DAY 3 -- June 5, but to you June 4

This is written from Barb Latt and Rhonda Fleming.
Today started with a 7:30 a.m. breakfast and devotions by Haley.
David with Give Clean Water picked us up at 8:30 and we headed for Lautoka. On the way we observed people alongside the highway. We found out it is environmental day and all Fijians help pick up trash, bottles and cans.
We noticed more lush landscape and beautiful, big trees as we headed to the squatter village.

We got into our work teams at the international rescue center. We were given all of the supplies for training and installing the filters. Each of our groups were given approximately 10 filters to install with information cards and GPS maps. Mrs. Fleming's group walked a long distance over bridges, streams, muddy paths, rocks and wood. Alongside the roads were abandoned trucks and cars. Barb was taking pictures and got separated from her group. A local guided her back to her group. This was rough road in very hot, humid weather. I, Rhonda, did my share of slipping and sliding which of course, the locals found funny.

This adventure was like hiking in Hawaii on the dirt paths, but in these secluded areas were several homes made of aluminum siding, wood panels, drapes for doors and burning cans used for heat or trash. There were holes in the sides of the houses. Everyone walked barefoot. A local girl, Evia, helped our team find our way to 9 homes. Many Mothers /grandmothers were fixing some type of food for their family. The teeth of the children and women were so sad! It is a wonder that they are so joyful in their poverty. Clearly, they don't see doctors or dentists, as their teeth are missing or rotting. Clothes are ragged and dirty. We were received with smiles and open arms. The kids loved having their pictures taken and wanted to see the digital pictures afterwards.

What is a home to them, we would consider a room or big closet. Many times one building was sectioned off into 5 or 6 rooms and housed several families with many children. The majority of these families are Christian and attend the church at the International Rescue Center on Sundays. There will be as many as 50 kids and 200-300 people packing the church for 2 hours singing worship and praising the Lord. How sad in America that we cannot pray in our schools, but they pray and have daily devotions at school. No school is free=-=every child pays for school. Our guide, David, told us he had no shoes for the first 7 years of school. He dreamed of a bike but walked 3 km. each way to and from school.

Afterwards, soaked with sweat to the skin, our fragrant bunch headed to lunch to eat pizza. The team of Give Clean Water helpers and guides joined us for lunch. We gobbled down 10 delicious pizzas and lots of soda. We sang in the restaurant for all before we left. Everyone wants to hear us sing! We finally saw the ocean today on the way home from a distance (just in case you think we're here for vacation).

The kids headed off to the beach with Keith Robinson. The other chaperones are planning meals, logging receipts, going to buy groceries and relaxing.