Valuable lessons learned

Paired with Steve Arrington, LLU students travel to Fiji for SIMS/Dream Machine mission

I wish you could have been there. I wish that I could articulate the portrait of sweet smells, the spectrum of smiles, the pristine clear ocean that served as a canvas for a beautiful watercolor painting. I wish you could have heard the laughter of the children. I wish you could have listened to the songs that were sung to our Father so reverently," says Trini Myers, who received a master's degree in speech pathology in June, 2000. In talking with Ms. Myers about the mission trip to Fiji that she took part in last year, a person could definitely get the impression that it was a subject that she is passionate about. "With any mission trip, I always expect the unexpected," states Ms. Myers, "but I was totally unprepared for how beautiful Fiji was. "They made a simple life, a life that Americans really aren't used to, and they made that simple life worth living," she continues. Ms. Myers was part of a team of 85 individuals who went to Fiji to work from June 16 to 19, 1999. Led by Ralph Perrin, DrPH, dean of student affairs, Loma Linda University; and co-administered by Steve Arrington, founder of the Dream Machine Foundation, the group worked at a variety of tasks which included running medical and dental clinics, conducting an evangelistic series and a children's ministry program, and doing construction and remodeling. The Dream Machine Foundation is a nonprofit interdenominational Christian organization which promotes aid to the world's children through medical, educational, and farming opportunities. Mr. Arrington, once a member of Jacques Cousteau's diving team, established the foundation to help underprivileged children of the world. "I came to Fiji with every expectation to work," explains Ms. Myers. "I tried everything from taking vitals in the medical clinic to digging trenches and repairing boats. I came thinking that I had so much knowledge to share. I've come to realize that what I had to share was miniscule compared to the gifts that they gave. "The people in Fiji were so hospitable," she continues. "Their families rank number one in their lives, and for that, these people have their priorities straight." Located about a mile from the town of Loa and about two hours from the nearest airport in Savusavu, the Vanuatu Seventh-day Adventist (elementary) School and Buca Bay Medical Clinic share the same campus and served as the center for the group's activities. The mission team was made up of students from the Schools of Dentistry, Medicine, Public Health, Allied Health Professions, Nursing, and the Graduate School, members of the University faculty, practicing medical professionals, students from other colleges and universities, and a number of other individuals.
		Before the traditional celebration, Loma Linda University students pose for a few pictures with the participants and other local Fijians.
		Savusavu, Fiji, is the closest town to Vanuatu Seventh-day Adventist School.
		Loma Linda University students are treated to a traditional Fijian dance by local villagers.
		Trini Myers, a master's degree in speech-language pathology student, sands barnacles off a boat that belonged to the Adventist school. Also pictured are Peter and Moses, two local Fijians from Taveuni, who volunteered to help.

While many of the students and faculty were from Loma Linda, students also came from Pacific Union College, Angwin; the University of Hawaii, Honolulu; Union College, Lincoln, Nebraska; the University of California, Los Angeles; Walla Walla College, College Place, Washington; and the University of California, San Diego.

Ms. Myers and other students helped out in any way they could. Dental and medical members of the team provided free treatment for a daily average of more than 40 dental patients and in excess of 130 medical patients.

The Fiji trip was part of a Students for International Mission Service project to do dental and medical work overseas, and while Ms. Meyers wasn't involved in either dental or medical work, she learned a lot.

"I don't know if the people in Fiji realize the valuable lessons I learned," she confides. "Moreover, they taught me merely by being an example. When we know and understand what it means to be a child of God, I was able to hear God say, 'Hold My hand, embrace Me for I am your Father. Let Me show you what it is like to fly. Let Me show you what it is like to pray with faith. Trini--I have died for you, and life will be beautiful when you let Me change you,'" she tells.

While in Fiji, Ms. Myers dug trenches, took vitals, cleaned bathrooms, and assisted in dental hygiene. Most of those activities, she says, are not activities she would have chosen, but she wouldn't change them for anything.

em for anything. For a break during the week, students were taken to Taveuni, the garden island of Fiji. They were able to go scuba diving and hiking to some caves where it is rumored cannibals had once lived.

"There where piles of bones everywhere," says Ms. Meyers. "I was told the bones were from people who had been killed there. I have my doubts, but it was still interesting."

As a group, the students were able to educate the local villagers on hygiene and sanitation practices. Usually after a day of teaching, the group was treated to a special home-cooked meal.

"The Fijian people were always so helpful with everything. They always wanted to cook for us and make sure we were well fed," elaborates Ms. Myers.

The hardest part about the whole mission trip for Ms. Myers was leaving.

"Although I traveled far, I had no idea that the impact Fiji had on my heart would be carried so much further.

"I was in awe of the fragile and beautiful way of life. I was reminded of who God is through their faces. God is almighty, the One who heals, a God of peace, One who forgives, One who provides, One who is in control, One who knows everything that is going to happen. His love is perfect.

"I had finally lent my ears to the sounds of perfection. I could finally pray with faith realizing exactly who God really is.

"Fiji created memories for all my senses. Remembering Fiji gets harder and harder the longer I'm away. Nevertheless, I'll never forget how welcoming and gracious the people were. I'll never forget how easy it was to fall in love with every aspect of their life.

"I imagine that God's given me a chance to witness a slice of heaven on earth. I can imagine that God's telling me, 'I wish you were here, I wish you could see the spectrum of smiles.' I long for the day Jesus will come. Fiji helped me to realize that there is more to living than just to survive. The people in Fiji are infused with life an indescribable happiness mixed with an unrelenting faith in God.

"For a while after I returned, I thought I'd have to find my way back to this heaven on earth. It is only more recently that I heard God say, 'I'll return to you to fill that space you left for me in your heart.'"

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