Fiji - June 18th-July 2nd, 2005

Updated Wednesday, July 20:

We just received word that three Muslim women trusted Christ during the follow-up in Suva.  We had printed for them some Four Spiritual Laws booklets called "path of the prophets" which we used with Muslims in Spain a few years ago, and they are using this new tool effectively.  This makes fifteen Muslim converts  from the Fiji outreach this year.  Praise God!

The local church pastors still need prayer for their follow-up capacity.

Updated Monday, July 5:

Thank you so much for praying for the Fiji team.  Probably the most astounding observation is that on the Sunday that Grace Baptist had 2000 people pray for the team in its services, the responsiveness of the people we were sharing with doubled and 77 people lowered their head and submitted their hearts to Christ.  God moved in response to the prayers of His people.

For those of you who prayed daily for us during the trip, we will be eternally grateful.  Though the work was physically exhausting it was spiritually exhilarating as the Lord ushered 367 souls into His Kingdom through personal evangelism door to door, Jesus film showings and hospital visitation.  During our second week in Lautoka, the local pastor received phone calls from 4 more people, indicating they had viewed the film left in their homes and urgently wanted to talk with him.  This is even before the local churches and Campus Crusade for Christ staff goes back through the neighborhoods to do follow-up on decisions and films distributed, collect comment cards, and initiate follow-up conversations.  God is so good.

Every member of our team, teens included, learned to effectively share the Gospel, give their testimony at film showings, and pray for the sick, hurting and helpless.  All witnessed the miracle of spiritual regeneration.  In some homes, we would come across Christians who badly needed prayer and comfort.  In others, we would hear the music from the Jesus film playing while we were still at the house next door.  The students also visited two schools, put on a skit, and shared a testimony.  Results from these visits are harder to quantify, so are excluded from the totals in the above paragraph.

I will never forget meeting a young college man named Rametabe in his yard, explaining the Gospel to him and seeing tears in his eyes as he raised his head from praying to receive Christ.  I saw him later that night at the neighborhood film showing, carrying the New Testament I had given him, and bringing his brother along.  I asked him if he was going to spend time reading the New Testament, and he replied, "It is now my life."  That evening is younger brother came to the Lord as well.  There are more stories than we could ever recount.

Please continue to pray for Joe and Masi, and the believers and leadership at Wesley Methodist, Peace Chapel, Kinaya Assembly and Ebenezer Tabernacle.  Over the next few weeks they will be following up on the people reached during our time in Fiji.  A greater task awaits them!

Only by His Grace,

Scott Gillis for the Fiji Team

Updated Saturday July 2

The Fiji team arrived safe and sound this afternoon at LAX after two weeks of incredibly tiring but incredibly fruitful ministry in the South Pacific.  They were never able to get Internet access on the island, which is why all the updates posted below are summaries of phone calls in the third person.  We plan to upload some first-person accounts of the ministry next week.  For now, we are pleased to welcome back the Fiji team, and we praise God for using them in such a powerful way.

Updated Wednesday June 29

Scott Gillis called with news:

God is continuing to draw people to Himself in Fiji .  In a primarily Hindu neighborhood yesterday, there were 30 decisions in the door-to-door outreach, and another 38 after the well-attended showing of the Jesus film last night.  Everyone on the team has had the opportunity to lead at least one person to Christ.  The local church is having people who received a packet from the team call to find out how to receive Christ.  The church is overwhelmed by the response, and needs our prayer for the follow-up on all these new believers.

      The team is excited to see the fruit of their ministry, but they continue to need our prayers for strength and health in a grueling schedule.  A couple of team members have had to miss a day or two because of a variety of illnesses, and all are nearing exhaustion.  Pray that they have the strength to finish well before returning to Santa Clarita this Saturday.  And continue to pray for the churches on the island as they prepare to fold all these new folks into their spiritual family.

Updated Monday June 27

Scott Gillis called with news:

The team changed to a different part of the island over the weekend, and Sunday was the most fruitful day of the trip so far (which not coincidentally was the day Grace prayed for the mission teams in all the services).  There were 42 decisions for Christ made during the visitation ministry, and another 35 at the showing of the Jesus Film that night, so there were 77 decisions in one day to be added to the 120 or so from last week!  One young Fijian man who made a tearful decision for the Lord in the morning brought his little brother to the film showing that night, and the little brother accepted Christ also!  Four of the team members had a first-time-ever opportunity to lead someone to Christ.  Fijian Christians are accompanying the team and are being trained in evangelism along the way.  There's a lot of excitement here at the midway point of the ministry.

With greater progress comes greater need for prayer.  Pray for health and strength for the team – some minor health problems are weighing down a couple of team members, and the heat and high humidity, combined with the busy schedule, is taking its toll.

Updated Friday June 24

Scott Gillis called with news.  There were 12 decisions for Christ in the door-to-door ministry on Thursday, and the team was also surprised to find themselves ministering to many hurting believers as they made their rounds.  There were 12 more decisions at the showing of the Jesus Film that evening, as well as many others who expressed interest in getting more information from the local church.

Friday and Saturday will be the busiest days of the trip, with ministry in multiple sites each day.  Pray for strength and health and boldness for the team, and for hearts prepared to receive the Word!

Updated Wednesday June 22

Scott Gillis called with news.  The team has been going door-to-door in neighborhoods and has been hosting public showings of the Jesus Film.  There have been 14 professions of faith in the door-to-door ministry, and around 34 decisions at the film showings!  Thursday, Friday and Saturday will be very busy with opportunities, including a showing of the film at a school of about 800 students - some team members will share their testimonies at that showing.  Pray for energy, team unity, boldness and prepared hearts!

Updated Tuesday June 21

Vicki Gillis called with news last night.  The Fiji team was involved in door-to-door evangelism work within hours of their arrival on the island.  They were encouraged to find many Fijian believers ready to work alongside them, including several college students - there were over 30 people who went out.  They received many warm welcomes, and saw 4 people make professions of faith in Christ on their first day!

The door-to-door work will continue today, and several younger team members will host a showing of the Jesus Film tonight at a local school and will be giving their testimonies.  Pray for continued boldness and prepared hearts.  The team is encouraged to see the Lord working.

Updated Monday June 20

The Fiji team was sent off with prayer on Saturday afternoon, and has arrived in Fiji without incident.  Pray for them as they hit the ground running in their door-to-door ministry.

Team Fiji

Scott Gillis – Team Leader

Vicki Gillis – Assistant Team Leader

Elizabeth Abouaf

Becky Barragan

Nathan Gillis

Kirill Gillis

Tyoma Gillis

Nicole Heavens

Ashley King

Sara Koenig

Andy McKean

Dave McKean

Debbie McKean

Katlyn MacLean

Vera Shnorhokian

Micah Sulham

Ministries: Door-to-door evangelism with Campus Crusade alongside Fijian believers in primarily Indian neighborhoods, and public showings of the Jesus Film.