Inspiring Messages from Vaka 112

Monday, February 1, 2010

Message of the day:

DOOR TO LIFE – composed by Todd Canon

“We spend our lives open and closing doors, really, both literally and figuratively. I’ve always liked the ‘door’ analogy of life – it suggests that we go through life conscious, aware, that there is an element of control in regards to our decisions and their outcomes.

“Unlike the ‘road’ or ‘path’ theory on life, which has suggested to me that we move haphazardly through life, hoping and praying that we’ve actually chosen the right path, the ‘door’ analogy is definitive, concrete:

“We chose to close the doors behind us, we chose to open the doors in front of us. We see the potential opportunities that lie ahead and we can choose. We can watch them from a distance through the open door; we can enter and experience the world in front of us, or we can shut the door and search for another.’’


Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Message of the Day Dennis Killeen (Mother Teresa)

The fruit of silence is prayer.

The fruit of prayer is faith.

The fruit of faith is love.

The fruit of love is service.

The fruit of service is Peace.

Volunteers Perspective

Wednesday, August 5th 2009

Today I showed Char around Te Uki Ou School and felt very proud walking around. I am so comfortable there that tomorrow will be a difficult day. Today was my first day back without Iris and it made for a weird day. I expected her gentleness or soft smile throughout the day. My body has adapted to the school routine, morning tea 10-10:30, lunch 12-1 and hop on the bus at 2. The familiar smiling faces of the kids and the beautiful sea background to their playground are scenes that I hope to remember forever. Kids running around barefoot, semmingly without a care in the world. They make me wonder why I worry so much. Today a boy read a story to me about a tadpole that worried so much as he’s undergoing transformations into a frog. Once he became a frog he realized all of his worrying was unnecessary. The night before I came to Rarotonga I cried myself to sleep, worrying and scared I wouldn’t make any friends or have a great time and the first day here I realized how ridiculous that was. As I am growing up to be a big frog the best thing I can do is stay positive and not worry. I have made a major, life altering decision today. I cannot leave this island. I have developed a list of things I can do in order to stay here.
1. Live at the empty, half completed Hilton.
2. Continue to volunteer until broke.
3. Become a consultant to hotels and help their online sites.
4. Bamboozle Nan into letting me stay here
5. Build a bed and breakfast on the sea
6. (Last option) Marry a local fella
Now all these options are just dreams. That is what Rarotonga is to me, a dream that I never want to wake up from. Surely the mountains are too green to be real, the sea too blue and glassy and gorgeous. The people are far too kind and friendly and welcoming they must be plastic. And yet I know I feel more alive here that I ever have before. In some ways I can’t wait to go home and share the love warmth, compassion and kindness I have found here. That way the dream never has to end.
This year has been a difficult one for me. I lost two friends that I’ve basically grown up with. After their deaths I’ve learned to appreciate everyday since it could be your last. I’ve also learned to always appreciate people and learn as much as you can from them. Everybody has something to teach you, its up to you to learn. I’d like to share with you some things I’ve learned from you and wish to take with me on my journey from a tadpole to a frog.
Pat I’d like to take your wisdom along with me. I’d like Doreen’s bubbliness, Rick’s sense of adventure, Iris’s gentleness, Alora’s compassion and Lisa’s incredible kindness to everyone. I’d like to have more dedication that you can see Margaret puts into everything. I’d love to have Karlee’s spunk and Lauren’s awesome strength. I’ll always have Kelli’s laughter and Becca’s ability to ignore any bruises or setbacks she might have. I’d like to have the kind of perseverance Jill has and Wendy’s amazing determination and independence. Most of all I’d like to always remember to build my heart like Char’s as she has a great heart. As we prepare to say goodbye and go our separate ways I know that the memories made here in Rarotonga will last a lifetime.

Kendra Tilbury

Happy New Year

Kia Orana

Happy new year to everyone, may the year bring you peace, joy, serenity and good health.

We look forward to meeting all the new volunteers signed up for our service program for 2010 and of course renewing our friendships with returning volunteers.

Kia manuia (blessings!)

Debi and James

Kia Orana all

have a look at this video of a recent Global Volunteer who did the Cook Islands service program. Its beautiful!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ly84ekBQoRg

Enjoy

Kia manuia
Debi and James

hello from cook islands

Last day of Vaka 105

November 6, 2008 Reidun

Thought of the Day: “Service to Others Is the Price We Pay For the Place We Occupy” (Joanie)

It is so strange that this is the last week of our program. For me it has been an adventurous 7 weeks. I have learned a lot about the people on these Islands, and with that it also created a lot of insight into my own life.
Life at Takitumu School was always a joy. The kids 9 years old, loved to spend time with us in the reading room, and many times a 20 minute lesson turned into one hour or more.
We allowed part of the lesson for coloring and drawing and discovered that we had some very creative little artists. It was sad to say goodbye but we know that the next team will have the same good time as we had.
Debi and James have taken such good care of us –always ready to answer questions or give advice. We were introduced to different restaurants in the area. It was great and it also saved Rosie from cooking every night.
I also have to mention that Rosie’s husband provided transport back and forth for us all to see the movie “Mama Mia”. It was great, specially the intermission with a chance to buy ice cream and popcorn.
Joanie, Nancy and I had a chance to meet Pa. He introduced us into a great wealth of information about the medicine plants. It was terrific, GOD sure has created a wonderful paradise for us to enjoy.
Everyday has been an adventure here on the islands, from the friendly bus drivers, students, teachers and most of all Debi and James and my supportive teammates.
It has been fun I will not say good bye but KIA ORANA. Hopefully in 2 years.
This is the perfect way of traveling. I’m still working on my list to convince everybody to try this way of enriching your life.