67 Fiji Mission Report

Fiji Mission Report to our beloved Family and Friends June 29 2010

 

The Dalling’s are on the move! No, that is not the truck moving from Fiji; it is the other Dennis Dalling family moving from North Carolina to Oregon. Our youngest son and family are finally coming home. We will probably get there first but not any more rested. We are taking home more than we brought and we have given away a ton of stuff. Everywhere we go we get another gift that is precious so we just add another suitcase!

This has been such an incredible week that we cannot leave our mission without sharing some of our emotions. We promise that this is it from Fiji!

The Friday Cultural Show was as grand as we expected even though it was staged outside on the athletic field in a pouring rainstorm! Typically Fiji, the show went on. They erected a large elaborate covered stage with professional lighting and sound and several very large tents for the spectators to sit on mats. The downside was we had to wade though the mud to get to the tent! The palagi missionaries managed to get some chairs to sit on because if we spent three hours sitting cross-legged, none of us would be able to stand!

They did have a VIP tent with comfortable chairs for the visiting general and civic authorities. Elder Callister, our Area President made the point that we do not need the Polynesian Cultural Center as long as we have Fiji!

They all came with the stake presidents to the temple on Saturday, which was the last day before closing and officially our last day. I have spent some quiet time in the office since trying to make an orderly exit but I fear the transition will be a challenge. We have undertaken some changes that are still a work in process.

Saturday evening the Wailoku Ward had a farewell dinner to show their love and affection, but it is certainly reciprocal. We have felt their love in so many ways and admire them for their faith and faithfulness. I doubt that so many at home would do so much with so little.

They set us at a separate table with about half of the food, but it made me feel uncomfortable so I moved some tables over and we had some company. It is fascinating the lifestyle that many of the adults experienced in childhood. A generation ago, the bure was the common dwelling home for the families. It is thatched with a high peaked roof and dirt floor covered with coconut leaves and other soft vegetation and a thatched mat over. It was always cool because the heat goes up and the ground stays cool. They did not need air-conditioning and most still do not. They did not need furniture and still most prefer to sleep on the floor. Brother Ratuvukivuki said a bed is too soft and does not support your back. Ramona said you can buy a firm mattress and he asked why you would buy a bed that feels like the floor when you already have a floor!

The Bishop presented us with a beautiful Fijian carved plaque that we will treasure. In the picture with us is Bishop Dulaki, his daughter Sesimani, and Loraini Cama. Aren’t they all beautiful?

Sunday was scheduled for Wailoku Ward Conference, but because of the visiting authorities, the stake presidency cancelled. This gave the bishop the opportunity to invite us to speak to the ward one last time in sacrament meeting. It was an emotional farewell and at the conclusion of the meeting after the closing prayer, the entire ward stood and sang in beautiful harmony, “God be with you, ‘till we meet again!” This is the gospel version of “Isa Lei.” The tears flowed both ways.

In Sunday School class, we showed the Farewell to Fiji video and served cupcakes. We normally have about 12 kids so Ramona made a batch of cupcakes, but brought only brought 15! There were exactly 15 kids there! We breathed a sigh of relief when the plate was empty that everyone got a cupcake! The class heard and remembered that our favorite hymn, when we were first married, was “Come unto Jesus,” so they prepared, and sang the hymn just for us because they love us. And, the tears flowed again! Sunday was a great day to remember!

A sweet member waited for us to drive by, stopped us on the muddy road, and gave us two beautiful seashells from her own island that she must have treasured; now we will treasure them! Sister Nand and her beautiful daughters gave us a lovely crafted jewel box and a lovelier crafted letter of love and appreciation. Sister Kafoa gave us her love by continuing her activity in the church and setting the temple as her goal! She is one success story!

Sunday afternoon was a regional fireside to commemorate the 10^th Anniversary of the dedication of the Suva Fiji Temple, with Elder Callister. A combined multi-stake Primary Choir provided the music and Pres and Sister Woolley spoke about the temple.  Other members gave testimonies, and Elder and Sister Wakolo both spoke and all focused on the temple. Elder Callister was the concluding speaker. He gave a very profound doctrinal discussion about temples, and why we should attend. The college auditorium filled with members and guests, and an adjacent huge tent with a large TV monitor, also filled to overflowing. And, of course, it rained, but it never dampened the spirit.  

Pres Tagidugu was on the radio for two hours on Sunday answering call-in questions about the temple. The Mormon community is getting a lot of attention this week with a full-page article about the temple. It is very different from the 1987 coup when a curfew forbade travel on the roads on Sunday or after 6PM any day. There was little sympathy for the Mormons. Everyone was encouraged to just attend the closest church, which of course, was a Methodist Church. The members would trek for miles through fields to get to an LDS meeting. Now, the Methodists seem to have fallen out of favor and cannot hold their conferences because of political concerns.

We made our last visit to the village on Monday and said goodbye to those wonderful saints! Unfortunately two families prepared very large elaborate dinners for us and I think we disappointed them with our meager appetite, but the food was delicious, including fresh fish caught by hand in the adjacent stream, and a delicious eggplant dish fresh from the garden. We took all of our surplus food and clothes to be distributed as the bishop desires. We also brought some home take out from the dinners that we did not eat and had another great meal today!

I promised a few pictures from the Tull’s farewell dinner. Just look how good Pres Ostler, our Mission President, looks in his Sulu! Sister Ostler looks good too!

 The Tull’s live in a lovely home, have a million dollar view of Suva Bay, and two gorgeous kids!

I think the thing that we have missed the most in the past eighteen months is grandchildren and great grandchildren. We cannot wait to get some hugs and kisses!

We conclude with this parting counsel from Pres Gordon B Hinckley,

 “We know not all that lies ahead of us. We live in a world of uncertainty. For some, there will be great accomplishment. For others, disappointment. For some, much of rejoicing and gladness, good health, and gracious living. For others, perhaps sickness and a measure of sorrow. We do not know. But one thing we do know. Like the Polar Star in the heavens, regardless of what the future holds, there stands the Redeemer of the world, the Son of God, certain and sure as the anchor of our immortal lives. He is the rock of our salvation, our strength, our comfort, the very focus of our faith.”

 We are also entering a bit of unknown! May we all keep our focus on that Polar Star!

I must close up this computer and pack up! We leave Suva in two hours, and with any luck we will be in Portland tonight, Tuesday at 8:00 PM (We gain a day)

With excitement and great anticipation, we send our love now and forever,

Dad and Mom, Grandpa and Grandma,

Dennis and Ramona, Elder and Sister Dalling