The LDS Primary School and The Outrigger

The LDS Primary School (Elementary)

There is such a warm positive feeling at the school.  The Principal Brother Qaqa (Gan-ga) is such a kind, humble man, but he has a wonderful vision to improve the quality of education for the students. Don't you love the signs he has up?  There is also one that says, "I Know My Savior Lives."

Mike and Brother Qaqa, (Gan-ga)  the Primary School Principal

The Outrigger

This past weekend we went to a resort with 2 other missionary couples.  This is the greeter.  When we arrived he opened the gate and shouted, "Bula!"

This is a view of the Outrigger Resort from the main balcony of the lobby.  We just had a relaxing day hanging out.

We passed this group of guys on our way to the Outrigger.  They were getting ready to have a feast of pig.  They were so funny.  When we stopped to take their picture, they were all cheering.  Then Sunday at church we heard a talk that reminded me of this picture.  There was a family visiting the branch who were from Santa Barbara, California and the Branch President asked them to bear their testimony.  The father of the family said they wanted to have a lovo (luau) before they left for home.  So they took their rental car up into the hills and captured a wild pig.  They loaded the pig into their car and with the help of their host family they had a wonderful lovo of roast pig.  However, they noticed their car smelled terrible from the pig.  They washed and shampooed the seats, but it still smelled like pig.  They used fabric fresheners and perfumes but the car still smelled like pig.  He compared the smell of pig to sin.  No matter how hard we try, we can not remove the effects of "pig" (sin ) from our life.  Only through faith in Jesus Christ can we be clean from the smell of "pig".



This was a poster that sort of reflects the attitude of the Fijians.



Just a few thoughts we have had about the country.  Things we thought were interesting.

Suva is a city of about 300,000 and is located on a peninsula, so no matter where you are in the city you are not too far from the ocean.  From most 2 story homes there is a view of the ocean.  Unfortunately we don't live in a 2 story, but we are not far to drive to the ocean, probably about 5 -10 minutes.  The driving is crazy around here!  There are so many taxis and buses.  Most people either walk or take a bus or taxi, so there are a lot of pedestrians.  There are always pedestrians of all ages walking across the street and no one stops for them.  They just stand in the middle of the street while cars zoom by them.  They even do this at night!  It's pretty crazy.  All the schools have their own uniform and most men wear sulu's (what some cultures call lava lavas.)  Mike even bought one.  He has only worn it around the house so far.  I will have to get his picture soon.  Most houses do not have screens on the windows, but they do have bars.  I think because they keep their windows open all night, since most homes have no air conditioning.  Usually there will be a wall unit in the bedroom, but not the rest of the house.  Most homes have big fences around them and some even have a night watchman.  We have a night watchman here that the landlord pays for.  His name is Simone and he is the happiest man I have ever met.  He always has a big smile on his face and is always laughing.  He sits in a little house all night with NO lights on.  I've asked if there is a lot of crime, and no one seems to think there is, maybe because of all the precautions.  Anyway we do feel very safe and secure here.  Below is a picture of Simone's little guard house.