July 2023

One of my favourite views
on  beautiful Orvalau island and 
the city of Levuka

Our first project in July was to return to Levuka and give Self-Reliance and BYU Pathways presentations. We went to the Branch Sacrament meeting on Sunday. We were so excited because there were over 70 people in attendance (the last time we were on the island, one family showed up for church). To our benefit, a newly released missionary, Elder Johnson, and his family were visiting that Sunday, and it seemed like all the members on the island turned out to greet them. It was also Fast Sunday (the first Sunday of the month is dedicated to a 24 hour fasting period). That means that all the individual village units, and some units from other islands, come in to the chapel in Levuka to meet together. We were thrilled to have an hour to give our presentation. Everyone stayed, because they had prepared a big Lovo feast (Fijian pit barbecue ) for after the meeting. It was a wonderful Sunday.

One of the most delightful experiences in Levuka
is staying at the HomeStay Inn and visiting with
the owners, John and Marilyn. Marilyn cooks an
incredible breakfast every morning, which often
carries us  through until dinner! 

Tara Diloi (center) and her sister were invaluable
in keeping track of attendance and transport
fees. 

Monday we spent preparing for the 2- day health and family garden presentation that we do in partnership with the Ministry of Health education team. Since we took our car over on the ferry on Saturday, we were able to transport all of their supplies.  We made the arrangements for venue and food. The ministry team was then able to just stay on the island for the 2 days of the conference, which helps them stretch their budget, both time and money. The Ministry team does such a good job of presenting, and of course, in Fijian, with all of the government statistics and experience in island gardens. Steve and I are happy to spend our time and budget on the project to have their expertise in training. 

 

Our total attendance ended up at 32 people, which 
included 2 village health workers, about 20 members of 
the church, and 10 friends interested in health and
gardens.

Ravin is demonstrating the
seedling tray preparation

Steve always likes the "bird's eye" view

Tara Deloi here with her mother, her aunt, and her
sister

We go outside for the soil and seed demonstrations

We had our conference at the Horizon Restaurant right across from the ferry landing. They specialise in pizza, and they provided morning "tea" and lunch for us each day, as well as opening for business at 5 pm. I was so impressed with the kitchen staff that provided us with such wonderful food.

Morning break. I've learned to specify herbal 
(usually lemongrass) tea and hot chocolate.

The food was beautifully presented

Our hardworking kitchen staff

I'm sure I'm talking about the sugar content
hidden in the common drinks we consume

Caroline is the dietitian
in charge at the 
Sub-divisional medical
center on Orvalau

Our graduating class

On the second day of our conference, a young lady, Josephine Naikelekele, showed us the poem she wrote during the evening hours. I was so thrilled to see it, and have tangible feedback, that what we were presenting was seen, heard, and understood. I took a picture, so I will always have access to the original, and I have it written in a Word document so I can use it (with  her permission) in future presentations. I'll include the Word document at the end in case you can't read her work in the picture.

What U Eat is What U Are!

On July 12th Sister La'ulu and I toured around Suva, introducing her to the medical facilities that we use. Fortunately, Steve was able to be our driver, and he dropped us off at entrances and picked us back up after we finished.  With his help, we were able to cover a lot of ground in a few hours. The training continued unexpectedly the next day when one of our Sister missionaries became ill enough to need to be admitted to the hospital. Sister La'ulu immediately volunteered for night duty. My back was sure grateful! Our sister did well, and I am rather pleased with myself that I was able to save her from a lumbar puncture (one of her symptoms was a severe headache). I asked our office secretary to pull her immunization record and had it with me to document that she had received appropriate meningitis vaccinations. The doctors were willing to take a "wait and watch" course of treatment, and by the next morning they released her to our care. She spent the next 3 days in the mission home, but was able to return to full missionary schedule within a week. Miracles were definitely involved in that recovery!

July 14th we were asked to present to a youth career day for the Suva Stake youth. Over 200 young people (14-18) attended. They were divided into groups and moved from room to room to hear the various presentations every 10 minutes. Steve and I did the presentation 8 times that morning. Fortunately, we both know the material well enough by now that we were able to take turns doing the talking. We were very grateful for the Fiji Water bottles provided by the event organisers!

Suva Stake youth main meeting

Our classroom display focused on BYU 
Pathway Connect with a little Self-
Reliance information

July 13-15 was the Roth Family Reunion, held at Richardson campground in Lake Tahoe. I thought about flying home to attend, but our schedules were so full, and a sore back dissuaded me. I was delighted to participate via Facebook, and the family made several great posts. I was very entertained by the unexpected guest . . . a bear walking around the tents during the night! My brother, Mark, celebrated his  birthday during the event and it got the attention it deserved. I saw this picture posted, but it wasn't until later that someone explained to me that Patricia (center back) was holding up a picture of my Mom and Dad, and her cell phone--with my picture. I am glad that all of us are in the frame!

Front row: Mark, John, Sheri, Diane
Middle row: Larry and Sue
Back row: Cell phone Mickey, Patricia, and Mom & Dad in the photo
The sticker are icons of our youth, and bring back fond memories!

On Sunday July 16th we were invited to present our health information, along with Elder and Sister Hatch, the dentist and his wife, to the dorm students at the Church College (think high-school age). These kids come in from surrounding islands and stay here for the years of their high school education, usually only going home for a visit once a year. These are the future leaders in the South Pacific. They are a terrific audience!

Elder and Sister Patton, in the back, organise 
these firesides every Sunday night

Mickey, Steve, Florence Hatch, Greg Hatch

Since March Steve  has been battling an ear infection. The (only) ENT doctor in Suva was finally able to get the infection cleared up enough to take a good look at what was going on. He said best treatment was surgery, and no one in Fiji is equipped to perform it. 

So, after exploring many options, it was decided that we should go home to St. George for medical care. We left Fiji and returned to the USA on July 24th. 

Sister Kinzer, Mickey, 
Sister Stone

In front of the Fiji Temple
with my favourite guy
(yes my skirt does match his tie)

Sister Kinzer, in the picture above, became acutely ill just before we needed to leave for home, and she also was going to St. George. Missionary Travel, with God's help, got her onto every flight we had reservations for, and she was able to accompany us, (or we were able to accompany her) to Las Vegas, where she was reunited with her mother. 

One of the reasons I've delayed in getting my blogs published is because I hate cliff hangers, and keep reading for the "rest of the story"!(The other reason is that I'm really lazy about writing!)

Love from

Mickey and Steve Hinkson

What u eat is what u Are!

Wise Decision is a Healthy Life

by Josephine Naikelekele

Everyone please plant ur own home garden and watch it grow

            Take good care and nurture it should you know

            Fertile soil rich in nutrients will cause greeny leaves grow automatic

            Do not use chemicals but be organic

What we eat is what we look like

            Beautiful of food types you eat may cause your life

            They may cause diseases such as anemia

            Please get your blood tested and be healthier

NCD’s does not spread from person to person basis

            Healthy food will prevent us from diabetes

            It depends on the food we eat in one bite

            Growing our own food can help us enjoy long life!

Growing our own food is nutritious and healthy

            It will make you and your family happy

            You can earn as u plant with skills

            Do not use chemical fertilizer as it kills

Nutrients in the soil helps plant grow in many  powers

            A bit of sunshine required is 6-8 hours

            Have a space of about 5M X 5 metre

            Transplant seeds you cannot hold in your finger

Most plants grow better in cool & dry season

            Lettuce, cabbage, cucumbers are the outcome reason

            Use organic fertilizers will enrich soil & it’s beauty

            Homemade compost improves soil fertility

Re-using material waste for compost is free

            Add lemon grass an aromatic plant in ur tea

            Plant aroma plants that keeps insects away

            Or use homemade liquid fertilizer spray