Fiji Church Building Project (2)

Joyce and I went over to Labasa town yesterday to visit the farm where our bee projects are located.  We were supposed to drive over in Aisake’s car.  However the car needed to visit the mechanics to have some vital parts replaced.  We hired a cab owned and driven by the same man who picked up and delivered the timber from Labasa to our building site the day before.  He owns two delivery trucks and two cabs but can neither read nor write.  Diligent worker.  It was a lovely 2 hour drive over the spine of the island, with incredible vistas.

Chuck was teaching a beekeeping class for three people who have some experience with bees.  It was a great class with lots of very practical questions and lots of hands-on time in the hives.  I learned that last week we lost 4 hives to American foulbrood.  That disease nearly wiped out American beekeepers 100 years ago.  It was brought to Fiji by careless beekeepers about 5 years ago.  When it was first noticed, we asked the government of Fiji to adopt a no-tolerance policy, requiring all infected hives and equipment to be quarantined and burned.  They did not listen.  Some beekeepers convinced officials that they could contain the problem and cure the hives by other means.  Anyone familiar with the infection knows there is no cure.  So now the problem has spread fairly widely throughout the islands and the government is finally adopting the policy we recommended.  Hopefully it is not too late to save beekeeping in Fiji.

Chuck and Sue and family looked great.  They have built new dorms to house visiting students.  They are building a 10,000 gallon water storage tank that I recommended during my last visit with them.  Water can be a problem during the dry season.  Such a tank would greatly reduce the difficulties they face during dry times.  They have rebuilt their sheep flock, have three cows, numerous chickens and a few ducks.  Once the quarantine is lifted they can begin to sell honey and hives again.

This morning we purchased additional siding for the church building.  For structural reasons we cannot install as many louvered windows as planned.  Also the young men doing the work created some unnecessary waste by not sizing pieces correctly.  Inexperience.  But they have done fantastic work.

We are purchasing the window slats this morning.  We still trust that all the basic work will be completed by Saturday when we leave this island for a week on the main island.

My cough seems to be improving.  It has not disturbed my sleep.

We very much appreciate your prayers.

Blessings!