First Week in Fiji

Hi! I am so excited to send out my first update news letter from Fiji! Our team arrived in Savusavu this past Monday and we jumped right into our new life here in Fiji. We are staying with a pastor and his family, right outside town. They are the nicest people and have really made us feel at home and like a part of their family already. They love Jesus like crazy and in many ways lead their family and community in living for Jesus. This week has been very busy, but very exciting. Tuesday and Wednesday consisted of a lot of orientation-type work: getting to know the culture, learning about the different ministry opportunities, and getting to know our contacts and their family and friends. Everyone here has been so welcoming. A huge part of the Fijian culture is the focus on family and relationships. There have been multiple times this week when we have just walked up to someones door to introduce ourselves and had them welcome us in like family, make us tea and want to talk for hours. It is so clear that the Fijians here care about people more than anything. Almost everyone is also very open to talking about Jesus. The majority of Fijians in Savusavu consider themselves Christian, with a small population of Fijian being Muslims and Hindus as well. Although people are really eager to get prayer and listen, it's been noticed that there isn't a very strong realization of the relationship we can have with Jesus and how He should be at the center of everything. My team and I are so excited to partner with God and with the people of Fiji in just simply loving the people here and forming life long relationships and friendships. It is so easy to make someone say the “sinner's prayer” but true discipleship comes first out of a place of true friendship. We are so excited to continue to form these friendships and learn from and serve under the people of Fiji for the next ten weeks. I hope that you have been keeping myself, my team, and the people of Savusavu in your prayers lately. Some updates on things to be praying for are continuous strength and peace from God in being in a new place and way of living. Also, to be praying for the revelation of God's heart for Fiji and what He wants the next ten weeks to look like, as well as for more divine appointments with people and new opportunities to serve the people and community here. My team and I are so grateful for your prayers and interest in our mission. We are so excited to see what God is going to make of this time. We know however that this time is not always going to be easy and we will be stretched in many new and hard ways, so we really appreciate your commitment to partner with us and God in praying for us and trusting that God's perfect will will be carried out no matter what. I'm so excited to keep you updated throughout this time, and if you ever have any questions please email or facebook message me! I love talking to people about this because I really believe that God has given me the best job in the world and that He wants everyone to know about it and be blessed by whatever comes out of it! God bless, Mackenzie Sheehan