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Friday, July 9, 2010

Think It's Humid in U.S.?


I have had the shocking privilege to go to the Fiji Islands four times! I had never considered myself a huge world traveler at all. There were enough things to be afraid of here in the United States, why would I take a crazy risk like that? But, given the opportunity to accompany our college age students as part of a team of leaders, I did it. We were going to the distant islands of Fiji to pray for people and bring them what we could. Did I mention that my ten day trip was completely paid? Very big incentive to grab what I thought would be a 'once in a lifetime' chance.

The first photo is our group hiking (I'm in green skirt) to a primitive and isolated Fiji village that did not see a lot of white people. That would explain why we are wearing long skirts and even our arms are covered. The church on the big island that invited us over was very old school and did not want our girls in jeans or pants. The best part..... the boys had to wear zulus, which are basically a skirt! Our guys looked funny in them, but the Fijian men looked downright fierce in a zulu! (sulu/zulu? can't recall.)

On the Leadership Team were people who were strong in certain areas. One was a great musical worshiper, another was gifted at healing and another friend had no qualms about praying with the demon possessed. I wondered why I was there and decided it was to be a "mom" and an encourager for the students that I knew so well.
Well, the very first night the Director of our team asked me, ME, to speak to the students before we headed out to our assignments! What? You guys have the stuff, why are you asking me to share? I will not forget what he said,
"They are all really scared and jumpy in this unknown place. You have conquered fear in so many ways, I am sure you can help them overcome the fear they are facing tonight."

So, the third photo is me in front of our group. The reason I am looking down is that I was reading to them straight out of my journal. The pages I had written while on the 15 hour flight on my way onto this brand new scary place. I was able to lift their spirits by showing them how I dealt with the same feelings. There was laughter, tears and a whole crowd of happy excited people by the time I was done!!

And in case you ever thought that exotic traveling was glamorous in any way, take a look at the close up someone took of me! Ugh! The intense heat and humidity was actually one of the toughest things I fought while there. No make-up could survive, no hairspray could stand up to the wet air. Walking out of our rooms was exactly like walking into a gym shower area. The Fijians carry white dishtowels strapped into their waste bands to constantly wipe their faces. (Not really very white after a bit!)

I joked with the leaders later that we all have our specialties; healing, prayer, worship, deliverance....and mine? Fear. Nice!

5 comments:

  1. What a great story! Love how you used your journaling to help others!

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  2. I really enjoyed your post. I left a little something for you on my blog. I hope you enjoy it!

    Candace~♥

    http://discoveringcandace.blogspot.com/2010/07/pretty-sunshine-for-me.html

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  3. Dawn - MY journals have been my best friends sometimes! Like that night!! Ha!

    Candace - Thanks so much Love it!

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  4. What an amazing experience! Thank you for sharing. You brought back great memories, and some bad, of a medical mission outreach I participated in to Peru in May of 2006. The conditions were very similar and, boy, did I have a lot of fear to overcome of my own. Then, on the 6th day, just as I was getting a little settled in, I became very sick. It took a lot of work to get me well enough to leave with our team on the 9th day. Then, when we got home, my Father-in-Law passed away the very next day. What a blessed time and sad time all mixed up into one. However, I would not trade that experience for anything in the world. The people I met in Peru and the lives that were touched by our team being there were worth ever bit of pain and sickness that I experienced during that trip. I would give anything if I could go again sometime in the future. I hope I will be well enough to experience it again one day.

    I'm stopping by from Java's 'Follow Friday 40 & Over'. I wanted to say hello and share some comment lo♥e. Thanks so much for sharing your experience. I look forward to reading more of your posts.

    I just became your newest Follower and I would be really honored if you would take a few minutes to check out my blog and follow me, too, if you like what you see.

    In the meantime, I hope you and your family are enjoying a really wonderful weekend!

    Blessings,

    Teresa <><

    ♥ Too Many Heartbeats ♥

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  5. Thanx Teresa! Being sick in another country is so scary isn't it? I was very sick on another Fiji trip and had to face a 5 hour boat ride back the the "big" island while being sick!! Ugh!
    Thanx for following, I'll go visit your place right away!

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Brenda