Por MAURICIO y VICKY -- Gracias Por COMPARTIR

This Mexican GODventureZ started from the Iris Trolley/Bus Station -- a brisk 40-minute walk from the house...WHEW says it all!

After Vicky and i crossed the border (by foot) -- we were picked up by her son Eliazar. At the corner was this typical canteen with hot tortillas para desayuno (breakfast).

And this perky little one -- Evelyn, Eliazar's daughter -- was my lively company in the back seat.

After getting tamales and caldo de res, we arrived at Vicky's house -- decorated with these flowers, pretty in pink...

Wall decor that caught my eye -- so Taveuni! After meeting the family (finally meeting my facebook friend, Mauricio), feasting on the delicious tamales and beef soup -- we set out for Parque Morelos. i asked Vicky, Are we walking there? DUH... it was some drive just getting there. (i was glad that i wasn't driving. It was quite unnerving how the locals maneuvered in and out and around without hitting each other!)

Asucena, taking a little nap before the fun ahead...

How gracious was GOD's providence -- the tires were a little flat...and we found this llantaria immediately -- just across the street where the car stopped.

Precious are all children, for they are gifts from GOD.

Papa Eliazar with his most precious cargo...

Cuando usted se siente abrumado, solamente grita al DIOS, nuestro Padre. When you feel overwhelmed, just cry out to GOD, our Father. Eche sus cuidado sobre El Señor y él le sostendrá; él nunca dejará a la caída honrada. Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall. (Psalm 55:22)

Mmm...junk food!

Parque Morelos has a small zoo within its grounds, and this is one of the residents...

And what's a zoo without lively monkeys?

These two weren't in the mood for portraits...

Fresh coconuts! But not as fresh as the ones from Naselesele...

Wild ride for the kidZ at heart...

For the artist, a chance to tap into his (or her) artistic talent...

Painting ceramic puercos...

Evelyn and Asucena...donde estan los patos?

Aqui! Here's a whole gaggle of them!

Evelyn's ultra fashionable sapatos...

Well -- here's my self-portrait...

Mi amigo nuevo -- Mauricio...que Dios le bendiga vigorosamente y sobrenaturalmente!

i have a thing about clothes lines... pretty soon i'll have a collection of photos for a separate blog entry!

WHEW...quite a trek up this treacherous little hill! This woman (a tamale vendor) gets a good workout for her quadriceps just going up and down and up and down (and up and down again) this dusty trail to her house.

Vicky's sister's precious ones...pequeñas muy preciosas!

Mother and oldest son -- Jose. It touched my heart to see them tenderly embrace each other. Their love and respect for one another was clear to see...

Honre a su padre y su madre, como El Señor su dios le ha mandado, de modo que usted pueda vivir mucho tiempo y que esto puede ir bien con usted en la tierra El Señor su dios le da.

Honor your father and your mother, as the LORD your GOD has commanded you, so that you may live long and that it may go well with you in the land the LORD your GOD is giving you. (Deuteronomy 5:16)

It was a full day indeedy! Vicky and i walked across again, went through immigration -- the line wasn't too monstrously long...not even a full hour total from beginning to end. The moon was gorgeous, shining brightly above McDonald's, American side -- in San Ysidro.

To finish our GODventureZ, Vicky and i took the world-famous San Diego Trolley to our final destinations. i also rode the #929 bus to the nearest stop -- just a long block from the house...just another 10-minute brisk walk in the cool of the night...just in time for a good night's sleep!

Nuestro Padre, gracias por este GODventureZ, por tocar mi corazón para Vicky y Mauricio. Por favor bendiga esta familia con el trabajo sobrenatural de Su Spirito Santo. AMEN.

TAVEUNI To SAN DIEGO -- 26+ Hours!

Thursday morning (August 25), up at dawn for our early morning walk -- after masu (prayers) -- to watch GOD-splashed colors against Matei's tropical skies...

After watching GOD's artistry, we went back to Naselesele for a quick visit to our bush farm -- and for Vili to get me fresh bu juice right off the tree!

There's a saying in Taveuni: Plant a file in the ground -- it will grow! These string beans and cucumbers are tasty proof that Taveuni is indeed the Garden Isle of Fiji!

Vili also climbed our backyard mango tree so that i can bring some sliced mango back with me to snack on at the airport...

From our bush farm -- cucumbers... fresh and cruncy!

Nau Tuvi and Ana... with Vili preparing these tangy mangoes. (These fruits are green on the outside, but are actually ready to eat.) We have to pick them half-ripe before the bats feast on them all!

A last look at my "home away from home" -- with Ana's just-washed laundry already on the line.

Kuro, Sai and Mai waving a "moce mada!" as they paused from building the new Naselesele Village Catholic church building. (There were actually about a dozen men from the village working on the church this morning and many other men and women are also involved to cook lunch and afternoon tea for the workers -- truly, a community effort from-the-heart!)

Bird's eye view of Matei and Viubani island... as i watched after Pacific Sun's take-off.

What a nice surprise! Serenia and Ana (the two ladies from the right, my friends from Naselesele Village who were visiting Viti Levu) were people-watching in the Nadi Airport lobby. What a blessing that i got to while away some time with them (i had nine hours until the 10pm Air Pacific departure).

After the 10 1/2 hours aboard FJ810 from Nadi to Los Angeles, 1 1/2 hours at the passport-control/arrival area (we were herded like cattle), 45 minutes by Fly Away bus to the Union Station train depot...

...i entered the "wrong" side (this was for the MetroLink -- serving the Los Angeles area).

But there were signs everywhere... sega na leqa! i caught the 4pm Amtrak Surf Liner -- and watched with tired eyes as the concrete scenics of L.A. slid past the train's windows. i was emotionally and spiritually refreshed when the blue waters of the Pacific finally came into view...

This very courteous train attendant kept her balance as the train swayed and rocked to its own beat... like a giant iron snake winding its way southward.

Last stop! At last -- the three-hour ride to downtown San Diego a done deal! It was the last stop for some, but i still had one more to go.

Inside the Santa Fe Depot in downtown San Diego... then i caught the San Diego Trolley for another 30-minute ride southward.

i was quite famished, so i couldn't help but notice that this young woman ate non-stop all the way from downtown San Diego to the Palm Avenue trolley stop. The Wednesday Ladies' Bible Study at Ocean View Church have seen me eat four or five servings plus dessert at the all-you-can-eat salad and soup restaurant (Soup Plantation) -- and they would always ask me, "Where do you put all that food!?!"

Finally home! After Mom picked me up from the trolley station, it was already 8 pm -- still Thursday. She had chicken adobo and fried tilapia and bangus paksiw and ginisang upo... with rice! Aren't mothers great?

GOD is too wonderFUL! Every good thing is from Him -- even these mangoes. Even in the little details, GOD is in control.

...who satisfies your mouth with good things, so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's. (Psalm 103:5, RSV)

Ratu Talemo Ratakele's 70th Birthday CELEBRATION

Nothing was left undone... every detail was seen to... all attention was focused to make this 70th birthday celebration memorable.

The man honored was Naselesele's very own chief -- Ratu Talemo Ratakele -- still making waves in Taveuni, Fiji, with his steadfast, caring presence... a true servant of the people.

Colorful balloons mix with traditional masi...

Synthetic flowers with natural coconut fronds decorate the posts...

Kata and Juki posing before their artfully decorated post...

The women elders spreading the many logas (mats) -- gifts to honor Ratu Talemo...

Women from both sides of the family (from Naselesele, Wiwi, Qelene, Vuna, etc...) laboring joyfully to create tasty dishes for all...

The men-folk doing their part -- husking and grating coconuts for vakalolo... waiting for the lovo to cook the toa and dalo...

Luisa, Wani and Marlene doing their share... all the while, catching up with chit-chat (talanoa)...

Almost done with the decor!

The elders relaxing -- all the logas already spread out -- watching the goings on...

The lovo uncovered, the tasty aroma of slow-baked taro/dalo and toa (chicken) permeating the tropical heat...

Giant pots, filled with bulumakau (just-butchered cow) and vuaka (pork)... cooked to perfection(?) by the many chefs...

Feast for all -- the invited kavalagi guests... as well as all the village folks, from near and far... the only requirement: to bring their empty stomachs so as to fill to the max!


Sepo (formerly of The Maravu Band Boys) serenading Ratu Talemo, Matawalu and all present, with sweet Fijian melodies...

Woven mats -- the more in number and quality, the more the honor given to the recipient...

Guest-of-honor table... a sumptuous lay-out indeed! But everyone eats the same feast... the VIPs to the smallest child share the same abundant meal...

Ronna of Coconut Grove, attentive to the chiefly program... Everyone was all ears to hear about Ratu Talemo's contributions and accomplishments -- not only as chiefly leader of Naselesele, but of his governmental leadership as member, then president, of the Fijian Senate. Ratu was also part of the interim government in 2000. Talemo Ratakele governed with integrity -- refusing to be a "yes man" -- holding fast to his caring dedication to serve his people.

Everything said... everything served... the blessing prayed... KANA at last!

Finally! Everyone filling their stomachs to full capacity!

Delicious creation by Ann, complete with Ratu Talemo's favorite...

When i interviewed Ratu Talemo and asked about his loving wife Matawalu, his most gracious reply was that "behind every successful man is a great woman." He said that he was blessed indeed to have married Matawalu, who was the support and backbone of the family as he attended to the various offices during his productive career.

May GOD continue to bless Ratu Talemo Ratakele with continued success in all his endeavors, continued passion in serving his people, and continued strength and integrity as he focuses his direction towards his new life goals, as a man blessed by GOD.

P.S. i am again raising funds for the Naselesele Village school children in Taveuni, Fiji. Your charitable donation of any amount is deeply and heartfully appreciated! GOD bless your loving heart!