When you get past the "tourist resort" facade of many of the pacific islands, you find people struggling to get by in third-world living conditions, often far from any strong gospel influence. Our team to Fiji will be working with Campus Crusade in the town of Suva on the island of Fiji alongside believers from local churches, distributing evangelistic literature door-to-door in the mornings and showing the Jesus film in the evenings to the minority Indian population who are principally Hindus, but speak English as a second language. The will be working in the second largest town in Fiji, which has a population similar to Santa Clarita. This ministry has seen hundreds of decisions over the last two years, and the team is going in the expectation of great fruit.
SUNDAY, JUNE 17, 2007
Scott writes:
As of this morning we have concluded our outreach efforts for the week, having visited approx 1000 homes, distributed approx 750 Jesus Film DVD's in Fiji Hindi, and had 302 people pray to give their hearts to Christ.
Today we visited one of our partner churches and had the opportunity to share during their service some of what God has done this week. One of the elders commented after the service " your efforts this week with us have demonstrated to us that we have been asleep as a church. This has been a wake up call."
Another partner church sent church members to the neighborhood where the 3 healings had occurred, and at 3pm today began the first service of a new "outreach church" in the home of one of the new believers. This had not been planned, but decided upon Saturday as the pastor saw the outpouring of interest in that community as God worked in people's hearts.
SATURDAY, JUNE 16, 2007
Team Fiji writes:
Bula from Team Fiji!
The fields are so ripe for the harvest, but the workers are indeed few. We challenge each and everyone of you to consider becoming part of a team next year whether as a prayer warrior, financial provider, or actually going to serve.
This year's team has had so many heart wrenching and miraculous stories. Each member has led at least one person to the Lord. Praise God for the fruitful harvest. We'll have the final numbers by tomorrow, but more importantly are how their lives have changed. We have felt like we have lived the book of Acts.
Michaelene, Dave and Saki led Roosma, a former Muslim and current Catholic to the Lord.
Carole, Hannah and Joe led a woman to the Lord with the radio on in the background. As they were inscribing "happy birthday" in her Bible, it started playing "Happy Birthday" on the radio. God's sense of timing is so perfect. The also observed a Hindu procession for a funeral. The house they entered happened to be the grand-daughter of the deceased. As the grandfather was being laid to rest, the grand daughter accepted Christ.
Gary's team brought an entire Muslim family to the Lord.
Kitty, Kirill and Aisake brought a Muslim father to the Lord this evening. He will lead his entire family to the Lord as they were out shopping earlier.
Vera, John, Rushi and the pastor witnessed another miracle or two. It has been recorded on video for all to see. The deaf mother-in-law of the former paralyzed man can now hear. A stroke victim now has use of his formerly paralyzed left side. Praise and glory to God.
The Word has spread. Many are coming to be healed. The church, Miracle Assembly of God Church will conduct worship services at 3 pm each Sunday in this area as an outreach church. They decided to do this today, as they witnessed the huge response in the neighborhood after the 3 people were healed and so many responded to Christ. The pastor, Mahondra Prasad, is so happy. By the way, this church has followed up monthly on the names and addresses of people touched by our joint outreach with the team last year.
Scott and Brandon's team saw 2 families, plus a mother/son come to Christ as families today. They latest of these was the the Chandra family with 3 members coming to Christ together at one time. They intend to be in church tomorrow (Sunday). Pray for their growth and maturity.
Leticia, Verlyn and Josh visited a family and led the father and mother to Christ. The already Christian daughter of this Hindu family was overcome with emotion seeing her parents come to Christ and as they were leaving came out and pressed an envelope into the hands of Verlyn saying, "here, give this to somebody. I'm so happy". That collection envelope from the Christian daughter was placed in the Sunday offering at one of our partner churches today. Her prayers for her parents was answered.
Linda and Nathan went to an automotive shop and spoke to a young man who played the DVD before we left. Returning 3 days later he had shared it with other workers and watched it 3 times. On his response card he wrote, "I am ready to commit to Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior." After Nathan led this man in the prayer of salvation, Linda told him how he could lead his co-workers to Christ, which he agreed to do.
Today John led 7 people to Christ as he went out with Vera and Rousseg. He shared the love of Jesus with a 16 year old girl in one house, who responded to the clear gospel presentation. As he was presenting to her, 3 other neighborhood children came and joined din. In the end, all 4 prayed to receive Christ.
Verlyn went to a home where a Christian daughter and two parents who were sad and hardened lived. As they prayed for the wife, God gave them discernment in the exact things to pray for and her tears fell like a waterfall. She had not been to church in years, and was comforted and the hardness was broken!
FRIDAY, JUNE 15, 2007
Team Fiji writes:
Rejoice! We returned to 180 houses today and many were added to God's Kingdom in Fiji. Following up on an "accidental" (God arranged) meeting on the street three days ago, Carole and Paula went to a school classroom and shared the Gospel. Over 20 students came to Christ! And 72 people door-to-door.
Today, Omar and Carole came across some construction workers. The approached them with the salutation, "I see you are building a house. We are in the process of building people. May we talk?" The foreman stopped, called all the workers over to hear the gospel and 2 received Christ.
A muslim woman came to Christ when Paula visited her house. The woman declared, "my gods are no good!" A christian had prayed for her sick son some months ago and the son had quickly recovered. This lady saw the power of God, and was ready to hear.
Gary had the awesome experience of praying on a porch with 11 muslim women and young people who had viewed the Jesus DVE and wanted to receive Christ.
This morning one team member led a mother and daughter to the Lord. Another team passed by the same house in the afternoon, and felt compelled to go up to it. At that time, the father had returned from work, heard the Gospel and prayed to receive Christ.
Kirill, Josh and Verlyn shared their testimony and shared the Gospel using the evangicube with a family. The mom and all 3 children were mesmerized by the Gospel, all prayed to receive Christ and now claim that Jesus is in their heart. The mom asked them to leave the cube so she could share it with her husband and other family members later. Pray for this woman as she shares!
Hannah, Vera and Josh led a young man to Christ whose father was a Hindu priest with a temple in his yard. he whispered that my father can't hear us ... but I want so much to follow Jesus ... and so does my sister-in-law.
Hannah and Vera also shared with a staunch Muslim man. He agreed that he was a sinner and Vera told him "only Isa (Jesus) did not sin". He reflected, "you are right" and tears flowed from his eyes as he said, "I need to clean my heart". At that moment, this 60 year old Muslim man was born again, joyfully and radically changed.
THURSDAY, JUNE 14, 2007
On site missionary working with our Fiji Team writes:
The Fiji team from your church is having a great impact for Christ here in Fiji! Thanks for sending them to work with the Fiji Jesus Film outreach. This past Monday was the premier release of the Fiji Hindi translation of the Jesus Film and that is the DVD they are giving to as many Indian/Hindu/Muslim families as possible. I'm sure they will have many great stories from their time here in Fiji, not only are they changing the lives of those they reach with God's word they are also being changed through this investment.
The team is in the most crucial time, the follow-up from leaving the Jesus Film DVD on Monday, Tuesday& Wednesday. Please pray for the Fiji team to be able to connect with those that have the DVD to be able to get feedback on the DVD and to share the gospel with them, many are coming to a saving faith in Christ. So you know when the team is out sharing they leave by 9AM and return around 5PM, to know what time to be praying, the time difference is: 9:00am Friday Fiji is 2:00pm Thursday California time.
My wife and I are on staff with Campus Crusade for Christ we are serving a stint from the United States, actually from Family Life Ministry in Little Rock Arkansas to Fiji working with Family One an outreach to marriages and families here in Fiji. We have worked with your team both last year and now this year, thanks for allowing them to come to Fiji. PTL for willing individuals to give of their time and resources for the kingdom!
THURSDAY, JUNE 14, 2007
Fiji Team writes:
This is the first night we haven't had an evening program to attend, so we can sit and reflect on past events, such as what people think of Fiji. They may envision a tropical paradise, but it's hard to get past the abject squalor some of them live in.
Yesterday we ministered in one of the poorest areas imaginable. The foot paths up to the rickety stairs of houses were narrow, slippery and winding. Yet the people's smiles were just as warm and welcoming and they still offered us juice or water out of their meager supply. I'm sure Satan was irritated at the persistence of the team as some of us had to be pushed and pulled up those narrow bridges and wobbly ladders. The men on the team are such gentlemen and always helping us. The prize at the end of the trek is people held in darkness, in bondage much worse than their poverty. A recent parolee just released from prison three weeks ago, who according to him, "hadn't prayed in many years", prayed for forgiveness with Dave. His name is Mohammed and he had a cross tattooed on his arm. Please remember him in your prayers.
Today the enthusiasm of the young people and our local guides is so encouraging. Our leaders wife got pulled away to help another church and the de-facto leader become Paula, a newbie on her first mission trip. This is the mother of members Leticia (a gumby winner) and Omar, a 2nd timer. It was Omar's enthusiasm after last year that brought all three in his family this year. Putting aside her natural fear and trepidation, Paula and her local helper, another newbie names Rusi, marched on with courageous hearts right into the thick of ministry. In the strong name of Jesus they pulled a Muslim woman from the grip of hell. She was about to be divorced by her cheating husband and he'd barred the door to their house on Monday. But today this brother and sister in Christ, went together like the apostles and led her into the arms of Jesus along with 10 other souls!
We were blessed to go into a home where a 15 year old had said he wanted to know more about Jesus. Our local helper Ben began going over the 4 spiritual laws with him and his brother. The brother got up and left the room for some reason, and after a few minutes Omar went trotting right in there after him. It was a wondrous thing to hear the 4 laws going on simultaneously in both rooms. On that afternoon 2 more souls were brought to glory.
The entire team is experiencing victory in Jesus and our joy is just to be found faithful and bring a smile to the face of Him whom we love. You'll be interested to hear the individual salvation stories when we return and know how much we covet your prayers for these many babies in Christ.
Keep praying - God is doing amazing things here in Fiji!
WEDNESDAY. JUNE 13, 2007
Fiji Team writes:
First and foremost, two of our team members, Brandon and Leticia led their first persons to the Lord. Glory be to God. Also, Leticia received the "gumby award" for her flexibility today.
Two stories remain from yesterday. First, the team with Verlyn laid their hands on a Hindu woman complaining of back pain. Exodus 15:26, "...for I am the Lord who heals you". As they were leaving, she exclaimed that the pain in her back left her, and that she had no need to keep her doctor's appointment the following day. All praise to our God who does al things well!
The other story comes from Vera, Hannah and Josh. They visited a small Hindu woman who hugged and kissed them when they arrived. She has a sister in America and was thrilled to see Americans. She had a dream that Jesus was coming for her the day before. Jesus did indeed come into her life this day. Praise the Lord.
Vera, John, Rasti and the Pastor from Miracle Assembly of God church witnessed God's almighty power in healing. A man who has not walked only crawled since the death of his father, a Hindu priest, and who had spent his $3000.00 retirement money on a witch doctor with no success, was suddenly given the use of his legs; first feeling the flow of blood to his limbs, then trying to stand (wobbly and with help), to actually taking steps. The spiritual darkness in his eyes became clear as Christ filled that void. As they left, he walked to the window and waved good-bye.
Continue to pray for us as we go back to get feedback on the Jesus Film and will be giving our testimonies.
TUESDAY, JUNE 12, 2007:
Fiji Team writes: Bula from Team Fiji! Today has been another exciting day serving our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Psalms 32:8 became so alive for the team with Omar, Carole and a national. "I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way you should go and I will keep my eye on you."
Late in the afternoon after distributing several Jesus Film DVD's, a lady with three students and a stop sign suddenly appeared on a dusty unpaved road. She was a local school teacher who invited the team into a hut up on a hill where she instructed the students in three languages - Fijian, Fijian Hindi and English. She spoke of her need for science textbooks teaching creation and other religious materials.
The teacher was given the just published Jesus Film in the Fijian Hindi language. The entire school of 170 students will be viewing the film in their language both tomorrow and Thursday.
As the Four Spiritual Laws were being shared, three students quoted John 3:16. One of the students asked if he could have the booklet "as it will help me become a pastor". This is just one of many stories of receptive hearts. There are 16 new brothers and sisters in Christ.
This year there has been a change in the ministry. Normally, we would visit each home only once. This year the focus is a follow-up visit to answer any questions on the Jesus Film. It is at that time the gospel will be presented. We are asking for prayer from 2:30 - 9:30 pm on Friday, Saturday and Sunday (USA time). We have approximately 190 homes to visit each of those days.
The ministry thus far has been to hand out (a gift given in love) the new Fijian Hindi Jesus Film DVE, the Four Spiritual Laws and other materials. We have been visiting and praying in each home. Some gospel presentations have been made if they weren't going to be home on the follow-up.
Seeds have been planted. Your prayers are coveted for a bountiful harvest.
MONDAY, JUNE 11, 2007:
Fiji Team writes:
Bula All! That means greetings from the Lord's mules! We call ourselves that because our team of 21 carried 15 huge duffle bags loaded with literature and multiple boxes of Bibles (48 per box). God was so gracious at LAX that though it took 2 hours to get all that precious cargo checked in, we didn't have to pay a cent of overweight charges! It must have been because we had such a crowd of prayer warriors to see us off from the GBC parking lot.
When we arrived in in Fiji days later (no really, you do skip a day traveling to Fiji when you cross the International Date Line) you should have seen us loaded into our bus with mountains of luggage to the ceiling. Praise God we have many strong teenage boys on our team willing to do all that lifting. Our bus looked like the "Little Engine That Could" chugging up the hills. We had a six hour scenic trip across the island to our hotel in Suva. We checked in 26 hours after we left Grace. God's promises are true, you really can't do this in your own strength.
After a nice three hour rest we met the local church leaders in our first debrief and went on to the welcome dinner and the house of one of the village chiefs, Pita. His village owns the land the Outrigger is on, which is the hotel we will stay in for the final debriefing. Also, at Pita's home we met the Campus Crusade national director for the South Pacific region.
Today is our first door to door outreach. We walked along dusty roads and were able to rejoice as 20 people chose to follow Christ. We will do follow-up with them later this week.
Team Fiji is healthy and happy to be doing this work. We have a sense of great team unity among us and our leaders inspire us regularly.
In closing, our first "Gumby Award" (a flexibility recognition our leaders camp up with) went to Chris - nominated by team leader Dave. |
