Adjusting

Bula! It is Wednesday evening in Lautoka. We have had a busy few days as we adjust to life here. Each morning, we meet as a team for prayer and worship and to discuss plans for the day. Yesterday, we met with "Pastor Mike" from one of the local churches who gave us a primer on Fijian culture and how we should act while we are here. One of his examples started as a question. "What did you notice as you drove here from the aiport?" One of our teammates piped up, "you drive on the wrong side of the road!" Since that was the answer he was waiting for, he proceeded to use it as an example to say that many people come to Fiji to convince the people they are driving on the wrong side of the road (metaphorically). They have good intentions, but that perspective is offensive to the people. His call to us was to "come to our side of the road." Then our message and help will be accepted. Another of his recommendations was that the men wear sulus (man-skirts) all the time. That differentiates you from a tourist and you will be more likely to be left alone by the street sellers and scammers and we will be much more respected by the people here. So, Sam and I went downtown and bought ourselves some sulus yesterday. We have been wearing them anytime we leave the hotel. I am debating whether to include pictures in future blogs or not.

This week we will be working with some after-school programs for children, visiting and working with a local prison ministry here, visiting and ministering to a local village that lives on a garbage dump, and probably other things. Angie and I are really praying and looking for opportunities that we as a family can participate in together. We are not comfortable taking them to the prison or garbage dump village, but want them to be able to experience and participate with us and the team as much as possible.

Being here has been a huge adjustment so far. We feel desperately homesick and have a hard time believing that we will be here for another two months. That seems like so long to be here in this strange environment and missing our family and friends. But we know that God will give us the grace to get through one day at a time. This morning we read this Scipture, one that has been a favorite of ours but that seemed fresh for us today:

Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again--rejoice! Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon.
Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. If you do this, you will experience God's peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:4-7)

Please pray for us that we will adjust quickly. Also, please pray for Katie as she has had a fever for the last few days and has not really wanted to get out of bed much.

We miss everyone. God bless!

The Cathay Hotel where we will be living for the next five weeks.













Inside our hotel room home.













The other side of our room.













The restaurant of the hotel where we will often eat dinner meals together.













The one TV in the hotel. We can sometimes get cartoons on here for the kids.













Sam and Katie at the only playground we have found so far, consisting of an old slide. They had fun nonetheless.












The Methodist church down the road from us where we have our morning meetings.













Pastor Mike Kelly telling us how to sit down on the floor in our sulus.













Downtown Lautoka.