A couple of weeks ago I returned to my second home, Fiji, for the fourth time. Originally I’d planned to write about trips number 2 & 3, but now years have gone by and that hasn’t happened, so trip number 4 it is. Maybe one day I’ll share God’s goodness from the other missions, because there’s been a lot of it! Anyone reading this – please remind me in a few months time that I’d intended to do this one day. 😉
Anyways, previous trips were with young adults from my church, so this was the first time I’d led a team of high school students, none of whom had traveled without their parents before, so the anticipated plane ride alone brought with it some anxiety. Plus there was of course leaving my family at home for 10 days and missing out on soccer games, footy tryouts, and 10 days worth of hugs. A quick shout out to my amazing husband who held the fort – what a man!
Whilst it’s hard to leave home, God had a clear plan, so we stepped out in obedience, knowing that He would work powerfully and change lives. And that He did!
It will never cease to amaze me that when we give God the space in our lives, we see Him more clearly.
One of our greatest prayers for our students was that they would serve wholeheartedly, as our team verse suggests; “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Mark 10:45.
What did this look like?
- Helping with a building project in the village of Naimalavau, which would serve as a storeroom for their women’s ministry. You can watch more about it here. (Fast forward to the 5 min mark if you can’t speak Fijian).
- Teaching students at Ratu Veikoso Primary School all about Australian culture for a day.
- Farm work at Homes of Hope, where our students quickly learnt that weeding was more akin to deforestation, as they were handed machetes and faced 6 foot tall weeds.
- Worshiping and sharing their personal stories of how they came to faith in Jesus at Church and with youth groups.
- Stepping out of their comfort zones and being willing to be used by God however He wanted.
Overall, this experience saw our students grow in their faith in Jesus, and grow in their understanding of His global mission.
On a personal level, Philippians 4:12-13 spoke clearly to my heart – to be content in all things. I’m still unpacking the specifics of this, but God is always faithful and is revealing more to me everyday.
It was an honour to join this team and for those who pray, please be praying for our team as they readjust to life back home. They’re finding that the tension of splitting your heart across 2 countries is never easy, but as Jesus reminds us in Matthew 28:20 “I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Thanks, friends. You’re all beautiful!
BB