Fun and not such fun

Interesting, isn't it, how the unusual becomes usual in a remarkably short space of time? Two months ago, if anyone had told me to come to a meeting in the fale (pronounced faleh) I'd have looked utterly blank. Now I potter off there for all manner of things: from morning tea, to community discussions, to a children's Christmas party in October. Basically it's a meeting place with a distinctively South Pacific ethos and aura. I'll let the Revd Dr Jovili Meo, Principal of the Pacific Theological College from 1996-2001 explain. 

The Samoan fale. The fale or fale tele ("great house") is a symbol of Samoan village life and community. Its construction is geared towards community unity, relationship, participation and partnership. Its round or oval shape represents the unbroken chain (no beginning, no ending) for those who congregate in it, thus symbolizing unity. Its openness, a house with no wall, symbolizes inclusiveness: the extension of what goes on inside the fale to those outside in the community. What goes on in the fale reflects the life of the whole community and its concern for the well-being of all.

The fale tele is used for gatherings of the whole village or for district officials. It serves three functions: as the fono, a meeting place for different groups in the village for the welfare of the people; as the tapuaiga, a place for worship or supportive actions for any undertaking by the village community; and as the malaga, a place for entertaining villagers and guests, for the common meal which is brought in and shared among the members of the community. In all three of these functions unity, fellowship and relationship are central themes. Only here can family members come to meet and discuss their differences, worship together or entertain and be happy together without feeling isolated or outcast. Perhaps one of its most important functions is as a place for reconciliation. The fale tele brings together or acts as the place of refuge for different parties. 

Meo, Jovili. "Sharing and Service in Pacific Communities." Ecumenical Review 46, no. 3 (July 1, 1994): 292-300. ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials, EBSCOhost (accessed October 19, 2014).

So here's our fale decorated for the children's party held last Saturday. This did indeed have a tree and a modicum of tinsel because it was the opportunity to bid farewell to the children of families who'll leave by the end of next month, way before real Christmas! Each leaver was presented formally with a beautifully wrapped basket of gifts donated by the PTC Women's Fellowship who also produced abundant plates of food for all reflecting the generosity which is such a mark of South Pacific hospitality. So, party games, fabulous feasting, and a friendly invasion of superheroes all added to the atmosphere. Tinged with sadness too though. Many of the campus children have put down roots and made firm friends during their parents' study period here. Three years or so is a big chunk of life when you're little. There'll be tears...

Now here's a less cheerful picture. The remnants of human partying do you think? It's the rubbish regularly dumped on and in due course washed up on the Suva shoreline. What goes around comes around. Spot the inevitable plastic bottles and polystyrene take-away food cartons. It's a bit of a moral dilemma deciding whether to post such a picture really. Am I trying to present Fiji in a bad light, indulging in a spot of snooty, missionary moralising. 'Isn't it dreadful! I thought people in the South Pacific were keen to protect their environment?!' No I'm not. Far from it, and holier than thou doesn't help. We all know that such scenes are replicated on our shorelines and pavements worldwide. Before coming here I regularly used to drive through Brixton, South London of an early morn on the way to Radio 2. The streets - particularly after a weekend's clubbing - were a total shocker. 

We don't need PhDs in environmental studies to know some of what contributes to this: what we choose to eat and drink and how it's packaged, global demand for goods that bump up markets but don't necessarily meet real needs. The issues are massive but, as ever, each human being's individual actions count too, don't you think? Maybe what I do as a personal response can only ever be a drop in the ocean. But better it's a healthy drop than a sea of plastic.

Meanwhile, back in the vicinity of House 12, things are blooming. The flower....  I meant to ask my neighbour to tell me the local name for this but forgot, sorry. I shall report back...

Down below, here are sunflower seeds popping up with gusto. Surrounded by sea shells salvaged from the rubbish previously pictured. Call it a small stab at a theology of redemption. Those sunflower seeds - my word: God knew what God was doing eh? Bit of local soil - tropical sun and rain. In the space of five days (seriously) - whoosh! 

Perhaps that's why my hair and my finger and toenails grow at such an alarming rate in Fiji. I've never known the like...

And in the light of all that, how about a smidgen of Isaiah 27 to meditate on and finish up with this time? 

Offered from me to you, with warmth and blessings from House Twelve between the Palm Trees. 

A pleasant vineyard, sing about it! 
   I, the Lord, am its keeper;
   every moment I water it.
I guard it night and day
   so that no one can harm it; 
   I have no wrath.
If it gives me thorns and briers,
   I will march to battle against it.
   I will burn it up. 
Or else let it cling to me for protection,
   let it make peace with me,
   let it make peace with me.