Last Week in Fiji....

Sunday, July 13
I can't believe this is actually the start of my last week.  Its so weird to look back and see just how far we have come and what we have been doing the past five weeks.  God has been so faithful and has taught me so much, and I just know He is going to keep teaching things to me and revealing himself to me this last week, too!

Yesterday we took some of the youth to the beach.  I walked to the bathroom with another girl on the team, and ended up having a really awesome conversation with a worker at the hotel! He stopped me as I was walking in and asked about my tattoo.  I briefly explained the meaning to him, and he wanted me to write down the Greek word on his paper.  I wrote it down as he asked me more questions about what it meant to me.  I ended up explaining how it was my reminder that Jesus has already paid the price for all of my sins - past, present, and future.  His last words on the cross let us know that we are completely forgiven, wiped clean because of his blood that was shed.  The work is done - its finished!

He asked me more questions and I learned he was a Christian as well.  In Fiji though, similarly to America and the South, everyone is a Christian.  He said he was a christian from birth.  I tried to gear my statements toward the fact that we have a lot of people back home who claim Christianity because they go to service on Sundays, but they haven't had that heart change from the Lord.  I wish I could have asked even more questions, but I trust that our conversation was completely led by the Spirit.  It was just so fascinating to have that conversation unfold like it did :)

Also, I found out tonight that no one on my team knows who Hanson is.......talk about feeling old!! They were pretty much the best thing ever growing up...

Wednesday, July 16th
I had to say my first of many goodbyes yesterday. We taught our last scripture class, and we got to play afterwards and take lots of pictures! The kids love taking pictures and making this peace sign in every single picture....its so sweet :)

I had a really low night yesterday - I was thinking of how I would have to say goodbye to Wati, and Satan was leading me down a pretty bad path. But God is awesome and proved his faithfulness for the millionth time this trip! He brought a roommate in and we ended up having an amazing talk :) As sad as I am to leave, I know God loves her more than I ever could and knows what she needs better than myself.  I trust His sovereignty in these situations, and that's probably been one of the biggest lessons I've been blessed with learning. 

We ended up having a great time with everyone at Loloma, and they put together such a special party to say goodbye! They made a beautiful sign and a delicious looking cake. We got to hand out certificates for completing the tutoring, and they loved those.  I gave Wati a note and a picture I had brought with Imogen.  She loved them! We were able to take a few pictures, too, and I'm planning on sending them as soon as I get back home! It broke my heart to leave, but like I said earlier, I feel more at peace with just trusting God loves her more.

I got to make coconut milk for the first time here yesterday! Uncle Rusi chopped open the coconut, and taught me how to shred it. Auntie Sala then helped me get all the milk out - it was so easy! Especially compared to the time it takes to make almond milk...and you end up with lots of shredded coconut for flour :D

I also made this stuff for lunch today called Miche (spellings probably wrong...). Its just coconut milk, lime, salt, and onion.  I poured it over my cassava, and it was DELICIOUS! It was so great getting to have something different for food! I'm so excited for food when I get home....probably gonna go crazy.

Thursday, July 17th
Today was hard.  I've never felt this drained before.  The Enemy is really attacking our team with sickness this last week.  On top of all that, we had some of the hardest goodbyes this week.  My brain is just running on fumes right now, and I know I cannot get through these last few days on my own strength.

I always want to put on this calm, collected face in the midst of hard times, and that's exaggerated here as the leader.  I see these amazing friends in pain, and I want to do whatever I can to ease it or provide some small piece of comfort. Inside though, I really am barely holding it together.  This is another area I can see God at work though - allowing me to see how it negatively effects me and this body He lives in.  I want to learn how to admit this weakness and be excited for these moments where Gods glory can best be displayed.  I'm not there yet, but He is at work in all of this pain and sorrow and exhaustion - I know I will one day see why He has brought us all to this point at the end of our trip.  Until then, I'm pressing into him and reaching out to the community He has given me in order to keep going.

Friday, July 18th
God is amazing y'all - I woke up this morning feeling so refreshed and energized.  I had peace in my heart for the first time in a couple days.  I had an amazing quiet time, and the team seemed in much better spirits today.  Our last day working on the farm went well, and we got to enjoy an afternoon in Nadi again.  Its strange to think how the last time we were here, our journey was just beginning and now we are bout to head home!

Tomorrow we get to head to an island and just enjoy the beauty God has blessed Fiji with.  A day of relaxation before heading home!

I can't wait to get home and tell all y'all everything I've learned.  Its too much to write up and try to express from my phone, so you'll have to wait :) love y'all!!!!