Family ties

There is nothing like sitting around a table with family and spinning yarns and sharing a laugh.

Being so far from our own family we have found ourselves being adopted into many families here.

It is a lovely feeling sharing food and cultures.Our Indian friends have certainly increased our palate and we have had some amazing meals. It quite blows me away just what you can cook (or rather curry) and often at very little cost.

Recently we hosted some very good local friends whom we have known since 2005. Its one thing to be acquainted with someone on a casual day to day basis. But having someone in your home for a week can create a new depth to a relationship. (or drive you nuts ;-) )

Our friends lived up country and were in Lautoka for a weeks church conference. They dwell in very humble homes, hand washing and cooking over a fire was the norm. I was a little concerned they would come here and our "richness" would make things awkward. However I couldn't have been more wrong. We had a great week of catching up and learning from each other. I was taught how to prepare some local food and they in turn learnt how to eat food a little different. Egg plant on pizza did work and you could make pizza bases with a bottle of beer!!

Living here certainly keeps me aware of how easy life is in the Western world. Waiting is a common past time - it's nothing to arrive at the hospital out patients clinic first thing in the morning and to still be there well into the afternoon. Everything is very labour intensive - a simple purchase from a shop requires a shop assistant, a teller and a security guard to check the receipt and sign it as you leave. However relationships are also important. Time is taken to chat, to listen and to help each other.

I love driving at dusk because I see people gathering together on porches and spinning yarns or cooking over the fire with family members helping.

Last week we drove through the area hit hardest by Winston. The bright blue tents that dotted the landscape are still there but somewhat faded. Some homes had been renewed, while others had a pile of blocks and timber waiting for their turn with the builders. Then there were ones that had been walked away from or even worse people were living amongst the ruins, having done very little to clean up. (were they waiting for some do good westerner to come along and help them...unfortunately there is a fair bit of that here.)

LHR is presently helping a family get their little girl to India for life changing surgery. Little Rishma was born with health issues, her main ones being cleft lip and palate, the need for a feeding tube and a trache. She has had her lip repaired but requires further surgery that even visiting surgeons can't do. Her parents were feeling very despondent with the lack of progress being made for Rishma. Her father searched the internet for a hospital that could treat his daughter. He finally found a surgical hospital in India who has offered to help.

Hospital officials here gave them the go ahead but could only pay for the surgery costs. There was still airfares and living costs for the family while in India. Rishmas parents have been fundraising frantically to get together the required finance's. I could say it was by co-incidence that I got to met this family through an American couple I knew. However I don't believe so. I was so taken by this family. Their absolute transparency in their fundraising and determination to help little Rishma.

We have been able to assist by raising a further $5000Fj in both Fiji and NZ.

We are still short of our target so if your in NZ and would like to help you can deposit into BNZ 02-0636-0134119-000 or email lisa@lhr.co.nz and I can help if you live outside NZ.

Thank you to all who have dug deep to help.

The fever of winning a gold at the Olympics has put the country in a very good mood. Last Monday was a public holiday and everywhere you go there are Fiji flags flying high. I made comment to someone that I thought it was sad that probably all these players will be snatched up by international clubs. Their comment was quite valid - Lisa we are a nation of great rugby players, they are just allowing more to come up through the ranks...so true.

Mean while Ben Ryan has been given the highest order of Fiji, a 3 acre slice of paradise and rumours of a hollywood movie. Toso Fiji Toso!