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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