James 4:8

The sun is up. The birds are chirping. Life is so sweet. Life is so good. God is amazing.

I haven't written on here in awhile. With lack of computer it's been hard. But let me take you on my last journey. Man I am so blessed to be here in Fiji and I am really starting to appreciate and understand how fragile our lives really are.

The last weekend I took a plane to the other main island of Fiji. It was a beautiful flight. I could see islands and coral and blue water like I have never seen before. It was so great. Upon arrival our cab driver named Vikki was our escort for the weekend. Before I go on I must mention that being the only white people on a plane was pretty eye opening. I was reminded that America is not the only place out there and that no offence culture is so much sweeter and rich here. We were visiting our Indian friend Poonam and the whole purpose of the trip was to experience the Indian culture. In Fiji 40 percent of the population is made up of Indians who migrated here as indentured servants. Those here now are about 4th generation immigrants. So we arrived at her house. There was many others there who were getting ready for the weekend festivites cooking etc. At about 8pm the ladies changed into their dresses and begin singing with a drum. Others sat and watched the posters of their gods on the walls. I got to wear formal Indian attire and it was all very exciting. They kept singing and all of a sudden I heard a clarinet type instrument apparently it was their "gods" arriving. I looked over on the side of their house to a candle lit path and about 100 people marching in to drums and this clarinet. There was boys with their shirts off who were the ones firewalking on sunday morning. They marched in and 3 men carried these 70 pound brass things on their heads decorated with flowers. Everyone clappend and swayed to the drums. After about 30 minutes of singing and clapping they sat down to have Indian sweets that her family prepared. All of this took place outside at her house under a shelter they had built.

After the session at her house we went to their temple. We walked around 3 times with everyone clapping. I felt like I was in dream. I saw the fire the boys would be walking across. It was huge and hot! Anyways, We stayed at the temple for about 3 hours. I really had no idea what was going on besides they sat and watched and then music played again and this curtain opened to a shrine type thing I think they called their god. It was at this time I felt very sad. I got super sad and confused at why GOD had me here. I was looking at a little girl who may never know our wonderful savior. I was questioning all night and said a quick prayer wondering why I was here. I went to bed and woke up the next day.

Saturday included a taxi tour of the city. It is a small city that depends on sugar cane. He took us to some temples one that is called the snake god. Hindi's swear by it this rock is growing inside each year in the shape of a snake. We saw a mountain called "three sisters" there was some legend with it from the time of cannabalism. Yes, that occured in Fiji before Christianity was here. Crazy. At about 7 our taxi driver invited us to a Hindi wedding! The weddings last about 3 days and this was the grooms side of it. It was basically music, kava drinking, and chilling. Here God gave me a pretty clear sign I was in the right place and he had me here for a reason. I met a girl who was Fijan and she was in bible school. She was 21 and started talking about her testiomony, faith, God, and being a Christian. It was so amazing. We talked for about 20 min and I was so excited. She said a verse I will never forget. It was James 4:8 and it said "Draw near to God and he will draw near to you...." In the midst of a hindi wedding we were talking about God. It was so amazing. God continues to amaze and surprise me. Also here I got to see for the first time INdians and Fijians interacting TOGETHER by choice. At my school we have 12 countries so lots of races and it is very segregated. So this was a time where I got see everyone laughing together. My new Fijian friend told me that slowly Indians are discovering God. Gave me hope and made my heart smile.

Sunday morning we woke at 4am to see the firewalking. Even small boys walked across. It was interesting and scary at the same time. I am such a worrier so I was worried for the small boys. Everything went ok though. At least I think! They walked across 3 times but before they were whipped and took a bath in the river a few blocks away. They came back with red and yellow powder on them. Most of the time I just watched I didn't always understand or know what was going on. Then we took a plane back home to Suva and It was nice to be home.

This weekend I am going to a Fijian village, caves, and the ocean for a school field trip for 5 days. I am praying I don't get so sick like I did last time I stayed in a village. LOTS of bottled water. etc. I come home in 3 weeks so I am making the best of every moment. I love my life so much. I am so blessed in every way. God is so amazing. I want to start a bible study with Alyssa when I get back in school in the fall. I currently am jobless so we will see what happens when I get home.
I am learning so much about myself, God, and who I am. I learned not to EVER take my family for granted and spend more time with them. I can't wait to hold my baby sisters and give them a hug and kisses. I miss my mom and dad, and cheyenne too. I miss my friends but man this experience has been a whirlwind. Where did 4 months go? I can't believe I am coming home in a few weeks. Only 3!!! It's all so bittersweet.

One last thing. I shared my testimony the night before I went on the Indian trip. It was amazing. I had no idea what I was going to say until I got up there. In front of maybe 60 people I shared about my faith, trusting God, and that he has a plan for all of us. I shared a verse from Jeremiah 29:11 at the end that said this

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

...and thats exactly what I am clinging too...

Rainy days in Fiji

It's been a long time since I feel I have updated. Maybe I am taking this all for granted way to much and it makes me kinda sad that I haven't been on or writing in my journal to document everything about my travels as of lately. It's been rainy for about the past week in Fiji and I am ready for some sunshine. I finally feel as if after being here for three months I miss home.

Today we went to our Fijian's friend Seta's house. It was nice to be around family but, I couldn't help but think of my mom on mother's day. Today I was also suppossed to be in a wedding and it made me miss home a lot. I am missing 2 of my sisters being a bridesmaid and a flower girl in a wedding, Mother's Day and seeing my cousin married off. I think it's the rain.

I have been attending this thing on campus called "student life" which is a branch off campus crusade. I was invited 2 weeks ago and found it really comforting. This thursday I am giving my testimony which I am excited for. I am looking forward to coming home but at the same time it is all so bittersweet. I love it here but, am so far from home. I feel like I am missing my sisters grow up and it feels about that time to head home. I know I should be living in the moment and most days I do. The last two weekends we have stayed in Suva. The city where we study. This up coming weekend I will be taking a plane to the other main island of Fiji to a city called Labasa. My Indian friend here is taking me to her ceremony. I don't know what to expect other then it will be super different then anything I have experienced. Today we had a lovo which is a meal cooked in the Earth for those of you who don't know. I got to hold a 3 week old baby for a very long time and for those of you who know me know I am in love with babies so that was probably the highlight of my week. Just sitting there holding this tiny baby. Man I love kids. Good thing I am going for teaching.

I feel so disconnected from everyone back home. I don't want this message to be complaining but, at times I just feel like I have no idea whats going on with anyone. Friends and family. Obviously I know that I am in a different country. I don't know I guess everyone is busy back home. I love Fiji but for the first time in 3 months I have wanted to see my family and give everyone a hug. It's hard being the minority. It's hard also not being able to share some of the most amazing experiences with those I love. God has a plan for me and I must not forget he hasn't forgotten about me.