When I was departing Suva to come to this side, the church family thought I was going back to the USA. The Lord had told me to hideaway with Him. By stripping all of the familiar things, He’s been able to lead and guide me by me pressing into Him. There is still much more pressing to do, but I’ve had a wonderful time with Him!

I was released to make a phone call to Jeremiah and Sofie, the Suva family. They had wanted me to come and stay for a few days earlier, but the timing was off. We now made arrangements for me to stay with them. I was really looking forward to seeing them again. Before we had left, Sofie had been praying and the Lord told her that I was staying. When the team was leaving, Sofie’s face showed confusion. “Why is she on the bus? The Lord said she’s staying.” She had it right, I stayed, just not where they thought at the time. When I arrived she was so happy to see me. She shared with me that the night of the teams departure, the Lord showed her in a dream that I was still here. She was hearing right on, even though it did not look like it in the natural. I was just in a different place, soon to be brought over to them at the Lord’s timing.

I did cell groups with the Church and had a wonderful time. There were a few surprised looks as only the Sr. Pastors knew I was coming back. We talked about the plan and purpose of God. I knew now that the purpose for me staying was not all over there. I had appointments in Sigatoga that I needed to fulfill.

My time with mata vuvale (my family) in Suva was special. The kids further taught me how to speak Fijian. It has been said that if you stay in a place for 8 weeks and don’t speak your native tongue, you’ll speak the language fluently. We’ll I’m blessed, as most of the people here speak English, so I’ve not had to be stretched way way beyond myself.

Although I’ve got a few really good conversation starters and can understand a bit more of what they are saying!!!!

They are shooting a film at a nearby location. The cast and crew are staying here at the hotel. I’ve had interaction with a number of them. Hollywood meets Fiji ~ it’s interesting. I was waiting in the lounge area and one of the actors came over and started a conversation. We talked about the movie and then he asked what I did. I said, I’m a missionary. He asked for a further definition of my “job”. I had wondered why I was defining this earlier so, here it is in print:

I am a Christian Consultant, with world wide experience in reaching tribes, tongues and nations with the Love of God. I assist them to secure their eternal life in heaven and the ability to identify their gifts, talents and abilities to walk out the plan the Lord has for their lives.

He asked about the pay. I told him that it is the best paying job that I’ve ever held!!!

We talked further and he shared with me that he was agnostic. Believed in a god, but did not know what ~ still searching and seeking. He had a lot of really really good questions and held back nothing. Does your God love everyone even if they don’t worship him? If someone doesn’t receive your God, do they go to hell? What does your God have to offer? How are your sure that your God is real? I shared the Love of God with him and my testimony. It was precious and his heart received. At the end, he prayed a prayer for God to show him the Way, Truth and path to Eternal life, to know Jesus as Lord and Savior as I had shared with him. He told me that I was different from others. That I operate in a whole other realm. Glory to God!! He seeing the Jesus in me.

Today I went into the market. As I walked through, there were many people stopping me to talk. A number of the people told me that they were Christians and Spirit filled. Glory to God! After we’d talk about the goodness of God, they would ask me if I would look at their wares. Pulling back a cloth (to protect from dust), an array of merchandise would be displayed. Crosses, shell bracelets, necklaces, coconut carvings and Buddha’s ~ yes Buddha!! I was shocked. I would ask a few questions about who owned the shop and each time it was the person I talked to who professed Jesus as Lord and Savior. My heart was grieved by the idolatry. Nicely, I would asked “why do you have idols in your house?” The answer was usually because others believed in those gods and they would buy the idols. I’d ask if they believed in those other gods? “No, Jesus, but others believe in them.”

“What do you think Jesus would do if he walked up right now? How would he feel?” They paused and thought about it.

I explained how the selling of the idols of the other gods was an indication that they did believe that those gods were real because they acknowledged that they were real to others. When asked what to do, I said that they should remove them. That if they cleaned up their houses, God would bless them for it. I shared that they may have not known that they had an idol in their house, but now they do and from that point on, it was important to keep their houses clean.

I’ve been able to develop some good relationships with most of the staff here. They are so open and have been readily receiving Jesus as Lord. Many come to me and request prayer or further guidance in the Word of God for life challenges. They also are opening up their homes to me. Many have invited me to visit and for a meal. They are looking for a way to bless me back and it is quite touching.

Luke, a snorkeling guide, is also responsible for managing the coral reef restoration garden. He asked me if I wanted to go and check the coral with him. I first thought he was referring to the reef walk that they have but it was not low tide. Oh no, he was talking about snorkeling ~ Yippee. I went and got my gear but still did not realize that it was by the outer part of the reef. The garden is in a channel further out and is marked off limits. As we were walking, I realized where we were going. He said that since he manages the garden, he could bring me. It is not for guests to snorkel as they need to keep it undisturbed and there is a current which weak swimmers can not handle.

We went out and it was way different from what I saw earlier. It was more of the most marvelous colors I’ve seen in my life. He pointed out many sea creatures ~ Fish in brilliant neon colors, little creatures that looked like rocks until they moved and swam away and Nemo’s house (he wasn’t home). The coral gardens are racks where coral is grown to eventually be transplanted to other parts of the reef. Luke would “weed” the garden like a flower bed and make sure everything was in the proper place. Along the way to each of the racks, we would stop and he’d explain things to me. It was a wonderful adventure. As we went out further, I could feel the water temperature changing as it was getting deeper. He told me to remain on the “shallow”side of the reef as he checked the outer gardens. He said, “take a look at the big fish.” WOW. I’ve been to aquariums and thought they had some big fish (all contained of course), so this was an experience. It was really spectacular.

While checking one of the gardens, Luke was turning and looking over his left shoulder. He did this a few times and I thought what is he looking at? I shifted to see around him and there it was, a reef shark (qio) that could touch my nose if it wanted to. Luke explained to me before hand that they may come up and brush you saying “bula” (hello), but not anything more. I still figured it was best to keep Luke between the shark and me. The amazing thing is that he told me he could hear the shark coming. His ears are trained to hear the shark. My ears were not. It is like our walk with the Lord. Our ears need to be trained to hear the still small voice. And then respond to what we hear. Thank you Lord, for Your favor with man to have an underwater adventure to see your handiwork beneath the sea.

Ministering to children is wonderful. I so enjoy all of the questions that they ask. Children are curious about so many things. The exchanges to find out about each other and what life is like for each of us are so enjoyable and precious. The one thing that puzzles me is the question, “Do you have any American Chewing Gum?” I hear the request often and it is specific ~American chewing gum. Even the ones from Australia and New Zealand ~ they want “American” Chewing Gum. I have discovered that American chewing Gum (sugar free) is a wonderful door to ministry~ especially if you hold a bubble blowing contest. (Side note: they have the Wrigley’s brand here ~ juicy fruit and doublemint ~ they say it’s not the same, maybe it’s the sugar)