And we’re back…it’s been an amazing couple of days so far. Reconnecting with my girl and learning so many different things! Also this crazy fancy villa and the generous people of Bali is absolutely stunning! Again, like I said earlier, I haven’t seen my sis face to face since I left CA for my home country, which was nearly a decade ago.

We grew up together and now meeting again in a completely different country so many years later without skipping a beat is pure bliss! And I love it!

With that said, one thing that’s definitely challenging my heart though is my faith…probably not in the way you might think, but let me tell you why.

Growing up in CA, I was pretty much your average girl, trying to fit in & dealing with all the insecurities of a teenage girl. I was always trying please whichever group I was hanging out with at the time, basically being a people pleaser. Having a self confidence level that was zero to none, your girl was out there struggling.

Moving back to the motherland for me was an opportunity to reinvent myself, although I didn’t know it at the time, but then when I moved back, I was struck with a brutal reality check, I didn’t fit in here either. From having a thick American accent to not knowing Fijian norms as if I was automatically downloaded with all that knowledge when I stepped off the plane was a brutal blow that had me in a major identity crisis, but then again, who doesn’t have these moments as an 18 year old haha. So then fast forward a few months from that move and I start my relationship with Jesus and that’s when I guess you could say the game changed. FOREVER. Life as I knew it was never about to be the same. And this is the one relationship that changed EVERYTHING.

Fast forward 9 years and this 27 year old, was finally somewhat confident (still a learning process though) in her own skin. Learning to rest in the promises of my God instead of the society I’m surrounded by & pursing dreams I never even thought to be possible.

And as much as I was ready for this trip, there was another reality check: that relationship I started with Jesus one scenic February afternoon in 2011 was never something I actually shared with my sis, at least not in person. Sure, I would pray for her, send her bible verses every now and again, but never intentionally talk to her about this relationship that had changed so much of me and the life I now lived.

I guess that’s why this moment, being here, right now, with Bianca and aunty Jasmine and these powerful, sexy, confident women is such a big deal to me.

This is the best friend who grew up with me, the me that was always intimidated by beautiful women because comparison was the easiest thing to do, the me that was always trying to please other people, the me that would be cussing, lying, lusting and everything else in between, she’s seen me at my worst and cheered me on at my best. And here in Bali I’ve had the privilege of sharing parts of my relationship with Jesus that changed that me and it has been nothing short of amazing.

Even though this is my holiday, everyday here with these beautiful melanin queens is a war not against flesh and blood but against that which I can’t even see & I’m grateful that this Jesus is faithful and this war was already won.

Bali is definitely etched into my heart. This trip was incredible. Also, let’s not forget, we’re all here from different countries in the midst of a declared world pandemic. If this isn’t a God moment, I don’t know what else is.

Thank you, Jesus.