Church

The Methodist Church welcomed us to the village...the singing was so beautiful!! Many parts harmony..the kids sing loud and with passion! The service was 3 hours long...sitting on hard wooden benches!! My tush hurts!!!Most services are that long around here!

Bula!!

We finally got an afternoon off! We are all in Internet Cafes! So far no WI FI...they look at you funny when you ask about it. Fijian way is to say yes to everything..because they don't want to disappoint you! And too many viruses to plug our computer into any USB port...so Internet Cafe it is..$2 for an hour. I am starting to get the language... my family practices with me..my 10 year old sister gives me that teen age look when I make a mistake! She is very dear- as is my brother (15 years old and a real charmer...and very smart!) Although my Ma nd Pa are in their 40's...I still call them Na and Ta..because I feel like I have been reincarnated into this place and time...learning to speak and function in this new land...all very new and awkward. The times that I can get together with other Peace Corps people are precious...we laugh till we cry...talking about how hard and hot this is! One of our projects in training is to do a calendar of events and weather...and crops etc. ..for the weather we put the very hot and wet season ...and the hotter than h__l season!!! We in the urban site have it pretty good! We have showers(cold)..where as the rural volunteers must take bucket baths with very little water...some taking 1/2 hour to get on gallon of water! And we are a5 minute walk to Internet... I miss you all!

I'm in Fiji!!

Feels like I've been here a month...but it's been a week! I have been assigned a host family...in an urban area..not to different from USA...but am visiting villages that are VERY different! My family is very nice and helpful with language and all my homework...intense training! Today we went to Suva- big city to visit PC head quarters..nice city. 5 of us are grouped in urban @ with a family in small homes 5 minute walk to med size city..thus internet...it is the first time PC has assigned trainees to urban site...we'll be there for 6 more weeks then don't know where to...probably urban. Will send pictures soon!

Great People!

Ok...this IS an adventure!!! Went out to diner with a group of PCV tonight...sooooo fun and funny..oh what a two years ahead of us!!!! 35 of us...all heading to Fiji tomorrow!

My Church Family

How blessed I am to be so loved by so many people!! I was honored and prayed for at church today...really moved me! Thank-you so much Pastor Randall! My sweet friends were there too at the reception...Garth, Joy and Robert. I sure will miss you all!! And feel your prayers!!

Still packing...with lots of tearful good-byes...

Well it's only 5 more days before I leave... packing is a real challenge. I've gathered things for a year now...and this is the time to fit it all in three bags and 80 lbs! I found a picture of Fiji's 'formal dining'...

Going Away Party

I have the best..dearest friends!!! Today was a beautiful day for a party..to say good bye and soak up all the love and good wishes from my friends. I am going to miss you all so much! Thank-you all for being there today and sending me off with prayers and good wishes!