News from Fiji --- School and Hostel Happenings

Here’s the gang at the end of the school day. Term 2 just ended, with an all school celebration of the Olympic Games as part of Class 4’s study of Ancient Greece. 

Term 2 also included an all school math competition, led by Sonal Chandra (right), our new computer teacher and math guru. Sonal has been working with teachers in the classroom to upgrade math skills, and recently conducted evaluations on all of our students. Other new employees this term are Verisilla Kauyaca (far left), Director of Development, and Radha Chand (next to Verisilla), Assistant Office Manager. The main hostel also welcomed Asinate Tuvou (right) as house parent to our new younger students, along with nurse Kelera, who comes two days a week to attend to any medical needs. (My apologies for neglecting to get a photo of Kelera.) We welcome all of these new staff members to the GSD family.

The new school playground is now taking shape, and the children are anxiously awaiting its completion. Mesake, the builder, is a deaf carpenter who has been involved in the Fiji Deaf Ministry since the beginning. He was the first deaf student found by Mrs. Vivienne Harland, founder of the deaf ministry. A big thank you to Robin and Charlie Hartley and Bethany Gospel Chapel in Swansea, MA for making the new playground a reality. 

Amazingly, Ellen Noble, a volunteer from New Zealand in July, managed to conduct one of her four workshops at GSD, despite her husband’s passing away from a heart attack in their hotel room just two days earlier. Ellen brought Sunday School materials to go along with the lesson books she helped to write, and teachers enjoyed making visual aids to go along with their lessons. Sadly, we also lost one of our respected deaf leaders, Serevi, in the same week, at age 36. He died from an infection for which he failed to get medical treatment. It was a sad week, but God’s faithfulness and peace were abundant in both losses. Please keep those families in your prayers. 

Ruth Harland, also visiting from New Zealand with her son Jack (left), brought great fun to the hostels with a game called Unihoc --- the perfect game for burning off excess energy in young children! Jack, age 16, was also a big help in the office with his computer skills. Ruth (left front), daughter of deaf ministry founder Vivienne Harland, also brought some donated and much appreciated sewing materials for student after school projects. 

Jim and I, along with the New Zealanders, were given the traditional Fijian farewell on our last night in Fiji---a great meal at the hostel, with songs by the children for entertainment. (Yes, the deaf love to sing!) The Junior Boys recited verses they had memorized from Psalm 121, and several students led in prayer for our travel safety. As always, a great send off! 

And lastly, we came home just in time for the 7th annual Deaf Hope Golf Tournament, organized by Jim’s sister Agnes Chretien (third from left), held at the North Kingstown Golf Club, with the largest turnout ever! All proceeds go to the Fiji Deaf Ministry. Vinaka Vaka Levu (a big thank you) to Agnes and her team, and to all of you as well, for the many ways you support this ministry. For more information, blog updates, and newsletters, go to the website www.fijideaf.org. Also, please send us your updated email address to receive future blogs and newsletters. Blessings, Jim and Marilyn.

And “Vinaka Vaka Levu” (a very big thank you) to all, for the variety of ways you have contributed, to help deaf children receive an education and grow in their relationship with God.