Michael's Adventures In Fiji

It's incredible how quickly one's life goes. I know I just went through 3 months, and in reality that is not an extensive amount of time; but it proves that you can really throw yourself into just about any type of situation and come out the other side relatively unchanged. Now don't get me wrong, being in Fiji was tremendously impactful--the people, their generosity and hospitality, the food, the weather, and the sum total 'experience' really does cause a change in pace. Indeed, almost like tripping on a stump during a run through the mountains causes a change in pace. Using that analogy, one might interprete that am suggesting Fiji was a "trip-up" to my 'pace' ... But in reality, I think I was already tripping before I left. In no disrespect to my family, friends or work colleagues I am pretty certain I was moving at a pace that ultimately would have led to a much worse "trip-up" had I continued to grit my teeth and continue moving on.

You see it on the child on the street. You see it in the eyes of the old man sitting in his stand hoping to sell his vegetables. You see it with the tourists walking along the beach. And you see it on the face of the young girls who have been victims of forced sex. The need for: love. As I am looking to wrap up my time in Fiji, there a few prominent things I need to accomplish with the human resources database, misc. network projects, and the computer and infrastructure upgrades. But the reason for doing all of this is for the residents and their children. Really, you could simplify my motive down to one word: love. I have been loved by God, and out of my overflow, I love others. This past week, we lost 3 residents/moms; either running away, graduating or leaving to be with family. As the holidays come upon us, so many of the moms are missing their families. Even though most of their families are the reason behind the forced sex, abuse and trauma in their lives--these young girls ar

It's amazing how quickly time goes by.. It feels as if only a few weeks ago I first heard about Homes of Hope, but the reality is that I've been here in Fiji for 2 months! This past weekend was my first, proper, experience alongside the ocean. I had the opportunity to take a 4 day holiday with two families at a local resort located in Sigatoka (about 2 hours from HoH). Most of my time was spent collecting baby hermit crabs and playing in a pool with some young girls (1, 3, 5 and 8 years old), and it was a blast! The weather was (semi) cooperative which also allowed me to go snorkeling for the first time! It was great, despite the fact that the coral had bleaching due to fresh water drainage (from the city) and increased temperatures.. Nonetheless, was great to literally swim with some fish.. among other living things.. sadly, when out in the water, the reef sharks (most less than 1 meter in length) were not out; suppose I'll have to go back another time to say I've &qu

It has finally happened! The website is now live! https://www.hopefiji.org/ I have had the opportunity to assist in helping create the new website for Homes of Hope Fiji. It is such an improvement over the past website that was quickly becoming aged and dated . I think the website is often the "front door" to the first impression we get from an organization; and this "front door" is a great improvement at showcasing the ways HoH is serving these at-risk and abused girls. I'd like to point out particularly that there is a brand new video, very well done too: https://www.hopefiji.org/residential-campus So there you go! Please explore the website! And if you happen to see any mistakes.... Feel free to pass it along! (Free proof-checking on my end!) Also, please share the website with others. In particular since HoH is a officially registered NGO with the Government of Fiji, corporate giving (especially company matching) is fully supported (non-discriminatory,

Growing up in Colorado, I am no stranger to the crafted beauty around me. The flat plains giving way to strikingly beautiful mountain ranges filled with streams and animals and plants. And let's not forget about the sunsets.. Gorgeous! And every one, unique! I am a few hours shy of 6 weeks in Fiji (which is just about 1000 hours in total). Of those hours, most have been spent doing various IT tasks or campus projects. I have also had the distinct pleasure of being with a new family that is: most everyone on the campus! But in particular the Roche family. The close community, aided by the close proximity, means for plenty of people interaction; which has been an amazing experience and honing in my life that is to keep people at the core of what I do in vocation and relationships. Last weekend, was the first time to touch the ocean. This weekend? Hack your way through the jungle for 2 hours to find a waterfall that few people have ever seen or experienced. It was simply stunning!

Fiji-time, island-time, it's all kind of the same thing: not quick. Today, the national director  and development director , and Fiji ambassador for Homes of Hope all met with the director of Fiji Immigrations Office--the climax of the weekly journey that is, rather now has, been my visa application process. Now, to bore you with all the delicious tedious details below! :) It all started back in early August when my visa application was started by HoH. After the second trip, and second money deposit, the HoH staff was told to instruct me that when I come in to Fiji: put on my arrival paperwork that I am visiting Fiji on a 'business visit', which gives me 14 days. After arriving in Nadi, I would need to visit the Fiji Immigration office in Suva and complete my application for a 3-month visitor's visa. Upon landing and going through customs process it all went fairly smoothly: which was a bit of a shock to everyone here at HoH, especially since I was carrying three

This summary is not available. Please click here to view the post.

As I am sitting on my porch this afternoon, and the past few days, I've been pondering a few questions. The most prominent: why are we often so eager for the next thing in life? Are we not content with what we have? Or worse, do we even realize what it is we actually have? Sitting on a plastic chair that--for now--is holding my weight, I can appreciate the sound of the wind and rain falling on the banana trees around me. Stop a moment longer, and you notice the sound of the water flowing freely in the Creek down the hill. The sound of parrots, birds, insects and foliage together makes for an excellent backdrop to ponder what it is in my life that I have to be thankful for. To further the point of thankfullness, I had the opportunity to video chat with my immediate family located in Colorado and Indiana for just over 3 hours: and they are located on the other side of the world. How amazing is that? What I've noticed the past few weeks, and to get more to the point of this blog

Where has the time gone?! Incredible to think that it is now past 2 weeks here in Fiji. In one sense, it is incredible how much has happened, and in another way, how little I've actually done. Much if this last week was working, grab a quick lunch, work until ~6pm, eat something for dinner, and then play volleyball. To that effect, I probably ought to explain: there has been a team from Toongabbie Church, Australia. This highschool team (15 including leaders) helped rebuild the sheep pin which was dying, or I ought to say: decomposing back to dirt. -- side note: it is, at least for this Coloradan, amazing how quickly things turn back to dirt around here. Either dirt, or growing other living organisms.. Take one walk past the dumpster and you need not guess how many thousands of maggots and other living things are in there (you can trust me on that as I looked in once... the things seen can not be unseen..) But some really great things happened last week! On Wednesday night (fami

Well, the past few days have been rather eventful and the new 'norm'. Thursday: Continued work on the computers--which mind you is the primary reason for being here. At around tea-time however, a family from New Zealand (NZ) came to visit and have tea with everyone there This was no normal occation however; this family, 6 months ago adopted one of the babies that was in this home. At under a year old, this baby and his mother came to live at Homes of Hope. A few months after being here, his mother was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer. She remained in the care of the Homes of Hope staff until she passed away 2 years ago. Having no father, home or family to call his, two of the HoH staff members (Tuonga ("Two") and Alita) took care of this boy for the better part of 2 years. After time, HoH officially gained custidy of the boy. The boy, "Libby-K", hardly spoke or ate due to the trama. About 8 months ago, a NZ couple came to visit HoH. The couple grew fond of Li

(Monday) The plane arrived at the gate around 7:35am local time, after 10 minutes of the immigrations office holding us on board, the many sleep deprived passengers stumbled our way to the immigration and customs officers through the open air walkways. Once inside, we we're greeted by traditional guitar and singing from two Fijians that definitely were not jet-lagged. I qued up in another line being thankful that I was seated towards the front of the aircraft (row 16) and thus would not be having to hold my 50lbs of luggage as long. After what I later found out was a very rare and brief questioning from my officer, my passport was stamped and I was on my way to the foreign species checkpoint where the sum total of my three bags were scanned and checked. I exchanged a $50 USD bill at the arrivals gate and was greeted with the 'friendly' tourist charge of rouhgly 10% fee--very thankful I didn't need to exchange more. I made my way to the departures drop off where the a

Facades. What do you see when you walk past another human being? Do you see a body that is either "fit & trim", "average" or "over weight"? Do you see emotions that are sad, happy or just someone trying to get to the end of the day? When you see possessions, do you envy that so-called 'wealth', or can you see the person still? Perhaps hardest of all, when you see someone asking something of you, do you ignore them or engage with them? Having spent several hours driving through the rural parts of Honolulu today I am sticken by the basic human needs across all ages, vocations or economic status. What I saw today was largely people being pushed by life and the enumerable ways that it tries to pursuade us to strive after the momentary pleasures that all too quickly fade into yet another distant memory.

And it begins!  Thank you Mom and Dad for waking up at 3am and taking me to the airport! If curious, I am carrying only a carry on (36 lbs) and a personal item (14 lbs). Approximately 50 lbs in total. The contents are below. Of particular note: is three 14in laptop computers. .. that was a bit of a packing challenge! Thanks to the very well designed Osprey Farpoint 40 carry-on approved backpack for making it that much easier. First stop Seattle, then Honolulu! For a nice, purposefully planned 12 hour layover. :) Fiji Packing List - Carry-On + Personal Item ● Clothing ● Patagonia Rain Stretch Jacket ● Long sleeve button up ● Short sleeve button up ● x6 - tee shirts ● x2 - shorts ● x2 - swim trunks ● x6 - pairs of underwear ● x4 - pairs of socks ● Pair of chaco sandles ● Pair of chaco flip flops ● Pair of New Balance Trail Glove 4 ● bandana ● x2 - Baseball hat ● x2 - pair of sunglasses ● Other ● Klymit V2 sleeping pad ● x2 - Klymit inflatable pillows ● 24x48 - trav

Bula!! Welcome to my blog! I will (try) and post semi-regular updates here regarding my trip to Homes of Hope Fiji. Provided the power doesn't turn off, or internet isn't abruptly shut down, I hope to have semi-weekly updates on my adventures, prayer requests and general blog-related introspective reflection. Thank you for your continued prayers while I am there! Website of organization: http://www.hopefiji.org/ instagram: https://www.instagram.com/homesofhopefiji/