October 23, 2023

Bula!

Can't believe another week has already gone by.  It's been a great one.  Still not too busy at the temple, but we just welcomed a group from Kiribiti, so that will make it busier there.  The have brought 2 couples that will be staying for 6 weeks for training so that when their temple opens they can be ready to serve as ordinance workers.  

The weather is starting to get warmer.  I think it's just a taste of things to come.  On Saturday we went to the beach at Pacific Harbor.  It was busier than we have ever seen it.  It felt so good to sit in the sun and watch the ocean and the little kids playing in it.  I often wonder if they know how lucky they are to live here.  Sunday we went for a walk along the shoreline at Suva Park.  It was also very crowded.  Lots of families.  Almost every group we walked by wanted us to join them for lunch.  They are such friendly and giving people.  They are also very family oriented.  Most of the groups looked like big extended families.  

Today we helped set up a new missionary flat in Saioko.  Its around 2 hours from Suva and the last 45 minutes is on a gravel road.  It's pretty isolated.  It's hard to imagine living where there are no stores or much of anything else for at least an hour away.  No one has cars, but a bus does go there.  It's beautiful though.  Up in the mountains with a tremendous view of the ocean.  The flat was pretty primitive, but they have a million dollar view.  It's one of those places where if your son was staying there you might not want to know.  But it's fairly nice for Fiji standards.  They do have a fridge, washing machine, stove top and I guess you could call it a bathroom.  It does have a flushing toilet and shower--but no hot water.

We also went to the chapel in Saioko.  That was quite an adventure.  You park at the bottom of a trail and then hike 20 minutes up the mountain.  It was a pretty good hike.  I can't imagine doing it in the rain.  There were five houses up by the chapel, but everyone else has to make the trek every Sunday.  While we were there some kids were just coming home from school.  They came running up the trail like there was nothing to it.  We also ran into a man who had been further up the mountain gathering his crops.  He had them strapped to his horse and was taking the buckets of tomatoes to the market.  What a different life they live.  In some ways it seems so much more simple.  I know they have worries, but they all just seem so happy.

I know they worry about money or lack of it.  There are 2 older sisters who want me to find them a 6 month job in America.  They want to be caregivers for someone in their homes.  They think they can make enough money there to keep them happy for the rest of their lives.  So if you know of anyone that needs a caregiver???!!!!, let me know.  

Just want to end by thanking our kids for all they are doing for us back home.  They take care of everything at our home and the cabin.  We couldn't be here doing what we are doing without their help.  We are so blessed to have so many good friends and our family that we know are supporting us as we serve here in Fiji.  We love you all.  Stay strong and close to our Heavenly Father.  

Love, Lynn and Kay