I want to tell you a bit about my time during the homestays. Our group had the blessing of being placed in Rakiraki - in the north-west of Viti Levu.

The journey to Rakiraki was already exciting, as we slid sideways in a large bus through the mud or passed over an incredibly narrow wooden bridge with no railings. But even more exciting was the meeting with our host families. Our group of 10 was placed in three families and we had no idea with whom and where we were going to stay for a week!

When I look back to this time I just see how much God has blessed us with the families.
I stayed with fellow students Helen and Miriam in the home of a Fijian family. Mule and Villi the parents, and their son Julian, were fully excited to look after us for the few days we were guests in Rakiraki.

Because Villi is the chief engineer of a sugar mill in the town we were spoilt by living in a huge house with warm showers, double beds and even Internet access! (NB sugar is the main product of Rakiraki " that's the reason for the sooooo sweet people. ☺)

Even thought this family was well off for Fijian-standards they totally opened up their house for us and served us so humbly throughout our stay " whether it was preparing all the meals for us with so much effort, doing all our washing or in planning surprises for our enjoyment!
I able to celebrate my 20th birthday in this Rakiraki time, which also made the whole day even more special! When I say that they spoilt us with surprises I think about my birthday. At the breakfast table I opened my presents I received from my mother back in Switzerland. I happened to mention that in Switzerland I always had a chocolate-cake on my birthday, and in the evening when we got back from our program, Mule the mother, had not only cooked a delicious Fijian dinner with cassava and toro leaves in coconut sauce, fresh fish and lot more, she had also baked a chocolate cake! That just showed me how attentive she was and how hard she tried to give us the best time at their house! Wananavu! (Awesome in Fijian.)

It was a great birthday " when we went to the local Methodist primary school in the morning, it was mentioned in assembly that it was my birthday and during the day two of the girls surprised me with a hand-made birthday present and card. On this day I was so humbled in seeing how these people, who hardly knew me, cared for me so much.

Pastor Simon treated the group with a "birthday' ice-cream and gave me a matching shell necklace and earrings " which meant a lot as I know it is something they wouldn't normally be able to afford.  He fully relied on God in regard to the money he needed for this day. After we left the school the principle of the school gave him just $20 - which covered the expenses of the afternoon! How great is our Lord! This whole experience taught me (afresh) to rely on God in everything!

The next day I had the opportunity to put this thought into action. We were painting a future church building in the mountains when I caught too much sun and got heat stroke.  I went to the doctor in Rakiraki, which was another interesting experience! The doctor was in his 70s and I was even more surprised to see his medication shelves " they consisted of a case of medications, even including some meds for treating pets.

At this stage I didn't know that this visit was just the beginning of a new Fijian health service experience. Because I was dehydrated I had to go to the hospital where I was put on a drip.

The bed sheets were dirty, the doctor didn't use gloves, and I spent my stay on consultation table/bed, as the hospital was fully occupied. Trinette (my leader who slept on the floor) and I had the pleasure of chatting still half-asleep in the middle of the night with some random nurses, who were amazed by our white skin. And we felt like queens when walking to the toilets " the crowd couldn't help but stare at us!

But with an extra portion of patience whilst waiting for the results of my x-ray, some good laughs and the relying on God on God for his help, we left the hospital the next day in a much better condition than by my arrival. 

Our time in Rakiraki was awesome - we were blessed with sooo many good experiences and the love of the Rakiraki people!

Salome Kohli is a Year 13 student from Switzerland.