A Visit by Jeff & Pam

As many would know, Jeff & Pam took the opportunity of acting as chaplains on a recent cruise ship. As it stopped in Fiji and they visited the church in Sigatoka, we asked them for this brief report.

"Pam and I had one stop-over on the main island of Fiji during our recent South Pacific cruise.  It gave us an opportunity to visit the church plant at Sigatoka that Rivergum is partnering with, and to meet Maneshwar, wife Stella, and their two gorgeous little kids.  Bruce Edwards who oversees the Fijian churches, also travelled to meet with us.  And we brought along a Christian couple we had met on the boat, Sam and Joannie.  They ended up being such an asset.  With Sam's background and army ingenuity, we were able to bless Maneshwar and Stella with a kitchen "update".  Using limited tools, we ripped out their old kitchen bench that was literally disintegrating, and replaced it with a "new" one.

We were able to visit where they have begun to meet for Sunday Worship (an improvement on their house) then got to see where some of the church members live, including spending time with a few families in a farming community some distance out of Sigatoka.  This outreach was initiated by the miraculous healing of lady there who had suffered a severe stroke.  The impact and witness of her faith has stirred the faith of others in her extended family and among her neighbours, so a Saturday service is held in their home, run by Maneshwar.

It was good to talk to Bruce and Maneshwar, and experience first-hand some of the opportunities and challenges that they face in Fiji.  There is a strong Christian heritage in the country, but a lot of disunity amongst the churches, and a low level of Christian commitment and passionate discipleship (does that sound familiar?).  Maneshwar is visiting door-to-door, following up needs he encounters with prayer and practical help.  Personnel and financial resources are limited.

We began to discuss plans for sending out a missions team from Rivergum, which could be such a mutual blessing and encouragement.  Tentatively, we are looking for about 6 people to comprise this team, and we would probably go for 8 or 9 days around the middle of this coming year (2014)."

News from Sigatoka - Dec 13

Celebrating 20 Years of Mission (Fiji)

10 December, 2013

Nakasi Church was abuzz as 160 people took their seats for the 20th Anniversary Celebrations on Sunday 1 December. They came from the six congregations across Fiji that have grown from the humble ‘mustard seed’ beginnings of 1993.

Testimonies of physical healing, spiritual deliverance and life transformation were shared. Members from across the churches celebrated with performances in song and dance. Premila Prasad, a foundation member of the Nakasi Church, shared reflections from those early days and Jan Christensen, Queensland Mission Mobiliser, brought greetings from Australia. Barry Ward, one of the early pioneer missionaries, shared Paul's confident encouragement to the Philippians, "He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion."

God's generosity and faithfulness was celebrated with an offering of $400FJD being given to assist the victims of Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines. “With many members of our churches here living at a subsistence level themselves we were reminded of Paul's affirmation of the rich generosity of the Macedonian churches, giving, even out of their poverty, to bless their needy brothers and sisters in Jerusalem,” says Bruce Edwards, Director of the Fiji Community Churches of Christ. “Our hope and prayer is that the people of the Philippines will experience the practical reality of God's love through this gift.”

Church on the Move (Fiji)

27 November, 2013

People greet each other cheerfully and quietly take a seat. Quiet music forms a gentle background as Pastor Lim applies his skilled fingers on the keyboard. Stella Goundar is busy setting out the necessary resources on a table as she prepares to lead. The group is meeting in a room in a private hotel in Sigatoka rented by Pastor Lim, now transformed into a meeting space for the Sunday service.

The Sigatoka Church of Christ has met here for the past two weeks as it seeks a better permanent location. In recent months at the original site there was increasing concern expressed about the ‘competition' with another church group which has begun meeting in a nearby home. The nature of the neighbourhood and the use of amplification by the other group made concentration difficult for the members of the Sigatoka Church. Attempts to talk with leaders and others from the neighbouring group were unsuccessful. Pastor Lim, the Korean missionary who has been partnering with Pastor Muneshwar Goundar and assisting with transportation and music at Lomowai, offered the solution of his accommodation.

“Once again we praise God for Pastor Lim,” says Bruce Edwards, Director of the Fiji Community Churches of Christ. “He has made space available in the two units he is renting at a small private hotel. His schedule also means he is available to assist with music at that service too.”  

A trial period of meeting in the new space began two Sundays ago. The relocation resulted in lower attendance for the first week and the question of accessibility is one of the factors being considered in the trial period. “We really thank God for Pastor Lim and the provision of this space. It was a great relief and a lot nicer to worship in a quiet place,” says Muneshwar. “We appreciate prayer for wisdom and discernment in evaluating the long term viability of this venture,” says Bruce.