Day After..no Tsunami!

My friend Urji and I took a day cruise to an island right off of Suva.  We swam and they fed us a great lunch...so very relaxing!

Tsunami

Well we made it through our first tsunami scare!!
I was staying at the director's home when the earth quake hit Japan.....8.9!!! The biggest in my life time!!
So we became 'Fiji Tsunami Central'!  It was up to us to locate almost 100 Americans (and some Fijian staff) on various islands and make sure they knew about the tsunami heading our way.   Once we located all but one, we then had to make sure that they were safe.
Reports were coming on the TV stating that the tsunami waves were higher than many Pacific Islands (Fiji!)  
 One of our volunteers was on the ocean with the women for a night time fishing trip..on a bamboo raft!  Luckily they brought a radio...heard the warning and got back to the village!  The majority of our volunteers live on small islands or right near the ocean on the main islands.  Thankfully we are well trained to heed the warnings and take to higher ground....but on some islands...there is no higher ground!  The director and I had several phones going with everyone checking in with us. Several calls were emotional as the volunteers couldn't find fellow volunteers. I kept watch 2-3:30AM when the tsunami was supposed to reach us...and thank God it did not.
We are all relieved and divert your thoughts and prayers to Japan...what a tragedy there!!

Another successful sewing workshop!

During my three month leave I have really enjoyed traveling to other PC volunteer's villages conducting sewing workshops and fixing their sewing machines!   These photos are the lastest. (if only a piece of the photo shows-just click on it and you'll see the whole image)

I should hear.... 'any day now'...about where I am posted..I'm packed and ready to go!!

Fiji Times Article !

http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=165703

Sewing Workshop

Lauren didn’t want me to be disappointed if only a few ladies showed up for my sewing workshop.  She had had a poor turnout recently for a meeting. The night before, we presented the yaqona and I was the honored guest at the grog bowl.  I felt very welcomed in Nagado, especially by the turaga ni koro and his delightful wife.  It was obvious that this dynamic duo were very special, kind and respectful leaders of this village.  Lauren had only been in this village seven months-she arrived in Fiji with me. I was amazed at how she fit right in –as if she had been living there for years!  She even spoke in the same cadence as the villagers and was so welcoming of all the kids who came to her home…whenever they did!  

The morning of our workshop brought only a few ladies and I was happy to teach whoever arrived.  Soon there were twenty ladies and the turaga ni koro (he was ever present and well loved).  As each group arrived I repeated my brief introduction and asked them about their sewing skills and what they wanted to work on.  I was surprised to hear how little most of them knew about sewing.  We began with the basics of hand sewing and moved on to machine sewing and maintenance, working with paper patterns and pattern making from their old clothes.  The hardest part of the work shop, for me, was the constant up and down.  Of course, this being Fiji, the ladies all sat on the floor. Knowing that it is rude to stand over them and even to walk around the room ‘towering’, I got down on the floor with each of them.  Conversely, the most enjoyable aspect was, this one-on-one working with the ladies.  They were delightful to teach.  They were attentive, appreciative, gracious, eager to learn, very helpful and encouraging to each other.  We worked on the one treadle sewing machine that was in the hall.  I had them take turns threading the machine and oh- how they laughed and applauded as each one successfully completed the task!  I repeated that method for each new task. There was such a since of community as they all worked together in cutting and sewing.  They completed a baby’s dress and five sulu chambas.  Early on in the workshop  Ana, the turagna ni koro's wife, told me that the ladies were embarrassed to bring  me their old rusted sewing machines. I assured her that I loved working on old machines.  By the end of this two day workshop I had worked on and fixed about fifteen sewing machines!  A few of them were 150 year old Singers, and with God’s help- I was able to fix even those!  The very difficult machines required more prayer…which the ladies were happy to help me with. Humility is one of the big lessons I am learning here with these wonderfully humble Fijians!  On the final afternoon, Ana asked me to look around, as a room full of ladies were sewing away on their ‘new’ sewing machines.  She was recounting, with tears in her eyes, how most of these American machines were put away for twenty years because they were broken…and now this American came and fixed them so the women can once again sew.  I told her that I was honored to be that American, and that only with God’s help, was I able to be there to help the ladies and fix their machines. 

We have several more workshops in the planning…including a children’s sewing class and school uniform sewing. Lauren is setting up a research library and we spoke about the use of books and the value of reading.  I also learned that there is a plan to have tourists visit the village and craft making classes were needed.  I will work with the Ministry of Women to bring some teachers of bamboo art and other local crafts. I was thrilled to see Lauren learning and teaching sewing and two ladies in particular who were very helpful to the others. I spoke to them about continuing being sewing teachers when I leave and as humble as they were...they acknowledged that request.

Bugs

It is possible to get used to living with bugs…to spit out the occasional fly that ,unbeknownst to you, has found it’s way into your drink…to share your sandwich with the ants…to talk to that spider, that is the size of my hand…into leaving via the door. It is fascinating to count the legs of a centipede…after you’ve killed him!  It’s all part of living in Fiji. 

I love my friend’s entry on Face Book… ” Why do I feel like ants are crawling all over me….oh they are!” 

I was recently conducting a sewing workshop in a village- I was demonstrating a particular stitch… when I felt a bug crawling up my back…then several others crawling down my back side.  I kept going- stating;

” I’ve got ants in my pants”…as I simply scratched away.  The ladies loved it…lots of laughter…that too it a big part of living in Fiji…and that is how we get by…living with the bugs.

Sargent Shriver....may he rest in peace

“Shatter the glass. In our society that is so self-absorbed, begin to look less at yourself and more at each other. Learn more about the face of your neighbor and less about your own.”
-Robert Sargent Shriver Jr

Christmas dinner at family house

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...