Sixteen years ago our family went on our first short-term mission trip to Fiji. We went with the Glasshouse Country Baptist church and the plan was for us to help build dorms for the students studying at the Fiji College of Theology so they would have a place to live on campus.
We decided to take our three children with us they were 8, 10, and 12. Our youngest Harrison was very excited about the trip and desperately wanted to sleep on a dirt floor in a traditional Fijian Bure, but our eldest Jacqueline thought we were the worst parents in the world because she was going to have to celebrate her 12th birthday in another country without any of her friends.
On arrival in Fiji, there was a chocolate birthday cake waiting for her and all of the students from the Bible college gathered to sing Happy Birthday. Her heart was instantly changed. If you have never heard Fijian people sing let me tell you they were at the front of the line when God handed out musical abilities. In my opinion, there is nothing more beautiful.
While in Fiji I was asked by the bible college if I would take my children to one of the local ladies’ homes and help her run a kids club. I planned a story, some songs, games, and a craft to share with the children but on the day we were due to go, I lost my voice. We didn’t want to cancel so my children stepped up to help out. Jacqueline shared the story I had planned as well as the personal journey God had taken her on that led to her placing her faith in Jesus. Monique and Harrison also joined her to help teach games, songs, and crafts.
Seeing the living conditions of the Fijian people opened all of our eyes to just how blessed we are to live in a country like Australia. Upon returning home we noticed that our children had become more grateful for the things they had and they no longer asked for the things they used to. We saw God spark a love for people within their hearts and a desire to serve him in ministry that continues to this day.
Apparently, our excitement was contagious because after sharing with others the impact this trip had on us and our children we were asked if we would be happy to go with a team of school students to Fiji so we set about organising the first school mission trip.
Every trip I have been on has been an absolute blessing. I have witnessed God do some amazing things in and through the teams we have taken. Through prayer, we have seen God open many doors that had once been closed.
There are so many stories I could share about God’s goodness but one of my favorites was the day our students had the opportunity to share the Gospel in a Hindu school because the principal had stayed home sick for the day. That year in Fiji they had seen an increase in teen suicides. Our team presented a drama about the things teens encounter that lead them to despair. The drama ended with the Gospel message Jesus is the way of salvation and it is through Jesus that they can be saved from their despair. Our students were then able to invite them to the local youth group so they could continue to learn more about Jesus.
This year God used our students to establish some new kids’ clubs. Our students are used as a draw card to gather the local children and now that we have returned home these new ministries are continued under the leadership of local Christians.
Over the years we have established a partnership with the Fiji College of Theology and Evangelism who continue to provide us with both accommodation and opportunities to share the Gospel in Fiji. Their ministry is much larger than you might imagine and we are privileged to be part of what God is doing in Fiji. If you are interested I have attached a link for you to watch so you can get a better understanding of the work God is doing there.
I am constantly amazed at the way God works behind the scenes often in ways we least expect. I know when we went on that first trip to Fiji with my family I never could have imagined that God would continue to take me back year after year with teams of students from GCC yet 16 years later I am still going.
I know I shouldn’t be surprised but God constantly exceeds my expectations so I want to leave you with one of my favorite verses from the bible. Ephesians 3:20 “Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.”
Donna Newell, College Pastor
