Fiji Regional Conference - Day 4: "The Videos That Weren't"

I was going to upload a video of our PNG "item" for fun night.  Each team had to come up with something representing their assigned island.  Our group was assigned PNG. I'm was a little embarrassed because I narrated the story of how the Fijians took the gospel to PNG...and I sounded like I was addressing children instead of adults.  I tried uploading the thing anyway, burying my pride, but even after trying all night, the thing wouldn't upload.  (Yahoo.  My dignity will remain intact!)

What I'd really like to show you but don't have a video of is Dan playing musical chairs with the island staff.  We were all divided into teams for game night.  Two reps from each team were chosen for musical chairs.  My goodness...the loud laughter and cheering and pushing and antics and fun...It was wild!  Dan didn't win, but he lasted until the final few.  (Mills kids:  imagine Koli's shout of laughter, plus La's...then times 50!)

Since I have no video, I'll include these two photos of me playing games and one of Dan golfing:

Dan, golfing with a group of 25...a game called "best ball"

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Fiji Regional Conference - Day 3: Getting Ready!

It's PNG's turn to share about our year tomorrow, so we've spent a bit a time planning.  We're also leading a discussion about discipleship, so Dan's been organizing different people throughout the region to share their stories.  And I've been assigned a group to put together an "item" (fun song or dance or something) to represent PNG tomorrow night.  (Nobody else from our PNG staff is in this group!)  Should be an interesting day tomorrow.

I was also given a textbook for my systematic theology class that begins next week, so I can get a headstart on my reading.  My, it's a thick book!

 

Fiji Regional Conference - Day 2: Resort!

After our morning bus ride, we arrived at the resort just in time for me to add my additions to the welcome table Kathryn set up, and right away began greeting old and new friends, passing out name tags, notebooks, candy, etc.  (It's a fun job!  Everyone likes free stuff!)  It's sure fun to be with these precious people again.


The Fijians greeted us all to their island with a song of welcome before our first session.  After the song each of them put a sulu (or lava lava) around the shoulders of a non-Fijian.  What a lovely welcome and gift.  We felt loved!

 

Fiji Regional Staff Conference- Day 1: Here We Go!

As with most flights to the islands, Dan and I are up at the crack of dawn.  After checking in our bags, it's off to McDonalds for breakfast and a very needed cup of coffee.

Yesterday, we were at this same spot saying good-bye to Dan's sister and family as they headed back to the States after 13 days in New Zealand.  We had a wonderful time with them, but now we need to change gears and think about the conference ahead and our island friends.  I hope we packed everything. (I know we have the individual packets of candy I put together for the welcome/registration desk.  So, I have the important stuff, right?!)

We're meeting the PNG staff in Nadi, Fiji today, then we will all take a bus together in the morning and head for the conference.  I wonder what the next 3 weeks will hold?

PNG End-of-Year Trip - Day 10: "Shop Talk"

I decided to go into the corner of the lobby at our guest house for a short "quiet time."  After awhile, the converstion floating over to me from the other end of the room seeped into my consciousness.

It was familiar talk...different accents maybe, but very familiar.  A few young families were comparing notes of ministry, island living, what to do to prevent malaria, flying out to remote places, etc.  Canadians, Americans, Germans...all experiencing like-circumstances, all having similar goals.

Shop talk seems to breed comraderie.  What a privilege to be a comrade of this particular shop!

PNG End-of-Year Trip - Day 9: "Cleaning Out!"

Today was our second go at clearing the out-dated stuff from our office.  Whew!  It's been hot, dusty, mosquito-laden, heavy work.  Who knew in a few short years technology could make so many things obsolete!

We threw away all the Jesus Film movies and reels.  (It's now all digital.)  Film strip splicers, stamps that require ink pads (and the ink's all dried up), everything on cassette tape, personal notes from two directors ago, anything mold damaged, water damaged, bug damaged or rat damage,or just plain broken...all got chucked out.  You can see the floor now.  Some things that previously couldn't fit into the office have now been brought in.

Although we wiped down surfaces, it still needs a good clean...but now you can get around to clean it.  It's nice that we all did it together so that we all know what's there.  We feel a lot more organized.

PNG End-of-Year Trip- Day 8: "Reading!"

A day off.  Yahoo!  This introvert is about peopled-out.

While Dan somehow listened to a ballgame over the internet, I listened a little, too...and then I read, and read, and read...until my eyes are blurry.  (Dan, of course worked on computer stuff.)  You'd never believe it, but I found a fiction book in the little library here, by an author that's been out of print for years.  I read her books in high school.  What a treat to find it here now.  (Yes, so the political situation is very dated...I just skim that part and get back to the action.)  I know I've read this book before as I recognize the title, but I remember nothing of the story.  (A new perk of being middle-aged!)

I feel like God has been looking out for me.   I feel glad to be cared about.