EE Internship: Day #1

With staggered arrival times, all of the interns are finally together!

Five of the Americans came in early this morning and we've been spending the day picking up supplies in town, beginning our training, getting settled in, and getting to know each other a little better.

From left to right: Alex(Australia), Mitch(Australia), Panapasi(Fiji), William (SC, USA), Deanna(MD, USA), Emoni (Fiji) Lagi (Samoa), Breezy(SC, USA), Anne(SC, USA), Ashley(FL, USA), Buna (Fiji), ME!, Caitlin(SC, USA), Rusila(Fiji), Takape (Fiji), Walter(CA, USA), Pete (UK), Ashnil(Fiji)

As we went around the room sharing the things we most wanted to learn and grow from in the next six weeks, we were fairly unified in the response. #1 we want to learn how to share the gospel and reach the people around us for Christ and #2 we want to use this time to seek where God is calling us in the future.

Please be praying for my team and I as we take the next six weeks to serve the Lord together.

Pray for unity for the team.

Pray for our influence in the community.

And to end with a little story. Several of us went into town this afternoon to have a look around and pick up supplies. A few of us walked by a shop and the owner welcomed us with "Bula, come in and have a look."

Trying not to be rude, we walked in to his shop which was filled with carved masks and other ceremonial carvings. We were ushered to a mat where we were asked to take off our shoes and have a seat. While one person spoke about his village and the people who make the jewelry and ceremonial carvings, another man brought a large wooden bowl and set it on the mat.

He added water, then took a small fabric back and started filling it with a powder. The bag was then stirred around the bowl with the man's fingers, then he dipped a half coconut shell in the bowl and offered the concoction of kava for us to drink.

Kava is often associated with pagan practices around the island and is sort of a mix between an acoholic/drug for the people of the island. As soon as we refused, the man in the shop asked us if we were a church group.

I share this story to show how these spiritualistic traditions have filled the island and the need they have for Christ in their lives. As I left the shop, I got really excited about what I will be learning in the next few weeks and the ability that I'll have to share them with these people. I cannot wait!

Blessings,

Liz