Not so Impressive Impressions

After a month and a half as a resident at Homes of Hope in Fiji, I have a few initial impressions. More than likely, these first impressions will reshape themselves to a more mature view of my surroundings. Yet, nonetheless, I find them absorbing.

Impression #1: Air-condition Anyone?
Seriously, how humid can a climate be? And when is winter?


Impression #2: That is the Biggest Bug I have EVER Seen!
I think this was my third week when I decided to move the suitcase in my house that has been functioning as my living room-clutter-catchall. Lo’ and behold, I move said suitcase and a centipede that is about 10 inches long runs from underneath the suitcase-straight toward me. I confess I danced and screamed like a sissy, which incited Godzilla to run toward my bedroom. As I chased the critter down with my water bottle, (the only object I had time to snag as the sucker boogied away) all I could think was, “You had better stay away from my bed!” And it did…it went into my broom closet, where I have yet to unearth the monster.


Impression #3: Dinner is Not for You!

No way. Really? Is that lizard seriously going to try and eat my soup? With me sitting right here?









Impression #4: I Have Friends!
How welcome I have felt meeting and getting to know Homes of Hope’s mums (These mums are the ladies who reside at Homes of Hope with their little ones). It has been easy to get to work. In fact my greatest difficulty has been in working too much and forgetting that I am still adjusting to a new culture, climate, and habits.


Impression #5: Hello McDonalds. You are my New Favorite Restaurant.
I will never again underestimate the simple pleasure of a taste of home…even when that “taste of home” is a cheeseburger from McDonalds, the much scorned bad-food joint in the U.S. Oh, man, that first bite into my cheeseburger…ahhhhhhh. Beauty.

You keen to come visit me yet?
:-) By the way, I named the lizard Mojo.

Bula!

Bula! This is “Hello” in Fijian, and so I greet you from across the ocean.

I am about half way through my third week here at Homes of Hope, and I am settling in well. While my time here has not been without its bumps-among which is spotty internet connection, illness, and the requisite home sickness-but as far as “bumps” go, they have been small and so surmountable.


My tasks thus far have been to settle in to my new role here, get to know the residents on campus (some 30 young mothers and their little ones). However, for now, I must tell you about one:

I had the opportunity to visit Homes of Hope in Fiji during the summer of 2009. While here I met a new resident, a young girl all of 14 years of age. This girl, whom I’ll call Nal, (to protect Nal, her true name is not given) had been sold by her family to a man 30 years her senior in order to pay for her family’s groceries.

At the time I first met Nal, she had a new baby boy fathered by the man whom purchased her. Nal was a belligerent, rude, and stubborn teenage girl. Yet, after watching Nal for a brief time it was plain to see that the anger Nal cloaked herself in was worn to protect herself from further betrayal and pain. I left that summer not liking this woman-child, yet understanding that her attitude and behavior was purely a posture of defense.

Today, Nal is still at Homes of Hope and she is 16; her little boy is 2. And the change in her! The angry, cantankerous, terrified girl is now a leader, setting an example and guiding other young girls who come to the campus. Nal smiles now. Yesterday I heard her laugh. Her eyes no longer scale people, searching, measuring them as if to see what gain they may bring her or if they pose a risk. Nal is changed. Nal has hope. Nal has a future.

This has been the very best welcome.