Village Outing

So far so good. Getting to know the culture of Fiji is so interesting!

On Thursday we started our international orientation. There is a group of about 10 from a program called Australearn which most of them are from the US. There is an other group around that size from UWP (a Wisconsin Program) all are from the US but not all are from Wisconsin. There are also a couple people from Australia, Japan, Canada, French Canadians, and Africa. The diversity is so great to see and it has been fun getting to know people. I’m looking forward to the next 5 months of my life!

We started orientation with speakers from the campus informing us of what is going on at campus as well as safety and things to do off campus. Thursday night we went to a Chinese restaurant for a buffet, it was soo good! Yum!

Now, to what I really want to talk about. Yesterday, Friday, we went to Vusama Village. It is the earliest known village to settle in Fiji. So cool! The drive to the village took about 3 hours from USP, but what a drive it was. Words cannot describe how beautiful this country is. Fiji is a developing country but a gorgeous country that’s for sure! Sadly I didn’t get pictures because I was on the inside on the bus and it was raining almost the whole way. But to try and describe it, hmm.. It was green hills everywhere! There were so many different kinds of trees that fill up the hills with different leaves and figures to make each tree look special. Then about an hour into the drive there was green filled hills on one side and the ocean on the other. At the time I was listening to my ipod on my Christian playlist and it fit perfectly. It was such a good reminder how amazing our God is. The scenery is just a tiny piece of God’s artwork on earth. The thought for the day in my journal today read, “ Savor little glimpses of God’s goodness and His majesty, thankful for the gift of them: winding pathways through the woods, a bright green canopy overhead, and dappled sunshine falling all around.” It fit these last two days perfectly.

As for the Vusama Village. When we got there we had a traditional welcoming ceremony in their main meeting room. It was all in Fijian so I didn’t understand it but it was still fun to experience. Then we had to try Kava which is… not good! Kava is where they pound roots from the ground and use the powder to mix with water. So basically it is dirt water. It is “disrespectful” to say no when they come to you to drink it. I drank it twice but I had to politely say “no thanks” after that! Friday night we danced. If a guy came and touched a girl that meant you had to go dance with him and vis versa if women touched a man. They dance and drink kava till about 4:30 in the morning! I did not make it that long! On Saturday we were supposed to go on a tour of the village but the rain put a kabash to that. It worked out great though because we got to make handmade arts and crafts all morning/afternoon. We had 3 meals while we were there and they were interesting to say that least! I have to say I am not a fan of being able to see a fish’s eye while eating it! But Rice was always a safe bet along with some noodle dishes! As for my FAVORITE part of the village. It was the KIDS! (Go figure, me loving kids.) Oh, they were precious. The most definitely stole my heart from the beginning. They loved getting their pictures taken and taking pictures then looking at them! They learned my name quickly and would come up to me and just say my name and smile. Hearing them yell my name from far away just to wave made me smile. The village was most definitely a success!

My Bed at the Village ( mosquito net above my head)

Dinner table ( It is on the ground)
I forgot to mention when you are in the meeting you room you always have to sit indian style.

Me, Andi, and Christine ( spelt differently on Fijian)

Me and the Kids

Last night we had our first cockroach in the house! Ick!! The geico’s, ants, and some spiders I can deal with but getting used to coackroach’s may take a little while!


Reality check in Fiji:
As for what I have experienced in Fiji so far has made me appreciate the United States more greatly than I ever thought I would. Having internet is a privelege hear and we only get so much free internet. At first I felt like it was a joke to only have so much internet per month but that really makes a person appreciate the capability of getting to go on the internet. I have also learned it is a huge privilege to TV especially cable TV. Although I didn’t watch all that much TV at home it was nice to be able to turn it on. Here having 4 channels and 2 working channels, it is quite a difference but a good change! The biggest reality check for me was going to the village. They have so little but make so much of what they have. They are the happiest people just because they have each other. It makes me that much more thankful for everything I am fortunate to have in the US. Fiji has been and eye-opening experience but a great on indeed!

New word from Fiji: Tuolo ( Ch-oo-low) Meaning: Excuse me

God Bless!

P.S. You can find more photos on Facebook!

Arrival in Fiji!

Bula! (hello in Fijian)

Well I made it safe and sound! Besides the travel time getting long and getting little sleep all my flights went as smoothly as possible! With a 19 hour time difference from Minnesota, I arrived in Nadi, Fiji at 4:50 am on Monday Febraury 14th. I was very thankful my luggage came in right away so I was able to catch my connecting flight to Suva where an international worker came and picked me up from the airport. So all in all the traveling was pretty good! I am unpacked and fully moved into my place at waukala flats. It is supposed to be like an apartment but it almost seems more like a house. There are 3 bedrooms on the main floor ( 1 is mine) and a toilet room and a shower room. Downstairs is another bedroom, a living room with 4 chair and a tv ( with 4 channels, 2 working ones- Australian network and London something or other), and a kitchen and kitchen table. They are also air conditioned so that is very nice! A good way to escape the heat! The part that makes me feel lazy and spoiled is it is someone's job to clean our house everyday! She's cleans, empty's garbage's, makes our beds, and washes our dishes! It's crazy!

As for the heat! It’s been mid to high 80’s since I’ve been here. It feels good compared to the negative degrees in Minnesota but is also very warm! I haven’t got my tan on yet but I’m sure it will come quickly with this heat. Sadly the beach is 45 minutes away but that makes for good weekend getaways! Bus rates are good so that should be very manageable!

My Fiji experience thus far:
The first day I was quite jet legged and sleep deprived so once I got settled into my room I took a nice nap! My first evening here my roommates Jess (from North Carolina) and Bettina (from Norway) and I went to a place called Raintree Lodge about 20 minutes there and stayed in dormitories. It felt like camps I went to when I was younger! That night we just hungout at the Lodge and played games! We played “funny ludo” which is like the game sorry back home but with a few different rules. We also played scrabble which I’m usually not very good at but I tied with Bettina so that was fun! Tuesday morning we took a hike up Forest Lake Park. It was soo beautiful walking through the forest and there were beautiful waterfalls! We were going to go swimming in the pools from the water falls but Jess ( being a biology major) said it wasn’t safe with all the mosquitos surrounding the water. Speaking of mosquitos, they are everywhere! It’s like Minnesota summers! Thankfully they liked Jess and Bettina’s blood better than mine so I didn’t get eaten alive but they still aren’t fun! Oh and in our flat we have tiny ants and geico’s! To say the least, I’ll be getting used to bugs!

I will be getting another roommate, Leah from Canada. She will be coming tomorrow! I am excited to meet her! All of my roommates are very nice which is so comforting!

Tomorrow we start orientation so we will get to know our way around campus better as well as the city of Suva. Tomorrow we stick around campus for orientation. Friday we will be going to a village and spending the evening there. Saturday we will head to the beach! Monday classes start!

I did get the internet configured with my computer and we are supposed to have wireless at our flats but we currently don’t! So I will try to keep you all updated as much as possible!

I hope all is well in the US!
Prayer request for a quick adjustment for me would be greatly appreciated! Thanks much!

God Bless,
Hannah

PS I will soon upload more pictures on facebook!

Start to a new Adventure

Friday February 11

Tomorrow morning I will start my new Journey. I will start my traveling and hopefully reach my destination in Fiji early February 14th! It has been a dream/goal of mine to study abroad at some point in my college career and that time has fallen now. It is an exciting and nerve racking time as I don't know anyone else going to Fiji or anyone in Fiji. I feel I am ready for the new experience and can't wait to see what it offers.

I have been asked by many, "What made you choose Fiji?" To tell you the truth I have no idea. I applied late in the game so my options were slim but Fiji was my top choice and I got in! So in a way I say that Fiji chose me.

As many people know I spent this summer in Fort Collins, Colorado on a summer project through Athletes in Action (a.k.a. AIA). AIA made a huge impact on my life and has helped me develop into who i am today. Through the 8 weeks at AIA I grew dramatically in my relationship with my LORD and Savior Jesus Christ. Through this summer and the past few months I have realized how to surrender my life to christ and follow the path God has paved for me. Following "my" own path just doesn't work for me anymore (which is a good thing). As far as how Fiji fits into this, is I feel there is a reason i am going there. I know God has a purpose for me to be there for these next 5 months but I am not sure what this purpose is. I am excited to keep my eyes, ears, mind, and heart open to God's plan for me and to find the purpose to me being sent to Fiji.

What I'll be doing in Fiji: I am going to be studying at the University of South Pacific in Suva, Fiji. I will be taking three courses: Art ( Intro to Design and Cadd), History (World History) and Physics. I am also very excited to experience the culture there. I will be an islander for the next 5 months of my life! I have started a bucket list of a few things I want to do while I'm there such as: surfing, kite surfing, scuba diving, zip line through the forest, volunteering at a village, and soaking up the sun ( which won't be hard to do)! I'm sure I will add more to my list when i get there!

I want to thank everyone who has supported my through my new journey! I appreciate any and every pray I get for safe travels and to be able to follow God's will for me during this journey.

God Bless,
Hannah