Bula (Aloha/Hola/Hello in Fijian)! For two weeks, my pastor, his WHOLE family, and some other members of our church went to the island of Viti Levu, Fiji for a mission trip (there were 15 of us all together). But like my pastor says "A missionary is not one who crosses the sea, but one who sees the cross!" The theme of our trip was 'True Worship.' We stayed in three cities: 1)Lautoka, 2)Navola, and the capital of Fiji - 3)Suva.
In Lautoka, for three days, we stayed in one of the Youth With A Mission aka YWAM bases. And right when our team (from now on out, I'm going to call our team.... Team HI *Hawaii*) got there, I could tell why the Fijians are called the friendliest people in the world. Everyone was laughing, hugging, smiling, and just being joyful! :)
That first day, and every-other day in Fiji, we had about 2 worship seminars EVERY DAY! But you know what? It was worth it. Changing the fate and the hearts of a nation was one of the greatest things I could help with! So, the first night. When we got to the seminar, all of the Fijian teens came over to us and introduced themselves. After that, we hung out every day that we were in Lautoka. We played rugby and Volleyball, we danced and ate Fijian tea while drinking Fijian tea...Wait.....SEMINAR. The first thing we did was of course-worship. But as followers of Christ, we didn't worship anyone other than God, because HE is The One and The Only, The True Living God! During our time in Fiji, I learned not to just let my 'cup' brim to the top, but overflow with love for God and Jesus Christ! Pastor Qalo shared about God's love and being in His presence. This seminar went on for two more days.
During the afternoons when we weren't at the seminar, we would go in to the streets and the villages. One day, us girlies went to a home for single mothers and their children. All the girls from Team HI spoke, and I believe that this was the first time I spoke from the Holy Spirit. We talked to them about what God was doing in us in Fiji. I was very touched when the moms were telling us their stories and their lives. We prayed for them and just hung out together. A very peaceful day!
New things we learned in Lautoka, Fiji-
- Food
- Fijian Tea- YUMMM!!
- Fijian Bread
- Indian Curry and Roti (like a tortilla)
- High population and influences of Indians in Fiji
- Very rich, creamy ice cream, which was stored in a cardboard box.
- Language
- Bula - Hello
- Tulou (pronounced choolow)- Excuse me. Used when trying to get passed someone
- Vinaka Vaka Levu - Thank you very much
- shortened= Vinaka - Thanks
- Lailai - little
- Levu - much/big
- Fijian Culture
- It is rude to stick out your feet, like when you are sitting down.
- It is disrespectful and very VERY RUDE to touch a Fijian's head
- They drive on the left side of the road, and the driving wheel is on the left side of the car.
- Fijian drivers DO NOT stop if you would like to cross the road. Not law, but just what they do.
The Fiji national rugby union team is one of the best in the world!!
