March News

Fiji  Deaf  Ministry
“…….. that those who cannot hear will understand” Romans 15:21
March 2020​

​“Bula”  
Wherever you are in the world, we know that you will be going through uncertain times, but we also know that God is still in control. In Jeremiah 29:11 we read – “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” ………….. How reassuring!!

​We received an hours’ notice on Friday 20th, that school holidays would be brought forward by four weeks and would start that afternoon. The first job was to notify parents and ask that they come and take their children back to their villages where there was less chance of them being in contact with the virus. By Saturday evening, most children had gone and now we have just two of our cooking class students, and our group from Vanuatu remaining. There is a possibility that the government of Vanuatu will send a plane to take any citizens of Vanuatu home, as Fiji Airways have stopped flying there. Our children’s parents are anxious to have their boys’ home. 

Most staff have also gone home and we await a further announcement at the end of the first two weeks to see if the holidays will be extended. After a change of plans and a quick pack up, we arrived back in Christchurch with an hour and half to spare before NZ went into lock down, and at this stage we are unsure as to when we will be able to return. Thank you to those who were praying.
​
 Our three cooking students have enjoyed their first term of learning and do put some of their new skills into practice at home. Last week I came across the older boys enjoying banana fritters/pancakes cooked by Lario in the boy’s hostel. Here is our “team” all dressed for “another day at the office.” From left to right are Lario, Vitalina, and Tiare. Thank you to those who contributed to Tiare’s course fees - he very much appreciates your generosity and will now be able to return to Kiribati at the end of the year with a qualification, and hopefully find employment.

---

​  Two weeks ago, we were invited by the same private hospital as last year, to take all of our children and staff for free medical checks and lunch. We were delighted, that apart from a few minor ailments, most of our children were given a good report, and the volunteer medical staff were impressed by their good health. We have had chicken pox in the hostel recently, and while those children went home to recover, these early holidays will break the cycle and prevent further infection, which is something we can be thankful for. Michael, Aliti, and Tuvou holding four-year-old Waisea, after they had completed their medical check.

---

​​ This year, Christine (hearing) teaches class eight, our highest level before the children move on to Gospel High. Christine enjoys her teaching, and she can often be heard having a laugh with her children. She lives in the senior girl’s hostel, is very much involved with the girls outside of school hours, and is a fantastic help to “Ma”, the hostel mother. Thank you, Christine.

---

​Seru (deaf) came to GSD when he was seven in 1999, has been right through our hostels and school, and now teaches in our kindergarten class. The children love Seru, and have great respect for him. If a trip to see Seru is suggested when a child is misbehaving, that is usually enough to make them sit up and listen!

We value Seru and wish to thank him for his contribution to GSD over many years.​As I finish, thank you again for your support and interest. I received a text from a friend this morning and she finished with these words: 
 “Our God reigns”.

---