Well, this is the last you'll hear from us for at least another week. We head off to the other island to Labasa tomorrow, and we won't have internet access there. We are excited to go there and stay at the Bible school my grandparents started. We will stay in the apartment where my grandparents used to live! Can't wait to tell you all about it when we return.
But for now- we have to update you on the last few days. We have been working hard at Nadi Christian Community school. We've been judging the students' convention pieces. Yesterday we heard dramatic reading and story telling. Today all of the music was crammed into one day of judging! We felt like we had to rush through, when we would've liked to give more comments to everyone, so it's too bad we couldn't have more time to work with the students just on their music.
We did get to hear a lot though! First we heard 10 different vocal solos. All of the students teach themselves the music. They don't have regular help from music teachers! So, it is impressive what they are able to do just by ear and teaching themselves. But we were also able to give lots of comments, and take time on breaks to work with them further. After morning tea, we heard instrumental solos, and worked with a few of those students. Then we heard the ensembles, a small choir with mostly boys and one girl, a group of 8 recorder players, and one of the boys had written the arrangement of a hymn for them to play, and then lots of duets and trios, mostly singing, and one flute and clarinet duet. Some of the students have done wonderful work, and it's very impressive to see what they've done completely on their own.
We also have given a small concert for the children each day, and today some parents came to listen as well. We also got to hear a flute player who is their music teacher and comes in once a week to teach recorder, flute and clarinet lessons. He played very well too, and it was neat to meet him and his wife.
Last night Ray and Laura Pittman and their girls and students from Students International came over for Fijian dinner after they had visited all day with people at the Lautoka hospital and Old Folks' Home. It was neat to meet the students, who come for 2 weeks to do short-term missions in Fiji. They were close to our ages, and mostly from the East Coast, it was a group of 10 or so. We enjoyed visiting with them. We had roti with many different kinds of curry, and Fijian pie for dessert. Auntie Joy had prepared quite the spread for them (and us) to experience some authentic Fijian food!
Today I bought a dress, and Andrew bought a sulu (men's dress skirt) and Bula shirt. :) So, now we have some Fiji-wear for the rest of our time here, and to bring home with us! :)
Prayer requests: ~We have both come down with a cold, so please pray that sickness does not keep us from ministry opportunities.
~In Labasa we will have to be careful about the water we drink because there is typhoid in one area of the island, and we don't want that!
~We will be quite busy with playing concerts at schools and churches while we are there (only one day completely off!). We play a concert already tomorrow night after getting there around 12. Saturday, if it hasn't rained, we hope to go into a traditional Fijian village. We literally cannot go if it rains and the river is too high to cross. It will be quite the adventure I think going there, so pray that we are able to go and share music there!
But for now- we have to update you on the last few days. We have been working hard at Nadi Christian Community school. We've been judging the students' convention pieces. Yesterday we heard dramatic reading and story telling. Today all of the music was crammed into one day of judging! We felt like we had to rush through, when we would've liked to give more comments to everyone, so it's too bad we couldn't have more time to work with the students just on their music.
We did get to hear a lot though! First we heard 10 different vocal solos. All of the students teach themselves the music. They don't have regular help from music teachers! So, it is impressive what they are able to do just by ear and teaching themselves. But we were also able to give lots of comments, and take time on breaks to work with them further. After morning tea, we heard instrumental solos, and worked with a few of those students. Then we heard the ensembles, a small choir with mostly boys and one girl, a group of 8 recorder players, and one of the boys had written the arrangement of a hymn for them to play, and then lots of duets and trios, mostly singing, and one flute and clarinet duet. Some of the students have done wonderful work, and it's very impressive to see what they've done completely on their own.
We also have given a small concert for the children each day, and today some parents came to listen as well. We also got to hear a flute player who is their music teacher and comes in once a week to teach recorder, flute and clarinet lessons. He played very well too, and it was neat to meet him and his wife.
Last night Ray and Laura Pittman and their girls and students from Students International came over for Fijian dinner after they had visited all day with people at the Lautoka hospital and Old Folks' Home. It was neat to meet the students, who come for 2 weeks to do short-term missions in Fiji. They were close to our ages, and mostly from the East Coast, it was a group of 10 or so. We enjoyed visiting with them. We had roti with many different kinds of curry, and Fijian pie for dessert. Auntie Joy had prepared quite the spread for them (and us) to experience some authentic Fijian food!
Today I bought a dress, and Andrew bought a sulu (men's dress skirt) and Bula shirt. :) So, now we have some Fiji-wear for the rest of our time here, and to bring home with us! :)
Prayer requests: ~We have both come down with a cold, so please pray that sickness does not keep us from ministry opportunities.
~In Labasa we will have to be careful about the water we drink because there is typhoid in one area of the island, and we don't want that!
~We will be quite busy with playing concerts at schools and churches while we are there (only one day completely off!). We play a concert already tomorrow night after getting there around 12. Saturday, if it hasn't rained, we hope to go into a traditional Fijian village. We literally cannot go if it rains and the river is too high to cross. It will be quite the adventure I think going there, so pray that we are able to go and share music there!
1 comment:
It sounds like a great time so far! I am so excited that you guys are there now. Wow! Can't wait to see a picture of you in your traditional outfits.
Take care! Love and prayers,
Lidia
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