A second chance in Fiji..the best Christmas present!!

I have NOT been taking as good care of myself..as I am of the people here...and I now have to admit that I am not in my 20's...and don't spring back quickly!!  Our immune system takes a hit everyday with pollution...air, water and a hard life in general...getting from place to place by bus..or walking.  Often there is NO water..for washing or drinking...so dehydration is a big factor. This is their summer and it is soooo hot!!!!
  Many of you have seen  conditions like this...I  have  ...but living in them for seven months now....that's a different story some of the younger guys have lost 15-20 lbs...
I was medivaced to New Zealand for heart problems...I had to be accompanied by a doctor...wheeled through the airports... .I had every test possible..but no treatments or medication..      
After six days there....the doctors reported a completely strong and healthy heart! 
Thousands of people were praying for me  and I am convinced that a miracle has occurred!  I went from 74/44 blood pressure...could hardly walk... to now...I  am now 90% back to my strength!
The microloan company that was hosting me was failing , had to cut costs and couldn't afford my housing...but made up things
about my conduct..to get out of their contract with Peace Corps.  This was happening at the same time as my heart problems...so when I am completely strong again I will have to go back, move out, and clean up those rumors.  I will be housed near the PC office until they can find me a new position and home.  Meanwhile I am tucked away in a cozy home (my host family) marinating in love (10 yr old sister and 14 year old brother)!  And spending time with the rest of the relatives...40 or so... of them...we've gotten to know each other well and I am so well received by them!  They welcome me as family now!
 So, with my host dad's help... I'll pack up my home ...put it in storage and then spend four days on a beach- for New Years... with a few friends.  Then to Suva. I will be on admin. hold...and see how I can help out at the office. The Lord works in mysterious ways!!!  I am excited about what He has in store for me next!!!
I send you all warm Fiji love for a Merry Christmas and a Happy Healthy New Year!!!

Another Adventure

I am slated to leave for New Zealand in two days to get my heart checked out.  I have been struggling with this for a month now and it is time to do all that it takes to figure this out and heal my heart...so I can return and continue the work I was sent here to do!  The two Peace Corps doctors are angels...and are caring for me and about me as if I were their blood relative!   I'll keep you posted as to what the New Zealand doctors find out!  I am planning on spending Christmas with my (host) family here.                               Please pray for me and visualize me strong and healthy back in Fiji!!

Mark

does anyone see his picture? I can't...

my Jasper girls (click on photo-to see whole image)

Be still my heart...I fell in love today...

 His name is Mark (actually a very beautiful Fijian version...Markasiah)

 I first saw him as he most confidently walked down the aisle for communion,

dressed in his handsome pocket sulu and colorful bula shirt... he was short in

stature but tall in resolve...often being pushed aside as if he wasn't there...

no thing or person was going to get in between he and the alter.

Mark knelt and waited for his wafer struggling to keep his balance on his knees...now

only two feet tall and dwarfed by the adults. I just had to talk with his Mom after the

service and thank her for raising an obviously special soul. I was very happy to

know that she acknowledges that about Mark, who is only two years old. He asks to

go to church every Sunday. Yes, he knows it is Sunday, gets his clothes ready, and

is anxious to be there.  I will stay in touch with his mom to see what Markasiah

does to make this world a better place.  And now, more than ever, I  too look forward

to going to church.

Partial pictures...

Thanks everybody for following this awesome journey...I love that so many of you are reading this blog...it has become my journal.OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOClaudia
ps...If you click on each picture...you can see the whole photo..

Rain in Lautoka

Here is an atypical week in Fiji!!   After seven long dry months in my city-Lautoka...it rained!  The poor air quality was no longer an issue...I got to see a green Lautoka for the first time and it is a beautiful city!  The drought was broken and we all rejoiced!!  I was sooo very happy in general... but heard an old voice (in my head) say- "watch out...don't get too happy or something bad will happen".  I pushed that thought away knowing that was an old way of thinking.  I grabbed my potted plants and bare footed I ran outside.  My feet went out from under me...and I landed on my side on the tile steps. The proverbial- 'my life flashed before me...' and 'oh boy, this is going to hurt '..describes my thoughts at the time.   My landlady saw me and walked me into her home with her daughters and our Japanese exchange student (an emergency room nurse) putting ice on me and giving me such loving care!  I know that angels caught me too..because there were no broken bones or sprains, I didn't hit my head or even cut skin.  I hit between my hip bone and my ribs. My foot -which swelled immediately- was wedged into the railing.  My hands or arms were not hurt...I still had hold of my plants!  I was blessed and VERY lucky ...even though three weeks latter I still hurt. I had to attend a week long Peace Corps training, at which one of our PCV announced that some American friends/chiropractic students and doctors were in the near by town giving free chiropractic adjustments...the Lord works in mysterious ways!  Before that adjustment my right hip was so tipped forward and foot turned in that I almost walked in circles!!  After that adjustment I went to a planned Halloween party/weekend at a resort on the beach...where I received a most nurturing massage (for $20!) Although I couldn't party it up with the other volunteers...I was glads to be there- relaxing in the hammock...and oh- I won the best costume trophy!

Diwali

Diwali..one of the biggest , most celebrated, Hindu holidays...3 days of fireworks..everywhere...I'm on a hill top and saw all of the city 'explode' !!

Let me not pray to be sheltered from dangers,
but to be fearless in facing them.
Let me not beg for the stilling of my pain,
but for the heart to conquer it.
Let me not look for allies in life’s battlefield,
...but to my own strength.
Let me not crave in anxious fear to be saved,
but hope for the patience to win my freedom.
Grant me that I may not be a coward,
feeling your mercy in my success alone;
But let me find the grasp of your hand in my failure.

- Rabindranath Tagore

Literacy Training

I use my friend Ivy's method of savings to illustrate saving...really personalizes the workshop!

Lautoka...smokin

This is the view outside my back door....and the reason why I am having trouble with my lungs here...they burn everything...all the time! I AM making inroads ...at least in my neighborhood.  trying to down load picture...if you see it will you email me?