Fiji Day 21

Today was really chill; we got up and had our devo time, Tyler and Donyes shared. Then we went to the mud pools, which was muddy, as you would imagine. The mud pool was really warm also; we helped cover each other in mud and then began the baking process. We had to wait for the mud to dry which is probably a part of the exfoliating process and detox. Then got in the water and washed off. After that we got in the hot spring, it was really hot there, so after that we got in the pool and rinsed off in a cool shower, then we came back to the farm and chilled this afternoon. Russie and Shawn left to go to Suva for the celebration of the 100^th day since Russie’s dad passed away, this is a common practice in the Fijian culture. Then I went back to loloma and played with kids again, not as many were there this time, but we had fun. Played elbow tag and did some jump rope. I made arrangements with Laura to stay an extra night in Fiji for the New Zealand group and also figured out how we can leave our bags in Nadi and she will bring them to the airport when it we come back through after our trip. I think it will work out well. Had dinner and visited with some people out on the porch for a while. Now I’m going to sleep. Night

Fiji Day 20

Today we had a half work day,  I got up and got ready had breakfast as usual, then I went out past the papaya field to an undeveloped area where giovanni and I started clearing fields with cane knives to plant some banana trees. It was really hard work, the sun was blazing and after swinging the cane knife for about an hour blisters were developing, so we stopped got some water and went out until tea time. After tea time Giovanni went back down there and I helped the girls paint the top of the doorways that they couldn’t reach, then I went down and began hacking away again, then someone in the papya fields yells to us that Donyes needs us…like NOW, like RUN. So we bolted up to the porch and asked Donyes what he needed, he said get in the car, we are headed to town. It was fun he gave us some pizza, then we took Tanya by the internet café, pretty sure she was planning some wedding stuff, we went with Donyes to pick up some stuff he wanted. Then we went back to the café which I forgot to mention is on the beach, chilled there in hammocks until it was time to head back, when we got back we put together a plan for our kids club, before going out that night. We were at the revival church again, which was cool we got to see the same kids, this time we told them the story of the blind beggar. Then we asked them questions about the story and for insight to help them engage in the story. I used the extra rope to make a tug of war rope with some knots in it, we also used it for jump rope after that. Then we came back and had some dinner. After dinner we heard shawns testimony. It was really cool. He is from Canada and a few months ago he felt really called to Fiji so he up and left. His family is finishing out the school year in Canada then they will be moving out here as well.

Fiji Day 19

Today I got up at 5, watched the sunrise and rested in my hammock, then we had breakfast and heard a devo from Hillary, she talked to us about the promises of God and took a little time to focus on a promise in 1 John that talks about the promise that God will hear and respond to our prayers, reminding us that it is not always in the way that we expect. Then we loaded up into the van the jimmy and the rav 4 and headed out to the village, we participated in the cava ceremony and dancing, they showed us the process of how they make pottery without a wheel or any formal tools, they used a paddle to shape the clay into a rounded disc, then they fused the two together and cut a hole in the top with a stick and began to form it into a pot. Then they showed us how after it come out of the fire they will put tree sap on it to add a shine and make it waterproof, then it is ready for use or sale. After that we ate a snack and went out to a beach, where I got some wifi and talked to my mom about some stuff. The signal wasn’t very good, so after we talked for a little bit I went out and started enjoying the beach with everyone else. I dug a hole and Adam and Thomas buried me, then the put a shirt over my head and would ask unsuspecting people to grab it for him and when they picked it up I would scream and scare them. It was hilarious; they got on video that Donyes might post on the blog.  Then I swam for a little while. Lydia speared a fish with Phil’s spear, so that was cool. I snorkeled for a little while which was fun, I saw quite a few fish. Then we loaded back up in cars and headed back. Im all showered up after a fun day at the beach and now headed to dinner.

Fiji Day 18

Slept through our alarms this morning and missed the sunrise so that was a bummer, but I probably needed the rest. Had morning devo, and then ate pancakes and fruit for breakfast, which was good, then we got to work. I was out in the papaya fields digging holes to put something in the ground, I don’t think it was fertilizer, but I’m also not really sure what it was. It was like a white powder for the conventional rows and a black pepper looking substance for the organic rows, it was interesting. We took a few breaks but finished by afternoon teatime, then went back out to pick off dead branches and double papaya buds. A type of pruning if you will. Then we sat and chilled for a while talking about kamp and where people hope to work ect, then we got changed into some clean clothes and I went with a small group to the loloma house again, this is similar to homes of hope, but much smaller and more about the kids. It was fun, we played tug of war, jump rope, duck duck goose and tag, it was pretty fun. Then we came back I got a shower went to dinner, which was really good, they cooked the chicken and cassava in a lovolo, which is like an oven in the ground. It was really good, then we heard from a pastor at a local church here. It was cool he told us little more about the culture, some of it was review but learned some new stuff.

Australia/Fiji Day 17

Got up this morning and got all my stuff packed up, ate my waffles and some bananas which was good, I couldn’t eat them all so I gave 2 to josh. Got all checked out and now we are at the airport headed to Fiji. Well we are in Fiji now and I got through customs alright, but I am now having to haggle my way through with some other people. I have confirmation information for all of the New Zealand people except for Josh, since he booked separately so I just did what I had to do. I made Jon Rodenbaugh’s old e-ticket look like Josh Ong’s haha, it was great same flight so it didn’t really matter. So I got everyone that was going to New Zealand through, so the only person left was Tyler. I thought about doing something similar, but I didn’t have anything on the group going back earlier so I couldn’t really do anything without risking complications later, so we had to get the airline on the phone to confirm that Tyler was leaving. About 15min later they got it all sorted out and we met back up with the group and headed back to the farm, now I am catching up with some other people, talked to Russie and Saleh heard a little bit about the resort some of the others stayed at and we have a work day tomorrow so I’m gonna go get some rest. Night.

Institute Teachers

This week has been incredible. On Friday I got to see the Parkers and catch up with them. Thunder varsity won their final game of the season which was great. JD had his best game of his career and it was an awesome one to end on, he played hard and left it all on the floor. So proud of him and his team. The championship ggame was really exciting, double overtime with 4 players on hcya fouling out then okc storm ending up with the win. Then I went to steak n shake like old times with the parkers. This week for link year has been really cool though. We have heard from three different institute teachers. First we heard from Joey Tisdale. I got to know him at kamp over the past several years, and he has spoken at the fort several time this year. We each submitted two questions about what college life is like and or questions about choosing a college or choosing a church when we get there ect. It was really neat. I really learned a lot of really practical things from him. Then on Wednesday Chad Hampch came and spoke to us. I don’t know him that well but after his teaching time I really look forward to getting to know him better. I am going to try and pursue him as a mentor for the last 6 or so weeks. Keith Chancey came and talked to us about sharing the Gospel. He used Paul’s second missionary journey to illustrate how he overcame adversity and laid aside what he wanted and did God’s will. Also about when we get to college we need to seek out someone not only to mentor us but we should be mentoring others. We have been fed so long at link year and are probably more prepared than we realize. We need to take that and pour into people. Engaged with people wherever we go, never eat a meal alone. Hear peoples story then they will want to hear yours and that will be your opportunity to tell them about how Jesus came into your life and changed everything about you. About how you died to yourself and now live your life totally and fully committed to furthering the kingdom of God by loving God and loving others to Jesus. At the end of his talk I was about ready to run through a brick wall and change the world. I want to go to college tomorrow and impact my campus. Then Tonight I looked up a whole bunch of scholarships and which ones I am eligible for and what kind of essays I might need to write. Now I am at Blakely and shelby’s 18^th joint birthday party. It is a ton of fun. Later crew. 

Fiji poem

This is a poem I wrote while I was in Fiji. We had a poetry night on our last night as a group before people headed back to the states and before my group went to New Zealand. Some people wrote funny ones, others serious and I like to think if mine as somewhere in between. I hope you all enjoy and I will post my other journal entries from the trip soon.



In Fiji there are frogs

They hop and hop on the logs

At first we all thought they were dumb

But they were just thinking yum yum

We went out for our first work day

It was so much fun might as well have been play

At work In the papayas, the fire pit or chicken coop

We knew for dinner auntie sala would have for us some nice warm soup

Russie showed us how to clear a field

He took that small knife he really could wield

After blisters and cuts and sunburns galore

Each night we remembered to thank our lord.

We want to Suva and to homes of hope.

I'm not gonna lie it was pretty dope

In Sydney to the zoo we went.

Seals, elephants and giraffes were present.

We returned to the farm, stories we shared

Opera house, zoo and hostels we faired

Jet skiing snorkeling and spear fishing.

To go back to those days I am already wishing

As we go home I will never forget

The lessons I have learned and the people I have met.

To Fiji I say moce moce

I hope that it is only sototaleh



Moce means goodbye in Fijian

Sototaleh means see you later