Suva

Suva

We’ve hit the middle of our trip, which is unbelievable to me, and this past week we spent some time in Suva. The road trip to get there was pretty long and hot and bumpy. For lunch we had a picnic on the beach and got to see some little sea creatures! We got to stay at Homes of Hope in their guest house during our stay. It is a home for trafficked/abused women and their children to stay and learn about Christ and some job skills (hospitality, jewelry making, crochet and knitting, small animal care, farming, cooking, etc.). We got to help clean the preschool building, plant some coconuts and shop at their arts and crafts store. The money we spent went to whoever made the item – once they get through the program they can use it to support themselves. We weren’t able to take any pictures of the children and moms we worked with, but we did have a few other adventures during the week.

our first rugby game!

Isla and Lizzy investigate the brittle star

bus adventures!

I got to visit the bure and pier that I put in my support letter, pretty cool 🙂

blue starfish!

me and the bure on the pier!

waterfall adventures!

DCIM100GOPRO

the gopro came in handy for waterfall pictures!

We were able to serve with other ministries while we were in Suva. One day, we got to wake up at 4am and do a coffee ministry. The team of eight Fijians and nine Americans made a huge pot of coffee and took bread to a main intersection in the city. Where we were was the road that people coming from nightclubs would walk. Some clubs would close at four or five in the mornings and hoards of people would migrate down the street to other clubs that were still open. That or people would come to the bus stop that would start running at seven. We also serviced some prostitutes and homeless. One of our girls was flirted with by a drunk but the locals on our team protected her. After the coffee was gone, we walked back for a time of debrief. I liked what Nolan, our team leader, said – that we were all just helping people. He pointed out that our intentions were not to condemn or judge, but to help them make it home safely. That was a great perspective to keep through the rest of the trip as well. 

We were also able to do a kids’ club at a school for deaf children. It was great; I loved seeing their passion and life and enthusiasm. They were so sweet! Of course, something would happen to me. A little boy was mercilessly chasing me and he caught my sarong. He…pulled it down. Shock and laughter. I plopped to the ground and covered my shorts with my sarong. Thankfully no one saw much. One or two little girls were laughing at me and a gal on our team saw it too. Ha!

The stories from the employees at Homes of Hope inspired our team. Please keep them in your prayers as they continue to effectively minister and reach out to the people of Suva and the surrounding area!

David and his little friend at the deaf school

one of the homeless men that we served coffee to

crazy group picture from the deaf school

me and my little friend from the deaf school