Rex wrote: Friday afternoon, after much searching, we found the registration office and had our first dealing with officials in Fiji government. We were hoping they could help find the death dates of about twelve members who were still on the branch records. It seemed better than trying to find family members and causing them anguish by asking them when their loved one died. 

   As we entered the building, there was a long line. Betty asked one of the ladies in line if this was where we could find information on when people died and showed her our list. She pointed us past the line into the next room and said just go up to someone in there and ask for help. I felt a little weird crowding ahead until I got to the next room and found it was crowded with about forty people sitting and waiting. Realizing we probably would not see anyone before closing,we walked right back out.

   We returned to the registration office bright and early Monday morning. The doors were not yet open, and only a few people were waiting ahead of us. When the doors opened, it was like the bell for the sixth grade lunch. Everyone ran to get in line. We were the exception and let others go first. Betty found a bench and sat down while I stood in line, and I mean stood. After a half hour, I had moved ahead six tiles. There was only one person at a counter asking the needs of the people lined up. After talking to them for a long time, he gave them a number. They moved on into the great and spacious room and sat down waiting for a person to help them, but there was no one at the computers for the first 45 minutes. I finally made it to the counter and explained what we wanted.  The keeper of the gate looked a lot confused, but after a ten minute discussion, he gave me a number “R5” to advance to the now great and crowded room. 

   Betty came with me, and there we waited. The front of the room was equipped with five computer stations, but only one was occupied. We now understood the impossible backlog by afternoon! We spent our time discussing more efficient strategies on their part. The winner was to hire four more people to assist and report to their stations promptly at 8 AM. That would not only meet the needs of the people, but also it would lessen the Fijian unemployment rate by four.

   Finally “R4” was called.  No one answered. “R4” was called again and still no one responded.  I stood up and said I was “R5.” Just then “R4” appeared and took his rightful place. 

   Next it was our turn. We showed our list and asked if the worker could tell us the death dates. He typed in the first name, and the screen filled with people of the same name. We only had their birthday without the year, taken off the church records. He said we would have to come back with the full birth date and parents’ names if possible. Right! We had finally gotten to the front of the line, and we were not prepared. It reminded us a little of the parable of the 10 Virgins. If we ever go back there again, we will be fully and completely ready. Asking the family for the death date doesn't seem as distasteful as before. We will keep trying before we resort to that.

    Love you all!