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)."