Elder and Sister Roberts Suva Fiji Mission: Trip to Tavenui Island

We traveled to the next largest island, Tavenui. We had to take a 1 1/2 hour ferry ride to the island. We were a little concerned about "seasickness" but we both took some ginger laced water and sat on the top, in the open air. We talked to people and were able to look out at the views rather than look through a small window. No worries! President Alafi, 1st counselor in district presidency, that Jackie talked to. He was sustained the day before to the "new" presidency. He was a Pentecostal elder for 35 years. His wife joined the church without his knowing. It took him 10 years before he joined. He was shunned by his Pentecostal friends; sounds like a loving church. Finally she told him he needed to be baptized or she would leave him. Now he is in the District Presidency. Both have an impressive story about when they knew the church was true.

We spent time with another Senior couple, Elder and Sister Vermeeren, and they took us around the island. This is literally what they did. Monday we traveled to the south end of the road in a village called Navakawau. This village was hit so hard by the cyclone that there was nothing standing when it was over. They are still living in tents that were donated by the church and other humanitarian groups. They are now working on getting water from the top of the hills to the village by way of PVC piping. They have drilled a couple bore holes to get to the underground water, then pump it up into a large water tank, then they have several lines that go down the hill, using gravity, to different places in the village. They hope to have the first one working by weeks end. While we were there, we watched a village volleyball game. They say they have tournaments every Saturday. They were quite good,

Volleyball in Navakawau village

We then went to a spot on the island where the International Date Line crossed the island. Jackie stood on one side and I stood on the other. Literally "yesterday and today". We visit a very beautiful but remote spot where they have some "blow holes" as the water crashes ashore. We did some shopping at their all of maybe 10 to 15 small stores, Kurt got a haircut, and we had some movies downloaded in an internet shop in town, Somosomo.

The next day we went to the other end of the road on the north to a very small village, Lavena. This village was another one that the cyclone seemed to take great pains in destroying. They are rebuilding schools, homes, etc. Gardens are beginning to show signs of getting fresh vegetables for the families. Most of them grow just enough to feed their own family, but the village has it's own welfare plan; some grow lettuce, carrots, others grow melons, cucumbers, etc. and they share with one another. We also hiked to the Bouma Falls,a very beautiful place, but the hike is up and down hill on uneven steps, rocks and mud. We loved it but were very happy to get back. Our legs, particularly the calves, were very sore.

Both these villages were on the eastern side of the island which took the full hit of Winston.Those on the west side were protected by the mountains so the damage was not as severe, but still devastating.

If any are interested in seeing the damage immediately after the cyclone, go to vermeerenfijimission.blogspot.com and look at the posts from March 2016. This is the couple that we visited, they leave in 6 weeks to go home to Calgary, Canada. they shared with us their wisdom and advise they learned in the past 18 months. We learn new things every day.

These people have so little but they seem to believe that they have everything. Especially the saints here. As long as they have family near and the gospel. They are blessed and their humility is one to be envied, if that is not a sin. In each village or branch we visited, the little kids came running and wanted to hold our hands, have pictures taken with us, and then we had to show them the picture, because they really don't have access to any kind of technology. Yes, they have cell phones and a few with satellite dishes, etc. but the kids have each other and the outside.

In a sacrament meeting last Sunday, we sustained a new district presidency. Each one of them bore their testimonies and you could feel the spirit was very strong in these men. They will be great leaders and spiritually giants in this part of the world. We met on July 24th. Now Fiji doesn't celebrate the 24th but it seemed appropriate that we were starting a new era for these saints on the same day we celebrate our pioneer heritage. These people are true pioneers here in Fiji. They were challenged to work hard to increase the membership and to share what they know and feel about the Love of Christ with their friends and neighbors, so soon they would be able to have a stake and wards, rather than branches and groups.