Back from Labasa

We are back from Labasa, got back yesterday afternoon. We have many pictures and memories from our time there with friends of my family, who now feel like family to us, they welcomed us so openly there. We do not want to forget all the wonderful times we had there, and all of the wonderful people we met. What a blessing it was to get to know them all. It felt like we were there much longer than a week! Here's a short (or long!) synopsis:

Friday- we arrived and had game night with all the Bible school students at the Ensmingers The 18-seat plane to Labasa, they weigh you and your luggage!

Saturday- we went to Nukubolo, a true Fijian village, in the interior, way back in the mountains- the most beautiful place you could imagine. They rarely get visitors, and certainly have never seen a violin!

On the drive to Nukubolu, in the mountains Driving through the river to get to the village

On the left is Salote (Charlotte) named after my grandma
These boys died their hair red with a seed from a plant- to be like me! :) They haven't seen a red-head before!

Sunday- played in the English and Fijian church services in the morning, and went to Pastor Tui's house for lunch afterwards. Then we played a program (45 minutes) at Labasa College (ages 15-18) in the afternoon, and back at church played a few pieces in a mixed service in the evening.

The new church building, and the current church building
At Uncle (Pastor)Tui and Auntie Josephine's for lunch
Concert at Labasa College

Monday- day off, but sat in on the Bible School students' choir rehearsal- all of the people there sing in the do-re-me system. They can't read our western music notation, but they sing beautifully in harmony, and they really love to sing! Andrew taught some lessons.

The sunrise from our balcony at the apartment above IBI (Island Bible Institute- the Bible School where my grandparents used to live)

Tuesday- Played for about 200 students at Labasa Primary School (ages 5-12), who were thrilled to see a violin for the first time. We did a half-hour long program. In the afternoon we rested, and Andrew taught some piano and music lessons, then we went over to Pastor Sai's house for dinner.

Labasa Primary School, with Uncle (Pastor) Sai and Auntie Serema
Solomone, Andrew and Poxci at the top of the hill looking out on Labasa

Wednesday- was a relaxing day, with students coming for lessons, and choir practice again, and we did our full concert that night at Labasa Bible Church. It was 2 hours long! But everyone really enjoyed it, including us. It was our way to thank everyone for their generosity to us since we had been there, and the Lord really blessed it.

Myron- named after Grandpa!

Kenni, Kesa, Angela and DeKeri at the concert

Thursday- we were back at Labasa Primary, and did another half-hour program, teaching the students about music, and performing for them. After that we played for Kenni and DeKeri's kindergarten class. Since it was our last day there, Andrew filled it with some last lessons for whoever wanted and needed them. I filled it helping out with a surprise for the Ensminger's 27th anniversary. There was a Bible school chapel service in the evening, and Danny preached, and we played a few last pieces at that service. Afterwards the students had prepared a skit of Bob and Martha's years of marriage, and Pastor Sai and Pastor Tui's sons also poked fun at their dads by playing them in the skit. It was very fun. After the skit, everyone came up to the apartment for refreshments, that Hannah, and I and some others helped prepare. It was lots of fun surprising Bob and Martha, and it was nice to have everyone up to the apartment for one last time together before we left.

Labasa Primary
Happy 27th anniversary Bob and Martha Ensminger

Friday- Andrew went to men's Bible study at 6. We were getting all packed up, and Albert came by at about 8:30, he had not realized we were there until the night before, and so he wanted to visit with us and to hear us play, so we played a piece for him, and thanked him for coming by, but he wanted to stay with us until we left, and so he did, while Kesa had a music lesson. And then some of the students were downstairs just singing and learning a song we had done, so we went down with them and spent the last hour or so there teaching them songs, and learning their songs. It was a nice time. Then we had to say goodbye to all of them, and went to the airport, where all the teachers from the Bible school were there with their families, and the flight was delayed, so we had about an hour to visit with all of them there, so that was nice too. Then we were off, and it was a quiet flight, already missing the people we had left in Labasa.

Us with Albert and most of theBible School students, and Hannah and Paul Ensminger