took pictures. In fact, this train followed us to Lautoka which has a huge sugar factory.
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| Sugar Cane Train |
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| There were 30 to 40 cars of these bundles of sugar cane on the train |
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| OK I need a haircut!!! I am showing how small the train and bundles were. |
We got on a back road looking for an Orchid Farm and picked up an Elderly lady that was walking along the dirt road. She just hopped right in. When we asked her if she knew about the Church she said she did, but because her English was not good or our ears weren't hearing passed her accent, we could not understand why she knew about us. We drove her to a church and let her off. Nice to be of service.
We visited a Hindu temple that is on the main road into Nadi. One can not wear shoes inside the temple grounds, and we could not take pictures inside the temple which is what we really wanted to do, because there are so many murals. In fact, there isn't a flat surface that isn't covers by murals telling what I assume is stories from the Hindu religion. Lots of statues of elephants, elephants heads with human bodies, etc. inside little worship kiosks. We watched as a family went through the worship service. Outside the largest kiosk were two monks reading. When the family approached with trays of food, one monk stood up and walked into the kiosk with the family. Only those who are Hindu worshippers are allowed inside the kiosks. The monk began to chant, rang bells, and did something with the incense that were burning then he left. The family left part of the food, and came out with ashes on their foreheads. They continues to worship by facing the opening of the kiosk bowing and then laying prostrate on the ground. All did it in turn. We left when they moved onto other kiosks. Interesting. I wish I had read the chapter on Hinduism in the Religions of the Worlds book the Church puts out.
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| Main Entrance to the Nadi Hindu Temple |
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| Details on the Main Entrance |
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| Outside Worship Kiosk |
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| These horses were walking across a bay. I wasn't fast enough to capture them swimming which they were doing just before this. |
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| A double rainbow on the way home from Nadi. (the other rainbow is on the right of the bright one) |
July 14
Went to dinner last night at Tikos. It is a ship tied to the wharf. As one eats, the ship rocks. The food was good, the company even better.
A senior couple, the Thornes, was here from Kiribati. He needed medical attention. They were staying in temple housing. He was the superintendent of schools in whatever district is in Richfield. Listening to them, I have decided that I live in a really modern place. Look at Kiribati on the map. The main island on which they live is long and very narrow. The narrowest place is just 10 meters from water to water. There is only one road, and everything has to be shipped in--everything. They are the I-TEP couple there. They had a great attitude about it, bless their hearts.
Met with Bro. Smith for the last time yesterday morning. He was very worried about getting back to NZ. It seems Pacific Air (Fijian) canceled his flight from Suva to Nadi. The next flight out gave him just 30 minutes to get through customs and onto the plane. He would never make it. As we were sitting listening to him wrangle with Pacific Air, his eyes lit up and he ended the call. "Want to go to Nadi?" he asked. "Of, course!" was our reply. And so after we had finished institute inservice this morning, we hopped into the car and drove the 31/2 hours to Nadi. I must confess after the first hour of bumpy roads, I fell asleep until we were just outside of Nadi when Scott hit the biggest pot hole in Fiji.
The terrain changes greatly between Suva and Nadi. Suva is definitely lush and green. It rains almost every day here. As one travels from Suva west to Nadi the terrain gets drier and drier. In fact, by half way around the landscape looks like Southern California--hills covered with greenish yellow grasses and pine trees which are pretty scraggly. Someone told they are ponderosa, but I am skeptical.
We got Brother Smith to Nadi airport about 4pm and decided to go out to a resort island called Denarau. It is pretty posh. A building lot runs $690,000F. Each lot has its own boat ramp and the boats that were docked there were yachts. We went to the shopping center on the island looking for something to eat. We ate on the wharf and watched the sun set. All in all a very nice day.
We stayed at the Mecure a hotel that Pres. Sefeti recommended. We opted to upgrade to the deluxe room, because I wasn't sure about Fiji standards. We were ticked when we found out we had paid $45F more for a shower that doubled as a very shallow tub, and about 2 extra feet in the room Won't do that again.
Pres. Sefeti gave the best inservice lesson and I don't want to forget it. In it he emphasized that what matters is what we are becoming. Becoming is everything. If we become what we should then with the Savior's help we will be made perfect. Becoming.
A senior couple, the Thornes, was here from Kiribati. He needed medical attention. They were staying in temple housing. He was the superintendent of schools in whatever district is in Richfield. Listening to them, I have decided that I live in a really modern place. Look at Kiribati on the map. The main island on which they live is long and very narrow. The narrowest place is just 10 meters from water to water. There is only one road, and everything has to be shipped in--everything. They are the I-TEP couple there. They had a great attitude about it, bless their hearts.
Met with Bro. Smith for the last time yesterday morning. He was very worried about getting back to NZ. It seems Pacific Air (Fijian) canceled his flight from Suva to Nadi. The next flight out gave him just 30 minutes to get through customs and onto the plane. He would never make it. As we were sitting listening to him wrangle with Pacific Air, his eyes lit up and he ended the call. "Want to go to Nadi?" he asked. "Of, course!" was our reply. And so after we had finished institute inservice this morning, we hopped into the car and drove the 31/2 hours to Nadi. I must confess after the first hour of bumpy roads, I fell asleep until we were just outside of Nadi when Scott hit the biggest pot hole in Fiji.
The terrain changes greatly between Suva and Nadi. Suva is definitely lush and green. It rains almost every day here. As one travels from Suva west to Nadi the terrain gets drier and drier. In fact, by half way around the landscape looks like Southern California--hills covered with greenish yellow grasses and pine trees which are pretty scraggly. Someone told they are ponderosa, but I am skeptical.
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| The terrain on the way to Nadi |
We stayed at the Mecure a hotel that Pres. Sefeti recommended. We opted to upgrade to the deluxe room, because I wasn't sure about Fiji standards. We were ticked when we found out we had paid $45F more for a shower that doubled as a very shallow tub, and about 2 extra feet in the room Won't do that again.
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| The Wharf at Denarau Island Resort |
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| We watched this ferry park at the wharf almost the same way one parks a car. |
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| Sailboats at Denarau Resort Island |
July 13
Today is our anniversary. Am planning to take Scott to a really nice restaurant on the bay. Will probably invite the other senior missionaries.
With the Jacksons we visited Fiji National University today. They had an open house for perspective students. It was packed. Many came with their colleges. College in Fiji is the same as high school in the US. So the colleges brought all their seniors (I believe that is Form 13 here) to the open house. I do not want to speak poorly of anything Fijian (Feegin) but I would die in the classrooms of FNU. They look so old, because of the rain/moisture in the air here everything ages so much faster. There is moss everywhere. Moss on cement is not a pleasant thing. FNU was once a trade school, but has become a university. We saw trade departments; hair/beauty, auto mechanics, tourism, hotel, culinary. We saw university departments; social sciences, humanities, medicine, art, etc. As we were speaking with the different departments, Sister Jackson asked each one if they had employment services for their students that graduate. None did. Finally she ask one how many of their students got jobs when they graduated. "Few" was the answer. The employment rate is high here, really high.
All the LDS kids want to go to BYU-Hawaii. There use to be quite a few I-work positions at BYU-H, but money is tight right now and I believe that only 14 Fijians will be able to participate this year.
I-work is the program that brings kids from the Pacific Isles to BYU-H and gives them jobs. (Ok, I am tired of typing the -H. In Fiji if one says BYU, one means BYU-H. They have no chance of getting to BYU Provo. None) I-work students all work at the Polynesian Cultural Center. Scott and I have spoken with so many LDS kids here that can not get into BYU without I-work. They simply do not have the financial resources. Many are taking online classes from BYU. That is a pain for them. None have access to computers, so to do classes at BYU online, they have to wait until 5pm when the primary school is empty and they can use the computer lab there to do their homework. Every night these kids walk, take a taxi or bus to the lab and work on their classes at BYU with little hope of getting a job when they are graduated. I am not sure I would be dedicated enough to continue studying if I knew that chances were slim that I would be employed.
Eliesa is an example. He served a mission honorably. He is now home and 23. He wasn't accepted into the I-Work program so he is studying online. He has no job, so I am not sure where he gets the money for tuition. Almost every night he is at the computer lab. He is trying to be a substitute at the LDS Primary School, and at the LDS College. He spent all week learning how to be a sub during the day and then spent the evenings at the lab; well except Wednesday night when he attends my institute class, and we did see him in the temple on Thursday afternoon. After which he was going straight to the lab. There is a brain drain or leadership drain (whichever) in the church. So many of the missionaries get educated anyway they can and then leave for some place else for a job. Lote the Facilities Manager has 7 siblings. He is the only one in Fiji. They are all in the US because they needed jobs. He feels so blessed to have a job that allows him to stay in Fiji.
American kids are so blessed.
With the Jacksons we visited Fiji National University today. They had an open house for perspective students. It was packed. Many came with their colleges. College in Fiji is the same as high school in the US. So the colleges brought all their seniors (I believe that is Form 13 here) to the open house. I do not want to speak poorly of anything Fijian (Feegin) but I would die in the classrooms of FNU. They look so old, because of the rain/moisture in the air here everything ages so much faster. There is moss everywhere. Moss on cement is not a pleasant thing. FNU was once a trade school, but has become a university. We saw trade departments; hair/beauty, auto mechanics, tourism, hotel, culinary. We saw university departments; social sciences, humanities, medicine, art, etc. As we were speaking with the different departments, Sister Jackson asked each one if they had employment services for their students that graduate. None did. Finally she ask one how many of their students got jobs when they graduated. "Few" was the answer. The employment rate is high here, really high.
All the LDS kids want to go to BYU-Hawaii. There use to be quite a few I-work positions at BYU-H, but money is tight right now and I believe that only 14 Fijians will be able to participate this year.
I-work is the program that brings kids from the Pacific Isles to BYU-H and gives them jobs. (Ok, I am tired of typing the -H. In Fiji if one says BYU, one means BYU-H. They have no chance of getting to BYU Provo. None) I-work students all work at the Polynesian Cultural Center. Scott and I have spoken with so many LDS kids here that can not get into BYU without I-work. They simply do not have the financial resources. Many are taking online classes from BYU. That is a pain for them. None have access to computers, so to do classes at BYU online, they have to wait until 5pm when the primary school is empty and they can use the computer lab there to do their homework. Every night these kids walk, take a taxi or bus to the lab and work on their classes at BYU with little hope of getting a job when they are graduated. I am not sure I would be dedicated enough to continue studying if I knew that chances were slim that I would be employed.
Eliesa is an example. He served a mission honorably. He is now home and 23. He wasn't accepted into the I-Work program so he is studying online. He has no job, so I am not sure where he gets the money for tuition. Almost every night he is at the computer lab. He is trying to be a substitute at the LDS Primary School, and at the LDS College. He spent all week learning how to be a sub during the day and then spent the evenings at the lab; well except Wednesday night when he attends my institute class, and we did see him in the temple on Thursday afternoon. After which he was going straight to the lab. There is a brain drain or leadership drain (whichever) in the church. So many of the missionaries get educated anyway they can and then leave for some place else for a job. Lote the Facilities Manager has 7 siblings. He is the only one in Fiji. They are all in the US because they needed jobs. He feels so blessed to have a job that allows him to stay in Fiji.
American kids are so blessed.
Thursday, July 19, 2012
July 11
Today was my lesson. I prayed all week that I would see the efficacy of these lessons. I fasted on Wednesday before my lesson. As I was teaching I felt a witness that this was what these youth needed to hear. My first lesson must not have been too awful, because the students recruited four more to attend or perhaps they want help making the class better. Now we have more men than women. Amazing.
After Institute we rushed over to the Samabula Ward for a final party for the kids from the US. The kids from Fiji had taught the kids from the US polynesian dances, so we saw dances from Tonga, Samoa, Rotuma, and Fiji. We watched dancing for at least an hour. Then they ate. I have never seen eating like the Fijians do. They had a million chips of all kinds, 10 jam rolls, dozens of cookies, popcorn, and ice cream cones--a white food storage bucket sized container of ice cream. All was totally gone and I don't think there were 75 of us eating. It was a wonderful night.
The women had made special necklaces of flowers for the special US guests. Our bishop had them make Elder Tennis and me one. A real honor.
After Institute we rushed over to the Samabula Ward for a final party for the kids from the US. The kids from Fiji had taught the kids from the US polynesian dances, so we saw dances from Tonga, Samoa, Rotuma, and Fiji. We watched dancing for at least an hour. Then they ate. I have never seen eating like the Fijians do. They had a million chips of all kinds, 10 jam rolls, dozens of cookies, popcorn, and ice cream cones--a white food storage bucket sized container of ice cream. All was totally gone and I don't think there were 75 of us eating. It was a wonderful night.
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| The flower necklace The ties for around the neck are tan These flowers come from someones yard |
July 9
Spent the day preparing for Bro. Smith to come from New Zealand. We have been creating a plan with dates. We have been over to the Institute at least twice a day for the last week. I am impressed with the Facilities Management team here. When they say it will be done, it is done. Not what we were told to expect in Fiji. It's good not to listen to other people's prejudices.
Hosted the two US kids and a leader for FHE. One of the YSA from the Samabula ward came along. I felt sorry for the US kids, because they wanted to have FHE with a Fijian family. (OK here is another pronunciation lesson. One does not say that Fi-ji-an. No siree. I was told to pronounce it like pigeon only with a long e. Feegin.) Say what? Scott created a new game to play for FHE. He told the kids it was an old, traditional Fijian (Feegin) game. It was really just bowling with coconuts. We put a rug in the carport and then had them take turns trying to get the coconut to roll onto the rug but not off. It was way fun. As they got better we made them move further away from the rug. Guess who won? You are right if you guessed the Fijian YSA. We even had a prize. We had the wonderful Fijian ice cream for dessert.
Hosted the two US kids and a leader for FHE. One of the YSA from the Samabula ward came along. I felt sorry for the US kids, because they wanted to have FHE with a Fijian family. (OK here is another pronunciation lesson. One does not say that Fi-ji-an. No siree. I was told to pronounce it like pigeon only with a long e. Feegin.) Say what? Scott created a new game to play for FHE. He told the kids it was an old, traditional Fijian (Feegin) game. It was really just bowling with coconuts. We put a rug in the carport and then had them take turns trying to get the coconut to roll onto the rug but not off. It was way fun. As they got better we made them move further away from the rug. Guess who won? You are right if you guessed the Fijian YSA. We even had a prize. We had the wonderful Fijian ice cream for dessert.
Monday, July 9, 2012
July 8
I know I should start with church news, but I just can not. I drove the car today when we went for a ride after church! I am so proud of myself; I will repent for my pride later. Our huge van which is a standard is getting registered and so we are driving a little Yaris. Without having to worry about shifting, I wanted to try driving. For one hour I drove, and except for turning on the wipers at every corner, it turned out to be no big deal. As long as I concentrated everything went smoothly. I even drove in downtown Suva. I was on the wrong side when I turned around in an empty parking lot, but hey, no one but Scott cared. Scott did have to point to the left once as I was turning. All in all I feel pretty good about driving here. It was interesting, loads of times when Scott is driving I lean into the middle of the car. Scott did it today and observed that it is tough being the passenger on the left. It is.
Church was grand. Just after Sacrament Meeting started, Ron sat by Scott. I heard them talking. After the sacrament was over Ron left and Scott had the Gospel Doctrine manual on his lap. It seems Ron was not feeling well and asked Scott to teach for him. He did, and did a wonderful job. The Fijian sisters are not very comfortable in discussion groups. We sat in a primary school classroom on kindergarten chairs.
I finally talked Scott into have the internet in our flat. He has been OK with having it only at the office with the idea that once we are at the Institute, we will have it all day there also. However, we have needed it at the flat for gospel study, skyping, etc. Because we spent so much time at the office today, a Saturday, 7 to 9 and then 3 to 5:30 he realized that we just had to have it at home also. Hurrah! Maybe now I will get some pictures on here.
We learned a new Fijian phrase today. Vosoti au. It is the way they say I am sorry, but it literally means please put up with me. It is going to be my most used phrase.
Church was grand. Just after Sacrament Meeting started, Ron sat by Scott. I heard them talking. After the sacrament was over Ron left and Scott had the Gospel Doctrine manual on his lap. It seems Ron was not feeling well and asked Scott to teach for him. He did, and did a wonderful job. The Fijian sisters are not very comfortable in discussion groups. We sat in a primary school classroom on kindergarten chairs.
I finally talked Scott into have the internet in our flat. He has been OK with having it only at the office with the idea that once we are at the Institute, we will have it all day there also. However, we have needed it at the flat for gospel study, skyping, etc. Because we spent so much time at the office today, a Saturday, 7 to 9 and then 3 to 5:30 he realized that we just had to have it at home also. Hurrah! Maybe now I will get some pictures on here.
We learned a new Fijian phrase today. Vosoti au. It is the way they say I am sorry, but it literally means please put up with me. It is going to be my most used phrase.
July 7
I was so excited to sleep in this morning, but there truly is no rest for the wicked. We were up at 6 again, because Scott had phone calls to the US to make, and I had this blog to catch up on. We worked until 9 when we met the other senior couples except the Jacksons who were again teaching Planning for Success for a trip to a resort outside Suva for a swim in the ocean.
I hate salt water!! Hate swimming with a passion, so I thought about staying and working, but decided at the last minute that other missionaries are not allowed to leave their companions, and I needed to get away for a few hours.
We are at a resort called The Pearl. I am writing this on my iPad while the others are swimming in rough waves. There is a stiff wind. I find that I am cold. I have had to move into the protection of the resort walls. The drive down was beautiful; green hills, quaint homes of all colors, palm trees, cattle grazing along the unfenced road, clean, with the ever-present bus shacks and the bumpy roads. The resort has a pool, but of course Scott would rather swim in the ocean. As I sit here looking out across the ocean there is a huge island, Beq (pronounced beng) which is shaped like Antelope Island in the great Salt Lake. It is about the same distance away from land, but it is very green. Four boats have come into the river that runs alongside the resort; two lovely, white, large cruiser type boats filled with palogis (palogies are anyone foreign), and two blue, small, old boats filled with what looks to be Fijians. I am told that The Begians are the only Fijian who are supposed to do the fire walk. I am going to get out there before we are finished here. We will eat lunch here and then head back to Suva. I have a lesson to give next Wednesday and it is going to better than the last one.
Going and coming from Suva we saw this mountain. I ask what it was called. The answer was "The Thumb." Well duh.
I find that cemeteries and burial rituals in every country are different. I it all most interesting. We passed this cemetery on the way to The Pearl and stopped on the way back for these pictures. Because of the rain here, no one is buried beneath ground. Also the more decorated the above ground crypts are, the more loved the deceased one is supposed to be.
Saw our first cat today. One tabby cat. Cat down: Mongoose to go.
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| Senior Missionaries Left to right The Whiteheads (ITEP), The Whitings (nurse/finance), Us, The Barfusses (office) |
We are at a resort called The Pearl. I am writing this on my iPad while the others are swimming in rough waves. There is a stiff wind. I find that I am cold. I have had to move into the protection of the resort walls. The drive down was beautiful; green hills, quaint homes of all colors, palm trees, cattle grazing along the unfenced road, clean, with the ever-present bus shacks and the bumpy roads. The resort has a pool, but of course Scott would rather swim in the ocean. As I sit here looking out across the ocean there is a huge island, Beq (pronounced beng) which is shaped like Antelope Island in the great Salt Lake. It is about the same distance away from land, but it is very green. Four boats have come into the river that runs alongside the resort; two lovely, white, large cruiser type boats filled with palogis (palogies are anyone foreign), and two blue, small, old boats filled with what looks to be Fijians. I am told that The Begians are the only Fijian who are supposed to do the fire walk. I am going to get out there before we are finished here. We will eat lunch here and then head back to Suva. I have a lesson to give next Wednesday and it is going to better than the last one.
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| The Pearl Resort |
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| Lunch at the Pearl |
Going and coming from Suva we saw this mountain. I ask what it was called. The answer was "The Thumb." Well duh.
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| The Thumb A huge landmark one can see from Suva. |
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| A cemetery with single crypts made from cement. |
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| Decorated Crypts |
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| Another Decorated Crypt |
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| The nicest crypt we have seen. |
Saw our first cat today. One tabby cat. Cat down: Mongoose to go.
July 6
This morning early Elder Wakolo came into our offices and introduced himself. Immediately the atmosphere in our office changed. He is tall and very stately, but the spirit that came with him was one of great humility. We talked of the institute lounge which is what the Fijians call it. He told us it would be better to called it a youth center or something like that. Both Scott and I felt so privileged to speak with him, and for him to take time out of his busy schedule (he had just gotten back from somewhere and will be leaving again next Monday or Tuesday) to be with us was astounding. When we realized in Auckland what our calling was, and the problems inherent in it, we decided that if we ever had the chance we would ask Elder Wakolo to give us each a blessing. We asked; he agreed. Tears flowed. I feel so much better about what we are doing. I have some personal qualities I need to be working on so that I can do what Heavenly Father wants me to do.
Spent the day running from the institute building to the Service Center and back again, working on this blog (Will I ever get caught up?), and updating our timeline for the Young Adult Center which is what we have been calling it.
Hired a cleaning lady, Sister Dakunimata. She cleans for several of the senior couples. She came at noon today. We ate lunch together, and then she started. When I went back after 4 to pay her. She sat down in one chair and said, "This house is filthy! (showing me the bottoms of her feet which were black) I will have to come back all day Tuesday to finish." It is filthy. The landlady had the living room and I think the hall repainted, but did no other cleaning. Sister Dakunimata cleans because she has a son in the mission field and needs to support him. She charges me $20F for four hours of work.
However, she stayed until 4:30 so I owed her $25. It works this way, I think. If she works four hours she charges $20, but anything over four is $25 whether that is 15 minutes, or two hours. I am sure the logic of that is totally Fijian.
Went for supplies that Sister Dakunimata must have to clean the flat. I am not sure what I am going to do to come up with rags for cleaning. I don't have any rags! It take living to create rags. Good towels are expensive here and hard to find. We need good hand towels for the bathrooms. I have been picky about the colors wanting them to match the bathrooms of course. However, I have learned. If it is a good, fluffy, towel any color is wonderful.
Went to bed exhausted.
Spent the day running from the institute building to the Service Center and back again, working on this blog (Will I ever get caught up?), and updating our timeline for the Young Adult Center which is what we have been calling it.
Hired a cleaning lady, Sister Dakunimata. She cleans for several of the senior couples. She came at noon today. We ate lunch together, and then she started. When I went back after 4 to pay her. She sat down in one chair and said, "This house is filthy! (showing me the bottoms of her feet which were black) I will have to come back all day Tuesday to finish." It is filthy. The landlady had the living room and I think the hall repainted, but did no other cleaning. Sister Dakunimata cleans because she has a son in the mission field and needs to support him. She charges me $20F for four hours of work.
However, she stayed until 4:30 so I owed her $25. It works this way, I think. If she works four hours she charges $20, but anything over four is $25 whether that is 15 minutes, or two hours. I am sure the logic of that is totally Fijian.
Went for supplies that Sister Dakunimata must have to clean the flat. I am not sure what I am going to do to come up with rags for cleaning. I don't have any rags! It take living to create rags. Good towels are expensive here and hard to find. We need good hand towels for the bathrooms. I have been picky about the colors wanting them to match the bathrooms of course. However, I have learned. If it is a good, fluffy, towel any color is wonderful.
Went to bed exhausted.
July 5
Carried the discouragement of last night's lesson late into the night and so am tired today. I have decided that I don't have a testimony of the way the lesson manual is written. President Packer said that teachers in the church need to follow the manuel lessons, because they are inspired; teacher's callings give them the right to inspiration for how to teach what is written. I am praying for a witness that these lessons are exactly what these young adults need.
We worked more on cleaning out the institute building. Can't get into all the cupboards because our key doesn't work. Tried to move the pool table and really messed up the legs. Too heavy. So far we have desks and the basement is cleaned out.
We were invited to eat dinner with the Elder and Sister Whitehead who were not able to eat with us when we ate with President Klinger and Sister Klinger. Because they share a duplex with the Whitings, they were also invited. Elder and Sister Jackson came too, because they were teaching a Planning For Success (PEF course) class on Tuesday night. We ate on the covered back deck that the Whiteheads and Whitings share. In fact, neither the Whiteheads nor the Whitings have a place to eat inside their flats. They each have one Lifetime (yes the ones made in Utah) folding long table and four Lifetime folding plastic chairs. Put together in a square they make a lovely dining table for eight. With the weather in Fiji eating each night on a deck is a perfect arrangement. We had a delightful time. We are serving with the best of the best here in Fiji.
We worked more on cleaning out the institute building. Can't get into all the cupboards because our key doesn't work. Tried to move the pool table and really messed up the legs. Too heavy. So far we have desks and the basement is cleaned out.
We were invited to eat dinner with the Elder and Sister Whitehead who were not able to eat with us when we ate with President Klinger and Sister Klinger. Because they share a duplex with the Whitings, they were also invited. Elder and Sister Jackson came too, because they were teaching a Planning For Success (PEF course) class on Tuesday night. We ate on the covered back deck that the Whiteheads and Whitings share. In fact, neither the Whiteheads nor the Whitings have a place to eat inside their flats. They each have one Lifetime (yes the ones made in Utah) folding long table and four Lifetime folding plastic chairs. Put together in a square they make a lovely dining table for eight. With the weather in Fiji eating each night on a deck is a perfect arrangement. We had a delightful time. We are serving with the best of the best here in Fiji.
July 4
What a day. Full. Busy. With not such a great ending.
We have decided that our mornings are not long enough. We have been doing companion study for 1/2 hour each morning which consists of memorizing scriptures that are important to the work. I learn two each morning. Scott bless he heart knows most of them already, but works with me anyway. Then we do 1/2 hour of yoga or walking. We then shower and get ready for the day which takes me longer here. I am not sure why. We eat breakfast and then walk to the Service Center where our temporary office is. We like to be in the office by 8:30 when the center opens.
I am going to pause here and explain about the temple compound. It is gated. There is a 24 hour guard at the one gate into the compound--standard I would imagine for temples around the world. So when one drives through the gate, the temple is to the right up an incline, parking is straight ahead, behind the parking lot is the mission president's home to the left, the temple president's home straight ahead, and small temple housing flats on the right. On the left is a two story medium sized building in which is housed: on the ground level; the mission office, the distribution center, the family history center, and the temple housing office; in the basement (which is a walk out) is the Church Service Center which is if I am correct like a mini Church Office Building. Here are the employees who run the day-to-day affairs of the church. The main entrance to the CSC is in the back of the building on the basement level, but again one just walks into the building there are no stairs. It is here that we have a temporary office. Here is where Elder Wakolo of the Seventy has his office as he is the director of the Service Center.
OK so back to our mornings. We have been getting up at 6:30 which is when the young missionaries get up. We have been late everyday. Bummer. We decided today that we needed to get up at 6. UGH
I gave my first lesson for the Suva North Stake YSAs. I think I mentioned that I am teaching Preparing for Eternal Marriage. Now we all know that the M word is not a good word to YSAs. I think it embarrasses them. I thought no one would sign up, but to my surprise 14 signed up. I think none will show up this week. I gave the lesson as outlined in the manual with modifications; a game that lead into the discussion, talking about concepts in pairs, and triplets, and time to ponder read scriptures. Even I was bored! The students were so gracious. They participated, acted interested, and thanked me at the end of the lesson, but I was totally disappointed. It was awful. What can I say. Something has to change and I am sure it is me.
We have decided that our mornings are not long enough. We have been doing companion study for 1/2 hour each morning which consists of memorizing scriptures that are important to the work. I learn two each morning. Scott bless he heart knows most of them already, but works with me anyway. Then we do 1/2 hour of yoga or walking. We then shower and get ready for the day which takes me longer here. I am not sure why. We eat breakfast and then walk to the Service Center where our temporary office is. We like to be in the office by 8:30 when the center opens.
I am going to pause here and explain about the temple compound. It is gated. There is a 24 hour guard at the one gate into the compound--standard I would imagine for temples around the world. So when one drives through the gate, the temple is to the right up an incline, parking is straight ahead, behind the parking lot is the mission president's home to the left, the temple president's home straight ahead, and small temple housing flats on the right. On the left is a two story medium sized building in which is housed: on the ground level; the mission office, the distribution center, the family history center, and the temple housing office; in the basement (which is a walk out) is the Church Service Center which is if I am correct like a mini Church Office Building. Here are the employees who run the day-to-day affairs of the church. The main entrance to the CSC is in the back of the building on the basement level, but again one just walks into the building there are no stairs. It is here that we have a temporary office. Here is where Elder Wakolo of the Seventy has his office as he is the director of the Service Center.
OK so back to our mornings. We have been getting up at 6:30 which is when the young missionaries get up. We have been late everyday. Bummer. We decided today that we needed to get up at 6. UGH
I gave my first lesson for the Suva North Stake YSAs. I think I mentioned that I am teaching Preparing for Eternal Marriage. Now we all know that the M word is not a good word to YSAs. I think it embarrasses them. I thought no one would sign up, but to my surprise 14 signed up. I think none will show up this week. I gave the lesson as outlined in the manual with modifications; a game that lead into the discussion, talking about concepts in pairs, and triplets, and time to ponder read scriptures. Even I was bored! The students were so gracious. They participated, acted interested, and thanked me at the end of the lesson, but I was totally disappointed. It was awful. What can I say. Something has to change and I am sure it is me.
Friday, July 6, 2012
July 3
We had the privilege of touring the LDS College of Fiji. It is actually a high school. Students from the LDS Primary School come here after the 6th level. It is a beautiful campus. There are several classroom buildings that are connected with walkways that just a few years ago were covered. They teach everything that one would see in a high school in the U.S. They compete in sports. They have an administration building that houses the principal, the usual staff and the ITEP senior couple. The students were all dressed in uniforms. The grounds were immaculate.
ITEP is a program out of BYU-Hawaii, where teachers in the South Pacific can further their education. I believe it originally started because many of the teachers did not have bachelors degrees. Leaving family and country to secure the needed education was not an option. So, once again inspiration came and the ITEP program was developed. Elder and Sister Whitehead, our ITEP couple, teach college courses to the teachers using curriculum developed by BYU-H. If a teacher sticks with it, they can earn a degree from BYU-H without leaving Fiji. Elder Whitehead has taught for many years in a university in Canada. The classes are taught at the end of the school day. I know that the Whiteheads are teaching a special education class currently. What a wonderful thing.
Speaking of the end of the day. Everything in Fiji shuts down by 6. All the YSA activities except the dance have been from 5:30 to 7. Institute classes are 5:30 to 7.
We were invited with the other senior couples to eat with President and Sister Klinger. I am so impressed with them. It was a wonderful evening.
So far we have not seen a single cat! Not one. Lots of dogs who are loose and run barking though the neighborhood late at night. We also have not seen a mongoose, although we are told they are everywhere. We have had a gecko in the house twice. We have respectfully taken him or her out!
ITEP is a program out of BYU-Hawaii, where teachers in the South Pacific can further their education. I believe it originally started because many of the teachers did not have bachelors degrees. Leaving family and country to secure the needed education was not an option. So, once again inspiration came and the ITEP program was developed. Elder and Sister Whitehead, our ITEP couple, teach college courses to the teachers using curriculum developed by BYU-H. If a teacher sticks with it, they can earn a degree from BYU-H without leaving Fiji. Elder Whitehead has taught for many years in a university in Canada. The classes are taught at the end of the school day. I know that the Whiteheads are teaching a special education class currently. What a wonderful thing.
Speaking of the end of the day. Everything in Fiji shuts down by 6. All the YSA activities except the dance have been from 5:30 to 7. Institute classes are 5:30 to 7.
We were invited with the other senior couples to eat with President and Sister Klinger. I am so impressed with them. It was a wonderful evening.
So far we have not seen a single cat! Not one. Lots of dogs who are loose and run barking though the neighborhood late at night. We also have not seen a mongoose, although we are told they are everywhere. We have had a gecko in the house twice. We have respectfully taken him or her out!
July 2
Met with President Sefeti to discuss the institute problems. We must have been too excited, or too American, or something when we talked, because within 10 minutes after he departure, President Seru, who is using the institute for his office came to visit us. I was so glad he did. He is a wise leader, and wants what is best for all, but also wanted to make sure we knew that he couldn't go backwards (to no stake offices). He needs a place to hold interview, and meetings. We agreed. I think he felt better when we told him that we thought we could help the YSA and be out of the building around 5. That works for him. He has the cutest sense of humor.
Speaking of sense of humor. These Fijians love a good laugh, indeed, they are always laughing. It has always been a joke in our family that I am never funny. I say things I think are really funny but no one ever laughs. However, in Fiji they all think I am pretty funny. It is nice to get a laugh once in a while.
I am preparing for my lesson on Wednesday. Did I say that I had been asked to teach for the Suva North Stake Institute? I have the Preparing for Marriage class. I am sure no one will sign up for it, or at the most the class will be filled with girls. I am not too excited about this first lesson, because I can't find a way to make it fun, spiritual, and follow the lesson plan. I am crossing my fingers.
We will meet with the Samabula YSA and the kids from the U.S. who are here for FHE.
Between work and FHE I did a batch of laundry and tried to clean the slats in the doors to our built in closet/dresser. Impossible. One hour and the top half of mine still did not look good. Grrr. Our washing machine is so cute. Little. About half the size of the one at home. No hot water. But it does run for a long time. The dryer is about the same size. I had a hard time getting the dryer started. I turned the knob to the time I wanted (only options are time and cool, warm, or hot) then tried to pull the knob out. Wouldn't come out. Tried to push it in. Nope. Looked for another knob, or a button, anything. There was nothing on the top of the dryer but the time/heat knob. I finally just left it. Later I told Scott that the machine must be broken. He offered to look. He spent about 5 minutes and then I heard the dryer start. "How did you do that?" He laughed and pointed. Down on the door in the middle of the handle is a rectangular button that I had been using to open the door. Not necessary. Once the door is closed, one pushes the button and the dryer starts. What a great reminder that I am in a country with different ideas, and ways.
Thursday, July 5, 2012
July 1, 2012
Church is at 9 and is only half a block away. The chapel is connected to a cultural hall that is connected in an L shape to the LDS Primary School. It is an English speaking ward although everyone is Fijian. Fast meeting was amazing. Powerful yet humble testimonies from beginning to end. The singing was amazing. Worshipfully loud praise to God with all four parts and some counterpoints though out. Fijian's can sing!
After Sacrament Meeting we went to the YSA class which was in a classroom of the primary school as are all the classes in Sunday School. It was packed because a youth group from the US is here doing humanitarian work and the YSAs from our ward are providing activities each night this week. The YSA president is Dan, a RM, and a very poised young man--so kind. The opportunity to teach is shared by all in the class, and the lesson was wonderful.
RS was warm and inviting as always. We were talking about teaching our children to work. The RS president kept saying, "We are not poor people. We are not poor people. We can expect great things from our children." Got lots of hugs and kisses which at first was a little shocking. In Fiji one hugs, and then kisses each other on the cheek. I love it! After the meetings, I did it first to one of the young sisters, Rusili, and she acted like I had given her something wonderful. I guess we westerners have a reputation for not getting into this hugging/kissing thing. I think that this one act represents the very heart of Fiji which is acceptance and kindness.
Before we went home for dinner, Scott insisted that we take a ride so he could practice driving on the left. It seems that everyone stays home, or goes to church on Sundays so the roads are pretty empty. So we walked up to the mission home/temple parking lot where we leave our car and climbed in. Let the adventure begin!
Scott did a great job. He only turned into the wrong lane once in 1 1/2 hours of practice. I don't know how he did it. He has to drive a standard with the clutch on the left and the brake on the right (or is it the other way?), and remember to stay on the correct side of the street. I was amazed. However, because the turn signal and the window washing handle are reversed, we had the cleanest windshield in the entire country. Too bad the drivers behind us had no idea that we were turning. We practiced getting to the Suva Stake Center and back home over and over, because we didn't want to get lost. There are few street lights.
At 5 pm we attended a YSA fireside in the Suva Stake Center. The theme was "finding the one." The outline for the evening was inspired. Each ward's YSA rep. bore testimony to the theme (and they were powerful) and then the YSAs in that ward sang a hymn they had chosen with no accompaniment (except for one). One YSA would sing the first few notes and then start the hymn and the rest would sing with them. All parts, in tune. Beautiful. We heard 9 testimonies, and 9 songs. I was truly touch and fed. So glad to be here in Fiji with these wonderful young people.
After Sacrament Meeting we went to the YSA class which was in a classroom of the primary school as are all the classes in Sunday School. It was packed because a youth group from the US is here doing humanitarian work and the YSAs from our ward are providing activities each night this week. The YSA president is Dan, a RM, and a very poised young man--so kind. The opportunity to teach is shared by all in the class, and the lesson was wonderful.
RS was warm and inviting as always. We were talking about teaching our children to work. The RS president kept saying, "We are not poor people. We are not poor people. We can expect great things from our children." Got lots of hugs and kisses which at first was a little shocking. In Fiji one hugs, and then kisses each other on the cheek. I love it! After the meetings, I did it first to one of the young sisters, Rusili, and she acted like I had given her something wonderful. I guess we westerners have a reputation for not getting into this hugging/kissing thing. I think that this one act represents the very heart of Fiji which is acceptance and kindness.
Before we went home for dinner, Scott insisted that we take a ride so he could practice driving on the left. It seems that everyone stays home, or goes to church on Sundays so the roads are pretty empty. So we walked up to the mission home/temple parking lot where we leave our car and climbed in. Let the adventure begin!
Scott did a great job. He only turned into the wrong lane once in 1 1/2 hours of practice. I don't know how he did it. He has to drive a standard with the clutch on the left and the brake on the right (or is it the other way?), and remember to stay on the correct side of the street. I was amazed. However, because the turn signal and the window washing handle are reversed, we had the cleanest windshield in the entire country. Too bad the drivers behind us had no idea that we were turning. We practiced getting to the Suva Stake Center and back home over and over, because we didn't want to get lost. There are few street lights.
At 5 pm we attended a YSA fireside in the Suva Stake Center. The theme was "finding the one." The outline for the evening was inspired. Each ward's YSA rep. bore testimony to the theme (and they were powerful) and then the YSAs in that ward sang a hymn they had chosen with no accompaniment (except for one). One YSA would sing the first few notes and then start the hymn and the rest would sing with them. All parts, in tune. Beautiful. We heard 9 testimonies, and 9 songs. I was truly touch and fed. So glad to be here in Fiji with these wonderful young people.
June 30
Met with President Sefeti again about the institute. We recommended that we open the Young Adult Center which is what we have decided to call it after talking to Elder Wakolo of the Seventy, from 12 to 5 each day. That way we are not interfering with stake business. We talked about the renovation that must be done before the stake can move downstairs. We, of course, want the YAC to be really inviting which means lots of stuff to do. In our brainstorming we talked about using some of the basement. Not ten minutes after our discussion the president of the stake who uses the building came into our office and talked about the stakes need for a place to be. He kept saying that the stake "could not go backwards" which we think means have no stake offices. We are afraid in our zeal to provide a safe inviting environment for these Fijian youth we overstepped. We had to assure the president that we were not going to take his space. He really has no place to go as his stake center is the primary school and there are no offices for him there.
June 29
Ate a wonderful breakfast of yogurt or yoghurt, Fijian bananas, and juice. There was also a fresh pineapple in the fridge.
Met with President Klinger. He is a listener. He has assigned us to the Samabula ward. He will include us in zone conferences, etc., but since we are CES will leave us to the job they have given us.
Met with Pres. Sefeti who is over all of S&I in Fiji. He went over what the area presidency wants us to do and then gently explained the problem. The only place the North Suva Stake presidency has to meet is in the institute building that we are to make a YSA Youth Center. They use it for high council meetings, presidency meetings, interviews, etc. We toured the institute. The ground level (basement) is walk out, but is filled with who knows what from who knows where. We are walking a fine line here-- do what we have been called to do, and not offend anyone. Our Samabula Ward, stake president is the one using the institute for his office. Pres. Sefeti has invited us to a YSA dance tonight in his stake.
Got the keys to our car which turns out to be an 11 passenger, standard transmission van. Since Fiji drives on the left, I am pretty sure I am not going to be driving for the next 18 months. I love life too much.
Elder and Sister Barfus took us to "Cost U Less" to buy supplies. It seems this is the store that supplies stuff American's can't live without. We bought groceries there, bread at a separate bread store, meat in a small shop, and juice in a quick stop place. The Barfuses took us to a restaurant called Nandos for lunch.
By 4 we were finally home, unpacking ourselves and our groceries, and while doing it realized that our flat is quite dirty. Every surface is covered with black dust. I am not sure whether that comes from the months the flat has been empty or some other reason.
I fixed my first meal in Fiji. It took 40 minutes for the water to boil so I could cook the noodles for spaghetti. I am not a fan of bottled spaghetti sauce and as this was a NZ brand I added meat, onions, and fresh tomatoes. Not bad. We also had fresh pineapple.
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| Our Car. So much for anonymity! |
Elder and Sister Barfus took us to "Cost U Less" to buy supplies. It seems this is the store that supplies stuff American's can't live without. We bought groceries there, bread at a separate bread store, meat in a small shop, and juice in a quick stop place. The Barfuses took us to a restaurant called Nandos for lunch.
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| Elder and Sister Barfuss who have spent hours helping us get settled in. |
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| Outside our flat. |
Went to the YSA dance. Young adults are the same all over the world. The dance started at 7. No one showed up until 8 and most didn't come until 9. The Stake President's Counselor had to strongly suggest that they get dancing before anyone would and then they had a great time. Many YSA never came into the dance but stood outside to visit. Felt just like home
In bed by 11. Long day and then because our feet were so dirty, we had to wash them in the shower before going to bed. We have an air conditioning unit in our bedroom, but we just opened the windows to catch the breeze.
June 28
Left Auckland at 5 pm. Our flight was with Pacific Air a Fijian airline. It is a 2 1/2 hour flight to Nadi (pronounced like candy). Getting our luggage was a huge problem. Another large airplane (ours was one of those four seat in the middle, three on each side kind of planes). Our luggage finally came up on the wrong carousel. I only noticed because Scott had left me with the carts for our luggage well out of the crowd. When the carousel I was standing by started to work, I noticed and the first bag out of the shoot was one of ours. So here I am with two big carts for our four suitcases, Scott's backpack, my front pack, trying to catch each piece as it comes out. I had to keep my eye on the carousel, on our stuff, and on the luggage I had already dragged off the carousel. Of course it was way too noisy for Scott to hear me yell, so I didn't. After I had grabbed the bags, I had to steer both full carts in his general direction. I made more than one traveler unhappy with me as I was not very good at steering them. Finally I got so frustrated that I just hollered "Scott". It was amazing. Just as I yelled, everything got relatively quiet. Not only did Scott hear me, but so did just about everyone else. I was instantly the center of attention. How embarrassing!
We had agreed to take a pair of crutches from Auckland to Fiji for an Elder who is 6'6" (and a big guy) who has an injured foot. We did OK until we forgot to pick them up at the door for unusual parcels in all the confusion at the luggage carousels.
Customs was a mess, because customs had not prepared for deluge of arrivals. They only had two agents for Fijians, and two for non Fijians (paloqis). Standing in line was just like being at Disney World--back and forth, back and forth. We finally made it to a desk where one girl was checking to see if we had filled out our forms correctly. By that time we were really worried about catching our flight to Suva. Scott told her about our flight and she told us to go to the Fijian side which by this time was empty of arrivals, but still had two agents sitting. When we finally made it through customs two Elders in Sulus (Fijian man skirts), white shirts, and ties were standing there. "We are the Airport Elders, they explained. We are here to help you get to your next flight." What a welcome sight. Between the four of us we got to our gate with a whole 5 minutes to spare. They bid us good-bye. It is a tradition in Fiji that the elders assigned to Nadi, go to the airport to greet the elders and sisters that are arriving or leaving Fiji. The beginning of the wonderful treatment we have received here in Fiji.
Arrived in Suva, and was met by Elder and Sister Barfus who are the mission office couple. They drove us to our flat, which is sooooo much nicer that I had expected. They had made the beds and put breakfast in the fridge. We have a meeting with President Klingler in the morning at 9.
Fiji is surprisingly pleasant. Like a nice Utah May day, hmmmm with humidity.
We had agreed to take a pair of crutches from Auckland to Fiji for an Elder who is 6'6" (and a big guy) who has an injured foot. We did OK until we forgot to pick them up at the door for unusual parcels in all the confusion at the luggage carousels.
Customs was a mess, because customs had not prepared for deluge of arrivals. They only had two agents for Fijians, and two for non Fijians (paloqis). Standing in line was just like being at Disney World--back and forth, back and forth. We finally made it to a desk where one girl was checking to see if we had filled out our forms correctly. By that time we were really worried about catching our flight to Suva. Scott told her about our flight and she told us to go to the Fijian side which by this time was empty of arrivals, but still had two agents sitting. When we finally made it through customs two Elders in Sulus (Fijian man skirts), white shirts, and ties were standing there. "We are the Airport Elders, they explained. We are here to help you get to your next flight." What a welcome sight. Between the four of us we got to our gate with a whole 5 minutes to spare. They bid us good-bye. It is a tradition in Fiji that the elders assigned to Nadi, go to the airport to greet the elders and sisters that are arriving or leaving Fiji. The beginning of the wonderful treatment we have received here in Fiji.
Arrived in Suva, and was met by Elder and Sister Barfus who are the mission office couple. They drove us to our flat, which is sooooo much nicer that I had expected. They had made the beds and put breakfast in the fridge. We have a meeting with President Klingler in the morning at 9.
Fiji is surprisingly pleasant. Like a nice Utah May day, hmmmm with humidity.
Monday, July 2, 2012
June 23-28
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| Takapuna below our balcony. |
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| More Takapuna below our balcony. |
New Zealand is cold! It is their winter and the daily temperatures were in the 50s. Now I packed for 80 and above. At the last minute I threw in a light rain jacket while thinking I was stupid to take up some of my precious weight allowance. That jacket saved me. We are staying at the Spencer on Byron which is a 4 1/2 star hotel. Our room is on the 15th floor over looking the bay that separates Takapuna (where the church office building is) and Auckland. The view is spectacular. We leave the curtains open 24-7 because we don't want to miss a minute of that view. It has rained every day--mostly short bursts of heavy rain. The wind around the hotel is very stiff. We are always glad to get in the door of the hotel. We train each day with Bro. Smith (of Maori descent), Bro. Mauerer, (CES and an Aussie), Sister Waka (PEF and from the Cook Islands), and Bro Coy (education manager, and a Kiwi).
We are spending the evenings with the Beans, PEF missionaries going to Tonga. When we go out I wear two shirts under my jacket and a coat Sister Waka loaned me.
Things in NZ are expensive. Breakfast at the hotel is $36 for a hot buffet, $24 for a cold buffet, $8 for a bowl of Mueseli and yogurt. Dinner ranges from $24 to $$$$$ The one good thing is there is no tipping in NZ. We found a little hole-in-the-wall restaurant that had a sign outside that said "Country Fried Chicken" It is really an Indianish restaurant with hamburgers, etc. It is really good and not too expensive. The owner said he had been open two weeks. I pray for his success. We have no internet because the hotel wants $35 a day for it. We'll pass.
The first day we were in NZ we called down to get more luggage holders. The maid brought up one. We needed two more. When she came back with the other two, Scott handed her some US dollars for the tip with an apology for not having NZ $. She stepped back and said, "No sir. I am just doing my job!" She paused for a minute, looked at the money, and said, "Well it is Monday, Sir, and took the tip." Ahhh the call of cold hard cash.
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| This is the view of Auckland from our hotel balcony. It isn't smoggy, just a combination of early morning mist, and the beginnings of another rainy day. |
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| Auckland at night (blurry but the best one we got) |
Thursday June 21
Spent the day at the Church Office Building in SLC learning how to help with the Perpetual Education Fund. All of those who trained us were volunteers. When Pres. Hinckley made the announcement about PEF, he had already determined that the fund would be self sustaining which meant that those who administered it would have to be volunteers. As far as I know the only paid people are the area directors for PEF--one for each area of the church that has PEF. Those who are over it in SLC, and those who work with those who get PEF loans are all volunteers.
If one wonders if the Prophet truly hears God's word, one only has to see the vision of PEF. I have never sat in a training before where tears were more common than treats on the table. Near the end of our time there one of the PEF sister missionaries said, "All day I have been thinking of our brothers and sisters in the gospel who now have an opportunity to better themselves. And the words to the hymn 'More Holiness Give Me' keep coming into my head, especially;
More fit for the kingdom
More use would I be
More blessed and holy,
More Savior, like thee.
I can't even type this without becoming emotional.
It was a wonderful experience to spend the day with PEF.
If one wonders if the Prophet truly hears God's word, one only has to see the vision of PEF. I have never sat in a training before where tears were more common than treats on the table. Near the end of our time there one of the PEF sister missionaries said, "All day I have been thinking of our brothers and sisters in the gospel who now have an opportunity to better themselves. And the words to the hymn 'More Holiness Give Me' keep coming into my head, especially;
More fit for the kingdom
More use would I be
More blessed and holy,
More Savior, like thee.
I can't even type this without becoming emotional.
It was a wonderful experience to spend the day with PEF.
In Fiji
I LOVE FIJI.
The past four days have been amazing. For those of you following us, I will apologize now for the confusing posts. We have been without internet access since we arrived in Fiji on Thursday, June 28th. As this is also my journal, I am going to create several posts with my own date (I have no clue how to change the date of a post, anyone?) to catch up on our odyssey.
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