July 10, 2012
"So this is it!! I'm on my way to Fiji!!"...that was my first entry in my journal a year ago as I embarked on what I thought was just a missions trip. Little did I know that it would be such a life changing experience in such an amazingly great yet challenging way. As I reflect back upon my experience today, my 17 year old son is on his own life changing experience mission trip in Kenya, Africa. Can't wait to hear his exciting stories. I'm feeling so blessed.
When I decided to go to Fiji on the missions trip it was a last minute decision, really a God thing. I was at a place in my spiritual walk where I felt like I was needing to do more. I desired more. I wanted to go and serve others in a way like I had never done. I was a little nervous in going because I didn't know anyone really except for my friend, Sara and it would require me to step waaay outside my comfort zone!
July 12, 2012
"Touchdown in FIJI!! Let the amazingness begin in this land, Lord!" I was so excited to arrive. I was also a little surprised to see what I saw. Beautiful and the most friendliest people ever. Lush green everywhere I looked, however, this was not the Fiji that I had Googled. It did not look glamorous and gorgeous like all the photos shown when I would type in Fiji in the little box Google provided!! "Fiji is amazingly spectacular! We've taken all the back roads and have seen true Fiji living. Each village is different but very much the same. No where like anything I've seen in America. Boy, do we really take things for granted & possess lots of stuff. Nothing of familiarity." A bit of reality has hit just about now. Wow. I believe I may be a bit spoiled and hadn't realized it...hmmm...didn't like that thought!
July 13, 2012
"Overnight barge to our destination...raining...barge going up & down. I took some motion sickness medication & Tylenol PM. Up & down, up & down, rocking from side to side, lots of people laying on the floor, cuddle in chairs, anywhere to get comfy for this long choppy ride. Lord help me sleep & keep me safe! " Oh golly, that boat ride is something I wouldn't wish on anyone!
July 14, 2012
"Just woke from one challenging, quite uncomfortable night...thank you, Lord. You're preparing me & removing my SELF, my SPOILEDNESS, my NORMALCY, COMFORT and STRIPPING me to allow me to receive all that You have for me! Lord, this is my prayer. Help me to remember to be vulnerable, releasing all...unzipping myself; my American self & ways - stepping out and allowing You to work in and through me to minister and bless the people. Lord, be my strength today for I feel so tired from traveling. Help me to endure & press on. Lift my spirits and widen my smile. Let your brilliance brightly magnify through me radiating Your sweet love. Give me words to speak, hugs to give. Lord USE ME and make sure I don't get in the way of YOUR WILL! I'm looking forward to what's in store for us and the miracles that You'll perform! I love You, Lord! Amen."
Calm, serenity, clarity, stillness, light...hope. As I read through my Journal I thought I would be empowered by God's workmanship, however, I discovered the opposite...
"Lord, I feel so small in this gigantic place. I feel out of sorts, of place...I know that it's not by accident that I'm here. I know that You have a plan for me, that You will use me. I know that I will be blessed and that I will be changed! Praise You, Lord! Glory to Your Name. Open my heart, my mind, my eyes...lead me to do what You would have me to do.
Romans 12:1-8 'Dear friends, God is good. So I beg you to offer your bodies to Him as a living sacrifice, pure and pleasing. That's the most sensible way to serve God. Don't be like the people of this world, but let God change the way you think. Then you will know how to do everything that is good and pleasing to Him. I realize how kind God has been to me and so I tell each of you not to think you are better than you really are. Use good sense and measure yourself by the amount of faith that God has given you. A body is made up of many parts and each of them has its own use. That's how it is with us. There are many of us, but we each are part of the body of Christ, as well as one another. God has also given us each different gifts to use. If we can prophesy, we should do it according to the amount of faith we have. If we can serve others, we should serve. If we can encourage others, we should encourage them. If we can give, we should be generous. If we are leaders, we should do our best. If we are good to others, we should do it cheerfully."
July 15, 2012
Arrived at port. "We're on Taveuni where only 2% of the world population ever visits...and I'm here! It's so beautiful. So many coconut and 'popo' (papaya) trees, lush green vegetation with sporadic tin huts filled with lively friendly villagers eager to see the people on the open aired bus passing by. The tiny dirt road is peppered with boys and girls skipping alongside adults - men carrying machetes or coconut logs and women carrying fruit and various other items. As we pass they all shout with jubilee, 'Bula, Bula! (Hello, Hello!)
"Hours later we arrive at our host church. We were greeted with warm curiosity and fed a yummy snack of popo juice and egg sandwiches. The women are amazing-there's no kitchen-just an open outdoor fire! The village literally all help out. Men are cutting wood and collecting water , gathering vegetation from the jungle ...women are sitting on bamboo mats slicing and dicing vegetables while others are stooping over a large pot and even others in a framed building without doors or windows doing a host of other things. The children are running, singing and laughing joyously. They all love getting their pictures taken and then eager want to see themselves on the tiny screen grinning even larger than before when the picture was being taken!"
July 16, 2012
"Walked 15 minutes to hold a medical clinic in a nearby village of Vuna. We had to carry all the supplies including all the tables and chairs. Long day but by far one of my most rewarding days ever! I had the pleasure and opportunity to educate the people of Vuna on dental hygiene. I complimented each and every one of them for their gift from God...their beautiful smile, telling them to never stop using that gift-always turning to Him! I received such warmth, numerous hugs, countless handshakes and endless thank yous. One beautiful 32 year old gal, Melamla, was so proud of her teeth and spoke that she had not lost one...which is incredible! She excitedly showed me her 2 year old daughter, Krystel's teeth which were perfectly clean as well. Unfortunately not all teeth were not like theirs, I did get some requests for me to pull their teeth out because of how much pain they were in. I told them I was not a dentist but they still requested!! I felt so helpless.
As the day went on, many different faces, different stories but always kind and smiling people as I compliment them and shared information. God, thank You for this opportunity to share education on a simple task of brushing teeth, but more importantly for allowing me to love on over 235 amazingly beautiful people being Your light and planting a seed for Your Kingdom.
Travel by bus then by small boat to Island of Qamea. Very excited but a little nervous I have to admit!
Spending time on this Island was extremely difficult and hard for me. I was only able to journal a few things..."INTENSELY HARD...INCREDIBLY BEAUTIFUL! You can't have one without the other." This is where I experience much of my raw growth. Have you ever had that feeling where you just wanted to run and escape from a situation? Well try having that feeling but literally being stuck on an island with the only means of transportation is an hourish boat ride in the middle of the gigantic ocean!! And on top of that the boats aren't returning until the next day that evening! So whatcha gonna do?!? Well, I tell you it was hard because there wasn't ANY privacy at all either! So literal heart to heart with God is what happened. Never had that before and it's quite the experience. Being stripped of everything that's comfortable and normal yet the only thing that is reliable and true is Christ. He was the only One that I could turn to and express EVERYTHING to...the good, the bad and the very ugly. Oh, believe me I said some fit throwing, tantrum shouting things in my heart to Him! If only anyone could see what was going on in my heart, WOWZA! It would not be pretty! But Christ being the ever gracious Father that He is, waiting for me to get done with my not so gracious fit throwing, caressed me and gently spilled healing words of truth into my heart and spirit. He used others around me to minister to my heart and to reveal things to my once blinded eyes. What the enemy had planned for me on this Island was not happening no longer! Victory is mine through Jesus Christ. 1John 5:4-5, "Every child of God can defeat the world, and our faith is what gives us this victory. No one can defeat the world without having faith in Jesus as the Son of God." Christ did what He always does, He came through. He got me through moment by moment. I relied on Him for everything and needed to. He truly is the only way. He protected and guided. Strengthened and allowed me to endure.
1 Corinthians 15:58, "My dear friends, stand firm and don't be shaken. Always keep busy working for the Lord. You know that everything you do for Him is worthwhile."
I will stand firm in Christ who is always solid and I will not be shaken by anything that the enemy tries to throw my way to prevent me from doing and serving in the name of Jesus!
July 18, 2012
Village of Qaleni. "Lord, I give you my heart, I give you my soul have Your way with me. Intensely Hard, Incredibly Beautiful! This journey has been just a battle within me, heavy burden and I don't understand it! But I do know that You are the Sovereign God and You brought me here to break my heart for these people especially those on Qamea Island.
Isaiah 33:6, 'You are the foundation on which we stand today. You always save us and give true wisdom and knowledge. Nothing means more to us than obeying You.' God chooses willing vessels. No skills required, no work-experience needed. Weakness is actually preferred...humility a must! To witness, to be a servant, a born slave to the Master-then Christ is the only Way, the Truth and the Life. If we go with our agendas, our skills or our how-to's then there is no room for what Christ intended. Not only for those He sent for you to serve but most importantly for YOU!
Psalms 34:4-5 "I asked the Lord for help, and He saved me from all my fears. Keep your eyes on the Lord! You will shine like the sun and never blush with shame."
July 19, 2012
"I have to admit I am continuing to have miniature heart tantrums with Christ. I'm not fully aware of why He had me come so far across the world to teach about dental hygiene when most everyone I came in contact with did not have a proper place to store their toothbrush or toothpaste or didn't even have a restroom to even brush their teeth in. I just didn't get it and I wanted some clarity. Our bus had made a pit stop in a village of Suva Suva while I was in the middle of this tantrum. All of us were to stay on the bus which was fine with me because it made it easy for me to hide my head from all the joyfully friendly locals waving eagerly with their greetings. 'Christy, come out here now! Send Christy out now!' My thoughts instantly turned apologetic to Christ! Oh, Lord please don't make me stay here for my poor attitude! I'm sorry!!
Well, let me tell you that wasn't it at all! Pastor Steve swiftly wrapped his arm across my shoulders and said come see. So I rushed out and a few steps away were boys and girls all dressed properly in their school uniforms. Boys in their khaki shorts with crisp white collared shirts, girls in their knee length purple apron styled dresses also with a crisp white collared shirt. Most without shoes, some with sandals. The students ranged from kindergarten to high school, each with a toothbrush in one hand (which was received from our clinic) and a small water bottle in the other. The instructor, whom came to our clinic previously had a mega phone instructing the students with the chant that I had shared with him and all the other villagers throughout the trip -Brushe, Brushe, Brushe...Circlee, Circlee, Circlee! Priceless!! Thank You, Lord!
Simple little Christy from a little place in this world called to Fiji to teach proper brushing of teeth. All it takes is for one who listened and was inspired to go and instructed and loved on others in the name of Jesus. Out of those, all it takes is one to go, so on and so forth. When Christ calls and you are willing to go and to serve, it doesn't matter how simple the serving may be, it's your willingness and obedience. He ~our Sovereign God~will plant the seed in hearts of those being served. He in turn will allow those seeds to sprout and grow through other willing obedient vessels. I just need to be obedient and willing ~prayerful always. He will take care of the rest. You do what's asked of you and remain faithful in prayer and He'll take care of the rest! You may get the honor of seeing the fruits of what was planted or you may get the honor of being the one who actually plants the seed. Whatever the case, it is always an honor to serve Christ.
"God loves people who love to give. God can bless you with everything you need, and you will always have more than enough to do all kinds of good things for others. 2 Corinthians 9:7-8
This was a reflection into my journey in Fiji and it has and continues to be life changing! I look forward to the day that I can go abroad to serve where Christ will send me.
Take care and be blessed,
Chrsity Krezman
