A Few Things That Have Popped to Mind

Hey team,

There are a few things that have popped to mind recently that I should have told you, or that I have only just recently thought would be helpful for you to know.  So this post is just like a tidy-out, making sure that all those little bits of information that I should give you, I actually have!

Alcohol
Our time away will be alcohol free.  That goes for students, staff, volunteers, everyone on our team.  And it starts from Sydney / Brisbane airport and ends once we arrive home.  There will be opportunities for you to have alcohol while away, with the first instance being on the plane trip over to Fiji.  But our rule is, no alcohol.

This may seem a little ridiculous on surface value, however the reason for this decision is really quite simple.  Just like we talked about in training, we do not want to bring the gospel of Jesus into disrepute.  This means also that we want to abolish any barriers that there may be to the gospel.  If this means that giving up alcohol for a month, then we should be ready and willing to grab a hold of that with both hands and do anything we can for the sake of our brothers and sisters around us.

If the thought of going for a month without having a drink concerns you, then you really should come and have a chat to one of your leaders about that.  If it is an issue, then we can help.

If we catch anyone breaking this rule when we're away, then like mentioned before about other things, we will have to consider seriously about sending you home.

Giving Money
Please take the time to read Information Pack 3 and the section about Fijians and Money.  But what we are really asking you to do is be generous, but also be aware.  For many in Fiji who work full time, their wages would be around $60 per week.  This means that dropping a $50 note into the offertory on a Sunday is rubbing in their faces how much we have and can afford.  Be generous, but don't be 'flashy'.

If you have any questions about how to be humble, loving and wise with money while we're over there, please just ask one of your leaders.

Learning the Language
I know we've done a little of this, but it would be good if you guys could really work hard over the next week and during our time away to learn as much language as possible.  We want to be different to tourists and often the only Fijian a tourist will say is 'Bula'!  Which is good, but it will be a major point of difference if we work hard at learning language and we can speak more than just that.  It's also really awesome when you can tell the difference between a native Fijian and an indo-Fijian and you greet them with the appropriate greeting.  I've seen indo-Fijians take a double-take and give me a massive smile when I've greeted them with Namiste instead of Bula.

Touch
This is a simple one but one that requires a lot of thought and awareness.  Imagine a cute little Fijian kid with fuzzy hair.  All you want to do is touch that hair because of it's awesomeness.  DON'T!  Fijians find it offensive when you touch their head.  It's almost like saying 'I am above you'.  Also, it's the same idea to not wear hats in villages as a sign of respect to the chief.  By not wearing a hat, we are saying that we respect his leadership and authority over that village.

It will be hard, because for us it's no problem to touch people on their heads, but we must be very careful not to do so in Fiji.  If you do, apologise and then let it go.  Fijians are also really forgiving and will be able to see that we are trying our best to serve them and understand their customs and cultural norms.

That's it from me for now.  Please let me know if there is anything you would like me to post about if you feel like there are holes in your preparation.

Over and out!

Kava

Here's an excerpt from the Lonely Planet Guide for Fiji regarding Kava.

Please have a read of what I've mentioned about Kava in your Information Pack 3 to see how we will be encountering it during our time overseas.  We will also chat some more once we arrive about the social issues surrounding it's use.

Kava, also called yaqona or grog, is as much a part of Fiji as beaches and bure (traditional thatched dwellings).  It is mildly narcotic, looks like muddy water and makes your tongue go furry.  You won't escape trying it!

Yaqona is an infusion prepared from Piper methysticum, a type of pepper plant.  It holds a place of prominence in Fijian culture - in the time of the 'old religion' it was used ceremonially by chiefs and priests only, but today, kava is a part of daily life across the country and across the races.  'Having a grog' is used for welcoming and bonding with visitors, for storytelling sessions or merely for passing time.  When visiting a village you will usually be welcomed with a short sevusevu ceremony (whereupon you'll present a gift to the village chief), during which you will be initiated into kava culture (see p42).

There are certain protocols to be followed at a kava ceremony.  Sit cross-legged, facing the chief and the tanoa (large wooden bowl).  Women usually sit behind the men.  Never walk across the circle of participants, turn your back to or point your feet at the tanoa, or step over the cord - if there is one - that leads from the tanoa to a white cowrie shell, which represents a link with the spirits.

The dried and powdered root, wrapped in a piece of cloth, is mixed with water in the tanoa and squeezed out; you will be offered a drink of the resulting concoction from a bilo (half a coconut shell).  Clap once, accept the bilo, say 'bula' (meaning 'cheers' or, literally 'life') and drink it down in one go.  Clap three times in gratification.  The drink will be shared until the tanoa is empty.  You are not obliged to drink every bilo offered to you, but it is polite to drink at least the first.  Despite rumours, it doesn't taste that awful (kind of like a murky medicine) and the most you're likely to feel from one bilo is a furry tongue.  After a few drinks you may feel a slight numbness of the lips.  Long sessions with stronger mixes can make you very drowsy, and some heavy drinkers develop kanikani (scaly skin).

Kava is a mild narcotic and has been used as a diuretic and stress reliever for pharmaceutical purposes.  It has properties that combat depression, reduce anxiety and lower blood pressure - news that spread like wildfire through health-obsessed Western countries in the 1990s.  When trade in kava peaked in 1998, Fiji and neighbouring Vanuatu were exporting US$25 million worth of kawa each year.  But the good times didn't last.  A German study done in 2001 indicated that kava potentially caused liver damage, and in late 2002 most of Europe as well as Canada and the USA had either banned or put warnings and restrictions on kava.

After further research and lobbying, in 2005 the World Health Organization gave its support for reviving kava sales, and in mid-2007 the bans were lifted in Germany and eased elsewhere.

17 Helpful Cultural and General Tips

Hey team,

I know we have covered some cultural training, but here are a few more pointers that you have to be very aware of during our time away.  There are some general pointers in here as well, so please make sure to take the time to read this!

1. Be careful not to point.  Pointing at people in Australia can be taken as rude, but ramp that up a bit and it is considered quite rude in Fiji, so be sure to keep pointing to a minimum.  Here is a good opportunity to use your ability to describe things!
2. Don't initiate shaking hands, especially with women.  Fijians will have a wide variety of ways of welcoming you, from just saying 'Bula' to giving you a hug to shaking your hand.  Whatever the case, let the locals initiate.
3. The cultural tensions between Indo-Fijians and native Fijians should not be brought up for discussion.  If the locals bring it up, then listen, but don't give opinions.
4. Hospitality is part of the Fijian culture. If we say no then we may offend.  Fijians are very friendly and will often invite us into their homes.  We need to accept their offers graciously, however we need to be careful of health things and that we are keeping our safety a priority (i.e. don't follow a local down a dark alley - remember your pointers about safety in Information Pack 3!  [that you will get shortly])
5. Make sure you carry fresh, clean water at all times!  Remember to bring your drink bottles!
6. Remember Fiji time.  Slow down, make relationships rather than schedules the priority and take it at their pace.  For instance, when you are visiting houses during Local Church Missions, don't make it a priority to get to every house, make it a priority to relate well with whoever you're with.  Be aware that our rushing can be an offensive vibe that locals can pick up on.
7. Just like the cultural tensions between Indo-Fijians and native Fijians, be certain not to bring up discussions regarding politics!  It's not up for discussion!  Don't bring it up, don't offer an opinion, just listen.
8. The best frame of mind to have is to relate and learn what you can about people - what they do, why they are on this bus and where they are going, their family's etc.
9. Listen to locals and then they are more likely to listen back.
10. Feel free to take photographs.  We will generally let you know if it's not appropriate.  However don't be a tourist and take a moment to ask if people mind if you take a photo.
11. Don't wear hats into Fijian villages.  This will offend locals.
12. Be aware that in the past white people would come and give money and goods.  This can still be expected today due to low incomes and how rich we are in comparison.  There is an under-riding expectation that they will be able to gain things from us.  Be aware and remind yourself of those helpful hints in Information Pack 3 that you can say to help disarm the situation.
13. In particular, the Indo-Fijians want to move to Australia.  Be careful that you don't inadvertently promise anything that you can't deliver on.
14. If you are asked for your name, address and phone number, feel free to give them the postal address of Year 13 if you are uncomfortable giving them your home address.  In fact, I would suggest giving them this PO Box address - PO Box 256, SUTHERLAND  NSW  1499.  But if they give you their details, be aware that they will expect you to write to them or to email.
15. The best way, if you need to refuse someone is to give an honest answer.  And if that means that you need to send them to chat to a leader, then do that.
16. There will be a number of times when we will be catching local taxi's.  It is important to agree on a price BEFORE you hop into a taxi and stick to that price.  However, while we are in Suva and Lautoka, taxi's have fare-metres and that's how you know how much to pay.  Be aware though, that you may need to remind the taxi driver to turn on the metre at the start of the trip.  If you don't he'll deliver you and then expect an outrageous amount for the trip.
17. Every time you go inside, you must take your shoes off.  This is where sandals or thongs become easy to wear.  However, remember that keeping your feet safe from cuts and grazes is important, so if you need to take an extra moment to take your shoes off or put them on because you're wearing sneakers or the like, then do so.

Please keep reminding each other of the different cultural expectations that we need to keep.  And keep reminding each other that here is a perfect opportunity to die to self and your own comforts for the sake of Jesus, His gospel and the Fijians.

Love youse.

How to Love Yourself When You're Unlovable

Hey crew,

This may seem like a random post, however it's definitely worth thinking about these things before we go so that we can be prepared the best we can be.

Here are some helpful hints from Matt Fenwick as to how to stay healthy during our trip.

Here's a couple of things I would like to remind the Year 13er's about.

1. Students need to bring a sturdy water bottle, at least 1 litre with your name on it, 2 water bottles would be even better.
2. Students need to bring a Tea Towel per student, not everyone brought it last year and we didn't have enough.
3. Article on ‘Top Eight Things to Eat When You Are Feeling Awful’.
4. Article on ‘What Not to Eat for Diarrhea’.

DIARRHEA: TOP EIGHT THINGS TO EAT WHEN YOU ARE FEELING AWFUL

What to Eat for Diarrhea

By Barbara Bradley Bolen, Ph.D., About.com Guide

Updated April 16, 2012

1. Bananas

Bland and easily digested, bananas are a good choice to settle an upset digestive system. The high level of potassium in bananas helps to replace electrolytes that may be lost by severe bouts of diarrhea. Bananas are also rich in pectin, a soluble fiber that helps to absorb liquid in the intestines and thus move stool along smoothly. Bananas also contain a good amount of inulin, another soluble fiber. Inulin is a prebiotic, a substance that promotes the growth of beneficial bacteria (probiotics) in the intestinal system.

2. White Rice and Mashed Potatoes

Talk about comfort food! Due to their low-fiber content, these starches are easily digested way up high in the GI tract. Eat your rice and potatoes plain; butter has a high fat content, which could be irritating to your system and contribute to intestinal cramping.

3. Applesauce

Like bananas, apples are a good source of pectin. However, the high fiber in raw apples makes them too rough for a dicey intestinal system. Cooking the apples makes them easier on your system to digest, thus allowing you to benefit from the pectin, sugar and other nutrients that lie within.

4. White Toast and Crackers

When your intestines are acting normally, it is important to eat whole-grain products. When you are experiencing acute diarrhea, however, it is better to turn to processed wheat foods. The removal of the outer husk of the grains in these foods results in easier digestion. As an added bonus, the salt (sodium) in crackers will be beneficial in terms of restoring the electrolyte balance.

5. Yogurt

It is generally recommended that dairy products be avoided during acute diarrhea episodes. Yogurt is a major exception to this rule. Look for yogurt that contains live or active cultures, or more specifically Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium bifidum. These active cultures are probiotics and they appear to help to establish a healthier balance of bacteria in the digestive tract.

6. Steamed Chicken

Due to its bland nature, steamed white meat chicken is an easily digested source of protein, thus providing a fairly safe way to get some nutrients into your body. Butter and oils are very hard on a delicate system, so avoid deep-fried or sautéed preparations.

7. Blueberries

Reportedly, dried blueberries have a long history of use in Sweden as a treatment for diarrhea. Dr. Varro Tyler in his book, Herbs of Choice, recommends either chewing dried blueberries or making a tea by boiling crushed dried blueberries for about 10 minutes.

The helpfulness of blueberries for diarrhea appears to be due to the fact that they contain tannins, which act as an astringent, contracting tissue and reducing inflammation and secretion of liquids and mucus. Blueberries also contain substances called anthocyanosides, which have antibacterial properties, as well as being a good source of antioxidants. Lastly, blueberries are another source of the soluble fiber pectin.

8. Herbal Tea

Okay, this is a drink, but talk about soothing! There is nothing like sipping a warm cup of tea for a feeling of comfort. Two teas in particular are especially good for quieting a diarrhea episode: peppermint and chamomile.

• Peppermint Tea: Peppermint has a soothing effect on the gastrointestinal system. It is thought to calm and relax the muscles along the intestinal tract, thus reducing spasms. Peppermint also seems to be effective in reducing intestinal gas.
• Chamomile Tea: Chamomile is a flowering herb. Chamomile tea appears to be effective in reducing intestinal inflammation and calming intestinal spasms.

WHAT NOT TO EAT FOR DIARRHEA

Foods to Avoid When You Have Diarrhea.

By Barbara Bradley Bolen, Ph.D., About.com Guide

It is important to know what to eat for diarrhea. But it is just as important to know what not to eat when you have diarrhea. The last thing you would want to do is to make matters worse by eating foods that can potentially aggravate your GI system or increase the speed of intestinal contractions. Therefore, do your best to avoid the following foods when you are dealing with diarrhea:

1. Fatty Foods

Foods with a high fat content can speed up intestinal contractions and cause a reaction to a system that is already sensitized. Therefore, try not to eat anything that is greasy, fried, creamy, or covered in gravy.

2. Dairy Products

Even if you don’t suffer from lactose intolerance, it might be a good idea to avoid dairy products for a while after suffering from a bout of diarrhea. Diarrhea can cause a lessening of the amount of the enzyme lactase. Lactase is needed in order for the body to digest lactose, the sugar found in dairy products. If this “milk sugar” goes undigested, it can result in further symptoms of gas, bloating, nausea and diarrhea. Here are some common lactose-containing foods:

• Butter
• Soft cheese, such as ricotta or cottage cheese
• Ice cream
• Milk

3. Sugar-free Foods

Some artificial sweeteners and sugar substitutes can have a laxative effect, as well as contribute to gas and bloating. So until you are feeling better, it is best to avoid:

• Diet soda
• Sugar-free candy
• Sugar-free gum
• Sugar substitute packets for coffee and tea

4. Gas-Producing Foods

Certain vegetables have a well-documented reputation for increasing intestinal gas which could contribute to further diarrhea:

• Beans
• Broccoli
• Cabbage
• Cauliflower
• Onions
• Peas

5. Alcohol, Caffeine and Carbonated Beverages

For healthy individuals, beverages containing alcohol, caffeine, and carbonation do not generally cause diarrhea. However, each has the potential to be a GI irritant, and thus are probably best avoided until your system returns to normal.

6. Unsafe Foods

Whether you have diarrhea or not, you should always make sure that you only eat food that has been safely washed, prepared and stored. Foods that are not safely prepared and stored put you at risk for a serious gastrointestinal illness. Always observe good food hygiene:

• Wash your hands thoroughly before preparing or eating any food.
• Thoroughly wash all raw fruits and vegetables.
• Clean food preparation surfaces with hot soapy water before and after use.
• Cook all foods to an internal temperature of 160 F.
• Refrigerate or freeze leftovers immediately after eating.

Reference: http://ibs.about.com/od/diarrhea/tp/DiarrheaFoodsAvoid.htm


And, last but not least, Trin's hot tip - BRING THE AQIUM AND REMEMBER TO USE IT ... like, all the time!

Peace out!

Some Stuff to Bring

Hey crew,

Some of you have asked me what people can donate to you so that you in turn can bring those gifts to Fiji and give to others.

There will be plenty of opportunities to pass along stationary and the like when we visit schools and orphanages.  So here are some ideas ...

Here are some coloured pencils, 24 in total.  The cool thing about this little tin is that it has a built-in sharpener in the lid.  This means that once the pencils get blunt, kids can keep using them.  Things like sharpeners can be a bit of a luxury in Fiji.

Some crayons ... awesome.  And what's more awesome is that they're pretty heavy-duty - they are not easy to break as they have a hard plastic cover and when the crayon gets 'blunt' all you need to do is wind the bottom and more crayon comes up.

Hey, look at this!  Just like the crayons, but pencils!  Super cool.

Often the school essentials can be hard to purchase for kids in Fiji because they don't have enough money.  I picked up these exercise books from Kmart and I'm sure we'll all have opportunities in the schools we go into, to share them around with the students.

Some coloured paper or even a doodle pad is helpful when it comes to crafts and activities.  I would suggest that you get planning early (aka now!) in thinking about some good ideas for crafts.  I have a couple of jigsaws and Bible bookmarks that one of the graduates's from last year made up for us to use.  However there will be plenty more opportunities to use more than that, so I encourage you to get those creative juices flowing before we leave.  As you think about ministry in schools or Sunday Schools, giving the kids something to take home that links with the studies is awesome.

Pens - always handy.  Always a blessing to a family or school kids.

Here are some lead pencils that don't need sharpening - they are push pencils, so will stay sharp longer with no need for a sharpener.  Comes with a erazer as well!

These of course are just ideas.  I spent about five minutes in Kmart gathering all these bits and pieces together and so I'm sure there are other things that would be useful that I just didn't pick up.

We'll do some grocery shopping for the orphanages we visit.  It has been our experience in the past that while they have plenty of toys to play with, the essentials (like milk powder, food stuffs and nappies) are often in very, very short supply.  Of course, these are difficult to purchase in Australia and take with us, so we will be purchasing them while in Fiji.  If you have people willing to donate some money towards this, then please let me know.

And lastly, Bibles, Bible tracts and the like are always great to have.  Keep a couple of 'Essential Jesus's in your day pack - nice and handy to give out.  A nice Bible (NIV or CEV) would also be a great idea as a gift to your homestay family.

Who has other ideas about what we could bring?

And out ...

The Pros and Cons of Short Term Mission

Hey dudes,

Hopefully by now you have thought about why you are going to Fiji, how you will benefit and be blessed by our time away as well as how you will benefit and bless those who we will meet.

But I wonder if you have thought about pros and cons of Short Term Missions in general.  Here are a few pros and cons for you to think about ...

PROS AND CONS FOR THE FIJIANS

Pros

• Fijian Christians are encouraged when other Christians care enough to come to visit, help and spur them on.
• The Fijian Church become recipients of prayer - more people will pray for them now since they are more aware of the needs of the Fijian Church.
• They are introduced to new ministry ideas and different ways of doing ministry.
• The potentional for future links including financial and prayer support are increased greatly.
• Having a Short Term Mission team visit can help to start a new ministry that locals may not have had the time nor energy to get kicked off themselves.
• Short Termers can be 'a breath of fresh air'.
• Short Termers can bring practical help, such as materials and skilled workers that may be too hard or expensive to attain in country.

Cons

• It may become possible that ministry in Fiji can become dependant upon Short Term Missions. This is something that we need to be especially aware of since there are now more Short Term Mission teams than ever heading to Fiji.
• There is a great deal of preparation and planning required for locals. Also, hosting Short Term Mission teams can place a large drain on resources if there are too many people on team.
• Short Termers can be a lot of work due to the lack of language and cultural knowledge (hence why we do so much training before we go!).
• Short Termers may struggle with culture shock and so become useless in their work.
• Attention given from locals to Short Term Missions can take away from long term work.

PROS AND CONS FOR MISSIONARIES

Pros

• It is refreshing to have people from your own culture visit - you speak the same language, enjoy the same foods etc.
• Short Termers can bring resources for ministry and life as well as gifts from home.
• Short Termers are exposed to what the mission organisation does and so will help to increase awrareness and help to raise potential prayer and financial support.
• Short Termers can do things that Long Termers can't.

Cons

• Short Termers can do things that Long Termers can't and therefore dependence on Short Termers can be built.
• Short Termers can be a total pain in the butt!
• There is the potential that YEARS of relationship building can be destroyed in a single culturally inappropriate moment.

PROS AND CONS FOR MISSION ORGANISATIONS

Pros

• Short Term Missions can be a recruiting process for Long Term Missionaries as people get a taste of overseas mission.
• Organisations develop a pool of people and resources that they can draw upon.
• Relationships will be built with Churches in the sending nation as they send their congregation members out.
• Long term missionaries are better prepared and equipped for service if they have had a short term experience.
• There is an increase in awareness of what the mission organisation does and raises potential prayer and financial support.

Cons

• It can take a lot of time, resources and money to organise a mission trip.
• Short Term Missions can backfire if the participants have a really bad experience with the organisation.
• Can draw attention away from other things the organsation could be doing.
• Short Term Mission participants might represent the mission organisation badly.
• There is the potential that Short Termers will give money in inappropriate ways and therefore potentially forcing the mission organisation to cough up money once participants leave. Things such as this will prove harmful future ministry.

PROS AND CONS FOR THE HOME CHURCH

Pros

• A Church can mobilse young people to be committed to overseas mission. Upon the participants' return the potential that they will impact those who remain is large.
• Short Term Missions provide a great opportunity for development of new leaders. They will now have a world-wide view of God and His love for all people.
• Short Term Missions will help bring mission awareness to the congregation as a whole.
• Will help to raise support, awareness and links with a mission organisation.
• The Church leadership will be encouraged as they see some of their members taking Christian service seriously.
• People from the Home Church can see the body of Christ in action as they hear and see the ways that people's individual gifts are being put into action.

Cons

• Short Term Mission can compete for time and money with existing programs.
• Home Churches may not want to 'let go' of their key people.
• There is a general lack of leadership for mission within the Church as a whole and so there may not be anyone willing or able to lead a Short Term Mission.
• A returned Short Termer could feel negative about their home church and be arrogrant about how they share about their trip, taking away from the ministry of their own church.

PROS AND CONS FOR YOU, THE PARTICIPANT

Pros

• You get to see God at work in a totally different culture - this can have a huge, long lasting impact on your Christian life.
• You will be stretched outside your comfort zone and realise that you can do much more than you thought possible.
• You will come back with an increased awareness and concern for people.
• You will build relationships cross-culturally and be blessed by those relationships.
• You will be encouraged by the enthusiasm of Fijian Christians.
• You will come to realise that although we are totally different, Fijian Christians are also made in the image of Christ and you we all redeemed sinners.
• You will gain a realistic view of being an overseas missionary, how hard it is to ask for support, communicating with locals and local living conditions.
• You will be encoruaged in areas of giving, prayer, stepping out in faith and the generosity of the body of Christ.
• You will grow spiritually as you experience God at work.
• Short Term Missions provides direction for your future ministry and passion.
• You will realise the value of your education and material resources.
• You may be inspirted to be a full-time overseas missionary!

Cons

• You may come home with a romantic view of mission - experiencing only the "honeymood phase".
• There is the possibility that you will become critical of your home country, society and Church.
• You may see others who are upfront and outgoing in overseas mission, and you begin to doubt whether you can actually be useful and effective.
• You may have a feeling of disconnection with your home Church, mainly depending on how supportive they have been of you and your trip.
• You may come back with a negative view of mission and see only the difficulties.
• If something large and significant happens, there is the potental of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (this has never happened for a Year 13er in the past, however we have to recognise the potential).
• There is a large financial cost.
• You will have an increased risk of disease, sickness and perhaps even death (again, no-one has ever died on a Year 13 mission, but we need to recognise the potential risks).
• You will experience re-entry and reverse culture shock - both can be tough and discouraging.

I'm totally happy to chat to you guys more about the above if you'd like.  We will see a lot, experience a lot and process a lot while we're away, but the biggest and best prayer you could pray at the moment is the God uses the great things and the crappy things to draw you closer to Himself and make you more like Jesus.

Moce,

Trin

Narere Settlement

Hey team,

During our Fiji Training Week someone (I think it was James Robson) asked me to show you some photos of the settlements / slums that we will be going to visit.  Unfortunately I didn't have any myself, so I've had to call upon Graduates for help.

These are some photos from the Narere Settlement near Suva.  We'll get to visit Narere during our time over there this year.  A married couple, Leiki and Lata, sold up their house in town and moved into the settlement to do ministry there.  Essentially, they too, are doing mission in their own backyard (literally).  Their home has room to conduct a weekly Church service underneath, Lata works in the city to provide for their family while Leiki ministers to the people in the settlement.  They are a pretty incredible couple.  And a couple that we will get to know while over there.  You could be thanking God for them and their ministry and asking that He would use this couple to help shape your view of mission.

Over and out!