December 2, 2010

Dear Friends, Brethren and Family

Travels - Return to Fiji

We are finally back in Fiji. We took off from Tulsa on Tuesday November 30th and landed in Nadi Fiji 05:00 am Dec 2nd.
We had extra bags and Southwest Airline helped us by not charging for all of them. When we checked in at LA they charged us for all the bags but it was still cheaper than mailing the books and things we were taking back. (At least I will have fresh/crunchy cereal for the first few weeks we are back anyway.)
The 10.5 hour flight to Fiji was like a cattle call. The plane was full. A long flight stuffed in the plane like sardines. We slept most of the way. The two meals they served were a chicken roll when we got on and fruit, yogurt and muffin for breakfast 2 hours out of landing in Nadi. Considering Kathy is allergic to nuts the Banana nut muffin was not a great choice. When we got on we went to sleep or at least tried to. There were certain parts of the anatomy which were numb after about 2 hours. After 5 hours more and about the time we landed we were just numb all over. BUT WE DID ARRIVE SOMEWHAT ALIVE! (Howbeit walking like zombies and shuffling along with the various body parts trying to come back on line after being dormant for over 10 hours.)
We landed early morning, temperature 81 with 90% humidity. We were the first through immigration and with priority baggage the first through the customs scanner. They asked several questions as to what the scanner showed up but eventually (with more people lining up behind the only scanner) the customs men said we could go on ahead. Thank you Lord!

We had arranged ahead of time for a pick up truck to meet us to take us and and our baggage back to the house at Vuda Point. We were out of the customs hall by 5:15 and waited until almost 6:30 outside the taxi stand. I finally checked my computer email and found that the driver was supposed to have a sign for us. So Kathy went back into the terminal and found the driver. He had gotten there at 05:45 and went right into the terminal and had been waiting there. We loaded the truck and drove home. (17 hour time difference from Joplin so we hit a wall mid afternoon but managed to make it to 10 pm with the help of Mr Caffeine) It is sure good to sleep in a bed again.

I had to do all the fun things the last couple of days. Fix a gushing outside water tap when I turned the water back on. Found out where the dogs were getting out of the fence. Cleaned up fallen coconuts. Got the car started and got fuel in it (plus air in all the tires.) Went to the bank for cash. Went to both Nadi and Lautoka (8 miles in different directions) and shopped for things we thought we had before we left. Repaired the microwave, replaced a light fitting in the kitchen.

Could not find our cell phones. Seems a friend "borrowed" mine because he did not have any minutes on his. I took him a load of coconuts which had fallen from our trees and visited with them for about 2 hours and got the minuteless phone back since I now need it! The custom here is if "family" has something and you are not using it then "family" can borrow it. They had only "borrowed" the phone. At least we are in the "family" here. Next time I guess I will have to hide it better if I want any minutes on my phone when I get back.

The phone landline was not working (need to have for internet) so I reported it to Telecom when we were in town. I realized as we were coming home that I had unplugged all the electrical stuff and the cables and telephone lines before we left.

Yep, when I got home I checked, plugged the phone line in and "wa- la" the phone worked. Called the phone company and told them I fixed the fault and checked the internet connection. I am so clever! Maybe I should make notes on the things I do so when the memory malfunctions I have a backup.
The next few days will be getting things back to "normal" (if there is such here). I have a lot of Bible course correspondence to catch up on and have at least one girl requesting baptism. In about an hour we will be going to Sabeto for services, it is Sunday here.

We are trying to get used to the humidity again along with the roosters crowing, flocks of myna birds in our mango trees, geckos running around in the house (and leaving their calling cards) and other Fiji sights and sounds. At least the sugar cane season is over and the trains are not coming by the house day and night to the cane mill.

Thank you so much for all of you who are supporting us, have contributed to our needs and have extended hospitality by allowing us to stay with you while we are travelling through. God bless you!

Your seed sowing workers in the Kingdom.

Tobey & Kathy