Cyclone Winston

Cyclone Winston, a category 5 cyclone hit the islands of Fiji on February 20, 2016.  It was the strongest tropical cyclone on record to make landfall over Fiji.  Most of the senior missionaries as well as many of the youth were all in the capital city, Suva for the re-dedication of the Fiji Temple.  President Henry B. Eyring and Elder Quentin L. Cook along with the entire Pacific Area Presidency had just arrived.  The cultural celebration that usually takes place before a temple dedication was significantly reduced in length and started an hour earlier due to a curfew being enforced because of the cyclone  The real miracle was that the storm didn't go over Suva, but turned and struck less populated areas on outer islands.  

The main path of the storm was across the main island's northern coastline and communities to the west.  Further north, the islands of Koro, Tavenui, and Vana Levu received the worst damage.  Sadly, 44 people were killed and thousands of homes were damaged or destroyed.  

On Sunday, February 21, the temple dedication went forward with a very small crowd due to government travel restrictions and blocked roads due to fallen trees.  Even with all the challenges, those in Fiji were thankful that many lives may have been spared because over 100 youth were in Suva for the temple dedication rather than at home in the outer islands where the eye of the cyclone passed over.

"We do not always have the option of choosing our situations in life, but we can respond with faith and trust in the Savior.  We can know that He knows and loves us and will be with us."  Elaine S. Dalton, Lessons from the Old Testament:  Lessons from Ruth and Hannah, April General Conference 2006

International Dateline, More Garden Visits and A Pleasant Evening in Taveuni

After the ceremony at Somosomo School we jumped into our 4WD vehicle and drove to the other end of the island (Vuna) to visit more gardens and the people who have been working with Elder and Sister Roth.  We thought we had seen some nice gardens - then we visited the gardens in Vuna.  We are not sure whether it was the soil, the warmer climate or something else but we very impressed.  As you can probably tell, the gardens are flourishing.  The members were happy and were able to provide for their families as well as sell a little produce on the side.

Everyone in the family was involved in the garden.  After Gary showed one sister how to thin her carrots, her little ones immediately got down on the ground hard at work weeding the garden and thinning the carrots.

After our delightful visits to the gardens we loaded ourselves back into the car (really a 4WD truck) to go to our dinner appointment.  As we drove along, the topic of the International Dateline came up and since it was nearby, we decided to make a quick stop.  It was nearly sunset and quite windy, but we were able to capture some pictures before we drove up the road to rendezvous with some other senior missionaries at the Tramonto Restaurant.  The view was breathtaking.  Here you see Gary in "today" and Susan in "yesterday".  

After dinner we went back to our hotel which was rustic and quite nice.  We had a marvelous view of the water and even had some fruit bats out in the trees.

In the morning we got up and ate breakfast before going to the dock to catch the ferry back to Natuvu, Buca Bay.  Susan had made sure to take her seasick pills the night before and she did much better on the return trip.  We had decided to ride a different ferry on the return, but there were no available seats so we got on the Taveuni Princess again.   The captain wears white unless it is a stormy day.  Then she wears brown.  When the ferry arrived she was wearing brown.  We boarded the boat and waited for our departure.  As we were sitting there, Gary's cell phone rang.  It was a phone call from Church headquarters SLC regarding a missionary dentist that was scheduled to come and serve in the Samoa humanitarian dental clinic for the next 18 months.  We were glad for that call and quite surprised that we could receive telephone service so far from any center of population. When we returned to Natuvu, Buca Bay we drove to Savusavu where we had lunch with Elder and Sister Roth.  On the way to the airport to catch the first leg of our return home we stopped at the Seaqaqa Primary School where more school furniture had been donated.  It was just a quick visit.  It was Friday afternoon and school was out, but we were impressed that all the children and teachers were cleaning the buildings and grounds.  At the airport we checked in and departed at about 4:00pm.  The flight to Suva, Fiji was a short one.  We arrived and settled in for a 5 hour layover in the Suva airport, which has one small snack counter and not much to choose from - a good place to maintain your diet.  At 10:30pm we boarded our flight for Auckland and got back to New Zealand at 1:45am.  By the time we got home it was close to 3:00am.  It was wonderful to have been in Fiji, but it was also good to be home.

"Whatever our calling, regardless of our fears or anxieties, let us pray and then go and do."  Thomas S. Monson "They Pray and They Do"  General Conference April 2003 

Come See My Garden

Early on Wednesday, August 12th, Frank Stanford picked us up from our hotel and we headed to the Suva airport where we flew to the island of Vanua Levu.  We were met there by Elder and Sister Roth.  The Roths are from Switzerland.  They had 10 children so you know that they know how to organize and make things happen.  Upon arrival Sister Roth handed us our schedule for the next 3 days and we were off and running.  On the islands, the missionary couples have 4WD trucks as opposed to a car, which was very useful on this particular trip.

Last year the Roths began a gardening project with multiple familes in several locations.  The project helped with seeds and training for people to develop gardens in order to provide food and income for their families.  Our first visit required us to put the truck into 4WD low and do some serious maneuvering to get there.  On the way to visit the first garden the Roth's told us that they usually walked the last kilometer to the members house as they got their truck stuck once before in a large ravine and it took 7 men and a horse to get it out.

Elder and Sister Roth have encouraged people to plant their gardens close to their homes so that they will be able to watch and care for them more easily.  They have taught families how to harvest seeds from their crops so that they won't need to buy seeds for the next planting season.  This is the second year of their gardening project.  As you can see from the pictures, these gardens are very successful.

Sometimes we had to walk through the bush and wade the streams to get to the gardens.  Everyone wanted to share something with us.  It was a great day and we loved seeing the many gardens.

*** Note - Susan looked at the last two pictures and said to herself - "Who is that little old lady with Gary?'  In our mind we still see ourselves as in our 30's - but guess that is not the case.

"God often meets others' needs through our small acts of service.  We need to help those we seek to serve to know for themselves that God not only loves them, but he is ever mindful of them and of their needs."  Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Spencer W. Kimball