Well, we have all made it safely back to Aus after our month in Fiji, and it's been a bit of a rollercoaster ride since then. While everyone felt differently about coming home " some were very excited, some wanted to stay another few months in Fiji " unfortunately it was inevitable. Flying into Sydney on Thursday the 23rd of July at 10:30pm local time, which felt like 12:30am in Fiji time, our group of near 50 that had been together 24/7 for a month suddenly dispersed.
We had spent the last three or so days in Fiji doing debrief (looking at what had happened in our time in Fiji and how it had affected us), and re-entry training (trying to be prepared for what it would be like coming back into Australia). While our lives here had been comfortable and normal before we left, our time in Fiji had taught us all so much and changed us. Our different views and priorities therefore made it a bit difficult to fit back in. Our Aussie moulds were waiting for us on our return, but Fiji had shaped us so that we didn't fit back in quite the same way as we had before. Obviously there are many different people in our Year 13 team, so this was different for each of us, some finding it easier than others.
For me I think the first few days back in Aus were the hardest. This mission trip was my first time overseas, and I really loved it. For the first few days it almost felt like my body was in Australia but my head was still roaming around Fiji, revisiting all the places we had been and the experiences we had. It didn't take long for the busyness of being back to quickly drag me back to Aus though.
It was interesting to see how my expectations of Fiji compared to reality. I was expecting to be really confronted and challenged by the poverty and places like the orphanages and slums. While these things are sad in their essence I personally didn't find them as difficult as I was expecting. Most of the people I met seemed to be genuinely happy, irrespective of their financial position and standard of life. They all had great big smiles and joyfully welcomed us wherever we went. And both of the orphanages I visited seemed well established and seemed to really look after the kids. There were only reasonable numbers of kids there, and adequate staff to look after those children. The children's home Treasure House was probably one of my favourite places.
One of the things that I was really looking forward to was going to church in Fiji. But it turned out that the church was one of the things I found saddest and hardest. The lack of teaching both for the ministers and therefore the congregation really hit me pretty hard. I had totally taken for granted having a basic knowledge of the Bible, its themes and stories. When the pastor of a church recounted the story of Samuel and Eli as "Simon' and a female Eli, with the plot line not overly accurate either, I realised the great need that Fiji has for solid Bible teaching. Like all people the Fijians have a desperate need to be fed and challenged regularly from the Word of God, and I think there were few if any times when I felt Biblically fed or challenged by a Fijian church leader. I found the Fijians to be amazing in their service and hospitality and love for one another, and there is much we could learn from them in this area, however the solid foundation of the Word of God seemed to be sadly lacking. Please, please pray for this great need in Fiji " especially in the district of Raki Raki (where I did my homestay and found the church to be in huge need).
One of the things that was just such a blessing throughout the whole trip was our community. It was so wonderful getting to know people better over the month, and to have those friends to share and talk through experiences with was great. We laughed and cried together, served side by side, slept in close confines, and just shared so much together. I have come back from Fiji with so many new and much closer friends. Vinaka God!
I think I'm still processing experiences from Fiji, and I don't think I'd be alone in this. It was an amazing time, and such a privilege to be a part of the mission team to Fiji. My views on time and priorities, wealth and materialism, friendships, service" so much has changed and I believe in God's grace, for the better.
I thank our universal God for the opportunity for us to go over to Fiji, and for all the opportunities we were given over there. Please pray that we planted seeds for God and His kingdom in our words, actions and teaching while we were in Fiji, and pray that these seeds will grow and mature, bringing people into a relationship with God and maturing those who already know Christ. And please continue to remember us in your prayers as we all try to take in what we learnt in Fiji and apply it to our lives, making changes that display wisdom and honour God.
Thank you all for your prayers throughout the month in Fiji, and thank you in advance for your prayers in the months to come.
Let me finish by sharing a verse I held onto while I was in Fiji but especially in coming home, Isaiah 41:10
"So do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."
Vinaka and Moce!
This blog was written by Liz McMurray. To check out the other Bula Blogs written by this year's Year 13 mission team, click here.
