I’ve been to Fiji over 30 times in the last 20 years.
What a place.
I love these islands, its people are like family to me. God has done so many great things there and this year was no exception. Peggy and I went in with the first team on June 19 this summer, it was an evangelism team made up of a youth group from Atascadero, CA, led by our SoCal Rep, Wendell Mathis.
After a long day and a half of travel, we arrived in Nabowalu where the team went through training for Evangelism Explosion (a course on leading people to Jesus). Most of the students with us had never led anyone to Christ, many did not even know the first step in doing so. Pastor Bill, my Fijian counterpart, is a certified trainer and he led us in two days of training getting us ready to do house-to-house evangelism.
On the first day of in the homes, the students were intimidated. They thought that they would be going in with us leaders. Missions is all about being stretched and letting God work, so they went in groups of 3-4. Just students. No leaders.
We waited outside in the village while they went in and practiced what they had been learning. Each group visited three different homes, with each visit lasting between 30 and 45 minutes: not your average, American, door-to-door evangelism. Fijians are very hospitable and will always serve you a cup of tea, asking questions and wanting to know all about your family as they tell you in detail about theirs. As they came out of the first homes, I saw huge smiles and excited chattering among them, they were grasping why this is so important, why it works, and the amazing ways God uses us.
The team led 31 people to Christ that first day.
Not just a simple sinner’s prayer, but true commitments with tears flowing and the joy of the Lord evident on their faces.
Seeing teenagers learn how to, and then actually lead, people to Christ is one of the most rewarding things I do. It helps them see themselves in a different light, to know that the Lord will use them to build His kingdom, that they truly are the missionaries He wants them to be.
The rest of the time ministering with the evangelism team of teenagers from California was just as fruitful as day one. And, after saying good-byes and putting the team on a plane home, Peggy and I were able to take a little time with good friends Rob and Lori Leacock, retired missionaries living in Fiji. It was a restful week in the middle of a busy summer. A rarity for us!
Our medical team arrived on July 12 and we headed out to the northern islands to administer some kindness and love. We partnered with Medical Ministries International, as we do every summer, and went to places that have no medical care. The cost for a Fijian to reach a doctor is prohibitive and most go unseen. We do a lot of basic care, blood pressure, and diabetes screening.
We had a lady with us this year who is as breast cancer survivor. She ran our breast self-exam clinic where she taught ladies how to examine themselves as well as driving home the need for self-care. What an incredible thing to see the Lord take a very dark time in her life and use it to bring light to others. Susie is a rock star missionary and she can’t wait to come back next year and work with our medical team.
Our eye department gave away over 400 pairs of glasses, again, this summer. Seeing their faces light up when they can see again is always a highlight of my trips each year. Thanks to Dr. Ralph Handly for all your help, and to Tom and Nancy Stoeckel for your partnership in helping us reach the unreached.
To date, we have helped the Assemblies of God plant 25 churches through our Medical and Evangelism teams. There are still hundreds of villages where the true Jesus is not known. We will go until all have heard.
Your partnership with us through prayer and giving helps us to continue the work in Fiji. I have an opportunity in December to go back and preach a camp where we will be challenging Fijian young people to go into the South Pacific as missionaries. I need your help. Next June we will be taking two more teams to Fiji. Consider going with us. The only requirement is a willing heart. Come join me.
Until all have heard,
Steve
