Fiji Summer Project

I can not believe I haven't blogged in over a month!  Goodness, we have both traveled quite a bit this year and it's been hard to really settle into a routine.  A few weeks ago I was away on a summer mission trip (even though it was spring break really) during the uni holiday for 2 weeks.  I led a trip of 8 students and 2 other staff to Suva, Fiji.

Fiji isn't really that far from New Zealand, which is funny.  Only a 3 hour flight!  It's straight north, so warmer weather!  And tropical plants.

We were headed up to Fiji to do ministry at the University of the South Pacific and Fiji National University.  Fiji is a very 'spiritual' place, so students were very open to talking about different faiths, and had some familiarity with Christianity.  But for many, it is out of family obligation or heritage, and many churches aren't that strong or Biblical.  So it was really fun getting to talk to friendly students and share about God's love and grace!

We stayed with the campus directors in Suva, basically camping at their house.  It was very homey and we learned a lot about every day life in Fiji.  There are definitely some differences living in the tropics!  Everything molds quickly and ants can find food ANYWHERE.

Here we are on campus, of course there is a rugby field.

 The house we stayed at had a huge porch where we spent a lot of our time.  After the first few days our bums were getting so sore from sitting on the ground so much! 

Four of the students were from Wellington, and I've been working with them for the past 2 years.  That was the main reason I wanted to go on the trip and it was such a blast getting to hang out and do ministry with them.  They are amazing girls and I feel so blessed that the Lord has allowed them to be in my life here. (Zoe, Emma, Joane, and Sarah) 

Many of our students hadn't really experienced a different culture like Fiji.  The island culture is different, and their history is very different that New Zealand's.  So we all had our culture overload moments :)  I happened to have an upper respitory infection for most of the trip, which was lovely.  But I am grateful that I had enough stregnth to do ministry during the day with students and was mostly tired only at night.

Overall we had a blast and saw the Lord doing some really cool things.  Over 20 students decided to follow Christ and we were able to follow up with many more and explain the foundations of the Christian faith.  Thank you to everyone that has been so supportive of this trip!