Setting the 'table' for 80 people

Pictures!!

            I have received my assignment...for the next two years! I will be living in Lautoka-on the main Island. Lautoka is the second largest city in Fiji and is one of the newer cities. It has a 4 plex movie theatre...good for those VERY hot days! I am working for a government organization that offers microloans to small businesses. Amongst other things- I will go out and find those businesses and/or help develop them. That is the plan..God is laughing...I am very happy with this assignment..I hear that I actually have hot water in my home! I move this Thursday. I am sad to leave my host family here...but I will come back to visit them-about 5-6 hours away.

This is who we are 'rubbing elbows' with!

The quality of people who work for the Peace Corps reads like a Who's Who! The man who heads up our security was in Kyiv, Ukraine - for ten Peace Corps posts in Eastern Europe,the Caucasus, Morocco and Jordon. He now covers five Pacific posts. Before that -he was a PC Medical Officer in Kazakhstan, Burkna Faso, China and Macedonia. He is a physician assistant trained in family medicine and psychiatry.(Master's Degree from University of Nebraska.) Besides the Peace Corps, much of his medical work has been at a native hospital in northern Alaska. He has had tours with NGOs in Somalia, South Sudan and as a forensic investigator for Physicians for Human Rights in Rwanda. He has served as a field safety and medical consultant on twelve research expeditions to Antarctica for the National Science Foundation. As a member of the Alaska Disaster Medical Assistance Team, he was deployed to the Winter Olympic Games in Salt Lake City. There's more...too much to write!! Kinda makes you feel like you've been sitting on your hands...all your life..huh??!!! He's probably in his early 60s and as humble and nice a man as you could meet!

Made the Fiji Times!

I found a place with Wi Fi!! Still not much time to type..but at least I can type at home and send this to you. Our training is going great..still 6 days a week then usually 3-6 hours at church or family function on Sunday. I went from have 100% of my time as my own to almost none … but still I am adjusting and happy most of the time. I still feel it is an honor to be here with the Peace Corps! And to be immersed in a culture and language- learning SO much more than if I were traveling through!!! I am learning that Fiji has a very complex culture and hierarchy system. Although women do most of the work-household and ( in many cases-income)..they are progressing- as a culture. My host family has broken away from the village (even though he is from a chief family and in line to be chief). They live in an urban home –that they own-a five minute walk into the city. My ‘dad’ works for the electric company and has for 15 years now. He makes a good living and his wife stays home to care for the home and children. She is also a hair dresser on the side. With their two dear children Sam-14 and Charlotte-10, they have a very loving happy home. They spend all of their evenings together-doing home work and playing cards. There is much laughter and love in this home…it is a real healing for me. I feel I have been given a second chance at a happy childhood -with a healthy, respectful, trustworthy, humble and kind father and husband to Pearl(mom) My little sister has given me her room and her telephone to use for these six month! How many American 10 year old girls would willingly and lovingly do that?! To describe my days here would take too long…I rise around 7am and go to bed (exhausted) by 9:30pm. Last week while we were in language class…we were distracted by the most beautiful harmonized Handel’s Messiah…sung by a school choir- across the street. We went out to watch them expecting to see 60 or more singers…there were only 20 of them in their teens!!! A few of us were so moved we were crying!!! Our teacher had been their teacher and explained that they were singing for an elderly song master who was wheelchair bound at home! That same day were we watching a mongoose (looks like a cross between a rat and a squirrel) in the yard. Our teacher said that some people eat them. Which begged the question- “have you?” She replied –yes…which begged the question –“what does it taste like”. Her reply- “Like bat”. The bats around here are the size of seagulls…. We’ve been here four weeks and have already made the news! Eleven of us danced the traditional meke dance for about 400 -500 people at a festival in our town- Nausori. The head chief ..who is called a Princess- liked it so much that she asked us to perform it again at another ceremony next week! Our Peace Corps staff taught us the dance and had costumes made ..in less than a week! Check it out on line- Fiji Times- Saturday, June 12th (www.fijitimes.com.fj) My picture is on page three!

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!