Home Safe And Sound

Team made it home safe and sound today. It was an amazing trip that can't be summed up with words. We did our best to share our days, but there is no way a blog can share it all. Our Travels to Fiji hopefully changed some lives, both here in the states as well as in Fiji. Thank you to the parents for going on this ride with us. It was an adventure that we will never forget.

I want to take the time to say thank you to the kids. They created a family bond that can never be broken, rolled with the punches, and created an extremely successful trip. I would take them anywhere with me at anytime.

The second thank you goes out to my co-leaders. Janelle and Leslie, thank you for your tireless work day after day. You make these trips successful and amazing. Thank you for your hearts and work year after year. I love leading with you. You pour into our team, and create a dynamic that can't be replaced. You guys amaze me year after year.

Hope your kids have enough energy to share their hearts with you.

Grace and Peace,
Tyler

Last Day In Fiji

So today was our last day in Fiji, but yesterday was the last time we went to our missions sites. I worked for the past week and a half at the Mount Zion preschool which was so cool. The kids were suuuuper adorable and I'm gonna miss them all. One of my favorite kids turned out to be the trouble maker-his name is Joseph. One morning we were building blocks to make a tower as tall as me. We got the tower as tall as three feet, and Joseph came and kicked it down. So the kids started to rebuild it. We got it as high as five feet. Joseph came in and knocked it down again. Once more the kids rebuilt the tower so it was as tall as me. Again Joseph knocked it down. It hit me hard that these kids never gave up no matter how many times they were knocked down. Finally I convinced Joseph that it would be more fun to build the tower with us as a team. We got the tower about six feet high and the kids, including Joseph were screaming with excitement. That's one of my favorite parts of this trip. 

-Savannah Reed-Plouffe

(I would have added a photo but my camera drowned while snorkeling)

Final days

It was a bittersweet morning knowing that today would be our last day at our sites. At Mount Zion preschool we were greeted with smiling faces and energetic kids ready to play.  We danced, sang, colored and played with the kids until it was time to go. Leaving the kids was so hard and even though they had no idea what was going on they all bombarded us with smiles and hugs before we left (which of course made it that much harder to leave). We made our way back to our house and started decorated for a traditional Figian party called a Lovo. The food is wrapped with Palm leaves, buried and cooked under ground. We were busy blowing up balloons, braiding palm fronds and preparing for the party. The food was delicious as usual and after devouring the feast that was prepared for us we made our way down to the deck for entertainment. We watched dances, celebrated birthdays and even learned a dance, it was a perfect ending to a perfect trip. We all didn't want it to end as excited as we are to share our experiences with our family and friends we all fell in love with Fiji and don't want to leave.

-Sienna Verdult 

Day 7: 6-23-14

We woke up this morning to much of our dismays at 5:30 (which ment sleeping in). After our morning devos and breakfast in the rain, we walked with our team (Nicolina, Taylor, Nadia, intern Natalie, Mr. Gray and ourselves) to Delana.  There we taught, read to the kids and played with them at lunch. We had a lot fun just talking and hanging out. When school got out we walked to the coffee shop in town. There we ran into the rest do our team and ordered yummy Fijian shakes. When we were all done we walked through the Lautoka carnival to the sport court and played some more soccer and volleyball with the locals. Half of us took cabs back while ambitious others ran back to the house. Now we are 

getting ready for another delicious dinner, fellowship with our friends, having some competitive cards matches, and enjoying one of our last nights here in Fiji! I think we speak for everyone when we say we aren't ready to go home (sorry parents). 

Much love,

Chloe F. and Lily M. 

Dinner in the town

Yesterday we began our day with devotions as we watched the sunrise. We went to our kindergarten site, mount Zion (Sophia, Lindsey, savannah, sienna, and Avery). It was a shorter than normal day due to a teacher meeting which gave us an opportunity to just hangout and play with the kids. It was cool to see the kids start calling us by our names and get excited to see us because we are all getting to know each other better. We are getting to know all their unique personalities, separating the troublemakers from the sweet little girls who just wanna play with our hair. We are also getting closer to the staff and having a greater appreciation and respect for what they do everyday. After school was over, us girls along with mr. Gray walked around the town, shopping the markets and getting milkshakes. We came back to the home base to regroup before heading out to different staff members houses for dinner. Our specific group (Chloe, Lindsey, Sophia, and sienna) went to the kindergarten for a huge dinner that was put on by the teaching staff. They wouldn't excuse until us until we completely stuffed ourselves because they said it was Fijian custom.  We happily complied because everything on the table was amazing, like every meal has been since we arrived.  After getting to talk to the teachers about everything from politics to unique Fijian customs, we headed out to the annual carnival that is put on to raise money for underprivileged children. We got to ride the ferris wheel and explore the different shops as people left and right were greeting us with "bula!" We met up with the other girls team and we all ended up squeezing into one small taxi, all 10 girls, as we headed back to the house. We sat out on the deck and all agreed that Fiji was definitely where we were supposed to be as we began seeing Gods greater plan. We are so thankful for the experiences we have had and the friends we have made and are sad to see it coming to a close.

Lindsey and Sophia 

Songs with the kids

Our dinner with the kindergarten staff

View from the top of the ferris wheel

Church Day

This morning we all went to church. The first church we went to was a worship church and the pastor spoke on how no matter what happens in your life, "All is well". He also talked about how when you receive a miracle, like you get the job you've always wanted or the perfect spouse, you have to work at it, even though it was a miracle in the first place. After the morning service we had about 6 hours of just rest time before we went to the second service. Fijians really take the Sabbath day seriously, like no work, no loud noise, or anything. Just really peaceful. The second church service was at a Pentecostal church which they all spoke in Fijian, so we really didn't understand any of the sermon, but the experience was super cool. They did interpretative dancing with the worship songs which most of us had never seen. After one of the songs, one woman started to yell uncontrollably and then one other woman started to yell as well. After the service we asked one of our leaders, Mosese, what that was all about. He said that the first woman was speaking in tongues and the other one was interpreting the other in Fijian. Most of us had never seen that and we were all shocked that that actually happened. Overall, today was an awesome day.

Matt

Team headed to church

Island Day

We spent the day recharging our batteries.  Took a boat out to south sea island off the coast of the big island. We spent the whole day on there.  They had a lot of activities available. Team spent the day snorkeling on the reef, kayaking, paddle boarding and relaxing in hammocks. It was a great day to recharge and relax. Much deserved for the team. They have put in long days of hard work. Was a chance to see another side of Fiji and It was way cool. Scenery was breathtaking, and got to boat back to the big island at sunset. It was a day the the team will never forget. 

Tyler, Janelle, and Leslie

Tomorrow we had to church. Should be another great day. :)

South Sea Island, ours for the day.

Sunset on our boat trip back. God is good

Another good day

Early this morning we had devotions; we talked about Grace and Peace and what they truly mean. After we had breakfast and then went to our sites! I taught at DeLana Elementary with Lily, Chloe, Nicolina, Taylor, and SI intern Natalie. We were thinking of new ways to make the class interesting and fun, and we came up with an idea to draw a picture and we had the kids figure out word matched the picture! It was rewarding, seeing how much the children loved the game, and also seeing their desire to learn! It is a blessing to be able to teach these kids English because, we don't have to strive to make them pay attention or yell at them to stop talking; they just truly want to learn our language and succeed at it!  After we took a taxi ride home, the SI interns planned an aerobics excessive for us outside on the deck, but it kind of turned into a dance party which ended up being a lot of fun! Now, everyone is hanging out, playing card games and looking at all the pictures we took today & the kitchen smells amazing, as usual:) later tonight we have Prayer Night, and we stay up until 12:30 praying together! I excited to see how that goes, and the rest of my time here in Fiji:) 

Vinaca Vakalevu!!

~Nadia Marjanovich 

Photos by Me and Lily:))

Me and some of the fourth graders yesterday!

Our beautiful walk to school

"Madame Nicolina" 

 Some of our new friends 

Taking pics in the halls at school!

Fiji: Day 3

Bright and early our clocks rang, declaring the beginning of a new day in Fiji. Starting the second day at our sites, everyone was curious to see what was to come! I remained open-minded to all events of the day as I traveled again to the local preschool. Being the first to stroll into a classroom of 40 plus  2-5 year olds, a smile was impossible to hide. Being in the presence of such genuine joy coming from the children, created an environment of excitement and livelihood. Quickly I realized my relaxed nature was soon to be disturbed. After a few hours of attempting to teach my group of 4 year olds colors, I felt a connection with a few as they began to grasp the concepts. After only 2 days, such progress surprised me. As we all made our way back to the house, we shared our stories regarding our favorite parts of the day. Finishing off a spectacular day we walked down to the coast. As we sat and watched Gods mural of the sky at sunset, I felt God's presence with our group. We have enjoyed each others company as we have worked together to share our love with the Fijians; I am so excited for all that is to come! 

Sunset tonight

Teaching in classrooms 

Colors and shapes

Avery with our chef for the week. 

Preschoolers on their second day of learning 

Little 4 year old at break 

Sophia playing with Anna 

Report on day 1

Our first day in ministry was an amazing experience. We woke up in the morning and had devotions where we spent 15 minutes with God, while the sun was rising and sang songs with Mama. Then we ate pancakes and toast made by the one and only aunty ma! After that we were off. I recieved the site of Delana Primary School which is a private elementary school! My group of 5, Chloe, Nadia, Lily, Taylor, Ms. Ruge, and I all helped with teaching the kids who are struggling with reading how to read and speak English otherwise known as remedial reading. The grades go from grade 1 to grade 8. We also played with the kids at lunch and recess. The kids were SO welcoming and it was AMAZING to see how grateful and appreciative the kids were for having so little. We ended the time there helping out the grade 1 and they showed us some moves of there own while we danced and sang. We were fully immersed in the Fijian culture as we sang about coconuts and pineapples while shaking our hips like no tomorrow. After our ministry work we headed over to the sports court where we showed our skills in volleyball or soccer with some of the locals. After we played our hearts out we came back to a table of food like always which was a tad bit spicy. We then heard Roo, a local Fijian and a SI staff member's testimony and then had culture night where we learned about the rituals and traditions of the Fijians. After, that we hit they hay after a LONG days work.

-Nicolina Taylor Duhs

Great day of work

We had a great day of work today and our kids are all tired out. A couple of them were going to share their days but they are asleep already. 

We will share our stories in the morning. Kids are doing great and in great spirits, just very tired. And for good reason :) 

Pictures from Day 1

Boys embracing Fijian culture

Birthday celebration, for the day that didn't happen

Fiji day 1

After a long travel day, we finally reached  Fiji early in the morning and we were all greeted with open arms. Everyone we met was so welcoming and filled with joy that we were there. After we checked in, they prepared breakfast for all of us and then we all headed to the main town, Lautoka. We all had to buy pocket sulus, even the guys! We then headed back to our house and had lunch before we headed to a village. We all had to wear our new pocket sulus or skirts with our Fijian shirts with respect to the Fijian culture. There we were given a tour of the village, where we learned about the Fijian culture and shopped at some local village shops. After a long day, we finally came back home and had dinner. The food they make us is so delicious! Finally we learned about our upcoming mission activities and prepared for the day ahead!

Luke

Made it safe and sound

We flew in to Fiji and made it just in time for the sunrise. This place is is beautiful and we are just excited to get this adventure started. Everyone is in good spirits, healthy, and traveled like champions. Headed to town after breakfast to see some sites, and have some fun. This is the view from the porch of our house, it isn't bad. 

New Adventures in Fiji

SFC will head out on a new adventure to the Country of Fiji. This will be SFC first mission trip to Fiji. The team heads out on Sunday June 15th, and will return on June 26th. Stay tuned for updates throughout the trip, and hopefully a few pictures. See you soon.