FIJI TIME

December 12th – 20th:
Almost one week ago we set out on our outreach adventure to Fiji. We left early from Auckland and arrived in Nadi (pronounced Nahndi) with a new friend from Austria who was stranded at the airport. Off we went to the YWAM base where we hung out with Barry and the other staff, had dinner and then headed to bed to get ready for our “long” 45 minute flight to Labasa (pronounced lambasa). As we arrived back at the airport the next morning the suspense of finally getting to Labasa was killing us, even Bob our travel buddy was on the edge of his seat. With our hand-written plane tickets and our bags on our backs we headed to the bubble gum airplane that would miraculously land us safely at the smallest airport known to man.

The YWAM base here has truly been a blessing for us so far and the staff are amazing! Gee, Tuvula, Mili, Miraia, Kasi, Seni and Lo have been such an amazing help with all of our cooking, cleaning, translating for us, and sharing ministry opportunities, honestly we would be lost with out them. So far we have been through: a category 2 hurricane (cyclone) & flood, walked miles outside of town hand-delivering food and vegetables to a poor Indian Village, gone door to door to pray with Hindus, we’ve helped hand out Christmas presents for Samaritan’s Purse, ministered at a prison, visited an old folks home and we’ve done street evangelism in town… because of the holiday season, a lot of our work is just meeting people, building relationships and finding creative ways to show them the love of Jesus.

Fiji, so far, has been a humbling, eye-opening, and heart changing experience for all of us. We have grown so close as a team reading, praying, and discussing as we prepare our hearts for our ministry times to come. From climbing the mango tree in the front yard, baking brownies to take to the elderly, and eating amazing homemade dishes of chicken curry to rehearsing our Christmas play in the living room, the Lord continues to bless us with great experiences, amazing people, and beautiful weather as we press on being the hands and feet of Christ here in Fiji.

Before we sign off, here’s one quick story from one of the team…

“The “Old People’s Home,” just like anywhere, was filled with helpless abandoned people who needed human connection. One particular older Indian lady started telling me her life story, which I had to have translated from Hindi to English... She told me that when her husband died her family played a trick on her by dropping her off at the home and said that they would return later to visit, but a year later they never have checked on her. She said her children are the most important part of her life and she longs to visit them and make sure that they are doing well. “Stop a taxi right now and lets go check on them” she said, but after I told her that I wasn’t allowed, she told me “ when you leave please remember my children.” Those words really made me sad for her and I promised her I would, even though I have no idea where they live. I will evangelize to as many people in Labasa I can, and show them the love of the Heavenly Father.” – Brandon, 24, from Texas.