GODventureZ -- LIFE! through Pictures

Sunday, September 9, 2012

A Slice Of LIFE At BUCALEVU Secondary School

BucaLevu Secondary School -- GOD rules here and EVERYwhere\o/

Home Economics class -- cooking with joyful hearts!

Ruth, Chaplain Paulini, Shayaal -- SUIS
CHRISTian Fellowship

Harmony in song and school community...

Dancing up a storm...

Enjoying the entertainment -- BucaLevu's Mini-Carnival and Anti-Drug Abuse Week

SUIS CHRISTian Fellowship blackboard -- song of the day...

Maia Villanueva Jones -- my gift from the LORD!

Anti-Drug Day -- SUIS CHRISTian Fellowship's decor...including rLn's banners.

rLn's contribution to BucaLevu's carnival week...

Last-minute paint job..."Think smart -- Don't even start! Say NO!"

Hanna's very original anti-substance abuse costume...

IN CHRIST -- you CAN say and do NO!

Chaplain Paulini and chief guest speaker Geoffrey...

Faresiko with queen...

All beautiful!

Dancing the island way...

Dancing up a MEKE!

Final day...all the beauties in their fineries.

Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD! (Psalm 127:3, ESV) All the young men and young women at BucaLevu Secondary School are gifts from the LORD Almighty -- the future heritage of Fiji.

Please donate. ALL your donations will benefit the Naselesele Village school children in Taveuni, Fiji. Vinaka vaka LEVU!

Friday, June 29, 2012

WWJD -- What Would JESUS Do?

WWJD – What Would JESUS Do?

What would JESUS do?

Never you mind what others would –

Filo, Petero, or even Manu.

To always choose wisely,

All you need to do –

Is to follow CHRIST JESUS closely.

Would JESUS, on drugs, get high?

No! Rather He would fly

A kite higher than the sky.

Would JESUS smoke tobacco or weed?

No, never! Rather He would help

All those in trouble and in need.

Would JESUS get drunk and brawl?

No, never ever! Rather He would give

His surpassing peace and everlasting joy to y’all.

WHAT would JESUS do?

Whatever is good and heavenly –

THAT only, He would do.

What would you do?

So that your choice –

Later, you would not rue.

THINK! before you decide,

May your choice be lovely –

And, In CHRIST, abide.

Turaga na Koro JONI set an example for NASELESELE Village
by pledging to quit an abused substance.

Makarita won the prize for Best Oratory, for Class 5-6.
May her "light so SHINE before men, that they may see
her good works and glorify her Father in Heaven."
(Matthew: 5:16)

Thursday, January 26, 2012

BEVERLY's Campgrounds -- Without BILL

Tila, putting the finishing touches on Bill's "resting place" -- seemingly instrospective, maybe thinking of the days ahead without Bill at her side...

Tila and Bill -- enjoying the simple life offered at Beverly's Campgrounds -- breakfast (gunu ti) of tea and bread, but with a scenic million-dollar view...

Bill, with a few of his many friends, together with his wife for 50 years -- precious Tila -- about to share kava and much talanoa!

Tila, now in charge of Beverly's... May our almighty GOD continue to strengthen her in all ways as she readies the campgrounds for 2012 ...

Bill's usual breakfast fare -- ripe papaya and lady finger bananas from his farm...always ready to share with his guests and friends.

Beautiful and fragrant flowers -- but adding to Bill's daily chore of raking the grounds clean of much fallen leaves...

Beverly's Campgrounds goes on -- with Bill's legacy of generous hospitality and much kindness to all folks in all walks of life, especially kids..

An rLn mural -- adding color and interest to Beverly's dorm wall...

Exotic orchids, growing on a vutu tree -- adding a delightful touch to Beverly's already eye-pleasing scenics...

An old hammock -- sprayed with vutu blooms -- inviting the backpacker (or local) to cegu mada...literally dipping the backside in high tide!

Beverly's Campgrounds very own -- our precious Tila -- continuing the family tradition that Bill started...a kind smile of welcome and down-to-earth hospitality.

Wait on the LORD; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; wait, I say, on the LORD! (Psalm 27:14)

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!

Sunday, December 4, 2011

GRADUATION Day at NASELESELE Primary

Graduation Day at Naselesele Village Primary School, December 1, 2011 -- Jotama and Jerome, with their caps and gowns, wearing happy smiles...glad that Kindergarten is finally over!

Rosalia Ranuve doing her thing as Master of Ceremonies...

Head teacher, Ben Underwood Rupeni, welcoming guests, parents and students...

Some of the "graduates" anxiously awaiting certificates...

Graduation ceremonies about to start -- students being patient through it all...

Guests of honor -- (2nd from left) Fiji's Commissioner of Police (Naselesele's very own) Iowane Naivalurua, turaga ni vanua Tu Mika, and All Nation pastor from Wiwi Village...

Big turn out for this memorable event...

The pastor offering up a fervent prayer for GOD's blessings...

A yaqona offering...

Commissioner Naivalurua with his freshly made salusalu...

Commissioner Naivalurua with a thoughtful moment...

Kindies performing the First Advent...

Seleima with her award...a most improved student indeed!

And what's a village gathering without a meke?

This young gal adding her precious presence...going on to Class One!

Mareta of Tovu Tovu, receiving Eric's graduation papers and prize...hmmm -- when asked, she admitted to his playing hooky from this important event...gone fishing!

Duravu, smiling charmingly after being given her certificate...on to Class One!

Our very own little Jotama...such a "grown up" in this little body!

Nana Kata and Filo...mother and daughter team -- par excellence!

Karen dancing up a storm...vibrant with her bright smile.

Joanna and Elena -- very madua with their meke...

Nana Ana and her daughter Makarita -- posing pretty with this policeman...

Our very own Miriama...receiving the gold certificate for a job well done!

Jima...just a little worn out!

Our very own Leone -- happy with his silver award certificate...

Little, little Lidia -- a precious gift of GOD in this little package!

Her mom and aunty were very proud of her!

Rosi -- our next-door neighbor -- receiving her Outstanding Student of the Year monetary award from the Naselesele KidZ Fund.

Graduation ceremonies ended with a rousing permance by the Fiji Police Band. It was a lively and entertaining way to commemorate this wonderful event!

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!

GODventureZ -- Adventures with GOD

LIFE is an adventure! It's like a long (or short) corridor with many doors. Some doors are dark and ominous--while others beckon with light and warmth. Some doors seem ordinary with muted hues--while others glitter and catch the eye. Some are painted in exciting, vibrant colors--while others with Caution! Do NOT Enter! NO Trespassing! Some are transparent, while others are like mirrors reflecting your image.

Doors, doors, doors! Choices, choices, choices!

All kinds of doors--all designed to catch the imagination... all vying for attention... tempting us to look, stop, inspect closer and wonder--is this THE door that will open up to LIFE!--that abundant life everyone longs to live here on earth?

From birth to death are many doors to walk through. Which one(s) do we choose to open, that we may venture into LIFE!?

Through the choices we make, we can either venture in with GOD--walking with Him by our side, sheltered under His wing, surrendered to His wisdom...

Or we can venture in alone, GOD-less, foolishly thinking to go through each "Let's Make a Deal" door under our own finite intelligence, our own meager power.

We can choose GOD into our ventures, making them GODventureZ (LIFE!--abundant and blessed); or we can choose to go solo, without GOD, creating missed-ventures.

GODventureZ is about adventuring through life with GOD. Through these personal photographs, stories of LIFE! unfold...

my Prayer For You

i ask GOD to give you a complete understanding of what He wants to do in your life, and i ask Him to make you wise with spiritual wisdom. Then the way you live will always honor and please the LORD, and you will continually do good, kind things for others. All the while, you will learn to know GOD better and better. i also pray that you will be strengthened with His glorious power so that you will have all the patience and endurance you need. May you be filled with joy, always thanking the Father, who has enabled you to share the inheritance that belongs to GOD's holy people, who live in the light.

(Colossians 1:9-12)

I AM The True Vine

I am the True Vine, and my Father is the Gardener. He cuts off every branch that doesn't produce fruit, and He prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more. You have already been pruned for greater fruitfulness by the message I have given you. Remain in Me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the Vine, and you cannot be fruitful apart from Me.

Yes, I Am the Vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in Me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from Me you can do nothing. Anyone who parts from Me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers. Such branches are gathered into a pile to be burned. But if you stay joined to Me and My words remain in you, you may ask any request you like, and it will be granted! My true disciples produce much fruit. This brings great glory to My Father.

I have loved you even as the Father has loved Me. Remain in My love. When you obey Me, you remain in My love, just as I obey my Father and remain in His love.

I have told you this so that you will be filled with My joy. Yes, your joy will overflow!

I command you to love each other in the same way that I love you.

And here is how to measure it--the greatest love is shown when people lay down their lives for their friends.

You are My friends if you obey Me. I no longer call you servants, because a master doesn't confide in his servants. Now you are My friends, since I have told you everything the Father told Me. You didn't choose Me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce fruit that will last, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using My name. I command you to love each other.

The Sermon on the Mount

GOD blesses those who realize their need for Him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is given to them.

GOD blesses those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

GOD blesses those who are gentle and lowly, for the whole earth will belong to them.

GOD blesses those who are hungry and thirsty for justice, for they will receive it in full.

GOD blesses those who are merciful, for they will be shown mercy.

GOD blesses those whose hearts are pure, for they will see GOD.

GOD blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of GOD.

GOD blesses those who are persecuted because they live for GOD, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.

GOD blesses you when you are mocked and persecuted and lied about because you are My followers.

Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted, too.

You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it useful again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless.

You are the light of the world -- like a city on a mountain, glowing in the night for all to see. Don't hide your light under a basket! Instead, put it on a stand and let it shine for all.

In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.

Don't misunderstand why I have come. I did not come to abolish the law of Moses or the writings of the prophets. No, I came to fulfill them.

Psalm 33

Let the godly sing with joy to the LORD, for it is fitting to praise Him. Praise the LORD with melodies on the lyre; make music for Him on the ten-stringed harp. Sing new songs of praise to Him; play skillfully on the harp and sing with joy.

For the word of the LORD holds true, and everything He does is worthy of our trust. He loves whatever is just and good, and His unfailing love fills the earth.

The LORD merely spoke, and the heavens were created. He breathed the word, and all the stars were born. He gave the sea its boundaries and locked the oceans in vast reservoirs.

Let everyone in the world fear the LORD, and let everyone stand in awe of Him.

For when He spoke, the world began! It appeared at His command.

The LORD shatters the plans of the nations and thwarts all their schemes. But the LORD's plans stand firm forever; His intentions can never be shaken.

What joy for the nation whose GOD is the LORD, whose people He has chosen for his own.

The LORD looks down from heaven and sees the whole human race. From His throne He observes all who live on the earth. He made their hearts, so He understands everything they do.

The best-equipped army cannot save a king, nor is great strength enough to save a warrior. Don't count on your warhorse to give you victory-- for all its strength, it cannot save you.

But the LORD watches over those who fear Him, those who rely on His unfailing love. He rescues them from death and keeps them alive in times of famine.

We depend on the LORD alone to save us. Only He can help us, protecting us like a shield. In Him our hearts rejoice, for we are trusting in His holy name.

Let your unfailing love surround us, LORD, for our hope is in You alone.