Day to day....

This is the place where we have spent countless hours with various missionaries. It is a small 36 bed private hospital about 2 blocks from our flat. The hospital is clean and they have done a pretty good job of taking care of our missionaries.

This is the front entrance.

Each day is an adventure. We never know what to expect when I receive a phone call from a missionary. Their calls range from complaints of everyday aches and pains, to serious accidents or illnesses. We have had missionaries with broken kneecaps, dehydration, car accidents, as well as numerous rashes, infections, and even what one termed 'a melting eyeball'! We spent one evening recently in the ER with a missionary who suddenly passed out on a bus. The bus was packed with people, so his companion and a few others on the bus lifted him out of a side window. Actually there are no 'windows' on buses here, but large openings. This Elder weighs about 260 lbs. No ambulances, so, in their words, they 'stuffed him into a taxi', and he was brought to the hospital. We met them there, he was given a blessing, and we waited as the doctor tried to determine what happened. He had been playing rugby before the incident, but his companion was sure he wasn't injured. The hospital did not have a CT scanner, but the other hospital in town did. Unfortunately, the radiology dept was closed for the day. He had to wait until the next day for the test. He started to come around a few hours later, and was monitored through the night. The next day he was fine. He shared with us very personal and sacred experiences that occurred during the night that gave him reassurance that all would be well. The Lord watches over his missionaries. This has been evident every day....


One of the hospital rooms. Dad looks as if he was just told he was going in for surgery.


A few weeks ago we met with the Burtons. They are serving a mission in New Zealand - he is the Area doctor (who we call when we need to report a hospitalization of a missionary, or just need advice....he is definitely on speed dial). We went to various towns and islands to evaluate the health care facilities. One of our meetings was with this man - Dr. Koroivueta - who is the Minister of Health in Fiji.


We have expanded our work here to include humanitarian projects. There are several in the works. One of them we have begun after meeting with him. There are thousands of villages in Fiji. Many are very remote, and so access to health care is limited or nonexistent. He has a plan for the villages to each have a 'community health worker', who would be trained to perform simple screenings, such as blood pressure, blood sugar, etc., as well as receive training in first aid. Each village would have a medical 'office', that is equipped with those things that would be needed to care for the people who live there. This would bring the health care to the people. We took this idea to the welfare director here in Fiji, and proposed that the Church donate the equipment and supplies needed. He is very excited about it, and we will be starting that project soon. Also in the works is a Neonatal Resuscitation Training Project, and one which will provide prosthetic limbs to those who have lost their legs.



A health care center in a more remote area of the island.

Children at another hospital who were happy to oblige with a photo.

As we were getting ready to board the plane for Suva, we met this couple who had just gotten married.

Today's catch. We couldn't fit this one in our carry-on...

We are so grateful for the opportunity to serve a mission, and particularly here in Fiji at this time. Every day we find ourselves saying 'we LOVE Fiji!' We look forward to each day, each opportunity to serve our Savior. We are thankful for each of you and the blessing you are in our lives.