I am home! I had mixed emotions coming home, I didn't really want to leave the other members of my team (leaders included) who have become like family to me. But I also wanted to get home, partly so I could give everyone their presents. I had enough jewellery that I bought as gifts that, when trying to limit our weight as much as possible I had 8 necklaces and 4 bracelets on. Now I don't really like wearing jewellery, so as soon as I got out of customs I ripped all the jewellery off and threw it in my bag. I felt like the jewellery had been strangling me!
We all got through customs pretty quickly, we only got caught up for a few mins while they checked one of the tents I was carrying and the tent that one of the boys had. Several of the souvenirs I have I was really blessed to get through, the lady was so busy checking my tent that she didn't ask to see my souvenirs, only the jewellery I was wearing!
I had such an amazing time. Everything we did was beneficial and so was what I learned from what we did. People have been asking me what was the best part or what was my highlight. I really don't have a favourite part, so much as a favourite thing and that was my team and the relationships that were developed. Learning how to cope with people when you don't get a break from them and learning to ask God for grace to deal with them, especially when everyone is tired. I think that learning how to work with and get along with people was one of the most important things I learned. I have never had much experience in the area and I tend to need a bit of space and quiet at times especially when I am constantly around people. It really helped having half an hour of Devotion every morning and half an hour of library reading every evening during which we had to be silent. Each morning I was often awake half an hour to an hour before almost everyone else and when possible the leaders gave me a tent to myself. (I mentioned something early on about needing space sometimes and as we had an odd number of girls there was always one tent with only 1 girl. They were really considerate and gave me a tent to myself when they were able!) With out those quiet times and God's strength, I am not sure how I would have survived the summer.
I shall write more tomorrow but I need to go to bed now and catch up on the rest I desperately need. I just want to quickly say thankyou so, so much for all your prayers. I neglected to mention that, but your prayers too were a crucial part in getting me first of all on the trip and then through the summer. Thankyou everyone for your support.
Au Lomani Iko!
Monday, January 23, 2012
Saturday, January 21, 2012
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Letter from Fiji #3
On Sunday, we raced home from church as Jaime's flight was due in Brisbane at 11:15. Got home at 11:25 and within 5 minutes the phone rang. We got to talk to her for a brief but sweet 2 minutes. She is now at Boot Camp till Saturday doing Debrief. They have the opportunity to share all the highs and lows of their trip and share and hear how God has worked in all the areas where the teams have had the opportunity to serve this summer. They also have one free day when they are able to go to a theme park or to the beach which will be a fun time to relax! On Saturday, she heads to Brisbane airport and has a fun day of waiting and then a flight home in the evening, getting to Avalon just before 10pm. We are praying she may be able to go stand-by on the morning flight or that Jetstar will let her fly to Tullamarine earlier in the day. We'll wait and see what happens!
January 8
"Bula Vinaka,
We have only one more week here Fiji and 2 until I return home. I can't believe how fast this summer has gone! Of the 6 1/2 days left staying at Lomani Au, only Tuesday and Thursday will be work days. We are going to be busy trying to complete the playground as we have only put the stumps in and there is still quite a bit of ground that needs levelling and the retaining wall extension needs to be finished.
Our work is coming along well. The landscape around the house has changed dramatically since we have been here. We have also managed to get almost all of the floor tiling done in the dorms.
We got swamped out of our tents a few days ago. Leonie (nurse at the children's home) has been kind enough to allow us to sleep on the deck. So that's where we've been for the last 3 nights and we will be here until we leave. They also allowed us to use the washing machine and dryer because it has been raining on and off with only a few short breaks since Wednesday afternoon.
This morning we are going on some sort of special outing that involves wearing a swimsuit and being on a boat. We will also be doing some swimming for a little ways. The leaders haven't told us exactly what is happening yet so it is a bit of a surprise. This evening we will be going to Frank's church and we will be performing a few skits and songs.
There is not really any stopping until we leave. Tomorrow we are going to a squatter settlement to put in a raised floor for a woman and her family. We will also have an opportunity for some of us to do some evangelism and do puppets for the children. Tuesday will involve attempting to complete the tiling in the dorms and to finish as much of the playground as possible. On Wednesday, all the girls are going snorkelling at a pearl farm and possibly going to a market afterwards. I think they are still trying to work out something for the boys to do. Thursday will be completing the playground and anything else that Paul needs done as well as some packing/cleaning. Friday will be totally taken up for us to clean and pack our stuff.
I forgot to tell you that we finished painting the inside of the community hall in Frank's village. The ladies prepared some lovely food for us again. They also made us a Fijian delicacy which is a gooey ball of cassava. (which is a root). I got some pictures of them. The ladies put lots of colouring in them so they looked really cool. Some of the girls were girls were fussing about them so I decided to try one. They weren't too bad - not a very strong taste and very gluey. I feel really bad though because after one bite my stomach felt wrong but we have a rule that we must eat anything we put on our plate. So I ate 2 more big bites. The third got halfway down before I had to run oputside and vomit. I feel really guilty though because that probably upset the lasies who made them. It's not that I diudn't like them, but that mybody couldn't handle it.
On that sour note, I might wrap up now. I am having a great time (and really hoping that a load of my wash will get done today so that I will have clean clothes to wear). Our team is all getting along fairly well. There were some issues earlier but I think they all got sorted out.
Oh yeah. I was on devotions on Thursday. I spoke about how all the stuff that we go through in life are actually gifts in a way. They serve to prepare us for the work God has planned for us. Each person has a unique part to play in the body of Christ to bring Him glory and further His kingdom. I pray that God used my words to encourage some people.
Au Lomani Iko
Jaime"
Here's a photo from the Children's Home blog - looks like they got the playground almost finished! Loving the boots and dress/skirt look :) Something a little Pippi Longstocking about it!
January 8
"Bula Vinaka,
We have only one more week here Fiji and 2 until I return home. I can't believe how fast this summer has gone! Of the 6 1/2 days left staying at Lomani Au, only Tuesday and Thursday will be work days. We are going to be busy trying to complete the playground as we have only put the stumps in and there is still quite a bit of ground that needs levelling and the retaining wall extension needs to be finished.
Our work is coming along well. The landscape around the house has changed dramatically since we have been here. We have also managed to get almost all of the floor tiling done in the dorms.
We got swamped out of our tents a few days ago. Leonie (nurse at the children's home) has been kind enough to allow us to sleep on the deck. So that's where we've been for the last 3 nights and we will be here until we leave. They also allowed us to use the washing machine and dryer because it has been raining on and off with only a few short breaks since Wednesday afternoon.
This morning we are going on some sort of special outing that involves wearing a swimsuit and being on a boat. We will also be doing some swimming for a little ways. The leaders haven't told us exactly what is happening yet so it is a bit of a surprise. This evening we will be going to Frank's church and we will be performing a few skits and songs.
There is not really any stopping until we leave. Tomorrow we are going to a squatter settlement to put in a raised floor for a woman and her family. We will also have an opportunity for some of us to do some evangelism and do puppets for the children. Tuesday will involve attempting to complete the tiling in the dorms and to finish as much of the playground as possible. On Wednesday, all the girls are going snorkelling at a pearl farm and possibly going to a market afterwards. I think they are still trying to work out something for the boys to do. Thursday will be completing the playground and anything else that Paul needs done as well as some packing/cleaning. Friday will be totally taken up for us to clean and pack our stuff.
I forgot to tell you that we finished painting the inside of the community hall in Frank's village. The ladies prepared some lovely food for us again. They also made us a Fijian delicacy which is a gooey ball of cassava. (which is a root). I got some pictures of them. The ladies put lots of colouring in them so they looked really cool. Some of the girls were girls were fussing about them so I decided to try one. They weren't too bad - not a very strong taste and very gluey. I feel really bad though because after one bite my stomach felt wrong but we have a rule that we must eat anything we put on our plate. So I ate 2 more big bites. The third got halfway down before I had to run oputside and vomit. I feel really guilty though because that probably upset the lasies who made them. It's not that I diudn't like them, but that mybody couldn't handle it.
On that sour note, I might wrap up now. I am having a great time (and really hoping that a load of my wash will get done today so that I will have clean clothes to wear). Our team is all getting along fairly well. There were some issues earlier but I think they all got sorted out.
Oh yeah. I was on devotions on Thursday. I spoke about how all the stuff that we go through in life are actually gifts in a way. They serve to prepare us for the work God has planned for us. Each person has a unique part to play in the body of Christ to bring Him glory and further His kingdom. I pray that God used my words to encourage some people.
Au Lomani Iko
Jaime"
Here's a photo from the Children's Home blog - looks like they got the playground almost finished! Loving the boots and dress/skirt look :) Something a little Pippi Longstocking about it!
Jaime's in the blue and white dress - 2nd from the left
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Letter from Fiji #2 continued
Jan 1st
It is the beginning of a new year today. Last night - working in reverse- we went to the beach to celebrate the turn of the new year. In town that morning a couple of people bought firecrackers which we set off. I got some cool shots of them over the water. At five past twelve we finished the firecrackers and stopped for a time of prayer. We arrived back at Lomani Au around 12:30 then there was stuff going on with the toilet because the water was off so they had to find another way to flush because the tank we normally use has been emptied. It was around 1 before we all got to bed.
Before we went to the beach we went to a church service particularly aimed at teens. We performed 3 or 4 items none of which we had properly prepared for! The service went for 3 1/2 hours and was mostly in Fijian.
At 1:30 yesterday, after we got back from town we changed into our work clothes to do 3 or 4 hours of work. I spent the whole time shovelling or pick-axing the dirt. I was sad because we were going to do more concreting but couldn't due to the lack of water. So I couldn't do my favourite job of doing the wheel barrow. After doing one week of work, I am so covered in bruises and scratches it's crazy! I haven't really been sunburnt yet which is good.
In the morning, we took an open back bus into town. It's more like a big trailer bed with a tarpaulin roof and sides. We have taken this mode of transport several times and will probably use it most of the time we need to go places. We spent about three hours shopping and I found a few gifts. The shops we went to had lots of home-made stuff but it wasn't really a market.
Each day the leaders give out a Godliness award to the person who worked hardest, had a good attitude, and encouraged others, did jobs without being asked etc. I got it today. If you get it you get a can of soda and to be first in the foodline. I was happy enough to get the award, the soda just made me feel sick!
Well that's all for now.
Au Lomani Iko (I love you)
Jaime
It is the beginning of a new year today. Last night - working in reverse- we went to the beach to celebrate the turn of the new year. In town that morning a couple of people bought firecrackers which we set off. I got some cool shots of them over the water. At five past twelve we finished the firecrackers and stopped for a time of prayer. We arrived back at Lomani Au around 12:30 then there was stuff going on with the toilet because the water was off so they had to find another way to flush because the tank we normally use has been emptied. It was around 1 before we all got to bed.
Before we went to the beach we went to a church service particularly aimed at teens. We performed 3 or 4 items none of which we had properly prepared for! The service went for 3 1/2 hours and was mostly in Fijian.
At 1:30 yesterday, after we got back from town we changed into our work clothes to do 3 or 4 hours of work. I spent the whole time shovelling or pick-axing the dirt. I was sad because we were going to do more concreting but couldn't due to the lack of water. So I couldn't do my favourite job of doing the wheel barrow. After doing one week of work, I am so covered in bruises and scratches it's crazy! I haven't really been sunburnt yet which is good.
In the morning, we took an open back bus into town. It's more like a big trailer bed with a tarpaulin roof and sides. We have taken this mode of transport several times and will probably use it most of the time we need to go places. We spent about three hours shopping and I found a few gifts. The shops we went to had lots of home-made stuff but it wasn't really a market.
Each day the leaders give out a Godliness award to the person who worked hardest, had a good attitude, and encouraged others, did jobs without being asked etc. I got it today. If you get it you get a can of soda and to be first in the foodline. I was happy enough to get the award, the soda just made me feel sick!
Well that's all for now.
Au Lomani Iko (I love you)
Jaime
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Letter from Fiji #2
Another letter came today. (dated 31/12/11) So fun going to the mailbox and finding letters from Jaime! We all take turns reading the pages and passing them around. This one was quite long so I'll post it over a couple of days. Jenny"Happy New Year's Eve! Tomorrow is the beginning of a new year. Normally we get to wake up at 6:30 (sleep in!) but today it's 7:30. The reason for the extra hour is that tonight after tea we are going for a walk down the beach and we might get firecrackers!
Just standing here works up a sweat on your forehead. Doing work such as digging usually leaves you with sweat dripping off your cheeks and nose. I have a hard time making my sunscreen stay on due to the quantities of sweat and dirt/concrete.
I got given the job of wheel barrowing loads of concrete along the side of the hill. Each load is usually between 40 & 70kgs. Of the 10 or so that I pushed in the morning I only lost half of one because the person who was supposed to be helping me around a sharp corner forgot! So far that has been my favourite job followed closely by painting and moving clods of earth. Surprisingly (or not so!) these are also the most messy. It also doesn't help when you get a cramp in the top of your leg while standing half on a ladder and half on a step stool. Then when you half-fall/half-jump, you land in a puddle of grey paint!
We are almost finished the retaining wall and yesterday they started on the foundations of a fort. We have half-finished the concrete slab where all of their water tanks will go. Bill (from Australia) and Frank (a local man who is very involved with the children's home) seem to be happy with the progress we have made.
Two days ago we had the opportunity to go into Frank's village and paint their community hall. We got 2 coats on most of the outside done and we will be going back to complete the inside and the parts we didn't finish on the outside some time in the next few weeks. Half-way through the day, the boys all went out spear/spear-gun fishing. They caught 2 parrot fish after 2 1/2 hours. The women of the village provided us with morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea. The spread consisted of pineapple, paw paw, egg sandwiches, Fijian doughnuts, toasted tuna sandwiches, some slice with a gingery cake base and yellow jelly. The highlight of it all was the fruit juice! I don't even know what was in it but it was good!
Today we are going to town to buy our souvenirs. They said this might be our only chance to do sightseeing and souvenir shopping.
to be continued......
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
A letter from Fiji
A letter finally came from Fiji! Really hoping she gets some of the letters we have sent. If you are still thinking about writing, letters need to go to Tewantin now till about the 16th to get to her before she comes home (I'll put the address at the bottom of this post).
Here's what she had to say about the trip:
"We arrived safely in Fiji around 5:30pm on Thursday (Dec 22). At the Brisbane Airport we had a really hard time with the luggage. In the end, we had to leave one oven, one guitar and a package of tools behind. We were still some 30kg over but one of the girl's dad ended up paying the $330. With God's help we were able to get all of our necessities.
When we arrived in Nadi we were given shell necklaces - everyone wore them yesterday as well. Some of the boys tucked them into their shirts. The first thing I thought of when we got out of the airpost was that it smelt like Africa.
I think everyone was shocked when we arrived at the hotel (they have an overnight in Nadi each way). It was so nice - it even had a pool! We shared rooms between 2 or 3 people and they were about 10x the size of a tent. There was a double bed and a single bed in each room. The food, bed, shower, swim in a pool, shower (yes she put shower twice!!) and air-conditioning were such luxuries!
Yesterday we took a short flight to Labassa then took a 3 hour bus trip to Savusavu. That bus trip was painful. It was so stuffy and we were all cramped together, then 2 girls behind me got really sick but didn't throw up. I spent most of my time reading my library book! (This was a treat for her to be able to read as they only get to read on Sunday afternoons - missionary biographies.) I have some book to read about Chet someone called Born to Die or Called to Die... something to Die. (I just looked up the book it's Called to Die: the Story of American Linguist Chet Bitterman, Slain by Terrorists - just in case you need to know!)
Guess what the first thing I did after we arrived at Lomani Au? Yep, I hurt myself! We got off the bus and I was busting to go to the toilet. I walked up the hill and slipped over on the steps. I landed 6 steps down, straight on my bottom. I managed to get to the toilet but I waddled down the hill - it hurt so much.
When we got back to the tent site I stood there feeling sore and not being at all helpful. Then my skin became really cold but I felt like I was burning up and my ears got really sensitive and I thought I was going to vomit so I knelt on the side of the road. I spent the next few hours lying on the ground because it hurt so much. I didn't take any pain relief because I didn't want to but I wasn't really fully with it for about 3 hours. By the time I went to bed I was still sore but it felt so much better.
This morning I suddenly realised that it is Christmas Eve! So I guess I should say Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Today we had our first proper work day. It was so humid and sticky. All of us were so hot and sweaty but I am happy because I felt like I worked hard and accomplished something. We stopped for morning tea and one of the boys climbed up a tree and got us some coconuts. I got a whole one to myself. I drank half the juice and managed to bathe in the other half - well spill it all down the front of my shirt!
So, mostly I am having an incredible time! And I really hope the rain will stop so I can go for a awim at the beach.
Much love,
Jaime"
If you still want to write the address is:
Teen Missions Team 1107
Jaime Kuipers
PO Box 29
Tewantin, QLD 4564
Thanks for all your continued prayers. They actually leave Savusavu on Saturday and fly back to Brisbane on Sunday morning! They have a few days of debrief at the Boot Camp and she comes home on Saturday, January 21st (11 sleeps if anyone is counting!)
Here's what she had to say about the trip:
"We arrived safely in Fiji around 5:30pm on Thursday (Dec 22). At the Brisbane Airport we had a really hard time with the luggage. In the end, we had to leave one oven, one guitar and a package of tools behind. We were still some 30kg over but one of the girl's dad ended up paying the $330. With God's help we were able to get all of our necessities.
When we arrived in Nadi we were given shell necklaces - everyone wore them yesterday as well. Some of the boys tucked them into their shirts. The first thing I thought of when we got out of the airpost was that it smelt like Africa.
I think everyone was shocked when we arrived at the hotel (they have an overnight in Nadi each way). It was so nice - it even had a pool! We shared rooms between 2 or 3 people and they were about 10x the size of a tent. There was a double bed and a single bed in each room. The food, bed, shower, swim in a pool, shower (yes she put shower twice!!) and air-conditioning were such luxuries!
Yesterday we took a short flight to Labassa then took a 3 hour bus trip to Savusavu. That bus trip was painful. It was so stuffy and we were all cramped together, then 2 girls behind me got really sick but didn't throw up. I spent most of my time reading my library book! (This was a treat for her to be able to read as they only get to read on Sunday afternoons - missionary biographies.) I have some book to read about Chet someone called Born to Die or Called to Die... something to Die. (I just looked up the book it's Called to Die: the Story of American Linguist Chet Bitterman, Slain by Terrorists - just in case you need to know!)
Guess what the first thing I did after we arrived at Lomani Au? Yep, I hurt myself! We got off the bus and I was busting to go to the toilet. I walked up the hill and slipped over on the steps. I landed 6 steps down, straight on my bottom. I managed to get to the toilet but I waddled down the hill - it hurt so much.
When we got back to the tent site I stood there feeling sore and not being at all helpful. Then my skin became really cold but I felt like I was burning up and my ears got really sensitive and I thought I was going to vomit so I knelt on the side of the road. I spent the next few hours lying on the ground because it hurt so much. I didn't take any pain relief because I didn't want to but I wasn't really fully with it for about 3 hours. By the time I went to bed I was still sore but it felt so much better.
This morning I suddenly realised that it is Christmas Eve! So I guess I should say Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Today we had our first proper work day. It was so humid and sticky. All of us were so hot and sweaty but I am happy because I felt like I worked hard and accomplished something. We stopped for morning tea and one of the boys climbed up a tree and got us some coconuts. I got a whole one to myself. I drank half the juice and managed to bathe in the other half - well spill it all down the front of my shirt!
So, mostly I am having an incredible time! And I really hope the rain will stop so I can go for a awim at the beach.
Much love,
Jaime"
If you still want to write the address is:
Teen Missions Team 1107
Jaime Kuipers
PO Box 29
Tewantin, QLD 4564
Thanks for all your continued prayers. They actually leave Savusavu on Saturday and fly back to Brisbane on Sunday morning! They have a few days of debrief at the Boot Camp and she comes home on Saturday, January 21st (11 sleeps if anyone is counting!)
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