I Once was Blind....

Before I left people would come say to me, "Cat, this will be a life changing experience." or "Your life will be completely different when you get." I even had one person say, "I hear these trips are life changing, why would you want to do that?" I didn't quite know how much this trip would change me, but but all of my senses have changed.

Since I've been home I've been struggling. Struggling with how life is in America. Of course the culture shock was extremely difficult to get over. Americans are never satisfied and ALWAYS want more. We're always looking for the next best thing and never seem to be happy. Where as Fijians don't have much. A 30'x30' home, steel walls, matted floors, and some rickety wooden doors. Not much for material possessions. The clothes they have they share. We had to be careful, because in their culture if you compliment something of theirs, they will give it to you. They didn't have much, but they would give you the shirt off their back. They didn't have much, but they had faith in God, and that is all they needed.

I admit that I lose sight of what's really important. In fact I felt guilty that I lived in a nice home and had my own car, a good job. God has been working on that side of my heart for awhile now and I realize that I don't need much. Enough to live and survive but those material possessions don't mean much when we're six feet under. What really matters is where and what we're putting or time and money into.

If we look at our checkbook and see where most of our money is spent, is it for God driven purposes or self driven purposes? Is most our time spent in the word or with friends, TV, or work? I was shown the truth this summer. Fiji put life into perspective.

Television/movies/media, friends, Internet, drugs/alcohol, celebrities, work, money, and love are just SOME of the idols of today. I didn't realize how prevalent all of these and more are in our society, and how much weight our society places on these fallacies. No wonder why people are blind to our God. No wonder why we can get pulled away from church, quiet times, witnessing, prayer, or God Himself. We are bombarded by false idols hourly and need to recognize them as that. Being away from all of that this summer and being thrown back into America, I got a FRESH perspective of how our world runs, and it's scary.

Where are you spending most of your time and money? If we love God why aren't we spending that time with Him, in prayer, in word, in conversation? The next time you have time to sit and watch TV, could you be using your time in a better way to honor God? When you reach for that People magazine, could you be reading something to honor God instead? When you're driving in your car, could you use that time to honor God?

When I went to blog tonight, I had something else in mind, but apparently God has His own motives. I admit that I have changed. Fiji has changed me. In one sense I have changed...For I once was blind, but now I see.

ShUUsh!

We all have our own coping mechanisms to deal with issues or problems. I run, listen to music, run and listen to music, become mindlessly numb watching TV, go out with friends, or consult friends. I would always say 'time heals wounds' and 'move on.'

While I was out in Fiji all of my 'coping mechanisms' were not available. I couldn't run without a buddy, and all of my buddys couldn't run more than a quarter mile(i run about 3). Of course TV, movies, friends/going out weren't available. There was no 'running' from my problems. I couldn't turn to anyone because I felt no one understood. That's when I turned to the only possible solution, God. I began to put ALL my trust and fears into Him. I started to turn to Him first. For the first time in my life I began to rely on Him more and more each day.

How many times do we run to others for encouragement, strength, or resolution? How many people do we consult before we confide in God? One of the biggest issues I faced in Fiji was feeling left out. A step behind the group. An outsider. And however tough it may have been, I was forced to be dependent on God's strength. God's love. God's will. Romans 8:18-30

In our world today we tend to confide in others first rather than confiding in God. Sure we can sit, pray and read His word, but sometimes our quiet times are not quiet. Music deafens, sermons interrupt, and excuses destroy our precious time with God. Even Jesus himself needed silence. Luke 5: 15-16; 6:12-13

So there comes a time where we need to sit, be STILL and LISTEN to what He has to say. Proverbs 10: 19; 19:20

A Tip from Paul

From my college campus pastor, Ben Gates:

While our team was in India June 10-19, we were very stimulated by the sights and the sounds and the smells of this unique culture. One of the sights I will never forget was the abundance of temples and statues that we glimpsed as we motored around the city and countryside. Hindus have hundreds of gods and these gods are venerated by statues and small-to-large temples everywhere. The temples and the statues were quite colorful and the statues themselves were often very unusual. We saw a figure with what looked like a sheet draped over his head and body--kind of like a member of the Ku Klux Klan. We saw another figure with multiple snakes coiling out of his body--and the list goes on. Even the politicians had statues of themselves positioned in urban areas as a means of soliciting votes. It was difficult at times to distinguish between the statue of a politician and that of a Hindu god. I guess that only goes to show that what is true of American politicians is also true of Indian politicians--they can sometimes become confused and think they are god-like. Lord, spare us from politicians, and people, like that.

The sight of all of these idols and temples reminded me of a Scripture passage out of the book of Acts, a passage of Scripture that I shared in one of the churches I preached in while in India. In Acts 17, beginning in verse 16, the Apostle Paul describes his visit to the venerable ancient city of Athens, seat of classical learning and Greek philosophy. While there, Paul was distressed to see that the city was full of idols. Interestingly, however, Paul did not communicate any disgust or disappointment over this situation to the people of Athens. Listen to how the Apostle addressed his hearers in this great Greek city. "Men of Athens! I see that in every way you are very religious. For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: TO AN UNKNOWN GOD. Now what you worship as something unknown I am going to proclaim to you." (verses 22-23) The Athenians were so afraid of insulting a particular god that they even created an idol for any god they had inadvertently overlooked in their worship.

The lesson to be learned from Paul's approach to the Athenians is that it is important to find the best in people even when they are very much in the wrong spiritually. Paul could have condemned these people for their incessant idolatry; instead, he chose to compliment them on their religiosity. How receptive are those with whom we attempt to share the love of Christ when we speak in a judgmental way toward them? Not very! Paul creatively took a real negative and turned it into a positive that he could then use as a launching pad to tell the Greeks about the one true God, Jesus Christ. He even used one of their own idols as a segway to sharing the gospel. Is it possible that we could identify some of the idols worshiped in American culture and use those idols as talking point to lead to sharing our faith? If we are creative and dependent upon the Holy Spirit, I think so. And the people to whom we are speaking will respond to the compassion we show them rather than the condemnation we might be tempted to show.

There were Hindus gathered outside of every church we visited in India, wanting to hear what these white people had to say. Many of the churches had loudspeakers mounted in such a fashion that the whole village could hear what we were saying even if they weren't inside the actual structure of the church. God loves each and every one of these people; he isn't mad at them because they don't believe in Him and His Word. We, therefore, should never be tempted to anger toward those who disagree with us spiritually. Rather, let's pray that the Lord will show us creative ways to tell them about Jesus in a manner that affirms our respect for them and their value in the eyes of the Lord. I am convinced that this approach is the way that we can honor the Lord as we relate to people of other faiths.

There were Hindus and plenty of temples in Fiji, and it's hard to believe that the Hindus choose a god from their local convience store and worship them not having any full understanding. I found myself sharing the gospel with my brother and as he tried to elaborate on what he believed, throwing out the word 'Hinduism' and 'reincarnation,' I got pretty frustrated just trying to explain and let him know about hinduism, and clarifying for him what it meant to be a Christian and to bare a cross necklace. And there were plenty of times witnessing where I would get so anxious about the Truth that I would ask the Holy Spirit to 'quiet this person's soul so they may listen.'

Its about being patient. Listening to people. Gaining respect without arguing or putting down. But to be encouraging to others yet knowing that there is only one truth. It may take time for people to listen, but all we have is time. We are but a small piece in God's plan. We should take this example from Paul and encourage God's people. In God's plan. In God's timing.

Suva Clinic

There is a lot that has been missed. I'm back home in the states now and will gradually fill you in on the last week in Suva, final days in the Highland village of Lomaivuna, and the days at home, adapting to life back in America....

It all started in Suva where we started the second Clinic. Just being in Suva scared me. The hussle of the city life was something I was not use to, and the fast paced society scared me for the first time in a long while. Knowing the Chicago is probably 100 times worse than that I was alittle frightend, but as the week went on I eased into it, and realized it wasn't too bad.

The Suva clinic was a tad difficult and trying. The first day started off with 20 trainees, considering we had around 40 trainers we were alittle overstaffed. The next day, however, we had a bus load of 20 more clinicians arrive, with a total of almost 30 new clinicians for the day. Already missing a day and a half of training, it was going to be a hard week, and it was. My previous trainee, Alipate moved with my junior trainer Jess. It was time for her to step out of her comfort zone and be encouraged to be a leader. I was so proud of her. I know it wasn't easy but it was great to see how God really supported her and pushed her to do better and to know that she CAN depend on Him.

My trainee for that week was Titilia. She had learned the gospel before, but it was difficult because she was taught poorly. So she had to unlearn and relearn the information. However on OJT for the second day, God was with us. We had walked around for awhile hoping to find someone to speak with. Another group was behind us walking the same neighborhood. We soon made a loop back and saw a woman doing laundry at her house. As we approached her house a large dog came out of the bushes barking at us. Stepping back the woman called the dog off and eventually was a puppy at her feet. We shared the gospel with her and she came to Christ.

As we head back up we ran into the group that was trailing us earlier. As we began swaping stories we found out they attempted to visit that woman as well, but that dog attacked one of the men and the woman couldn't calm him down, so they continued to keep walking (don't worry, the man was ok). God is good and he protected us....


The last two days of the clinic my trainee did not show up. However that Thursday I found out news that a good friend from HS commited suicide. It was a difficult process to handle. Here I am in Fiji proclaiming the gospel to many, but yet have no REAL understanding as to where my friends are with their own faith. IF only I had been there. IF only I could've talked to him. IF only he had known that we are NEVER alone. That GOD is ALWAYS with us...It was truley hard for me, and will be a constant reminder to talk to my friends about where they are, and not be afraid.

Matthew 28:16-20; 1Peter 3:13-16



You are Missed!

Yandra Vinaka!

Hey all...short and sweet. I'll probably get a chance to get back on here again, but here goes....

This week has been challenging. My friendships have been challenged as was myself. Trying to figure out what God's plan for me is difficult, believe it or not. I'm constantly trying to figure out my desires from what God desires for me. It hasn't been easy.

I have to get some answers about mission opportunities, but I have an idea of what I may be doing when I get home, but anything is possible, and I won't know until I get out there and God starts closing doors.

I have adapted fairly well to the lifestyle and culture out here that I'm scared to go back to the states. To get back into the hussle of Chicago. I was frightened just to go from Nadi, a slow tourist town, to Suva, a fast paced city. I've adapted but I have no idea how I'm going to react to Chicago. I miss home but it will be a challenge to adapt to when I get there.

I'll be home the 24th. See you soon....

Latest News From Fiji

Bula! This will probably be the last time I'll be updating my blog before I get back to the states which will be in three weeks. We get back the 22nd of July and I'll be arriving into Chicago the 25th, staying several days in San Diego visiting a HS buddy, surfing the seas! :)

The last several weeks we have been painting several houses in one of the villages and yesterday was the final day of painting. The village put us up and cooked us a Lovo. They place hot coals in a pit and cook meat wrapped in leaves. We had Chicken, kasava, and other local foods. It was definetly authentic. The people of the village were rediculously friendly with such great hospitality!

After dinner I had to step outside because of the 'authenticity' and started chatting up some of the kids. Most everyone speaks english, but that is their second language. The kids were amazing, talking my ear off, wanting to know about the states and ofcourse just wanting to have a good time.

After heading to the local shop for some late night snacks we ended up crashing for a long day of painting was ahead of us. And it was agood solid morning of painting. We painted three houses in our time here in Fiji and dug a trash pit, where they burn all their rubbish.

Things are suppose to be picking up. We have about three weeks left. I'm sad to see it go..
Sarah leaves on Tuesday...

Keep Praying for guidance, direcation, and patience.

Thanks for all your support. It is really appreciated and I'm definetly feeling God's presence in my life MUCH more! I'm looking forward to going home, but KNOW for sure that I'll be missing Fiji.

The Australian team gets in tonight, a whopping 18 of them to help with the clinics over the next couple weeks. So we'll have a cookout tonight for the fourth of July! WOO!! USA!! :)

Well be safe and see everyone in a couple weeks!!! MUAH!

Half Way There.....

Hey PeepS? I just realized there are comments on this blogpost and just read them all. Thanks for the awesome words of encouragement. So Irealized I haven't really told you all what I've been doing...I have about 20 minutes to do it in so here's a synopsis.

We're half way through our trip. Can you believe it? Way crazy. We have been training a ton on how to share our faith. This saturday we will actually be teaching it to a local church. The schedule has changed up alittle, but for the most part we are on track.

The first week was grooling. We had a lot of training, morning, noon, and night. It definetly got the best of me. After that we started slowing down. We got the main point ofview of sharing our faith and at week three we are learning how to teach it.

We have been going into several villages to share our faith but also to do some projects. The people here are rediculously friendly, drive like maniacs, but yet there is no road rage. Crazy! Like I said, the people here are friendly, and are always upfor a conversation. The kids are SO Adorable too. We have so far painted two houses and havea nother one to paint next week.

Our time off consists of swimming and volleyball. We stopped at Mana Island a couple weeks ago and got in some good Snorkeling. That was a tad difficult because the tide was out, but it was pretty awesome to see all of these amazingly exotic fish! I loved it...although i realize now i'm a tad scared of open water.

The following weekend we spent our time at, supposedly, 'The World's 7th Best Beach.' Natadala (or there close to it). ITwas GORGEOUS there. Don't worry...plenty of pics, I will FOR SURE update this when I get home with everything. The waves were huge, and I got to body surf for the first time whichwas a lot of fun.

I'm thinking that's about it. We're going to do some more shopping in town today. Should be fun. OH! Today when we got into town there was a sweet show going on down at the market. There were fire dancers and breatheres and regular dancers as well. That was a great surprise to watch as well!

Hope all is well back home. Things are HOTHOTHOT here...and unfortunetly I lost out on that$100 bet John. I have a tan. :) I hope all is well and wish you guys nothing but the best!