Fiji Adventures

Tuesday, August 6, 2024

July 2024

The Fijian members of the church were very thoughtful and aware of our USA Independence Day. There were two celebrations in different areas of the Fiji Country office.

Our July 4th party included "light refreshment" and party favours. We were also treated to Patriotic music and games.

Mickey, Shreen Acosta, Irene Lesuma

Shreen Acosta, Mickey, Steve

When we were here for our first Fiji Mission in 2019, we taught a Temple Preparation class in the Suva 1st ward. Shreen Acosta was one of our participants, and she was a little irritated with me when I kept trying to follow up with her when the class ended. One day she turned to me and said, "Sister Hinkson, when I'm ready to go to the temple I'll let you know!" On Sunday, 14 July, she told me she was going to the Temple for the first time on Tuesday 16 July, and invited Steve and I to be there. We were so delighted. She said, "You were part of my journey/"

A landmark day on our mission was 19th July. I gathered up all my sewing stuff (machine included) and took it to Rachel Aitu. Her daughter is 16 and is showing some interest in sewing, but the machine she was using died. When I heard the story, I immediately knew where I needed to park my Fiji machine. I'm so glad it has a new home where it will be useful to someone until it dies!

Steve and I were asked to participate in the career fair at the LDS College. We had a planning meeting on Monday 22 July. The Fiji Ministry of Education representatives, church facilities managers (FM), the school principle and her staff (Cheryl Bahn), and two missionary couples gathered around a conference table to go over plans for the event. They have invited all the high schools in the greater Suva area to participate and bring their year 12 and 13 students to the campus. The event was scheduled for 26th & 27th July. After we met in the conference room, the group decided to take a look at the campus. I got separated from the group, so was waiting for them in the administration office. I decided to go out to meet them, and I missed a small step at the entry, and fell! I went full length onto the cement, twisting my left ankle and bonking my head in the process! I immediately had a great deal of attention all around me! The best thing that happened was immediate application of ice to my ankle. A trip to the hospital for x-rays reassured that no bones were broken. Miracles have blessed me, because all the bruising evidence suggests a significant sprain, but the healing has been amazingly rapid. Only one detail that most of you might not know: walking on crutches while wearing a skirt is quite difficult!

Waiting to get X-rays

A very kind lady brought leaves from her
"healing tree" and wrapped my ankle for
the first 2 days. I've now experienced the healing
miracles of "Fijian Herbs"

Well, injured or not, the project continues! We were in charge of making 200 "snack" bags that contained a bottle of water, a granola bar, a piece of fruit (apple or orange) and a napkin. They were to be handed out to the vendors during the 2 days of the Career Fair.

First order of business: gather supplies and get some help!

Assembly line following the
Country Office devotional

Many hands make light work

We had 200 bags assembled
in 30 minutes

Then to transport:

Elder Bryan was part of the team!

Several students helped us get the
boxes into the music room for
safe keeping until the big event

After we distributed the bags on Friday, we had 5 left.

Pictures from the Career Fair, a 2 day event: The final count was 2000 students in 2 days.

Back: Rachel Aitu and Ned Taito
Front: Steve, Mickey, Sister Klomp

I got a tour of the school farm. This was in the
greenhouse with Ed Ramen

Students in the display hall

2000 students from the Suva area participated

Elder and Sister Klomp

Thursday 25th July was our final gathering with our English Connect 3 students. We spent 14 weeks meeting with these young people weekly. We sure love them!

Final day with EC3 students

Some other pictures of events in July----

Steve and I organised the senior couples dinner at
the Eden restaurant

Seine Rasiga and I went out to lunch on her
last day working in the Country office.
She is studying to become a lawyer.

Back row: Sister & Elder Van Woerkom, President Kama, President Lesuma, Steve, President La'ulu, Elder Walk, Elder Williams.
Fromt row: Sister Solomoni, Sister Sheffet, Sister Kama, Sister Lesuma, Mickey, Sister La'ulu, Sister Walk, Sister Williams

29 July we were invited to go to the Temple President's home for a farewell dinner with the temple missionaries. We had a great dinner and a lovely evening visiting and sharing testimonies.

That wraps up July.

Love,

Steve & Mickey Hinkson

Saturday, July 13, 2024

June 2024

We had passed this sculpture in Sigatoka many times, but on our June trip, we heard the story. The local rugby team is the Sigatoka Stallions, and the stallion's footrest (which I always thought was the world), is a rugby ball. Once I knew the story, I had to get the picture!

On June 2nd we went to Korovou because a group was graduating from their Self Reliance class, Education for Better Work, and we were invited to the event.

Sister Livini and Steve

We stopped in Nasinu and picked up Edward Raman,
who was the Nausori Stake representative for
the graduation

Sister Bulavou (far left) was the course facilitator, and Sister Livini (far right) is the Stake
WSR representative, who organised and
supported the group.

Later that day, we were asked to present our health slides to the dorm students at LDS College. Prior to our presentation Elder and Sister Bryan asked us if it would be OK for the students to practice the musical number they were singing for Stake Conference the following week. We felt so privileged to be an audience of 4 (just us and the Bryan's) as they gave a beautiful performance of the hymn. We got video of it, but it won't load here, so I'll have to go on picture memories.

Dorm Students at LDS College

Singing "Behold, the Wounds in Jesus' Hands"

Our opportunity for family "colorvata" came while Chris and family were here!

While Chris was here, matching
shirts

I wanted to get in on the fun
as well, so I made a skirt.
Unfortunately, Chris was already
gone by the time we could
have taken a picture

Chris and Heidi

In June, we said goodbye to the Seeholzer's. They served as our office couple for a year. They were replaced by the Wilson's, who also became our new next door neighbours!

Elder and Sister Seehol

Elder and Sister Wilson

On June 19th Sister Walhstrom called me from Savusavu to report that she was having headaches every day. We reviewed all the usual stuff that can cause headaches, and made a plan. The next day, her companion called me to say that Sister W had passed out during morning studies and had fallen out of her chair. She remained unconscious for about 2 minutes, and then woke up and was fine, except for the headache. I had them go to the Savusavu clinic immediately to get her checked out. The doctor there gave her some migraine medication, which cured her headache, but did nothing to settle our fears, so Sister W and her companion flew to Suva the next day to begin the process of getting her medially reviewed. For the next week she and her companion were the guests of President and Sister La'ulu in the mission home (cushy accommodations) and we did the rounds for the medical testing. Sister W has not had any other issues since her initial syncopal episode, including no more headaches. She was cleared to go back to full time missionary work on June 27th. I'm so glad she didn't have to go home!

Sister Walhstrom and Mickey

The 3rd week of June, Steve and I were able to take a few days off to go to Sigatoka. We stayed at the Fiji Hideaway, which was the first resort that we stayed in on our first mission. We went on an excursion called EcoTrax. We had such a fun time! The carts are fitted with bicycle parts and set on the narrow gauge railroad tracks of an abandoned sugar cane train line. They have pedal power and a motor! Here are some great pictures from our day . . .

One of 4 bridges on the route

We were in the first cart,
leading the way!

The guys bringing up the rear!

Lots of great scenery along the way

This is called the "Tunnel of Love"

On the right is the thatched roof of the chief's bure.
The only structure in the village that is allowed to be
on higher ground is the church (in this case, Methodist)

The senior couples often get together on Saturday evenings and go to a restaurant for dinner. We take charge in rotation. One Saturday in June the Walk's decided that we should sample the street food hot sandwich vendor.

The vendor grills
beef mince, chicken,
and pork mince

We were all fascinated by the process

Buns are a full sized loaf of bread. One sandwich
was ample for the two of us!

Cheese and sauces are added.

Mickey and Pam Klomp

We had a beautiful evening for the event.
Rulene Walk (foreground) is very serious
about her selfie!

Other events in no particular order:

There is a new McDonald's in Nausori. It is across King's Highway from a big mall that has a Burger King. This is the 4th McD's on the island, and the first one with a full service drive-thru on the Suva side of the island. Sister La'ulu and I decided to treat a couple of missionaries and ended up in line for over 30 minutes!

The Sunday that we went to Korovou, Elder Sheffield (the tall one) and his family came to services, and decided to stay for our presentation. Elder Sheffield had gone home and then returned with his family. His father is a doctor, and as they traveled to the various locations that Elder S served, they were involved in 2 medical incidents in the villages. Elder's Dad had a very eye-opening experience about what the Ministry medical care can offer. It was delightful to visit with them.

June 22 was Seine Rasiga's birthday. The office staff always does a good job of recognising milestones. Seine works part-time as the receptionist, and also is attending law school. She's a sweetheart!

That's it for June! We love serving in Fiji. We love the restored gospel. We are grateful for this opportunity.

Love,

Mickey and Steve Hinkson

Saturday, June 29, 2024

May 2024

LDS College Campus 2024

LDS Collage Campus 2024

We have been gathering with the high school seniors and dorm students who are taking English Connect 3. We meet out at the Tamavua campus of the Church College (high school). It is such a beautiful campus, I'm including some pictures here.

Steve and Mickey with Elder and Sister Hansson'
BYU Pathways missionaries from New Zealand

One of the fun things that happens when working in a Pacific-wide program is that when people come to Fiji on vacation they come to see us. That is what happened with Brother and Sister Hansson, from New Zealand. We were delighted to be able to meet for lunch and conversation on Saturday, May 4th.

May seems to be my herbal month. I discovered the power of the AloeVera plant for healing wounds, specifically boils, with the enthusiastic participation of Elder Turagavou. He had been on antibiotics, both oral and topical, and healed up pretty well, except for one spot on his leg that kept reoccurring. I offered the Aloe as an alternate suggestion, and he was diligent about keeping it on and changing it daily. The wound healed in 2 weeks with no hint of residual infection. I was so pleased! I also started some basil seeds, and had too many seedling for my use, so I shared them with others in the office.

Mickey and Elder Turagavou

Mickey and Naomi with basil seedlings

Fresh Aloe Vera

Under the heading of creative equipment use, both Elder Larson and Elder Singh needed to have a bit of help with weight bearing activities. They were both in the Lautoka zone, so they teamed up and shared a pair of crutches! Good thing the length is adjustable!

Elder Larson and Elder Singh

One pair of crutches needed!

We had a very special experience when the Deloi family, from Levuka, came to Suva to get temple work done and be sealed together as a family. We first met them when we did our project in Levuka, and they graciously invited us to their home and garden. They also helped us with the organisation of the event we did in Levuka last March (2023). We were so pleased when Tara, Sister Deloi, invited me to be her escort through the temple session. The sealing of the children to their parents afterward was such a special experience. We felt very privileged to be part of their Temple day.

We were able to meet them and take them out to breakfast the following morning at our favourite

cafe, called Bulaccino's.

Tara, Pesci, Kilo, and Robert
Deloi
May 17, 2024

Mickey and Tara

The Deloi Family

Another special day was the May Out-take group to the temple. This is the last temple session for the young missionaries before they head home. The power of their spirits is palpable. It's a privilege to associate with them.

May 2024 out going missionaries with their companions

May 21st was a sad day because Elder Aiolupotea ended up in Oceania hospital again. He went in for a physician review, and his symptoms and lab tests indicated he needed another round of IV medication and some repeat tests.

May 22 was a very busy day for the mission and the WSR department, because Elder Quentin Cook (one of the 12 apostles) and his wife came to Fiji as part of a South Pacific mission tour. Our Missionaries had been gathered into Suva for the occasion. The Missionary meeting with Elder Cook was scheduled to start at 1:30 pm. We also had a contingent of visitors here from Salt Lake that were involved with the English Connect and Pathways program. We had meetings and devotionals scheduled for both groups in different buildings throughout the day. The Stake Presidents and other leadership here in Fiji were really hustling to make it to all the places they needed to be.

When I got to the hospital on that Wednesday morning, the nurse for Elder Aiolupotea laughed as she told me that "Elder is all suited up and ready to go." She knew that we had an important meeting to attend. The doctor didn't get the discharge papers written until noon, and then it takes a couple of hours to process everything through the system. I asked the nurse if she would take out Elder's IV cannula, and allow us to leave the hospital if I promised to come back before her shift ended at 4 pm to pick up prescriptions and paperwork. She was very kind, and helped us get free of the hospital, so Elder Aiolupotea was able to make it to the missionary devotional with Elder Cook (we didn't get there in time for the picture, unfortunately!) I did make it back to the hospital to pick up the discharge paperwork, thus helping to maintain my credibility for the next time I need a favour!

Elder Eberhardt and
Elder Aiolupotea

Elder Aiolupotea dressed and
ready to go!

FSM with Elder Cook and Elder Wacola

Peniette, Heather Porter, Verna Tukuafu
MJ Jouttenus and Mike Hilmo
Suva Stake Devotional for English Connect
22 May 2024

We did get a little more rain in
May. Elder Webb found the homeward
path a bit damp!

My birthday on 24 May was well marked. I was honoured to have young missionaries, senior missionaries, and family members here to make it my Most Memorable Birthday in Fiji!

Happy Birthday to You

Happy Long Life to You

May God bless You

Hip Hip Hooray

I entered a new decade marked by the well-wishes of many friends and loved ones.

Thank you all!

The last week of May was a treat for us because Chris, our son, and his family came to Fiji for a visit. We had the opportunity to go to Nadi and for 3 days before we had to get back to Suva. The pictures show the zip-line adventure, but Heidi, Simi and I were able to have a great time shopping in Nadi-town!