Nai Tabe 2018 | August Issue

METHODIST CHURCH IN FIJI NEWSLETTER AUGUST 2018 | ISSUE 12

E VA na ka me baleta na LOTU REV. ASAELI SOROVATINI

PAGE

15

"KEEPING THE METHODIST DRUA SHIPSHAPE"

THE CALL FOR MISSIONARIES TODAY

PAGE TAPIWA NHIDZA 22

Presidential Address YWAM Partners With Methodist Church

PAGE HINRICH KRAENZLIN 23

TAKING THE GOSPEL TO THE PLAYERS KITIONE RADRODRO PAGE

25

PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS

A NODRA I SEVU NI TUKUTUKU NA QASE LEVU REV. DR. EPINERI VAKADEWAVOSA Ni sa tiko saka na Turaga, na marama, na cauravou na goneyalewa na lewe ni Bose ko Viti ena yabaki oqo 2018. Sa ka dokai vei au me’u cavuta na noqu vakabula ena noqui tavi vaka-Qase Levu ko ni a digitaki au kina, ka da vakadeitaka e noda ivakarau, ni sa veidigitaki

ni Kalou ena kena liutaki na Lotu Wesele e Viti kei Rotuma.

Au cavuta taumada na noqu vakavinavinaka cecekia vua na Kalou cecere na Dauniveibuli kei na Vunilewa, ena veitavi kece sara eda sa qarava vata mai, tekivu mai nai matai ni vula ena yabaki oqo, ka yacova mai ena siga e daidai. Au vakavinavinakataka vakalevu sara talega na nomuni yalo dina ena qaravi tavi ena vuku ni nona lotu na Kalou e da lewena. Sa ka talei talega vei au ena mataka e daidai na noqu raica na totoka ni kemuni rairai kei na nomuni bulabula vinaka, ka marau dina sara na yaloqu me’u cavuta na noqu vakabula vei kemuni – ena nomuni sa tiko rawa ena dolavi ni noda Bose ena mataka e daidai. Na noqu vakanuinui vinaka ka vaka kina vei rau na Turaga na Vunivola Levu kei na Turaga nai Vukevuke ni Vunivola Levu, kei kemuni kece sara e Valenivolavola ena veitabana vaka-Bose ko Viti, ni na vakalougatataka na nomuni bula na Tamada na Kalou, me da qarava rawa vata kina nai tavi sa koto ena matada e daidai, o’ya na Bose ko Viti ni 2018.

Sa ka ni rarawa dina ni ra sa mai biuti keda enai tekivu ni yabaki oqo na Turaga nai Vukevuke ni Qase Levu Kalisiana Koroi. E dina ni da kurabui kece kina, ia eda vakacegu ga, ni sa lewa na noda bula na Kalou, ka sa tu ga e ligana na lewa taucoko ni nodai lakolako. Au sa vakavinavinaka vei keda kece sara enai tavi bibi ni noda veitalaci ki vua, ka vakauasivi na nodai Wasewase lomani ko Suva; ena nodra veiliutaki na Turaga nai Talatala Qase.

E a qai mai rogo tiko ena siga ni veitalaci vei ira ena valenilotu oqo na Centenary, ni ra sa dau tukuna voli ni ra gadreva me ra yacova nai tutu sei tavi vaka-Qase Levu Veivuke. Ia, sa rogoca na nodra gagadre titobu na Kalou, ka sa solia vei ira nai tavi oqori, ena kena dela ni gauna e kila duadua ga na Kalou. Ia, era sa tiko e daidai ena nonai serau savasava mai lomalagi.

Eda vakavinavinaka vua na noda Kalou e daidai, Page 2 |

ni ra sa mai digitaki tale na kedrai sosomi ena Komiti ni Cakacaka Levu me vaka eda sa kila, ka ra sa tiko vata kei keda ena mataka oqo na Turaga nai Vukevuke ni Qase Levu Ratu Peni Volavola, ka sai katolu ni gauna oqo me ra cabeta kina nai tavi bibi oqo. Eda masulaka ka vakanuinui vinaka ni na vakalougatataki ira na noda Kalou nai taukei ni Lotu, enai tavi bibi oqo.

Sa ka dokai vei au me’u vakaraitaka na vakavinavinaka levu ni Lotu Wesele e Viti kei Rotuma, ena nodra tiko vata kei keda na noda vulagi sureti; mai Amerika (USA) na Bishop ni California/Nevada Conference Bishop Minerva Carcano, ka vaka kina na Marama Peresitedi ni Lotu Cokovata mai Ositerelia Dr. Deidre Palmer, kei na marama Peresitedi ni Lotu Wesele mai Niusiladi Rev. Setaita Veikune.

Lagilagi dina ni da sarava na nodratou bula na marama lelevu e 3 qo, ni ratou i liuliu ni Lotu mai na nodratou dui vanua e ratou gole mai kina. Au vakabauta ni na veivakaukauwataki tiko vei kemuni na marama i Talatala ena noda Lotu Wesele e Viti e daidai, ni ko ni curuma tiko e so na bolebole ni gauna, ka vaka talega kina vei kemuni na Vada ni Turaga. Sa gauna donu talega, ni mai donumaka tiko na marautaki ni 70 na yabaki ni Veitokani ni Marama ena noda Lotu Wesele e Viti kei Rotuma, ka’u vakabauta ni sa veivakaukauwataki tiko vei kemuni na noda marama, na nodratou tiko maliwai keda na marama liuliu ni Lotu e 3 oqo.

Sa ka marautaki talega vei au, me’u vakabula vei kemuni kece na noda na wekai keimami ko ni gole mai ena veivanua – mai Peritania, Urope, USA, Niusiladi kei Ositerelia. Vinaka vakalevu sara, na nomuni tiko rawa ena Bose ko Viti e daidai.

Sa i katolu ni yabaki oqo na noqu dau digitaka tiko nai ulutaga ni noda Solevu kei na Bose ko Viti, ia, ena yabaki oqo e rau sa duavata kina kei au na Turaga na Vunivola Levu kei na nodrai Vukevuke me sa nodai ulutaga (ena vosa vaka Peritania) “KEEPING THE METHODIST DRUA SHIPSHAPE”. Au biuta toka na kena vakadewa vakai-taukei “RAICA ME TU VINAKA TIKO GA NA DRUA NI LOTU” Ni balavu na soko, ka sokoti na veiwasawasa rabailevu e kacivi kina na Lotu Wesele e Viti kei Rotuma, ena Lako Yani Vou

eda sokota tiko, ena Viti vou e da curuma tiko, ka vaka kina na gauna vou e sotava tiko na noda vuravura e daidai, sa ka bibi me da qarauna tiko oya, me tu vinaka tu ga na Drua ni Lotu ena veigauna kecega.

Kevaka e malumalumu ka sega ni toso vinaka tiko na veiqaravi ni dua se so na tikina, sa dodonu me ra vakavinakataki. Me wali na leqa ena kena gauna totolo sara, ka me wali vakavinaka talega.

Me qarauni matua sara me maucokona tu ga ena veigauna na Drua ni Lotu, me qaravi vinaka tiko kina na nonai tavi ena Lako Yani Vou e da lakova tiko. Au gadreva tale ga me’u vakaraitaka eke ena rarama ni noqu raica na veiliutaki, keitou sa lomavata kina kei iratou na noqui tokani, ni ganita vinaka me 3 (tolu) na yabaki na noda raica tiko na nodai lakolako ena rarama ni ulutaga oqo:

“Raica me tu vakavinaka tu ga na Drua ni Lotu”. Me ra tu vinaka na veitiki ni waqa kece sara, ka me ra kila vinaka talega na lewena na nodrai tavi, ka muri vakadodonu sara nai vakarau ni soko, me mua donu tiko ga kina na nodai lakolako.

Sa kau mai na vakasama bibi oqo me vukea na noda raica tale ka qarauna tiko na nodai lakolako me maqosa na veika kece sara eda tuvalaka, ka vakatulewa kina, me rawa ni soko vakavinaka na Drua ni Lotu Wesele ni qarava na nonai tavi ena noda vanua, ka vaka kina na vuravura raraba.

“Keeping the Methodist Drua shipshape”.

Na vosa na shipshape e kenai balebale ena vakasama ni Dausoko – “me raici me tu vakavinaka tale na waqa.” Me ra solia na veitiki ni waqa kece sara, na nodra taucoko ni veiqaravi, me maucokona tu kina na toso ni waqa kei na nonai lakolako se draki cava ga e curuma.

Au sureti keda ena gauna oqo me da raica vakavinaka tale mada na veika bibi eda sa tuvalaka oti mai me baleta na noda Lako Yani Vou, se cava e na rawa me vosa vakamatata tale kina vei keda e daidai na noda ulutaga oqo. Ena uasivi me da na raica tale mada nai dusidusi ni nodai lakolako ka da vakatoka tiko me Duru e 12 se na noda 12 Pillars, o koya era i dusidusi ni noda veiqaravi, ka vakatautaka tiko na veiqaravi ni noda Drua ni Lotu ena noda Lako Yani Vou oqo. Mo ni vosoti au, ena vuku ni gauna, au sa na dusia mada ga me www.methodistfiji.org | August 2018 , Issue 12

2018NT_03.ai

1

20/08/2018

6:57:37 AM

PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS me kenai vakaraitaki e 3 na Duru, ka sa na rawa me na vukei keda, me da qai la’ki veitalanoataka e na noda veiwasewase ni da sa lesu, na vo ni 9 na duru – me rawa ni gaunisala me da qarava vata kina nai tavi bibi oqo ena 3 na yabaki e da sa lakova – o’ya me tekivu ena yabaki oqo, ka yacova yani ni sa cava na yabaki 2021. Au sega ni vakatitiqataka ni da qarava vata vakavinaka nai tavi oqo, ka da solia kina na nodai gu kei na dina, ka da masulaka vua na Kalou – ni oti e 3 na yabaki, sa na tu vinaka na Lotu Wesele e Viti kei Rotuma, ka soko ki liu ena cavuisausau na qaqa, na vakacegu kei na sautu na Drua ni Lotu Wesele e Viti kei Rotuma. E fika vinaka na 3, ka ni dusia na lewe 3 vakalou – Tamana, Luvena, kei na Yalo Tabu, me ratou vukei keda tiko ena noda vakavinakataka tiko na nodai lakolako.

Nai matai ni duru (me matai ni kena vakaraitaki) Na ka bibi duadua e nai tavi ni Lotu, sai koya na bula vakayalo ni lewe ni lotu, me ra veikilai na tamata kece ga kei Jisu Karisito, na vuni vakacegu, na vuni bula kei na vuni sautu. Oqo na naba 1 ni veiqaravi ni Lotu. Au sa taleva oti e 12 nai Wasewase mai na Janueri ka yacova mai na Jiune (veivakatikori vei ira nai Talatala Qase), ena noqu vunau kece ni veivakatikori, kei na noqu veitalanoa, au sa vakabibitaka tiko kina, na bibi ni nodra veikilai kei Jisu Karisito na tamata kece ga. Sa naba 1 ena noda veiqaravi – na nodra qaravi vakayalo na tamata, me ra solia taucoko na nodra bula vua na Turaga ko Jisu Karisito. Oqo e naba dua – e “top priority” ni Lotu. Era kaya na noda Qase Levu Vakacegu Rev. Waqairatu: me da rawata kece na Bula Tawa na lewe ni Lotu Wesele. Me da sa tiko ga oqo, ia eda sa kila tiko ni sa dua na noda tikina ena bula sa bera mai. Oqori nai balebale ni bula vakayalo ena noda Duru naba 1, e tekivu e vuravura ena kena rawati vinaka na noda bula ena veisiga, ka cava yani ena Bula Tawa mudu vua na Kalou ni sa oti na bula qo.

Au dau vakatudaliga ena veigauna ni veitalanoa ena veivanua au sotavi ira kina ena veigauna ni noqu veisiko. E dua na vanua e taroga a cava na Matasiga? E dua e tukuna ni sega ni dau vakayacori na vuli Vola Tabu. E dua na Tabacakacaka era kaya ni sa levu ga na vunau nei Vakatawa kei na nona caka vuli, ka lailai ko nai Talatala. Eso era kaya, o keimami sa sikovi ga ena veigauna mai na vei lotu lalai, ka sega mai na Lotu Wesele.

Oqori eso nai tukutuku bibi ka’u kerea tiko e daidai mo ni na qai la’ki veitalanoataka ena nomuni veiwasewase, ka vakavuna tiko na berabera kei na dredre ni bula vakayalo, ka i tatao levu ni kena tubu na Lotu ena veika vakayalo ena nodra bula nai vavakoso. Eda sureti e daidai me da raica vakatitobu tale mada na noda Duru No. 1 kei na veika e dodonu me ra vakavinakataki ena loma ni yabaki 3 e tu e matada. “Raica me tu vinaka tikoga na Drua ni Lotu.” Ena vinaka me da dau rai lesu enai matai August 2018 , Issue 12 | www.methodistfiji.org |

ni vavakoso ka tauyavu ni oti na kena sovaraki ni Yalo Tabu e na siga ni Penitiko ka koto ena Cakacaka 2: 42 – 47, oqo e matata kece vei keda.

Tekivu ga ena 3000 na lewena, ka tete e vuravura ena veitaba gauna sa oti ka yacova mai e daidai, ka sa rauta ni kedai wiliwili e daidai sa volekata na 2 na bilioni, ia sa tubu tikoga, ka sai soqosoqo lotu (se vakabauta) levu duadua e na vuravura ena gauna oqo.

E daidai eda bolei tiko ena vakasama bibi oqo, baleta ni sa tekivu me vakilai na malumalumu ni tubu ni Lotu Wesele e Viti e daidai, ka sa vuqa tale ga na noda era sa gole ki na veimata lotu lalai tale eso. Au sureti keda me da vakavinakataka na tikina bibi oqo. Ena noqu vunau ena Lotu ni Veikidavaki e nanoa, au vakabibitaka tiko: “Na Lotu e a tekivu ena tubu, ka

dodonu me tubu tikoga.” “The Christian Church started from growth, and must continue to grow.”

Raica me tu vinaka tiko ga na Drua ni Lotu, ena noda vakavinakataka tiko ga na veiqaravi vakayalo kece sara ena loma ni Lotu, ena noda veiwasewase.

Nai Karua ni Duru: Sa i koya na Dauniyavu Vakarisito, se na Stewardship.

E duru bibi oqo ka ni yadrava na noda dauniyautaka nai yau ni Kalou ka tu ena Lotu. Oqo e okati kina na noda bula saraga, na veika kece e tu vei keda, na qele kei na vuravura. Sa nonai yau kece na Kalou me vaka e kaya na Daunisame: “Sa nei Jisu ko vuravura kei na ka kecega era tu kina, na tamata kei ira era sa tiko kina.”

Oqori talega na vuna bibi e da tokona tiko kina na cakacaka levu ni kena taqomaki na veika bula e vuravura, kei na kena yadravi na draki veiveisau. Protection of the Environment and Climate change. Na turaga na Prime Minister, ka noda lewe ni lotu Wesele, sa liutaka tiko na noda vuravura e daidai ena cakacaka bibi oqo, ia sa nuitaki tu na noda veitokoni ena tikina bibi oqori.

Ia sa biuta e ligada na Kalou na nonai yau oqori me da cakacakataka ka vakatulewataka vakamaqosa sara me vaka e a kaya mai nai tekivu ni veibuli, ni sa bulia oti nonai yau kecega, qai tukuna vei rau na vuda: “Drau vakatawa na

vuravura.” “Drau Dauniyautaka vakamaqosa na vuravura – okati kina ko ira era na basika mai vei kemudrau”. Sa vuqa sara na ka sa mai luluqa ena nodai lakolako vaka-Dauniyau, vakabibi ena noda raica lesu tale tiko e daidai na noda Lako Yani Vou oqo, ka da sa kacivi tiko e daidai me da raica me ra qaravi ka me ra tu vakavinaka tale ena rarama ni nodai tutu vakadauniyau ni nona iyau na Kalou.

Na tikina bibi ga au via vakananumi keda kina ena ikarua ni noda Duru, sai koya na noda Dauniyautaka tiko na nonai lavo na Kalou. Oqo e dua na tikina sa malumalumu dina kina na noda Lotu Wesele, ka da kacivi tiko e daidai me da raica me tu vakavinaka na Drua ni Lotu, se na

noda Lotu Wesele ena noda maroroya ka vakayagataka vakamaqosa tiko nai lavo ni Kalou.

Sega ni galala ena leqa oqo na noda veivalenilotu, Tabacakacaka, Wasewase, ka vakakina na noda Valenivolavola. Eda sureti e daidai ena loma ni yabaki 3 e tu e matada, ka da na qarava tiko kina nai ulutaga oqo, me sa idusidusi ni noda toso ki liu, me da vakotora vakavuku noda veiqaravi vakailavo, ka sa koto na noqu vakanuinui vinaka ni sa na dua na yabaki 3 vinaka, me raica kina na noda Lotu Wesele e Viti me tu vinaka sara na veiqaravi bibi oqo. Ena Bose ko Viti ena yabaki sa oti eda sa vakadonuya kina me qai yabaki 2020, sa galala na noda Lotu Wesele e Viti kei Rotuma mai na noda dinau kece sara, ka’u vakabauta ni sa savasava matata na noda raica na noda vunilagi, ena rarama ni nodai ulutaga e daidai: Raica me tu

vakavinaka tiko ga na Drua ni Lotu.

Ni da cakacaka vakamaqosa ena noda veiqaravi vakailavo, ka da vakatulewa vakamaqosa talega, sa na sega ni vakabekataki, ni sa na uasivi dina ga na noda bula vakailavo. Oqori sa tovolea vakaukauwa tiko na noda Valenivolavola levu e daidai, ka keitou sa vulica tiko e vuqa na neitou malumalumu sa oti, ka’u sa kerei keda vakabibi na lewe ni Bose ko Viti, mo ni sa na

vakavinakataka kina na nomuni bula ni veiqaravi vakailavo, ena nomuni dui veiwasewase. Muri vakavinaka na kenai vakarau, sega ni dua se rua, se tolu na tamata tabu yani e tu vua se vei iratou na lewa, ka ni yau ni lotu e noda raraba, ko ni kerei tiko kina e daidai me maqosa na kena vakatulewataki raraba mai vei kemuni kece na lewe ni lotu.

“Raica me tu vakavinaka tiko ga na Drua ni Lotu.” Me’u tukuna mada e 2 na cavuisausau e Valenivolavola, ni mai vakavinakataki na veiqaravi vakailavo: 1. Ni oti na Solevu e na yabaki sa oti, me vagolei ki na noda cakacaka levu, ia eda sa cavuisausau kina enai matai ni gauna, me lailai duadua na dinau ni cakacaka levu ni mai cava na yabaki vakailavo enai ka 31 ni Me, 2018.

2. Na kena maroroi vinaka tiko mai na

advance payment kece ni cakacaka levu ni yabaki oqo 2018 – 2019, ni da mai tekivu enai matai ni Jiune, eda tekivu tu enai lavo bula e $1.9 na milioni. Oqo na cavui sausau levu duadua me bau rawati ena noda Valenivolavola, enai tukutuku ni veigauna ni kena qaravi na Cakacaka Levu.

Oqori e 2 ga nai vakaraitaki, sa vuqa na ka sa vakavinakataki tiko. E dua vei ira na kena vakalailaitaki na noda veitabana vakabose ko Viti, me vaka eda vakadonuya ena 2016, ka sa veitalanoa balavu mai, tekivu sara ena 2007 ena Bose ni Valenivolavola Liu (Retreat) mai Nadave, na veitalanoa ni kena vakavinakataki na Drua ni Lotu. Ia sa kau lesu tale mai ena yabaki sa oti, ia eda sa na mai raica ena yabaki oqo, me sa tekivu cakacakataki ena yabaki 2019. Dua nai wase | Page 3

PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS levu ni veiqaravi oqori e dodonu vinaka me qaravi ga ena noda veiwasewase, ka vagolei ki Davuilevu na veika e dodonu me gole kina.

Matata na cakacaka, ka vukea talega na veika vakailavo. Oqo e rai titobu ni noda vakavinakataka tikoga na noda Drua ni Lotu, ka vaka kuri vinaka talega kina na veiqaravi, baleta ni sa na vakadavori vakamaqosa tale ga kina. Raica me

tu vakavinaka tiko ga na Drua ni Lotu.

Nai Katolu ni Duru: Na Vakabulai ni veiwekani kei na bula ni veivosovosoti (Healing & Reconciliation) Na veivosovosoti sai koya na uto ni tukutuku vinaka kei Jisu Karisito. (Reconciliation is the heart of the christian gospel). Kevaka e sega na veivosovosoti, sa na sega ga nai tukutuku vinaka kei Jisu Karisito. (Without

reconciliation, there is no Christian gospel). Sa kenai balebale, kevaka e sega na bula ni veivosovosoti, sa sega ni ka dina na noda Lotu, baleta ni Turaga ko Jisu sa uto ni nona bula na veivosoti. Sa mai mate kina ena kauveilatai – ka sa uto ni noda vakabauta na kauveilatai, o koya ga sa rawati kina na tucake tale.

Sa levu na mavoa, na tawase, na veicati, na veiqati, na veisisivotaki, na veivala, na loma ca ni veivakarusai, sa tu e Viti; ena noda veikoro, tikotiko, vanua, Tabacakacaka, noda Veiwasewase kei na noda vuravura e daidai. Oqo e vuna na berabera ni noda toso ki liu, ka sa tikina bibi me vakavinakataki me basika kina na veisereki kei na bula sautu ena noda bula, noda vuvale, noda koro, noda vanua, kei na noda vuravura. Me da gadreva vakatitobu na kena vakavinakataki na noda veiwekani, oqori ga na uto ni tukutuku vinaka kei Jisu Karisito – sa dau vakabula na noda vanua.

Sa dua na leqa levu sa vakayagataka tiko na vuni ca me ravuti keda tiko kina e daidai ena noda bula vakaveiwekani, sai koya na veiqati ni tutu vakavanua. Sa veibataki vakalevu o cei e dodonu me vagunuvi se taura nai tutu ni veiliutaki sa kauta mai na tawase kei na dredre.

Au sa vakamasuti keda kina vakabibi sara e daidai me da qarauna ka qarava ena yalo savasava kei na yalo dodonu nai tavi bibi oqo.

Sa tikina bibi na nodra vakasalataki vakalotu na vanua, me wasei ka vunautaki vakamatata na vosa ni Kalou me dusi sala vei keda, na bibi ni noda dau masulaka, ka lolovaka, me vakataulewa tiko na Kalou ena nodai lakolako kei na noda veiwekani.

Ni bera ni keitou cabe ki na veiliutaki ni noda Lotu ena Janueri 2015 (Qase Levu, Vunivola Levu, Vunivola Levu Veivuke) ka’u vakaraitaka vei rau na noqui tokani ni rui bibi me keitou cabe ki na matanitu me dua na matanigasau ni lotu, ka vaka kina ena vanua, ena vuku ni dredre ni veiwekani ni Lotu kei na Matanitu, ka tara na noda vanua kei keda na lewena, ena loma ni 4 Page 4 |

na yabaki na dredre oqo, ka sogo kina na Bose ko Viti kei na veibose vakalotu tale eso me 3 na yabaki na kena dede. Sa dua na siga talei ka lagilagi ko ya, ena kena ciqomi ka marautaki mai na Matanitu na tikina bibi oqo, ka vakatalega kina mai nai tikotiko liu ni mataivalu ena noda vanua, ka vaka kina vei ira na Marama Bale na Roko Tui Dreketi ena nodra Valenivolavola, ena vukudra na noda vei Turaga Bale. Oqori na veiwekani titobu eda na vakamareqeta ka maroroya vakavinaka sara, me maroroi kina na bula sautu ena keda maliwa, ia ena koto dei

ga ka tawamudu na dina ni noda vunautaki Jisu Karisito, na nona dodonu kei na loloma levu ena vanua oqo.

Au sa nuitaka ni na vakatubu vakasama vei keda na tikina bibi oqo, me da dau veitalanoa vinaka kina kei ira na veituraga bale, na marama bale ena noda veivanua, me rawa ni tau kina na vakatulewa maqosa ena kena maroroi na vanua, nai tikotiko vakaturaga, na veiwekani, maroroi na yaca ni Lotu Wesele – vakabibi na Bula sautu. Ena noqu yabaki 7 ni veiliutaki (Principal) ena Vuli Talatala, au dau vakabibitaka vei ira na gonevuli me ra maroroya na bula sautu ena nodra veitabacakacaka era lesi kina.

Ke sa basika na tawase ko kila ni ko na sega ni walia rawa, sa kena gauna vinaka mo kerea vua na nomui Talatala Qase mo sa lesi. E kacivi na Lotu mei dewadewa ni sema veiweknai, me maroroi kina na Duavata kei na Bula Sautu. E da sa tiko ena vakavakarau ni veidigidigi, sa na vakayagataka ko setani/vuni ca me gauna ni veibasuraki, veivakasewasewani vakapolitiki, me yaco na tatawasewase. E kacivi keda na Lotu meda masulaka na noda veidigidigi, me rawa ni da vakatulewa vakamaqosa kina ena veidusimaki ni Kalou na Yalo Tabu, ka maroroi keda meda i dewadewa ni duavata ena noda vanua.

Oqo nai tukutuku au sureti kemuni kina, mo ni kauta ena nomuni dui veiwasewase e Viti kei Rotuma. Me da qarauna me tu vinaka na Drua ni Lotu ena tikina bibi oqori. Keeping the

Methodist Drua Shipshape.

Au vakabauta ni sa matata vinaka sara vei keda nai balebale ni nodai ulutaga ena gauna oqo, ka’u nuitaka ni da na la’ki veitalanoataka ena noda veiwasewase ena rarama ni noda Duru e 12, me vakavinakataki, ka vakatorocaketaki tikoga kina noda ilakolako. Raica me tu vinaka tikoga na Drua ni Lotu. Au sa gadreva me’u vagolea tale na noda rai ena dolavi ni noda Bose ena siga e daidai ena vica na ka bibi ka’u vakabauta ni na vukei keda tiko ena noda veitalanoa ena Bose ko Viti oqo.

I. E na loma ni matai ni veimama ni yabaki oqo, sa lako oti kina e dua na noqui vola ki vua na Turaga nai Liuliu ni Tabacakacaka ni Veivakadodonutaki, ni oti e dua na neitou veitalanoa me baleta na tubu cake tikoga ni wiliwili ni kai vesu ena nodai tikotiko ni veivakadodonutaki, ka’u yalataka kina na veitokoni ni Lotu Wesele e Viti kei Rotuma

ki na veiqaravi era vakayacora tiko na Tabana oqo, na veitokoni taucoko ni Lotu ena kena tovolei me vakalailaitaki nai wiliwili ni noda gone era tu ena i tikotiko ni veivakadodonutaki ka rauta ni 1,000 vakacaca na kena levu e daidai ka levu duadua ga na Lotu Wesele. Oqo sai tukutuku bibi vei keda ka gadrevi kina na veitokoni taucoko ni Lotu Wesele e Viti kei Rotuma.

Ena siga Tusiti ena macawa ni Solevu, e a vakarautaka e dua na vuli na Tabana oqo, me keimami tiko kece kina nai Talatala, me dusi sala ga vei keda ena veika me da na qarava vata kei na matanitu, me wali kina na leqa bibi oqo. E da na qai sotava beka na kena veitalanoa ena Bose ko Viti oqo, ia eda marau ni da sa tekivu raica vata eso na ka bibi, me da cakacaka vata kina kei na matanitu ka ko ni sa kerei vakabibi kina e daidai na noda lewe ni Bose ko Viti, ena nodra veiliutaki nai Liuliu ni Wasewase kei nai Talatala ena vei Tabacakacaka enai tavi oqo. E ra sa tiko talega nai Talatala ni tikotiko oqo, Rev. Josefa Tikonatabua, era na vukei keda vata tiko enai tavi bibi oqo.

Sa na rawa me da qarava vata nai tavi bibi oqo, ena nodra sikovi na noda gone era tu ena veitikotiko ni veivakadodonutaki, ka tokoni ka ciqomi, vukei ka vakadeitaki, ko ira era suka mai ki na noda veikorokoro kei na noda veitikotiko.

Oqori sa na sema tale tikoga kei na nodai ulutaga ni Bose ko Viti oqo, qai yabaki 3 mai oqo, sa na vakilai ena veiqaravi levu sa vakayacori tiko e daidai, ni sa na rawa me da vakalailaitaka nai wiliwili era tu enai tikotiko ni veivakadodonutaki, ka vakauasivi me lutu sobu talega na basu lawa ena noda vanua ka sa dau dusi vakalevu kina na Lotu Wesele.

Au dau taleitaka na semati au ena veiqaravi bibi oqo, ena noqu tiko mai na Tabacakacaka ko Lautoka ena 1993 – 1997, au digitaki kina mai na matanitu me’u Liuliu ni Matabose ni Valeniveivesu e Natabua. Au dau lesi ki Korovou ena gauna au Vunivola Levu tiko kina me’u dau la’ki vunau se caka Lotu vei ira era curu tu kina, ka sa dau ka marautaki dina vei au. Dau mosi na yaloqu ni’u raica nodra lewe levu na noda, vuqa na vakaitutu lelevu era tu kina, ka vaka kina noda turaga bale. Dau mosi na yaloqu ni’u sarava, ia sa tikina bibi vei au ni’u wasea tiko vei keda e daidai. Levu na mata lotu lalai era sa la’ki caka lotu tiko kina, ka sa tubu tiko kina na nodrai soqosoqo lotu, vei ira ga na noda gone, ka sa tikina bibi talega oqo.

Au tiko mai Belize Central America ena MCCA (Methodist Church in the Caribbean and the Americas) ena 1983 – 1988. Au digitaki me’u qarava nai tikotiko ni veivakadodonutaki ka tiko ena city keitou tiko kina, (Belize city) ka ni 5 ga na miniti na noqu taubale mai vale ki na vale ni veivakadodonutaki. Sa sinai vakasivia nai tikotiko oqo, ka sa ka rerevaki na kenai tuvaki e loma, ka dua vei ira nai tikotiko rerevaki ena vuravura taucoko. www.methodistfiji.org | August 2018 , Issue 12

PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS Ena macawa 3 ga sa oti au taura kina e dua nai tukutuku mata ni davui ena iVola Mata (facebook), ni a qai solia na matanitu ko Belize enai tikotiko qo ki na dua nai soqosoqo NGO (Non-governmental Organisation), qai vukica na isoqosoqo se NGO oqo me sai tikotiko ni veiqaravi vakalotu, ka sa tukuni ka vunautaki ga kina na Vosa ni Kalou mai vei ira era veiqaravi kina, ka rogo tu ga na sere ni lotu kei nai vakatagi ena veigauna, ka ra sa soli bula vakayauyau ga na turaga kei na marama era curu tu kina vei Jisu Karisito, ka sai tikotiko ni veisusugi vakayalo. Au sega mada ni kila nai tukutuku matai lalai ni veiqaravi oqo – ia e dua ga na ka au vakabauta, ni rawa vei keda na Lotu Wesele kei na matanitu ena kaukauwa ni Turaga ko Jisu Karisito, me da veisautaka na nodra bula na noda cauravou kei na goneyalewa, Turaga kei na marama, era vesu tu – me ra kunea na veisereki ni Kalou, kei na nona veivakalougatataki, ka lutu kina nai wiliwili ni basu lawa ena noda vanua.

II. Au cabeta na veiqaravi vaka Vunivola Levu ena Janueri ni 2015, dua vei ira na ka levu duadua dau tao tiko ena noqu vakasama ena veisiga kei na veibogi sai koya na levu ni qele ni lotu era sega tu ni vakatorocaketaki rawa. Au kila ni da dau masulaka vata na tikina bibi oqo.

E marau dina na yaloqu ni mai tekivu na Kabani ni Lotu na Lako Yani Management Pte. Ltd. ena 2016, ena ikarua ni yabaki ni noqu Vunivola Levu, me sa vagolei na veika kece oqori me qarava. E da vakavinavinakataka na nodratou bula na kena dau, ka ratou sa qarava tiko e daidai, na kena vakasama, na kena tuvalaki, ka vakabibi na kena cakacakataki. Eda na qai rogoca ena Bose ko Viti oqo na vanua e da sa tu kina se da sa yacova na noda kabani (LYM Pte. Ltd.), ka da vakavinavinakataka tiko na nodratou bula na kena dauniveiqaravi enai tavi bibi oqo – ka da sa tekivu vakila ni sa na cabe na gauna vinaka vakailavo ena loma ni lotu, me vukei kina na veiqaravi raraba ni Lotu Wesele e Viti kei Rotuma, ena kena tara cake tikoga na Matanitu ni Kalou ena noda vanua lomani oqo ko Viti.

E dua na tikina bibi au via semata tiko kei na vakasama oqo sai koya, na gaunisala cava e rawa ni da na vakasamataka ka cakacakataka kina na noda vei uma qele ni lotu era tu ena noda veiwasewase, me vukea na nomuni dui bula vakailavo ni nomuni dui Tabacakacaka kei na veiwasewase. Vuqa na veitiki ni qele oqori era sa bera tu ni cakacakataki ka ra sa davo vinaka tu ga, ka ko ni sa sureti tiko e daidai mo ni la’ki veitalanoataka ka cakacakataka yani, me ra idewadewa ni veivuke ena veiqaravi ni lotu ena veivanua ko ni tiko kina. Au kerea me’u veivakananumi e daidai ni sai otioti ni yabaki oqo me vukei vakailavo kina mai Peritania na Tabana ni Land Registration ni noda Lotu, ka qarava tiko na vakaivolataki ni veiuma qele soli vakadua ki na Lotu.

Eso tale ga na veiwasewase ko ni sa bera tu ni vakalewe fomu me rawa ni butuki ka vakaivol August 2018 , Issue 12 | www.methodistfiji.org |

ataki na veitiki ni qele oqo me rawa ni ra maroroi vinaka kina, ka qaravi vakavinaka caketaki, mei talega kina na veivakatorocaketaki, vurevure ni lavo, ka vukei kina na cicivaki ni ureti e daidai nomuni veitabacakacaka. Eda sureti osa na me da cakacakataka vakamaqosa noda veitiki ni qele oqori, mee ra oso vukei kina na nodai vavakoso lewe ni lotu ena kena qaravi na u lotu kei na bula raraba.Au marautaka vakalevu sara eso naa ti veiwasewase au sa lakova oti ki ena noqu veisiko ena yabaki oqo, ka ra sa gumatua sara enaa e teivaka na nodra veitiki ni qele na vakaoqo ena yasi, dalo, kakana draudrau kei na yaqona, ka ra saa raica aravi ni tiko na kena uasivi ena veiqaravi bale vei Lotu. E sega ni vosa vakaibalebale keda na bula dravudravua, kaa ni da iqoli, sa taukei ni qele kei na waitui/qoliqoli, qa ga, na tu kina na sautu. Na noda leqa ataka vakamnoda malumalumu ni cakacakataka ori na tikina au aqosa, vakavinaka talega. Oqori gadreva me’u vakadreti kemuni tale kina e daidai, mo ni la’ki veitalanoataka vakabibi, ka cakacakataka. Raica me tu vinaka tikoga na

Drua ni Lotu.

III. Eda sa vakabibitaka tiko ena gauna oqo na veiqaravi vei ira na nodai tabagone – wiliki eke ko ira na Wilivola ni Siga Tabu kei ira na Cauravou kei na Goneyalewa. Oqo ko ira nai sausau vou ni noda Lotu Wesele ni mataka. Au gadreva mo ni kila ni toso vinaka sara tiko na tawase ni koronivuli na MLTC (na nomuni koronivuli na noda lewe ni Lotu), kei na Tabacakacaka ni Cauravou kei na Goneyalewa se na Young People’s Department (se YPD) Au a vakamacalataka tiko ena yabaki sa oti na tawase oqo me toso malua ka toso vakavinaka (fragile transition). Me kakua ni qai kasere tale, me vaka sa basika oti ena dua na gauna.

Sa vakacagau tiko na MLTC na nomuni koronivuli na lewe ni lotu (School of the Laity) ka sa tuvalaki tu e vuqa na lalawa lelevu me baleta na kena vakatorocaketaki ni toso ki liu.

• Sa tuvalaki tiko na vuli veivolavolai (Distant Learning) Online, se Distant Education or Education by Extension).

• Sa koto talega nai tuvatuva ni kena sudrai ki na wasa titobu na vuli me vakayacori talega kina na Vuli Koroi se degree program.

NB: Sa tekivu veitalanoataki tiko kei na Vuli Talatala na kena rawa ni cakacakataki na tikina oqo.

• Me sa okati talega vaka special appointment ko MLTC me ganiti ira era lesi yani kina, vaka ga na Vuli Talatala.

• Na mataqali veiqaravi kece sara era sotava na noda lewe ni lotu ena buca ni nodra veiqaravi – Vakatawa, Dauvunau, na veiliutaki, na

veivakalotutaki, na lagasere, na veisiko kei na vuli tara eso,, sa na sotavi kece sara ena nomuni koronivul na lewe ni lotu se MLTC, ena toso koronivuli ki liu eda sa lakova e daidai.

NB: Sa nuitaki vei keda na veiwasewase eda vakoronivuli ni wasewase (se Divi Divisional Schools), me da veitokoni vakaukauwa ena kena laveti tikoga vak nai vakatagedegede ni noda na veikoronivuli, ka sa gaunisala ve matata eda sa vakadonuya vata me m ra r muria na gone, ena nodrai lakolako vakavuli ki na Vuli Levu se l MLTC. ML Sa tiko e Suva ena gauna oqo na ti Valenivolavola ni YPD, ka sa tiko talega e Valen Suva na nonai tikotiko na Vunivola. Na MLTC, MLTC mai Davuilevu, sa qaravi vakatabakidua bakid sara ga kina na veivakatavuvuli ena en noda koronivuli oqo ni lewe ni lotu. E ratou sa veitokoni sara tiko na veitabana vaka-Bose ko Viti, ena nodratou veitaban sa tekivu cakacaka vata kei na tabana ni t ki Tabagone se YPD. E rau sa yadrava tiko vakavoleka sara na noda Vunivola Levu na tikina bibi oqo. Ni raica e rau a kaciva e dua na nodra sota siga 3 ena vula ko Jiune na Mataveitokani ka sinai sara na sota oqo, ka ni vakuri tale ena yabaki ka tu mai. E a dodonu me keirau a lako kei na turaga Vunivola Levu ki Korea ena sota ni Tabagone ni vuravura ka vakayacori mai Bushan 11 – 26/7/2018, ia au a mani kerea ki Korea, me’u kakua ni gole ena vuku ni tavi vaka Qase Levu, ia au sa mani digitaka na Vunivola ni YPD (Rev. Davule) me sosomitaki au, enai lakolako oqo, ka’u kila ni na vukei koya kina vakalevu ena nonai tavi vei ira nai Tabagone.

Ni raica tiko ena noda solevu ena macawa sa oti, sa curu kina e dua na porokaramu vou (special youth programme) me baleti ira na noda itabagone, ka vakayagataki kina nai vakatagi kei na action songs, me vakatubu vakasama vei keda, ni sa dodonu me da sotavi ira na luveda ena noda veiqaravi vakalotu taucoko sara, ena Viti vou eda sa bula kina e daidai.

Ia, oqori na tikina au vakabibitaka tiko e daidai, ke da gadreva me tubu na lotu ni mataka ena gauna vou ni veisau eda curuma, ia sa dodonu me da kauwaitaka na noda veiqaravi ni Lotu, me sotavi ira na nodai tabagone. Me vakarautaki vakavinaka na nodra porokaramu ena noda veivalenilotu, ka yadravi mai vei kemuni nai Talatala, Vakatawa kei na Qase ni Lotu, ka me levu nodra vuli, vakabibi ena vulici ni Vosa ni Kalou, me da kauwaitaki ira vakalevu, me ra kila deivaki ni ra bibi ena tara cake ni matanitu ni Kalou ena noda veitikotiko, ka me ra tokoni ena veika kece e vakatorocaketaki kina na nodra bula.

IV. Au dau vakabibitaka na vuli, ia na kena yacovi na vuli vinaka se – Academic Excel-

lence. | Page 5

PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS Oqori talega na gagadre ni Lotu Wesele me baleta na vuli. E tolu na ka au via dusia eke: (i) Oqo sai ka 3 ni yabaki ni noda lakova na 10 na yabaki ni vuli (Decade of Education), me vaka eda a vakadonuya ena Bose ko Viti ni 2015.

Au kila ni ra sa cakacaka vakaukauwa tiko kina na noda veikoronivuli ni Lotu Wesele Qasenivuli, gonevuli, tubutubu, kei ira na vuli oti. Sa levu nai tuvatuva eda sa rogoca tiko, ka sa tiki ni lakolako ni yabaki 10 ni vuli eda sa lakova tiko. Me toso cake tikoga nai vakatagedegede ni rairai kei nai tuvaki ni koronivuli, ka tubu cake tale tiko ga nai vakatagedegede ni rawa ka vakavuli ena noda veikoronivuli se Academic Excellence. Au na sega ni vakamacala vakabalavu kina, ka’u kila ni ko ni sa cakacaka vakaukauwa tiko kina na noda veikoronivuli e daidai. Mo ni vakaukauwa e daidai, ni qai oti na yabaki 10 ni vuli qo (Decade of Education), sa na nawa cake sara na noda veikoronivuli. (ii) Ena 2016 eda sa vakadonuya kina me qai 2026, sa tekivu kina na noda Methodist University College. Oqo e dua na sasaga bibi e da sa vakaio oti kina na Bose ko Viti, ka sa koto na kena mape (se roadmap), era sa tuvalaka tiko na kena dau me kauti keda yani ki na kena rawati na tatadra oqo ena 2026. Ena University College oqo, e ratou sa na sema kina na Vuli Talatala (sa na tekivu na Masters in Divinity ena 2021) na MLTC ena Diploma ena gauna oqo ka sa tu talega nai tuvatuva vakavuli ni toso ki liu, na Vada ni Turaga ena Diploma ni Diakonia, kei nai tuvatuva eso me laveti toka kina, kei Navuso ena Certificate in Agriculture ka tu talega nai tuvatuva ni toso vakavuli ki liu. Era sa cakacaka vakaukauwa tale tikoga na Komiti ni matavuli e 4 oqo, ka vaka kina na Joint Board of Methodist Education, ena kena yadravi, ka cakacakataki tiko na veisasaga ni toso ki liu oqori. E dodonu me da nanuma dei tiko na

yavu bibi ni University College eda sa vakadonuya oti oqo, oya me tu taucoko ga ki na liga ni Lotu Wesele e Viti kei Rotuma na kena lewa taucoko sara vaka ga e daidai. Ia, sa kenai naki titobu ga me laveti cake sara kina na vuli vinaka ena kena mata vuli e 4 oqori, me i dewadewa ni kena vakalougatataki na veiqaravi ni Lotu Wesele raraba, me sotava na gauna vou eda curuma tiko ena vuravura e daidai.

E kaya vei au e dua na Dauraivuli, “Qase Levu

sa rawata tu na Lotu e sivia na veimama ni veika me cici kina se tekivu kina e dua nai University, ena nona Koronivuli e 4 sa vakaraitaki tiko”. Ia, sa dina sara na vosa oqori, sa vo ga e vica ga na ka, sa rawa ni da qai qarava vata ena gauna yalani sa koto e matada me vaka ga sa tuvalaki oti koto. Raica me tu

vinaka tikoga na Drua ni Lotu Wesele e Viti kei Rotuma.

Page 6 |

(iii) Au sa vakamasuti keda me da sa laveta cake nai tuvaki kei Davuilevu na noda Jerusalemi, na uto ni vuli ni Lotu Wesele. Ni da cici tiko e gaunisala, sa rairai vakaloloma dina ko Davuilevu. Nai rairai kei Davuilevu mai gaunisala, sa na dusia vei koya e raica ni vaka dina tu ko ya na kenai rairai ni da curuma yani na kena loma ni koro.

Tuvaki vakaca ka sega ni samaki vinaka na matamata e gaunisala levu, vuqa na kena sala e lomanikoro era tu vakaca, rairai makawa e vuqa na kena veivalevale, ka rairai vaka e dua na koro sa biu tu vakabalavu na qaravi ni kena loma ni koro. Au kerea me’u vosoti niu tukuna na veika oqo, baleta ni ra dau kaya mai Davuilevu ena veigauna sa oti ka yacova mai e daidai, ni oqo na koro nei Qase Levu; “Oqo na nomuni

koro, Qase Levu, na Jerusalemi ni Lotu Wesele”. Au vakabauta ni da duavata e daidai, ni ko Davuilevu na noda koro liu ni Lotu Wesele e Viti kei Rotuma, sa noda Jerusalemi.

Au mai vuli e Suva ena 1964, ka’u mai tiko vua e dua na noqu Momo, voleka ki na Rishikul High School e Caqiri. Sa qai tekivu vou sara tiko ga ko Rishikul, ia sa tu vinaka tu, ka rogo levu tu ko Lelean e Davuilevu ena gauna ko ya, ni dua vei ira na koronivuli levu e Viti. Keitou dau la’ki caka kaikoso e baravi ka keitou dau muria takosova na Rishikul, ka sa vica toka ga na vale ena gauna ko ya, ka keimami dau curuma na veiquwawa levu ena veiyasana e Rishikul, me neimami gaunisala. Ia e daidai, sa vuki na veiquwawa oqori me vaka e dua na University ko Rishikul, ka sa ra rairai makawa sara ko Lelean se ko Davuilevu. Oqori au nakita me’u tukuna – sega mo ni vakadrukai kina, ia me yavalati keda, kureitaki keda, vakayaloqaqataki keda me da tu cake vata na lewe ni Lotu Wesele e Viti kei Rotum, ka tara i Jerusalemi cake tale – na noda koro liu ni Lotu. E ratou sa yavala na Matavuli e ratou vakatawa tiko na noda Jerusalemi, DTC, MLTC, kei na Lelean, ka sa tekivu na nodratou kumuni lavo, sa tuvalaki eso na sota lelevu ena yabaki oqo - kei na yabaki vou. Ko ira na kena Komiti, Qasenivuli, gonevuli, tubutubu kei ira na Vuli Oti e Viti kei ira mai Vavalagi, – me tara cake tale ko Davuilevu, me vaka na ka e gadreva na Kalou me vaka kina na kenai rairai kei na kena lagilagi – baleta ni Lotu Wesele ga e tekivutaka na vuli ena vanua oqo – ia, me da vakaraitaka tale e Viti e daidai ni sega ni veisau na noda laveta na vuli ena noda vanua e daidai kei na veigauna ni mataka.

da sa tara cake vata na noda koro TABU – na noda Jerusalemi.

Tinitini: Au sa tinia na noqu vosa e daidai me’u tataunaka na noda duvata. Sa rairai lagilagi dina na noda buli me da duidui, qai vakadeitaki keda nanoda duavata e na yaca i Jisu Karisito. Na veimata tamata duidui eda bula ena noda vanua oqo, ka da sa vuvale vata ena Lotu Wesele e Viti kei Rotuma. E sema yani kina na noda vuvale kei na kenai rairai taucoko oqo, ki na vuravura levu, vaka sara ga na kedai rairai e daidai. E da vuvale dau sema veiwekani vaka na kenai rairai ena Soqosoqo ni veimata lotu e Viti (Fiji Council of Churches), na Soqosoqo ni veimata lotu ena Pasifika (Pacific Conference of Churches), ka vaka kina na Soqosoqo ni veimata lotu cokovata e na vuravura (World Council of Churches). Na noda vuvale e rokova na veivakabauta kece ga (other faiths) eda bula vata ena vanua oqo, ia, eda kacivi tiko na Lotu Wesele e Viti kei Rotuma me da tukuna ka vunautaka tiko nai tukutuku vinaka kei Jisu Karisito vei ira na tamata kecega e Viti kei vuravura e daidai, baleta na yacana sa yaca

duadua ga ni bula sautu, kei na veilomani.

“Sa noqu i vunau oqo mo dou veilomani, me vaka au sa lomani kemudou”.

“Me vaka sa lomani au ko Tamaqu, au sa lomani kemudou vaka kina, dou tiko ga ena noqu loloma.”

“Dou veilomani sara ena veilomani ni veitacini, ia dou vei uasiviti ena veivakarokorokotaki.”

E na titobu ni duavata kei na bula veilomani oqori, sa na tubu vakalevu kina na Matanitu ni Kalou ena noda bula kei na noda vanua.

Me vakalougatataka na Kalou, na Bose ko Viti ena macawa oqo.

Me vaka na nona dodoka na ligana ko Nemaia, ka kerea kina na ligadra na lewei Isireli ena nodra sa sereki mai na tu vakabobula mai Papiloni, me ra tara cake tale na bai ni koro Tabu ko Jerusalemi ni sa rusa koto: “Tou ia ka viria

na bai kei Jerusalemi, Ia………me da kakua ni rogo ca tiko.”

E daidai au sa dodoka kina na ligaqu, me’u kerea vakakina na ligamuni noda lewe ni Lotu e Viti kei Rotuma, me da sa liga vata, ka vagolea ki Davuilevu na noda veitokoni kei na MASU me www.methodistfiji.org | August 2018 , Issue 12

CHURCH, DIVIONAL, CIRCUIT NEWS

NAVOKA WESLEY CHAPEL TURNS 156-YEARS Story by: Leba Ciriyawa Halofaki Mataitini image: https://trinitywhittier.360unite.com/event Story by: Leba Halofaki

Mataitini

Introduction On Saturday, 29 April,2018, the oldest English-speaking Church in Fiji, Navoka Wesley Chapel in Levuka town, Ovalau, Lomaiviti celebrated its one-hundred-and-fifty-six years (156) Anniversary. This was the first time Navoka Chapel had celebrated any anniversary since it opened in 1862, twelve years before Fiji was ceded to Great Britain in 1874 in nearby Draiba, Levuka, Ovalau. The programme of Celebrations consisted of a Church Service jointly officiated by the Navoka Wesley Circuit Minister, Rev. Naisa Tuinaceva and the Chief Guest and Superintendent of the Wesley Division, Rev. Ratu Jeremaia Uluivuda. Also in attendance was the Talatala Qase, Lomaiviti, Rev. Jiuta Volau and Father Brown of the Anglican Church, Levuka.

Background “At one stage in my life, I was carried up here by my parents and Godparents George Gibson and Eileen Kitione nee Stolz to be christened,”said Church elder Suli Sandi. Suli gave a brief history of the Navoka Chapel in Levuka dating back to the early years of 1840s. Rev John Hunt who was on Viwa island, Bau used to travel to Levuka when he could and started ministering to the early European settlers. Rev. James Calvert took over from Rev. Hunt. Missionaries came to set up in Levuka and in 1844 Cakobau forced the white settlers out of Levuka to Solevu and Makogai. Missionaries set up a school around 1848/49 with names like Rev Waterhouse and John Binner being mentioned. This was the man who bought Mission Hill and Makogai and went into trade to support the mission work and infrastructure development i.e. buildings and roads. John Binner had two trading boats, the “Rose and Shamrock”. It was during this time that the Navoka Chapel was built using coral cement and the initial wall and floor structure are still there today. The Navoka Chapel was opened in 1862. The Church was opened by Rev. Frederick Langham who is reported to have commented “ the house was full of people of all denominations.” One-hundred-and-fifty six years later, the same scene was seen at the Anniversary celebration. Ms Sandi shared that students from Levuka Public School worship at Navoka Chapel. From 1976-1983, boarders at Delana Methodist School used to come down the 99-steps of Mission Hill to worship at Navoka Chapel. This was during Master Autiko Daunakamama’s term as Principal there. The Ministers who had been posted to Navoka Circuit included Rev. Tefler, Rev. Hatcher, Rev. Andrews, Rev George Nakaora, Rev. Fonmanu, Rev. Faktaufon and from 2013 Rev Naisa Tuinaceva.

The Anniversary Celebration After the brief history outline by Suliana Sandy, Clifton Powell introduced and welcomed the Chief Guest Rev. Ratu Jeremaia Uluivuda. Also present at the Anniversary celebration were church elders 93-years old Adi Venice Raddock, 90-years old George Gibson, 80-years old Sereana(Luisa) Dobea Williams, John Mastapha, Flora Moses, Lisi Bower and a host of other elders who have worshipped in Navoka Chapel all their lives. The invited guests to the celebration also included the delegates to the Wesley Division Annual General Meeting which took place on Friday 28 April, 2018. These were from Wesley Butt St. Circuit and Yarawa Wesley Circuit.

Page 8 |

Reverend Uluivida’s message centred on the word “Celebrations.”..to prepare, to keep, to celebrate. Rev. Uluivuda stated that special celebrations were held at certain anniversaries: 25th,50th,60th and 100th: silver, gold, diamond and centennial celebrations , but 156 years? As this was the first time that Navoka was celebrating its Anniversary, Rev. Uluivuda named this unique celebration as Koro Makawa (Old Capital) celebration. He challenged the members of Navoka Church to remember the works of faith in their church history and continue to celebrate in years to come. Navoka Chapel is a living testimony of the faith of the founding fathers and mothers of the Church. The politics on the ground at that time was unstable and filled with intrigue. For the founding fathers to be holding on fast to their faith through this sometimes treacherous path reflected of someone who walked very closely with God, under His shadow. One of his Scripture reading was Psalms 91 and verses one and two state: “ He who dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in Him will I trust.” They brought in their hands, from God, the vision and blessings which they transformed into reality in building Navoka Chapel. This was not only for them and their family at that time but for their descendants and others who came to settle in Levuka. This was the apex of their faith..”walking the Talk.” This Missionaries brought Light to Levuka. Rev. Uluivuda challenged the worshippers with this statement” What will this generation give to our dependents?”

Rev. Uluivuda added that he was informed that this celebration was planned from 2012-2016 and people have said that this only happened in God’s time. People hold differeing views on “God’s time” but He believed that God’s time is ALL THE TIME. The Holy Spirit is always seeking the Unity of the Spirit, the merging of spirits together can create the wave of change that unite in service bringing long-planned activities like this Anniversary Celebration to reality. United as one big family, we become Christ’s witness and testimony in what we do in the works that will glorify God.” Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.” 1 Peter 2:10 The unveiling of the 156-years Anniversary Plaque followed the service before the traditional ceremonies and celebration lunch took place. A special Choir from Bureta village provided the melodious renditions of hymns in the Church. After lunch the choir provided musical entertainment of popular songs of Levuka and Ovalau. Indeed, the sentiment articulated by the Tuirara Levu, Wesley Division, Apenisa Katonivualiku in response to the words of welcome rings true: “ This day will never come again. We were all so privileged to be the ones God had chosen to be part of the 156-years Anniversary Celebrations for Navoka Wesley Methodist Church”.Praise God!

www.methodistfiji.org | August 2018 , Issue 12

RABI DIVISION

RONGORONGON TE KABOWI N RIRIKI 2018

Photo by : Thomas Teke Story by: Thomas Teke

Photo: Tabwewa Methodist Church in the Rabi Division Kam na bane ni mauri n aran ara Uea ao ara Tiakamaiu Iesu Kristo E karaoaki ana Kabowi n Ririki n te Rabi Division n te kawa ae Tabwewa, i Rabi n Eberi 25th-27th Bon te botaki ae babaneakinaki i rouia kain te Aro ni Wetire i aon, ao itinanikun Rabi ni katoa ririki ike a maroroakinaki iai wakin Ekaretia nako inanon te ririki anne. Aio naba te Kabowi ae a rinanoaki naba iai Riboti man itera nako ni makuri n te Aro ni Wetire iaon Biti ma Rotuma, ma aron karaoiroia iroura ba tabeka aika ana uotaki nakon te Conference n Aokati. I rarikin aikai ao ai te maroro n te Maneaba irouia kaina nako ake a roko. Bon bông aika e reke iai te tai n inono man iraorao i nanon te Onimaki. E noraki naba iai te katiteuanaki ibukin kawakan ma karaoiroan katean Uean te Atua nakon bong aika imwaira.

E teirake te bowi n te Kābong 26th Eberi ao e bane naba n te bong anne; ma te katauraoi nakon te botaki anne rouia kain Tabwewa bon moan te korakora. Ma ngaia are bon te kaitau nakoia kain te Ekaretia i Tabwewa ibukin kororaoin tibangaia ni butimaea te roko.

AIKAI BAI AIKA KABATAKI N TE KABOWI 1. Te Kamainging irouia Mitinare ibukin 2019 a) Tabwewa Rev. Terubea Beretiata (Te Mitinare te Unimane) b) Buakonikai Rev. Kabong Reo c) Tabiang Rev. Nakaitu Boata d) Ketetemane Rev. Abute Aburataea e) Uma Rev. Iona Turui (2018) f ) Labasa Rev. Semota Ekeaua (2018) g) Naitasiri Rev. Kakiateroro Finagata (2017) August 2018 , Issue 12 | www.methodistfiji.org |

Inanon Tianuare n te ririki aei (2018) ao e a kamaingaki Rev. Semota Ekeaua nako Labasa. E onea mwina n te Ekaretia i Uma bon Rev. Iona Turui. E a tiba otinako te Rorobuaka aei mai Davuilevu Theological College n 2017. N te ririrki naba aei ao e kanakoaki nako Vuda Methodist Division i Nadi ara Mitinare ae tangiraki iroura Rev.Terikata Teikabua; e a tiba otinako naba mai DTC n 2017. Akea te kamaing ae ataki iroura ibukin kamaingan Rev. Kakiateroro mai Naitasiri. E na tekeraoi n tikuna ikekei. E na kakabaiaki iroun te Uea te kamainging. nakon te tibanga ae tabu aei irouia ara Mitinare ao ana bati n raonaki iroun te Tamnei.‘ Ao a iranna n tataekinna ngkana aki kanakoaki?; n ai aron are koreaki ni kangai, Ai tamaroa ra waeia ake uarongorongoi baika raraoi’ –(Rom 10:15) 2.Te Tarau n te Levy E a moti te Kabowi aei ba e a riai ni kaitiakaki nikabanea ana Tarau te Rabi Division imwain te Conference n Aokati 2018. Aio bon kanoan ana bubuti te Aobiti are Rietata i Suva nako ia nikabane Divisions i aon Biti ma Rotuma. ”E raoiroi riki ba kona kainano, nakon ae kona tarau” 3.Ana Truck te Rabi Division E kabataki naba ba imwin itiakin te Levy ao e na kaotinakoaki te 1 Truck (3ton) ibukin te Division. E a tiku karaoan aei iroun Tuirara Levu ma ana Komete. Aio te moan project ae tina bane ni baibai iai.

4.Rabi Divisional Office /Communication Office Aikai taian projects ae tina kona ni katiteunaki iai ba te rabata ae ti teuana ngaira inanon Kristo, ba e mena iai te korakora ni karekean baika tina bane ni baibai iai, n te maiu n rabata ao riki te maiu n Tamnei. A reke aobiti aikai ba nne ni maroro man iango irouia Departments nakon te Division i aon itera n aron te maiu n Tamnei, te Connexional Plan, te Karikirake,te Mane, te Reirei ao a maiti riki. A na kateaki Aobiti aika uoua aikai, teuana i Rabi, ao ana Aobiti te Divisional Communication Centre i Ketetemane.

5.Rairan te Tua & Te Connexional Plan Uoua baai aika a riai ni matata raoi i roura – Te Tua(Constituiton) ao te Otinako ae Bou (New Exodus). E a tia ni kabataki rairan beba aikai nakon ara taetae, ma e tuai rineakin te Tiarairairi. a) Constitution & Code 0f Conduct b) Connexional Plan Te Otinako ae Bou (New Exodus) bon barongan te Ekaretia ningabong, n te bong aei. | Page 9

RABI DIVISION 6. Te Anganano ibukin te Divisional Communication Officer (DCO) nakon 2020 E a tia ni baireaki ba 5 te ririki ana tai ni makuri te DCO. E riai aei ibukin taian workshops aika a tia karaoaia n ririki aika nako (2015-2017). E nang koro te tai anne ibukin te DCO (5 te ririki) n 2019. Ma ngaia are e anga ana katanoata te DCO ba e riai n reke ngkai ae e na kataneiai te makuri ibukin te tatantani nakon bonomwi. Aikai baika e na iai iroun te tia bonomwi. o E na maiuna te waware Baibara ao n tataro o E na rabakau teutana te taetae ao ni koroboki n I-Matang ao ni I-Kiribati o E na kona ni kangaraoia nakon te Workshp/Training o E na rabakau te Microsoft Word, Internet, Facebook o E na kaekai Emails. o E na kona ni mamananga (travel) o E na iai ana i-phone/laptop ( e kakawaki aei ba akea moa te bai ni makuri) E uki te anganano nako ia aine ao mane. Ngkana iai nanom ni kan beku ibukin te Uea ao anga aram nakon: 1. Mitinare te Unimane.

2. Tuirara Levu 3. Divisional Communication Officer – Email: tomc.karoro@gmail.com; rabidivision2017@gmail.com 7.Te Kabowi n te ririki 2019 E na karaoaki I Uma ao ni karokoa te tai anne - E na mena ana Rau te Atua i aomi ni kabanea.

Page 10 |

TE KATANOATA KABAIBAIAN TE DIVISIONAL OFFICE & COMMUNICATION CENTRE -Ana Bai Ni Makuri Te Aobiti. (Rabi/Suva). N te bong aei ao a riai ni iai baai ni makuri n aron aikai: i. Desktop Computer/Laptop (or both)(2) ii. Video Camera(1) iii. Camera(1) iv. Printer (Colour) (2) v. Photocopier(2) vi. Projector (2) vii. Screen(1) viii. Internet(2) ix. Filing Cabinet(2) x. Sound System(1) xi. Microphone/Stand (2) xii. Solar Power Source (1) Aikai baini makuri aika ana kabobongai aobiti uoua aikai. Bon te katanoata aei nako imi kain te Rabi Division ibukin te anga nano ni karekean baikai.

E nang butimaeaki man bati ni kakabaiaki nanomi n anga ibukin te Uea. Ngkana iai nanom ao taiaoka karokoa aram ma aran te bai ae ko anga nano iai nakon te Divisional Communication Officer, Mitinare te Unimane ke Tuirara Levu.

DCO Mobile – 2151902: Email – tomc.karoro@gmail.com/rabidivision2017@gmail.com

www.methodistfiji.org | August 2018 , Issue 12

CHRISTIAN WORLD TODAY

REVIEW: 'PAUL, APOSTLE OF CHRIST' IS A HYMN TO THE PERSECUTED CHURCH

Photo by : Sony Pictures Story by: Mark Woods Source: https://www.christiantoday.com/reporter/mark-woods

You wait years for a religious movie and two come along at once. Mary Magdalene, starring Joachin Phoenix and Rooney Mara, was an intelligent and theologically literate film showing the gospel story from a woman's perspective. How does Paul, Apostle of Christ measure up?

Now available on DVD, this dramatisation of the last days of the apostle stars Jim Caviezel as Luke and James Faulkner as Paul, with Joanne Whalley as Priscilla. Paul is confined to Rome's Mamertine prison and about to suffer death in the church's fir\rst great persecution under Nero. He's old and frail, and Luke takes the risk of coming to see him so that his life story won't be lost to the church. It becomes the Acts of the Apostles. It's a worthy attempt at telling a great story, though it suffers – a many Christian dramas do – from being a bit too worthy.

There's a lot of talking and not much action – but these are top quality actors, and they carry their parts very well. Where the film scores, however, is in its depiction of life under the brutal Roman regime. It is very, very dark.

Luke's first entry into Rome is lit by the flaming bodies of Christians set alight by Nero in retaliation for their supposed part in the burning of the city (it was widely assumed he'd done it himself ). The scenes in the prison, in which Paul reflects on his past ('I have many regrets, made many mistakes, but everything I have done I have done for Christ') capture the claustrophic unpleasantness of the place.

And the small group of terrified Christians keeps indoors as much as possible, avoiding as far as they can the attention of the authorities. If they are found, they will be put to death in the arena or casually murdered.

What should they do? Some are for resistance, violent if necessary; most are for peace, and accepting whatever God sends, a course that looks increasingly diffcult in the face of the sheer brutality of Rome. Should they stay in Rome or flee – to Ephesus, the film suggests? While the details of the film as history might be questionable – naturally enough, it is a drama based on history, not history – it surely gets this right. The early church, fragile and tiny, must have had many such debates. And it's good, too, in bringing out Paul's earlier history, in which he, rather than Rome, was the scourge of the believers. We don't always appreciate the irony here.

In the end, the heroes of the film are not so much Paul and Luke, as the early church itself. Which of us, if we're honest, could say that we would remain faithful in the face of death by fire, sword or wild beasts – or, even worse, the death of those we love? But the fact that we are here, and that Christianity is a world religion, is because of the courage of those first believers.

The closing credits include the line: 'This film is dedicated to all who have been persecuted for their faith.' It's a reminder that persecution didn't end with Nero. The Beast from Revelation is alive and well today. The DVD comes with bonus materials including a treatment of Saul's conversion and three featurettes exploring Paul's life and his friendship with Luke, and how Malta was used to recreate ancient Rome.

August 2018 , Issue 12 | www.methodistfiji.org |

| Page 11

ENVIRONMENT

NA CAVA SARA E KAUTA MAI

NA KELIKELI?

Photos by : Jay Bau. Story by: Leo Nainoka

Ni da lako curuma na vei taudaku ni koro vakavavalagi, e da na rawa ni raica ni levu sara na cakacaka e sa vakayacori ena dela ni vanua, na takivi ni qereqere ena veiuciwai, na kelikeli ena dela ni vanua, na musuki vakasivia ni kau. Ke sega ni qarauni na cakacaka vakaoqo ena kauta mai e levu sara na revurevu ka na dravuisiga kina na dela ni Vanua.

Au vola tiko nai tukutuku oqo ni dodonu me da kauwai kina na lewe ni vanua baleta e coka toka nai vurevure ni keda kei na meda kei na noda bula raraba.

Kelikeli se Mining Ena gauna qo sa tuvani koto nai tuvatuva ni keli Bauxite mai na kabani o Xinfa Aurium ena koro o Nadua e Wainunu, Bua. E na loma ni tikina o Nasigatoka e tuvatuvakataki toka me lai caka e na uciwai o Nasigatoka na keli nuku loa se magnetite mai na kabani na Magma mines.

Sa toso na kelikeli e vakayacori tiko mai Dreketi mai na kabani Xinfa Aurium ka sa vakavakarau tale tiko na kabani o Amex Resource limited ena Vanua vakaturaga o Votua , Sorokoba kei Nailaga,Ba me tekivu na keli ni nukuloa se “magnetite” .Tuvatuva tale tiko ga na Kabani Lion one limited me keli koula ena vanua o Tuvatu mai Sabeto.

E levu sara talega nai tuvatuva e tuvani koto ena “Tenement list” se nai tuvatuva ni kelikeli ka so e sa vakadonui se vakavoi na kena laiseni ka so e se sebera.

Na vei cakacaka kece qo e gadrevi kina me qaravi sara ga eliu edua na vadidike taumada vata kei ira nai taukei ni qele. E vakatokai toka ena vosa vaka Peritania – “EIA”, “Environment Impact Assessment “mai vei dua e sega ni volekata na kabani se matanitu ka kilai ni “Independent consultant”.

Na vadidike taumada qo tiki tiko ni lawa ni Environment Management Act se EMA. Ni Bera na Vakadidike Taumada e vica na ka edau Gadrevi: • Me dau volai yani vakai vola nai tuvatuva ni Kelikeli.

• Dau gadrevi me caka na butuvanua kina na vanua ni Kelikeli.

• Me volai edua nai tuvatuva ni vakadidike e dodonu me vakayacori ena vanua ni Kelikeli – Terms of Reference • Kelikeli vakaoqo e dau gadrevi tiko na nomuni nanuma na lewe ni vanua ena volai ni tuvatuva ni vakadidike.

Page 12 |

Oqo na kena vakataudeitaki na yavutu ni kena maroroi ka vakayagataki vakamatau na veika bula e tu vakawavoliti keda [noda veikau, vei uciwai, noda qele, waitui] – “Sustainable use of Natural Resources” Na vakadidike taumada edau caka ni bera ni caka na veivakatorocaketaki me dau dikevi nai tuvaki ni dua na vanua.

Na vakadidike qo edau dikeva na: • veika bula e tu vakayavoliti keda ena vanua e via qaravi kina na cakacaka qo.

• veikau kei na kau era bula tu kina.

• Vei uciwai kei na veika e ra bula tu kina.

• Dikevi talega nai sema ni noda bula raraba ki nai yaubula eda vakararavi tu kina.

• Nai tuvatuva qo esa vakayagataki /vakaqaqacotaki kina na veimataqali veivakatorocaketaki cavaga ka sa kovuti tu ena EMA. Na noda vakaitavi ena tuvatuva ni Kelikeli.

• Laurai tale mada nai vola ni kelikeli • Butu vanua kei nai vola ni tuvatuva ni vakadidike.

• Vakayacori na vakadidike mai vei iratou na dau ni vakasala – consultant.

• Wiliki ka dikevi na ripote.

• Soli sara na vakatulewa me baleta na ripote.

Takivi ni Qereqere ena vei uciwai – Gravel extraction: E na taudaku ni koro vakavalagi era sa vakila talega na lewe ni vanua na revurevu ni takivi ni qereqere ena vei uciwai. E na dela ni vanua vakaturaga o Nawaidina, Naitasiri, voleka na Koro o Nasirotu, e sa koto kina e dua na kabani me takiva na qereqere ena uciwai o Nawaidina.

Au kaya tiko mai cake ni dodonu me da kauwai vakalevu baleta e sega tale ni dua na vuravura eda rawa ni lai bula kina sai koy ga e solia vakailoloma nai vei keda na noda Kalou dauloloma.

Ena vanua vakaturaga o Dawasamu, Tailevu e vakayacori tiko kina na takivi ni qereqere mai na kabani na Gold Rock ka sa vakaleqa sara vakalevu nai vurevure ni kedra ena nodra dela ni vanua na Ratu i Dawasamu. Sa kune vakalevu na dabibi ka butobuto sara vakalevu na dela ni cakau mai na vuvu ni wai ena uciwai o Dawasamu.

www.methodistfiji.org | August 2018 , Issue 12

ENVIRONMENT

Gusuni wai o Nasigatoka – Vurevure ni kakana vei ira na lewe ni vanua.

Vuvu sara vakalevu na ucu wai mai Dawasamu ka sa tatara sara vakalevu ena dela ni vei Cakau ena tikina o Dawasamu.

Oqo na kena vakataudeitaki na yavutu ni kena maroroi ka vakayagataki vakamatau na veika bula e tu vakawavoliti keda [noda veikau, vei uciwai, noda qele, waitui] – “Sustainable use of Natural Resources” Na vakadidike taumada edau caka ni bera ni caka na veivakatorocaketaki me dau dikevi nai tuvaki ni dua na vanua.

Na vakadidike qo edau dikeva na: • veika bula e tu vakayavoliti keda ena vanua e via qaravi kina na cakacaka qo.

• veikau kei na kau era bula tu kina.

• Vei uciwai kei na veika e ra bula tu kina.

• Dikevi talega nai sema ni noda bula raraba ki nai yaubula eda vakararavi tu kina.

• Nai tuvatuva qo esa vakayagataki /vakaqaqacotaki kina na veimataqali veivakatorocaketaki cavaga ka sa kovuti tu ena EMA.

Na noda vakaitavi ena tuvatuva ni Kelikeli.

• Laurai tale mada nai vola ni kelikeli • Butu vanua kei nai vola ni tuvatuva ni vakadidike.

• Vakayacori na vakadidike mai vei iratou na dau ni vakasala – consultant.

• Wiliki ka dikevi na ripote.

• Soli sara na vakatulewa me baleta na ripote.

Ena yasa ni uciwai mai Nawaidina e sa dabe koto kina na kabani qo – China Railway First Company.

Takivi ni Qereqere ena vei uciwai – Gravel extraction: E na taudaku ni koro vakavalagi era sa vakila talega na lewe ni vanua na revurevu ni takivi ni qereqere ena vei uciwai. E na dela ni vanua vakaturaga o Nawaidina, Naitasiri, voleka na Koro o Nasirotu, e sa koto kina e dua na kabani me takiva na qereqere ena uciwai o Nawaidina.

Au kaya tiko mai cake ni dodonu me da kauwai vakalevu baleta e sega tale ni dua na vuravura eda rawa ni lai bula kina sai koy ga e solia vakailoloma nai vei keda na noda Kalou dauloloma.

Ena vanua vakaturaga o Dawasamu, Tailevu e vakayacori tiko kina na takivi ni qereqere mai na kabani na Gold Rock ka sa vakaleqa sara

August 2018 , Issue 12 | www.methodistfiji.org |

vakalevu nai vurevure ni kedra ena nodra dela ni vanua na Ratu i Dawasamu. Sa kune vakalevu na dabibi ka butobuto sara vakalevu na dela ni cakau mai na vuvu ni wai ena uciwai o Dawasamu.

| Page 13

ENVIRONMENT

ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP AS GOD’S CREATION To think that I am not in Zimbabwe but actually in Fiji keeps on being a daily miracle in my life and I thank God for settling well in Fiji. My name is Tapiwa Nhidza from a beautiful city called Mutare found in Zimbabwe, Southern Africa. I am a young adult missionary serving with the Methodist Church in Fiji. The purpose of this article is to allow people to do a personal evaluation of how much friendly or harmful they are to God’s precious creation and to know what God expects us to do as Christians in terms of Environmental Stewardship.

Stewardship is the ‘responsibility’ by one to oversee and protect anything worth for preserving on behalf of the owner which for Christians should be based on the following principles: Firstly, on the understanding that God is the Creator, Owner and Ruler of all Heaven, Earth and everything that is found in it.

Genesis 1 vs 1: In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

(NIV) Psalms 24 vs 1-2: The earth is the LORD's, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it; for he founded it on the seas and established it on the waters. (NIV) This means God is the owner of everything. As mankind, we are simply managers, administrators acting on God’s behalf. Therefore being responsible stewards expresses our obedience to God regarding the administration of everything God has placed under our control. (Deuteronomy 8 vs 17 - 18) Secondly, mankind was created in the image of God and therefore carries the nature of God, which is to create and preserve, not to destroy. Thus, God commanded mankind to be Stewards or to exercise stewardship over the earth and everything he had created.

Genesis 1 vs 26- 28: Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground. So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.”

Story by: Tapiwa Nhidza Photo by : Isoa Qilatabu

In the parable of talents Jesus clearly shows that stewards on a particular day will have to be accountable to be master of how well or bad they took care of possession they were trusted to look after. (Mathew 25 vs 14 – 30: Parable of Talents) Thus, we are consistently reminded that as stewards of God’s possessions, whichever way we manage them good or bad, one day we shall be called to give an account of how we managed what God has placed in our hands.

As God’s creation we must know that God expects us to be a responsible creation. Mankind has responsibility to live a life that is harmless to both the environment and the next person. We have to take care of each other, sharing the possessions that God has trusted us with so that they benefit all God’s creation.

Mankind has to stop carrying out activities that contribute to Global warming which is the increase in overall temperature of earth’s atmosphere generally attributed to the greenhouse effect caused by increased levels of gasses and other pollutants emitted in the sky.

Modern activities such as mass mining, rearing/ breading cattle, mass industrial production, open burning of garbage and dry leaves, river bank cultivation and deforestation contribute excessively to global warming.

Instead people should practice recycling, use of gas instead of fossil fuels, practice afforestation which is planting of tress within the community we live and effectively reduce the use of plastics.

This means, by nature, as mankind we are preservers and not destroyers, protectors and not killers, multipliers and not agents of subtraction.

Thirdly, God gave the first people (Adam & Eve) a responsibility to cultivate the garden, guard it and protect it from the enrichment of any harmful surrounding.

Genesis 2 vs 8 – 15: (vs15: The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it. NIV).

Thus, God gave us all things to manage and enjoy their produce. God as the owner has rights and mankind as stewards have responsibilities. Our responsibilities are to managing God’s holdings well and according to his own desires and purposes. (Romans 13 vs 1- 7; Exodus 21 vs 28- 36; Exodus 22 vs 5 -6)Fourthly, as Stewards we have an obligation of accountability to the owner (GOD).

Page 14 |

www.methodistfiji.org | August 2018 , Issue 12

THEOLOGIES

E 4 NA KA ME BALETA NA LOTU Story by: Rev. Asaeli aeli Sorovakatini ia Talatala Qase Cicia

The 4 Dimensions Of The Church

E da kila vakacava, e dua na ka e caka tiko ni oqo na Lotu? Na cava na kena ivakatakilakila se na kena sign? Na cava na ka ko na raica me rawa kina vei iko me ko tukuna ni sai koya oqo na Lotu? Se a cava na ka ko raica me sa okati kina na ka e caka tiko oqo me Lotu?

A cava na kedrau duidui na Lotu kei na dua na “Club”? Kilaa e so na I soqosoqo ko iko dau lewena, me vaka na isoqosoqo ni qito, soqosoqo ni veivoli, se soqosoqo cava ga. E levu vei ira na veisoqosoqo oqo era sa dau masu, era vuli vola tabu talega, na veika me tawasei koya tani kina mai na ka e vakatokai tiko oqo me Lotu sa mamare sara baleta ni sa vaka e rau rairai vata tu ga. Kevaka eda na sega ni qarauna ia e levu na tamata era sana wele, ka kele sara tu ga e kea.

Kevaka eda na lako ki na Gymnation, se ki na Q.V.S. club, oqo na vanua eda kila levu tu ni dau caka ga kina na soqo ni mateni, kei na veisoqo tale eso, ia ni kua eda na raica ni sa dau caka kina na vuli sere ni lotu, ka vaka kina na lotu ni vei koronivuli, kei na so na soqo vaka lotu tale eso.

Ia baleta ni sa dau caka tiko kina e so na soqo vaka lotu, ka wili kina na Bible Study, e vuqa vei ira na vuli oti mai Matavatucou kei na vuli oti eso ena veikoronivuli era sa lotu sara tu ga e kea. Ia e vaka cava na ka ko raica tiko ko’ya, eda sa na rawa ni okata ni sai koya e dua na ivavakoso lotu?

Na yavu au tukuna tiko kina na ka oqo me rawa ni o qarauna me kua ni o tikotiko ga ko kaya ni oqo sa dua na Lotu. Oqo na ka era coko tiko kina e vuqa na tamata ena siga ni kua. Ka yaga meda kila ni Lotu e tiko na kena irairai e dodonu kina mera raica na tamata mera kaya ni oqo na Lotu. Ia na taro levu e tiko meda na sauma “ A cava beka na kena rairai e tiko? Baleta beka ga ni ra sa vakaisuluvakataga na lewena? Se baleta nira sa vakatarausesebalavu beka? Se era sa vakatabui ira beka mai na gunu yaqona? Se vakatabui koya mai na cava tale? Sai koya beka ko’yana kena irairai?

E so era kaya ni ra sa vakaisuluvakataga kei na neketai, sai koya oqo na irairai taucoko ni lotu. Eso tale era kaya ni sa okati ga me lotu baleta ni sa vakayagataki kina na yaca i Jisu. Ia meda vakasamataka mada ni levu talega na vei Club oqo, e sa dau vakayagataki talega kina na yaca i Jisu.

Au kauta cake tiko mai na vakasama oqo me rawa kina ni o kila, ni so na gauna o dau “ check-taki kina” ena vuku ni ka oqo, mo kakua kina ni yawaka na ka dina e caka tiko.

A cava sara mada na ka, ko raica tiko ena ka e caka tiko e Nakelo, me rawa ni ko okata kina ni oqo e dua na ivavakoso lotu. Na cava na ka e vakaraitaka tiko mai ko Nakelo me tukuna tiko kina vei iko ni oqo na lotu?

Na kena saumi na vei taro kece oqo, eda na lako ki na ka e vakatokai na “4 Dimension of The Church”. E da na lako meda laki raica na kena ivakaraitaki, se na kena ituvaki meda kila kina ni oqo dina na Lotu.

Nai rairai ni lotu ka vakaduria na Kalou, e dua na ka e tudei, ka sega ni rawa ni dua me veisautaka rawa na veika era koto kina. Na veiveisau ni rairai ni lotu, kei na vei ka era koto kina sa tukuna ni sa cakacaka tiko na tamata, me vakataulewa tiko ki na lotu, me gaunisala e qarava kina na nona Kalou.

Na Lotu o koya ka tukuna ko Jisu vei Pita ni na tara cake, na lotu oqo e makataka ko Jisu ena 4 na ka, me sa ikoya oqo na irairai dina ni nona lotu na Kalou e vuravura.

August 2018 , Issue 12 | www.methodistfiji.org |

Na vosa ka vakayagataki tiko oqo Dimension e kena I balebale tiko “na kena ituvaki, se na kena ivakaraitaki, ni sai koya oqo na Lotu”. Ia sa yaga talega meda na dau vakasamataka, ni sa vakaitavi tiko na tamata, ia meda namaka, ni na yaco tikoga na veiveisau ena ka eda raica. E vaka oqo na kena ibalebale, kila ko ira era sa liu tiko vei kemudou, na lotu kivei ira e rawa ni dua tani na kena ibalebale. bale. E rawa ni kena ibalebale ki vei ira na tara vale ni lotu, ia koi kemudou na I taba tamata oqo, dou sa kaya tiko, ke tara na vale ni lotu se sega, enaa rawa ga na lotu. Koya na vuna, kona dau rogoca kina e so na lotu era sega ni tara rawa e dua na nodra vale ni lotu, era sa cavuta tiko na vosa oqo.

E dina ga ni veiveisau na irairai ni A sa tadu ko Jisu kina lotu, ia e tiko ga na ka ena tukuna tiko vei iko ni oqo na yasayasa vaka-Sisaria-Filipai irairai dina ni lotu vakarisito. E na a sa tarogi ira na nona yaga meda kila ni tu eso na ka mei dusidusi tiko vei keda ni oqo tisaipeli ka kaya na tamata na lotu dina i Jisu Karisito.

Na Lotu o koya ka tukuna ko Jisu se ko cei koi au na Luve ni vei Pita ni na tara cake, na lotu tamata? oqo e makataka ko Jisu ena 4 na ka, me sa ikoya oqo na irairai dina ni nona lotu na Kalou e Maciu 16:13 vuravura.

1. Sa duabau ga na Yago. ( The Church is One ) E na noda vosa ni vakabauta, eda dau cavuta na noda vakatusa, me vaka ekoto ena noda ivola ni sere, eda dau tukuna kina ni sa duabau ga na ivavakosolotu i Jisu Karisito ivuravura taucoko. Na vosa ni vakabauta oqo ka bosei taumada ena bose levu ni lotu mai Constantinopel ena 381 A.D. ka qai laveti cake tale kina bose mai Niceae, ena A.D. 325 ka qai laki vakadeitaki ena bose mai Chalcedon ena 451 me sai koya oqo na ka eda vakabauta.

Na lotu oqo a tara cake ena “ one single events” ko ya na itukutuku ga ni sucu, na cakacaka, na mate, kei na tucake tale mai na mate nei Jisu ka wili kina na nona kau cake.

Na bula kei na toso ni lotu a tosoi koya ga e dua nai tukutuku, kada sa vakatoka tiko ni kua mei tukutuku vinaka kei Jisu Karisito.

Na taro meda nataroga mada, a qai mai yaco me kavida vakacava na Lotu, ni kauta tikoga e dua nai tukutuku? Ena gauna eda tukuna kina ni sa dua ga lotu,se sa dua ga na Yago, e kena ibalebale tiko ni lotu e dua tikoga na nona itavi, ka duaga na veitalai, ka talai vata tikoga ena dua na itukutuku, ki na dua na vuravura. Ka sega beka ni da na tukuna ni sa dua ga lotu me sa tautauvata ga na ka kece e tikokina, me sa sega kina ni rawa meda duidui. | Page 15

THEOLOGIES E da tautauvata ena vakasama nida kacivi ka talai vata tikoga ena vuku ni dua na itukutuku. Ia nai valavala ga ni kena lakovi na veitalai ko’ya eda duidui tiko kina.Na ivola tabu e sega ni lailai na domona me dusia na duavata ni lotu, Na kena matata duadua eda rawa ni raica yani ena ivola nei Paula vei ira mai Efeso 4:1-6.

E levu na gauna era dau vakadiloi keda kina na tamata tawa lotu, e so talega na gauna era basika ena noda veitikotiko ni lotu eso na tamata vuku sivia, se ko ira na dau vesumona mera dusia na duidui ni lotu, e dina ni duidui tiko na ka e vala tiko ia e tautauvata ga na veitali eda talai tiko kina, a kena lakovi ga na veitalai oqo e duidui toka vakalailai. Ena vakasama ko’ya eda sa vakatokai kina me sa duabauga na lotu.

Na duavata ni lotu e rawa ni raici yani ena ka e vakatokai na “invisible part of the Church.” Se na veika vakayalo ni lotu. E dua ga na Kalou ka soqoni ira vata na veimataqali tamata ena veiyasa ni cagi e va, ka okati ira mera nona, ka wiliki ira mera sa dua ga na yago, ka Papitaisotaki ena dua ga na yaca, ka dua ga nai nuinui ka sai koya na bula tawa mudu, ka dua ga na vakabauta, ka dua bauga na Kalou. E dina ga ni vuqa sa veibataka na Papitaiso, ia ena yaga meda kila ni lotu ka maka-taka ko Jisu mei rairai ni nona lotu, e tukuna ni dua ga na Papitaiso baleta nida Papitaisotaki ena dua ga na yaca.

2.Era sa duavata ga e vuravura taucoko (The church is Catholic).

Na lotu o koya ka kacivako Jisu,a kunekunetaki me baleti vuravura. Ena Maciu 28:1ff. Na tiki ni vola tabu ko’ya eda na rogoca kina ni sa tauca toka ko Jisu na nona lewa me sacaka na lotu me:• Lotu kei vuravura taucoko.

• Na lotu e nodra na kai vuravura taucoko.

Kila e vuqa na ka eda cakava tiko, eda sega ni kila se a cava na vuna eda cakava tiko kina? nida tara vale ni lotu eda nanumi keda tikoga, ia ena yaga meda kila ni vale ni lotu eda tara, e baleta tiko na lotu ki vuravura taucoko, ka sega ni ka e baleti keda tikoga. Kila na gauna eda dau tukuna kina na noda vakabauta, na numa tiko eda dau cavuta tiko na ka oqo. “Au sa vakabauta na Yalo Tabu nai vavakoso lewe ni lotu i Jisu Karisito era sa duavata ga e vuravura taucoko”.

Ke vaka sa nodra na kai vuravura na lotu oqo, qai vakasamataka mada, se na cava na ka ena yaco kina? Na cava soti na ka ena curuma na lotu koya? Namaka me o na raica kina na :- Duidui, na Veicati, na veivala, na tawase, etc.

Na vuna e dau yaco kina na ka oqo baleta ni levu na tamata era dau kauta vata tu ga kei ira na veika oqo ena veivanua kecega era lako kina.

E levu na gauna e qai dau mai kacabote ena loma lotu na vei-dredre era kauta voli ga kei ira. Sa yaga meda na dau namaka tiko, ni so na mataqali ka vaka oqo me na dau basika, ka na rawa ni yaco tikoga baleta oqo na lotu e baleti vuravura. Meda vakadeitaka sara tiko ki na noda vakasama ni lotu eda lewena tiko, e baleti vuravura taucoko. Na lotu e sega ni ka ni nomu mai curumi Yalo Tabu, se vakasausau, se dua na ka e baleta na nona iLe, e dua ga na tamata. Na lotu e baleti vuravura taucoko ka baleti ira na duidui tamata e vuravura taucoko.

• Na lotu e tu vakarau me vauca na mavoa e tiko kivei ira na lewena.

Na vuravura eda bula tiko kina oqo, emavoa tiko ko ira na lewena. E sega ni dua na betena na lotu kevaka e sega ni vauci na nodra mavoa na kai vuravura. (we must learn to heal the wound.) Na vuravura eda talai tiko kina oqo e mavoa tiko. E mavoa tiko ena nodra veilecalecavi qaqa esona veivanua, e mavoa ena nodra vakawati eso, e mavoa ena nodra dau nanumi ira ga ko ira eso, e mavoa talega ena nodra sa viavia Kalou tiko eso. Ka sai koya oqo e dua na ka e dodonu me kua ni guilecava na lotu, ni vuravura e kacivi ka talai kina erabini ka sinai kina na veimataqali mavoaka dodonu me vauci.

E vuqa na veisoqosoqo lelevu era a tauyavutaka ko ira na italatala ni lotu Wesele, me vukea na kena vauci na nodra mavoa na vuravura vakataki koya kei ira na lewena, mevaka na isoqosoqo ni Salvation Army, na Trade Union Cogress, era a tauyavu me wanonova me kakua ni vakalolomataki na tamata ka wili kina ko ira na tamata cakacaka.

Page 16 |

Nida vaka wanonovi vuravura tiko na mataqali ka vaka oqo eda na cakava. Ka sai koya ko’ya na yavu a tauyavutaka kina na lotu Wesele na tabana ni bulararaba, me raici kina me kua ni vakalolomataki na tamata mai vei ira era dau nanumi ira ga vakataki ira, ka me vauca na mavoa ena loma ni nodra bula na tamata. Na ka kemudrau duidui kina kei na matanitu, baleta na matanitu e talai ga ki Viti, ia ko iko ko talai tiko ki vuravura taucoko.

Na lotu e susu me baleta na noda vei tikotiko lalai e lotu, mera vakavulici ka vakarautaki kina na yalodra na tamata me qaravi vuravura. Na lotu ena qai lotu ni sa lakovi vuravura, ke sega ni lakovi vuravura ia oqori e dua ga na Club ni kumuni lavo.

3.Na nodra veitokani na yalosavasava. ( The Church is Holy) E sega ni yali rawa kina lotu na duka ni nona itovo. Oqo e dua tu na dina ka sega ni rawa meda levea. Ka ni lotu o koya eda lewena tiko, era tiko kina na tamata ivalavala ca, ka dau basika na noda ca ena levu gauna e yavalati kina.

Na ivola tabu ka volai tiko ki vei ira naivavakoso lotu, sa tukuna nira sa vakasinaiti ena itovo dredre ko ira na noda lewe ni lotu. Ia kevaka sa vakatu oqo na kena irairai, ena qai tu e vei na lotu savasava eda sakitaka tiko? Na lotu o koya eda saki taka e vica na ka e yaco tiko kina. a) Na nomu vakadonua me vakadonui na nomu bula ena mata ni Kalou. Na kena vosa va-Kirisi na“amoumos-Na kena ibalebale nida tawa cala e matana ena loloma”. Eda vakadonui ena vuku ni vakabauta. b) Na noda vakadonua se vaka io me vakasavasavataki keda na Kalou. Sanctification. E sega ni dua e rawa ni savasava ena vukuna ga, Ia eda sa savasava ena vuku ni nona lomani keda ga na Kalou, ka kacivi keda na Kalou ki na dua na bula e toso cake. E vakadonua, ka vakasavasavataki keda na Kalou me rawa kina ni vakayagataki na noda bula ena ka e baleti koya. Nida sa vakadonui meda mai tu e matana, ia me vakasavasavataki talega na noda bula ena loma ni vavakoso lotu.

Na lotu e vakatokai me lotu savasava baleta ni kauta na tamata mera vakarorogo kina ka e sa lewa. Na tamata e sega ni via vakarorogo kina lewa e tauca na lotu, “it cannot be part of the church”. Sai koya o’ya na vuna era dau vakatikitikitaki kina eso na italatala, baleta nira sega ni dau vakararaogo kina lewa ni lotu, era sa kauti ira tani kina mai na tiki ni lotu o koya ka bibi, ni lotu, e lotu Savasava.

Na lotu Savasava ka vakaduria cake na Kalou, e sega ni rawa ni cicivaka e dua ga na tamata. E sega ni rawa ni ko tukuna ni lotu oqo e nomu ga. If it is run by One man, than it is a Club. Ko’ya na vuna eda raica kina na lotu Wesele ni ka kece e baleti koya e biuta ga kina mata bose me dau laki check-taki kina. Baleta na lotu e sega ni o iko tauduaga, ia ko iko vata kei keimami.

E da vakatotomuri Jisu tikoga ena bula oqo, e tukuna ko Pita ena I Pita 1:15, “ia ni sa yalosavasava ko koya sa kacivi kemudou, dou yalosavasava talega koi kemudou enai valavala kecega”na vakasama oqo e dusia nida na sega ni rawata taucoko sara na itovo ni yalo savasava, ia na Kalou ga vakataki koya e yalosavasavataka na noda cakacaka.

Niu kaya tiko ni lotu e savasava, e sega ni kena ibalebale ni sa savasava taucoko na lotu, Ka sega talega ni kena ibalebale ni ko kemudou sa tiko oqo dou sa ka vinaka sara, ka dou sa ka savasava talega, e kena ibalebale ga ni o koya e lotu, e sa lako tiko ena sala me laki vakasavasavataki kina. Ena vakasama ko ya e vakatokai kina lotu me Holy. Oqo na ka e rua ka bibi kina na lotu. Na noda sa vakadonui ena vuku ni noda vakabauti Jisu, kei na noda vakasavasavataki ena Yalo Tabu ena vuku ni dra i Jisu Karisito.

E sega ni naki ni lotu na noda mai bose, lagalaga sere, kumuni Lavo se a cava tale, ia na inaki levu duadua ni noda mai lotu, koya meda rawa ni mai sotavi Jisu kina, meda mai sotava na Kalou ena nona vosa me vakasavasavataki kina na noda bula.

Ia e vakacava ko ira na dau veivakasavasavataki tiko oqo? Na tamata e sega ni dau savasava ena kena musu tiko na vuni kau, se sova ni waiwai, se kaburaki ni masima, se basu ni vale ka keli na yavu, se vorovoroki na Tanoa, se a cava tale na ka. Na tamata e vakasavasavataki ena vosa www.methodistfiji.org | August 2018 , Issue 12

THEOLOGIES duadua ga ni Kalou. Nanuma vinaka ni lotu Savasava se lotu vakatabui e lako mai ena rua na ka:- Na noda vakadonui ena vuku ni noda vakabauta, kei na noda sa savai ena dra I Jisu.

4.The Church Must be Apostolic. ( Na Lotu e yavutaki vei iratou nai Apositolo) Na lotu e dodonu me vakaraitaka tiko ni rawa ni kauti keda lesu ki vei ira na Apositolo. Baleta na cava? Baleta na veitalai ka nodratou ga nai Apositolo. Ia eda sa mai muria tiko baleta nida vakabauta ni ko ira na Apositolo era ka vakavuna na kena lako tiko vakaoqo na Lotu.

Eda na vakaraitaka vakacava na ivakatakilakila ni nodra lotu na Apositolo? A cava na kena ivakaraitaki se na kena ivakadinadina vei keda ni kua?

E na Kalatia 1:17 eda na rogoca toka ni sa vosa tiko ko Paula me tukuna na vanua e tekivu kina na nona lotu. Ia e vaka cava koi kedatou na lewe ni lotu Wesele?a cava na ivakatakilakila se ivakadinadina nida sema tiko ki vei ira nai Apositolo ?

Na ivavakosolotu taucoko, e lako ki vuravura ena vuku ni tukutuku vinaka, ka na yaga kina mena dau kauti koya lesu tiko vei ira nai Apositolo, me rawa ni kila kina, se a mai taura vakacava na lewa oqo me nona. Ko cei ka tukuna vei iko mo muria na ka eratou cakava tiko nai Apositolo?

Ena Maciu 28:1ff e kaya kina ko Jisu “o koya mo dou qai lako yani ki vuravura taucoko” Eda samai tukuna tiko ni veitalai oqo e noda. Ko cei ka tukuna vei iko ni nomu na vetalai oqo? Ena vuku ni ka oqo e vica na ka e tukuna vei keda.

• Eda sa duavata tiko kei na nodratou itukutuku nai Apositolo. Na itukutuku vata ga karatou kauta nai Apositoloko kauta tiko ko iko. E na yaga talega meda kila, ni levu na ka eda a sega ni raica niraa kauta voli ko ira nai Apositolo, eda sa raica nira sa tomika cake tikoe so na isoqosoqo vakalotu ena gauna oqo, me vaka na mateni ena yalo tabu, na vakasausau vua na Kalou, na dredre vua na Yalo Tabu. Oqo e dua na ka vou baleta ko iratou naiApositolo eratou tawa kila na veika o koya o iko sa mai tomika cake tiko oqo.

• Eso na gauna eda dau via bulia na noda lotu me Fancies, ia eda sa calata kina na irairai dina ni lotu ka dodonu me vaka iApositolo kina.

Ke vaka e dua na lotu sa calata nai naki koya, ia oqori e dua na vanua e calata tiko kina na ka e vakatokai kina e dua na ka e caka tiko me lotu, ka sa na wili ga me sa dua beka ga na Club.

• Eda na vakuria tiko na nodra cakacaka na iApositolo, kevaka eda na talairawarawa tiko kina ka eratou a cakava. Nida sa muria na we ni yavadratou na tisaipeli se Apositolo sa na qai kila na lotu na:a) Na itavi kei na ka e ganita. Ni sa lako mai na lotu kina cakacaka ni veitalai sa na qai votu mai kina na ka me cakava. b) Na vanua e dodonu me goleva na sala ni veiqaravi. c) Na ka me vakabibitaki. d) Na ka, me biuta kina vanua e dodonu me biuta kina.

E vakaraitaka vakacava na lotu Wesele ni sema tiko kina ka e vakatokai nai Apositolo? Kila na itavi eda qarava eda vakamurimuria tikoga na ka eratou cakava tiko nai Apositolo. Na Authority ka soli vei iratou eda sa mai tomika cake tikio me sa noda itavi. Na veipapitaisotaki e dua na Authority ka soli ga vei iratou meratou cakacaka kina, ia keta sa mai taura cake meda cakacaka kina. Ia ko cei ka tukuna tiko vei iko ni o tiki ni lotu ko’ya? Ko cei ka solia ki vei iko na veivakadonui mo cakava kina na cakacaka tabu koya?

Na kena ivakadinadina levu ga eda cakava kina na cakacaka koya sai koya na veitabaki. Na gauna sa tekiduru kina e dua na italatala me sa tabaki, era sa qai lako na qase ni lotu kara qai tabaki koya ena uluna.

Ena gauna sa talai iratou kina na nona Tisaipeli ko Jisu sa qai laveta cake na ligana ka dodoka yani, ka solia na Authority vei iratou. Na Authority koya a pasitaki sobu mai vei iratou nai Apositolo, ko ira nai Apositolo, eratou qai pasitaka sobu mai na Authority koya ki vei ira na qase ni lotu Taumada, Ko ira na qase ni lotu Taumada sa qai pasitaka sobu sara mai kina lotu Katolika, ka pasitaki sobu sara mai kina lotu Jaji, mai na lotu Jajisa qai pasi taki sara mai kina Lotu Wesele vei Jone Wesele, ena 1797

August 2018 , Issue 12 | www.methodistfiji.org |

sa qai pasitaki sara mai vei rau ko Rev Tevita Kakili kei Viliame Korosi, ena 1835 rau sa kauta voli mai kina ki Viti na Authority oqo ko irau na italatala me yacova na 1850, rau sa pasitaka kina vei ira na italatala itaukei na Authority koya, a drodro tiko mai na cakacaka oqo a me yacova sara mai na yabaki 1998 ni sa tekiduru e matadra na qase e 12 ko nai Talatala Asaeli Sorovakatini sa qai pasitaki sobu kina na kaukauwa oqo ena veitabaki ni ligadra na italatala qase, me laki vakayagataki na Authority ko’ya ena t/c ko Nakelo me vakabulai kina na Vanua ko Nakelo ena nodra veikilai ka veilomani kei na Kalou kei na luvena ko Jisu Karisito. Na nodra veitabaki tiko na veimatalotu lalai era tu oqo e pasitaki mai vei? A tekivu mai vei?

Na lotu e vakatokai me Apostolic e kena ivakadinadina se kena ivakaraitaki levu ga na veitabaki. Baleta na lotu dina, sai koya na lotu ka rawa ni kauti iko lesu ki na kauveilatai. Kevaka eso na lotu era sega ni yaco kina kauvelatai, ia era sega ni lotu vakarisito. Raica oqo e dua na vanua eda drakidrakita tiko kina ena noda tiko kei ira na veimatalotu lalai kara tiko oqo. Baleta ni o keda eda rawa ni kauti keda lesu sara kina lotu Taumada meda laki tekivu mai kea eda qai lako mai, Eda kauti keda lesu meda laki vulica mai kea na ivalavala kei na cakacaka ni lotu ka tukuna ko Jisu ni na tara cake, ka da check-taki keda tiko meda kua ni yawaka sara na ka e era a cakava nai Apositolo. Na ka era cakava nai Apositolo sai koya na ka e volai, ka sega ni ka eda nanuma ga.

Ko ira na wekada veimatalotu lalai era sa bula tiko oqo, era tekivu ga ena ivola ni cakacaka wase 2:1ff. o’ya na vuna era dau vakatokai kina mera Penticostal movement. E ra sega sara ni yaco kina kauveilatai ia era tekivuga ena sovaraki ni Yalo Tabu, era sa lako mai. Ko ya na vuna eda duidui tiko kina, ko na raica talega ni levu sara na ka vovou era na vakacakava tiko ki na nodra lotu, era na cici wavoki tiko, era kaila, era dredre, etc. baleta nira mai tekivu ena Sovaraki ni Yalo Tabu, ka sega ni dua na record matata ni ka e yaco tiko. Therefore they feel free to be what they want to be, na ka kecega eratou cakava tiko mai, eratou qai bulia vou tikoga mai. But you are Apostolic because your church met very closely to what is writtern.

Qai vakasamataka na ka era sa cakava vakaveitalia tu ga na tamata ki na lotu i Jisu Karisito, Na yago i Jisu e sega ni dau tarai vaka veitalia. Sai koya ko’ya na vuna e dau vaka tiko kina oqo na irairai ni lotu Wesele, e kena ibalebale ni Lotu Wesele e vakavulici ira na lewena mera kila na ivalavala ni kena dau torovi na Kalou, Na Kalou e sega ni dau torovi vaka veitalia.

Ke vaka ko sa nanuma mo sa tekivutaka e dua na nomu lotu. Nanuma e 4 na ka e tiko oqo, e nona maka na Kalou me baleta na nona lotu, kevaka ko na calata e dua vei iratou na maka oqo ia ko iko ko sa tauyavutaka tiko e dua ga nai soqosoqo me baleti iko tikoga. Ena Maciu 7:22-23 eda rogoca ni tukuna o Jisu “. era lewe vuqa era na kaya vei au ena siga ko’ya Kemuni na Turaga, na Turaga keimami a sega li ni vakavuvuli ena yacamuni? Ka vakasevi ira na tevoro ena yacamuni? Ka cakava na cakacaka mana e vuqa ena yacamuni? Ia kau na qai tukuna vei ira, A sa sega sara ni kilai kemudou; dou lako tani vei au? Na taro levu meda taroga se a cava na vuna, na kena isau baleta na Kalou e makataka na nona Lotu ena 4 na ka, keitou sa veitalanoa vakabalavu tiko mai kina mai cake.

Oqori nai rairai ni lotu ena dua na ka e caka tiko ena loma ni dua na ivavakoso, me tukuna tiko kina ki vuravura ni oqo na Lotu. It must belong to one Body, It must be Catholic, It must be Holy, and It must be Apostolic.

E 4 nai rairai ni Lotu ko’ya mo dau nanuma tiko ena veigauna e dau veitalanoataki tiko kina na Lotu. Na nodatou Lotu e Nakelo e dodonu me wili tiko kina ka e 4 oqo. E na gauna ga keitou sa dre kina me keitou sa Wesele ga ia, we are in trouble because we are no longer being part of the church. Eda sa okati meda lotu Wesele me rawa kina nida okati meda sa duaga na yago i Karisito e vuravura taucoko. Ena veigauna e dau vakatauca kina na lotu na nona lewa, e vakatauca tiko mai na rarama ni 4 na ka au sa cavuta tiko mai cake. Baki bau nanuma tiko na ka au kainaka tiko yani oqo.

| Page 17

THEOLOGIES

POINTS US TO OUR LACK

Story by: Nicholas Fuata image: https://trinitywhittier.360unite.com/event

Why is it important that we talk about lent? There is something about lent that draws you and I to this religious observance. In most traditional churches lent begins on Ash Wednesday and finishes about six weeks later, before Easter Sunday. I think there are 2 reasons why lent is appealing to religious people like you and me. Firstly, lent provides a powerful picture of the potential believers have in subduing our own flesh when identifying ourselves to the mystery of Jesus when he was tested for 40 days in the desert. This is done through repentance, self-denial, fasting, abstinence from worldly appetites and giving to the poor etc. We feel in a deep way, empowered, like that of an overcomer. Secondly, because lent finds its meaning and identifies with Christ’s death on Good Friday and climaxes with the resurrection, we as Christians feel an overwhelming sense of victory and celebration.

But, the sense of being an overcomer and feeling victorious is short lived and mixed feelings and emotions arise. Why? Have you ever done something you knew was a sin, confessed it, and quickly found yourself doing it again? I know I have. Probably the closest time people feel a sense of subduing their own flesh is around Easter. We somehow have glimpse of the divine; we somehow believe it’s power to give us real freedom from sin is within our reach. We proclaim Christ’s victory yet when Easter is over we feel powerless and defeated when we go back home, to reality. For us to understand what’s happening to us we first need to understand our dilemma. According to the bible the word ‘flesh’ also known as ‘Sarx’ in Greek, can either mean your physical body or your total self with all of its faculties being fashioned and influenced by sin. Our flesh falsely tells us that we can as mortals satisfy the demands (doing what’s right and shunning evil) of our conscience without God’s help. And therefore we silently battle an internal war of contradiction and at most times hypocrisy. We begin to hate ourselves, and even better hide behind our Christian religion.

The apostle Paul is honest enough to remind you and I …….For I joyfully concur with the law of God in the inner man, but I see a different law in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin which is in my members. Wretched man that I am! Who will set me free from the body of this death?" (Romans 7:14-24).

King David does not make it easier for us by reminding us that he inherited his sin nature from his parents. "Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin my mother conceived me” (Psalm 51:5). The question is where did King David’s parents or our parents get this sin nature from?

Page 18 |

The apostle Paul again answers this question. Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man (Adam), and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people, because all sinned. (Romans 5:12).

Lent at best can point us in the right direction. It points us to our lack, in other words the weakness of our flesh. Paul tells us not put our trust in the flesh - 3 For it is we who are the circumcision, we who serve God by his Spirit, who boast in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh (Philippians 3:3).

What does Paul mean? Paul is saying that he no longer finds confidence in Israel’s religious system (those of the circumcision), which he was a part of, to be righteous in God’s eyes. We all have sinned (Romans 3:23), our flesh cannot be trusted, it is weak and it is controversial, no matter how religious we look. However Paul offers us a solution (Philippians 3:3), which is to ‘serve God by his Spirit’ or in other words ‘to walk in the spirit’. Walking in the spirit is conforming our minds to Christ’s mind. Knowing the mind of Christ is the same as Him showing us what he is has done for us, how we are truly victorious, this is known by faith. His blood has dealt with any sin we have committed in the past and in the future (Colossians 2:13-14), ‘all of our sins’. Condemnation for all sin just rolls right off (Romans 8:1), something our flesh could not do. We live a free life. We are so free that we sometimes can choose to go back to our old way of living - 6 What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? 2 By no means!

We are those who have died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? 3 Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life (Romans 6: 1-3).

Also because we have his Spirit living in us our parentage has changed. We got into Adam by birth through our parents (don’t forget King David’s parents too). So the only way out of Adam is by death. Romans 6:3-4 show us how we died to Adam. We were baptized into Christ, and into His death.

In such a union with Christ, we died to Adam, with our heredity of sin. Now, as those joined to Christ in His resurrection, we can walk in newness of life.

We have been adopted by God. “So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh” (Galatians 5:16).

www.methodistfiji.org | August 2018 , Issue 12

TESTIMONIES

BEFORE BEING FIJI’S DEPUTY EMBASSSADOR TO ETHOPIA

Story by: Uraia Jeke Qauia Communication Officer

I can never be tired or embarrassed of appreciating and openly declaring the love, care and affection that my beloved unforgettable struggling mother Mrs. Nanise Guivalu from Rewa and Mr Kilioni Bainivalu from Kalekana who both have showered my life with. I’m blessed just thinking of the struggles that you both have to endure to ensure that there’s food on 8 plates including that of yours. Food was a scarcity back then. Money was a rarity. Love was bountiful. Having to stand as a family at the Kalekana Methodist Church every time dad was leading the church service, irrespective of the time of service, to declare that we were surviving on the love of Yashua was a demonstration of dad’s steadfast love and faith in our Heavenly Father.

It was something that I tried to talk dad out of before every church service that he led as I was maturing and becoming aware of my environment, but he insisted that the family was to continue to do what it does best and that was to openly declare the love of Yashua to the congregation. They knew us too well and our level of poverty, but Dad, you were not moved by their knowledge or perception of us.

“Eating breadfruits to be complemented by high watery curry breadfruits was not a healthy meal at all but that was a common meal in our home”.

Hand washing clothes, in the cold, in our neighbor’s houses 4 times a week for $4 per house was hard work Mum, but you did it with ease and a lot of love to ensure that we have at least some money by the end of the week.

Sitting here and listening to the lyrics of the gospel song, “As the world looks upon me as I struggle alone” transported me back to the days of my youth at home in Kalekana and the struggles you both had to endure to keep your 6 children alive. The struggle was real but you both handled them very well with loads of love. Working everyday from Kalekana to Lami Primary School and back during my primary school days encourage me to conquer the hardship I face to be the Dux in Ratu Sukuna Memorial School in 1989, Bachelor of Laws from the University of Waikato and complete my Masterof Law from University of Pune, India in 2002.This almighty God will never ignore our struggle for good in life even though life seems to hold nothing else. I will never be tired of loving the both of you. Loving you forever with my whole being my dear parents and mostly to Yashua to His hidden purpose and plan in my life.!

CHALLENGERS VERSUS FAITH

Story by: Koto Veikila Nabua Communication Officer

Miriama Tarau from Makadru,Matuku, Lau, is a market vendor at the Suva market. She lives in Veiquwawa settlement and has been a sole bread winner of her family for the past 15 years. As a believer she felt that ‘God should be the first in her life” even though she earns a little and struggles to provide for her family.

Sharing her experiences she said “I gave God my first sale of the day and I keep up with my promise from my first day”. She added” I have experienced Gods miracle working in many wonders in my life and how I’ve achieved so much with what he has done for me.

Tarau is a member of the Veiquwawa Methodist church under the Nabua Division. She said maintaining every little things with good reputation has made her market vendor a successful one as from today. “The Lord is faithful to those who are faithful, even in the little things, for the little things matters.”

Veiquwawa Methodist Church is one of the four churches located at Jittu Estate. It was established by a group of Matuku people who were raised up in that squatter/s area over the last 20 years ago.

Mosese Coriakula is a former lay pastor says being close to school, market,

August 2018 , Issue 12 | www.methodistfiji.org |

health center and church makes the neighborhood an ideal place for them m to live. Inspite of the prime location,, they’ve built a strong bonding and devell op a strong sense of camaraderie over the years. Through this system of “solesolevaki”the Veiquwawa Methodist Church organized a Veiquwawa Day every year to collect all their church offerings (Vakamisinare, Cakacaka Levu) allocated to them. Through little faith within the small households , they have been able to successfully offer their yearly allocations, despite the challenges they face.

‘We must not underestimate the power of little things’. Jesus took a little lunch from a little boy and fed thousands. With a little jawbone, Samson slew an army. David took a little stone and brought down a giant. With just a little faith, great things can be accomplished.

| Page 19

TESTIMONIALS

SAVED FROM THE CLUTCHES OF THE

DEVIL THE STORY OF VANI MARSHALL

Source: https://www.raymartlugue.com I was not born in a Pentecostal Christian family, church. . . I was born in an Orthodox Priesthood Hindu family. I was born in a Hindu family to Brahman priest. My grandfather, my great grandfather, and my great great grandfather were Hindu priests.

It was unthinkable and offensive for adaughter - or a granddaughter - of a priest to come away from that system. I was so hungry for God. I was thirsty for God. When I was six days old, I was dedicated to Hindu demons in a cave temple .

From that moment on, my mind, my spirit, and my soul were overtaken by demonic forces that I had no control over. I cannot control these forces; they controlled me. Every decision I made and everything I became [was influenced by these forces]. I began to learn to worship the names of over two thousand gods by memory. It was required of me. It was required of the priesthood. And I, as an obedient daughter of a priest, learned the names of two thousand gods.

At the age of nineteen, I was so hungry for God, but I did not know His name, where He was, who He is. And so, I started a journey of pain and darkness. [When I was in] my late teen ears, I became discipled under a witch. And the reason I went into that was not to harm anyone, but to and God. . . When you're hungry, you get desperate, and when you're desperate, you will do anything to and God. I went after Him, [but] I didn't find him in the pages of Hinduism. I didn't and Him in the pages of the priesthood creed. I didn't find Him in the pages of mantras and prayers that I was taught to believe in. I didn't and him in the rooms of temples.

I will go into [huge temples] and want to look for God. There was one time I was in Southern India. . . I went into [a temple], and I opened the curtain.

There was a veil that divided the holy area from the rest of the public. I couldn't wait. I have no authority to go into that area. Only a male priest could go in there. I opened the curtain, and there was a ten-foot idol [with] twelve arms, twelve faces, [and] a myriad number of eyes. He didn't see me.

He couldn't hold me. He had eyes, [but] couldn't see me.

Years down the road, I was struck with a demonic pain in my body from the top of my head to the tips of my feet. I [was] in pain. Painkillers and suicide came [to] the order of the day.

the pain. I was sitting at the edge of my bed, possibly on the last day of my life on this planet.Sometimes, when all looks lonely, [and when] you feel that nobody really cares . . . Hear me young people: He's watching over you. He's watching over you. It may not be tangible, but He's over you. And He loves you. And He'll come through for you. If you would just focus on Him and let the other stuff go.

And I was sitting at the edge of my bed, frustrated, fed up, and I cried out like you have cried out: "Jesus!"

I [had] heard of that name when I was growing up. . . [through] Christmas cards and Christian people[who] would come to my door and tell me, "He died for you."

And I would resist them and argue withthem. [I was] proud and arrogant of the priesthood that I belonged to.

When I cried out: "Jesus!" the presence of a Holy God began to alter through that room. That room was darkened. The lights were switched off. I was sitting on the edge of my bed. I never saw His face, but His voice was as audible as anything that I have ever heard before: "I am Jesus! I am God!" And He touched my body.

No doctor could cure the disease that was in my body. No doctor could heal me. No doctor could provide the answers.

In an instant, the disease left my body. In an instant, I was healed. I began to feel His power and His presence in my body.

Then I went into this tiny church with about fifty people.Somebody there was talking about going into the water, that if you are baptized you become a new creature. Well, I didn't understand that either. I was wondering how water can make such a big difference.

What's the big deal? We take showers every day.

However], I went up to this preacher . . . and said, "Would you put me in this water . . . Because everything and anything He wants me to do, I'm ready to do it. He has set me free. He has healed me . . . Anything and everything, no matter the price."

And so they put me in that water. When I came out [of it], legions of demonic influences broke free from me. I was set free!

I took painkillers every day more than the required dose just to knock myself out. In my mind, it was one thought – if Iended my life, I would end Page 20 |

www.methodistfiji.org | August 2018 , Issue 12

ORBITUARIES

Called To Rest

1

REV. DR. TOMASI KANAILAGI PLACES OF SERVICE 1966: Tabacakacaka Nawaka 1967 -1969: Pacific Theological College 1970—1971: DTC, Lecturer 1972—1974:Bible Translation 1975—1976: Fuller Theological Seminary (CA, USA Training) 1977: Davuilevu Theological College 1978: Secretary of Conference 1978—1979: Millitary Chaplain, Lebanon 1980—1981- 3rd Minister Suva, Nauluvatu

2 3

: PLACES OF SERVICE Rotuma Youth With A Mission Dilkusha Home Women’s Fellowship First Local Superintendent Dilkusha Home 1987 – 2010

: REV. KITIONE RAIBEVU

FROM 01/12/1951- 05/03/2018

PLACES OF SERVICE

4

REV. JOELI S.QIONIVOKA

1998 – 2002: Sorokoba 2003 - 2006: Matawalu 2007 – 2011: T/Q Matailobau – 2012 – 2016: T/Q Naitasiri – FROM 30/12/1960- 06/042018

PLACES PLACESOFOFSERVICE SERVICE 1981 - 1982: Qamea Cakaudrove 1986 - 1990: Vuna, Cakaudrove 1991 - 1993 : Pacific Theological College 1994 - 1996- Theological College 1997 - 2005: DTC, Lecturer

August 2018 , Issue 12 | www.methodistfiji.org |

1982—1985: DTC, Principal 1986—1989: Sydney, Australia 1990 -1991: DTC 1992: Raiwaqa Circuit 1993 -1995 :A.G.S - Methodist Church In Fiji(M.C.I.F) 1996—1998 : G.S - (M.C.I.F) 1999—2001 : President - (M.C.I.F) 2002—2009 : Lay Pastors- (M.C.I.F)

DEAC. OLIVIE KAURUTO NATANIELA FROM 03/12/1938- 31/05/2018

1978-1979: Wainimala Without appnt. 1980 1981: Yawe, 1982: WPC 1983OF – Feb. 1981: Qamea PLACES SERVICE 1993 – 1997: Nabukelevu

5

FROM 25/01/1939- 14/06/2018

REV. SAIRUSI KETENILAGI

2011-2012: Lecturer DTC 2013 - 14 June 2014: Principal DTC 14 June 2014: WPC

FROM 30/12/1960- 30/03/2018

PLACES OF SERVICE 1996 - 1998: Koro Circuit School 1999 -2003: Qalivakaloto, Koro 2004 -2008: Nasavusavu Towm 2009 - 2011: Nasigatoka, Nadroga 2012 - 2016: T/Q Raiwaqa, Navosa 2017 - 18 ni Maji, 2018: T/Q Namoli | Page 21

MISSION WORK

THE CALL FOR MISSIONARIES TODAY Story by:Tapiwa Nhdiza

DID YOU KNOW?? God’s desire for his love and goods news to reach to his people and the whole creation is unending, evident by ‘first’ sending Jesus Christ to redeem us from the bondage of sin, then Holy Spirit to dwell amongst his creation guiding in all our ways. He wants us all to experience his warm steadfast love everyday of our lives. One of the ways God reaches people and the whole creation everywhere on earth is through mission work.

Mission work is when one or group of people participates in God’s work/ mission for his creation in activities that extend God’s gracious gift of love to everyone. I personally grew up thinking mission work of white people from European countries of preaching, and building mission schools and hospitals in Africa and other less developed countries. I feel privileged to have learnt that in this global age, mission work has grown into, but not limited to, being the understanding of God’s desire for confrontation of injustice, poverty and suffering alleviation, peace building, human empowerment and environmental justice in every country, developed or developing.

Therefore, it is the responsibility of everyone as part of the body of Christ to carry out activities that address these issues and advocate for upholding and witnessing God’s mission upon all earth’s creation. Thus, every race, Whites, Blacks, Asians or Australoids, and anyone from higher, middle or lower class can do mission work and be able to extend God’s gracious gift

Page 22 |

of love to world.

As a Global Mission Fellow, a young adult missionary of God through The General Board of Global Ministries of the United Methodist Church, I strongly believe that God does not have physical hands, legs and feet but we as parts of the body of Christ are those physical parts of God’s that he uses to reach out his love to the people and all the creation on earth. I strongly believe in the understanding that a missionary can be anyone of any race, tribe, colour, geographical location who hears the calling of God and response to it through using own gifts, talents and any professional qualities to advocate for and carry out activities that are consistent with the mission of God. That is, as The General Board of Global Ministries motto says, “From Everywhere to Everywhere,” mission work is for everyone from any part of the world serving anywhere in the world not being limited one’s local but also on a global scale.

It is encouraging to know that I am from Zimbabwe in Southern Africa participating in God’s mission in Fiji Island in South Pacific as an Advocate for Environmental Stewardship. I do researches and documentaries on Environmental Stewardship, Climate Change and Ecology and advocating for good ecological stewardship.

GOD IS CALLING YOU TOO…….

www.methodistfiji.org | August 2018 , Issue 12

MISSION WORK

YWAM PARTNERS WITH METHODIST CHURCH

CHRISTIAN WORLD TODAYCHRISTIAN WORLD TODAY Photo by : YWAM TEAM Story by: HinrichKraenzlin

BIBLICAL EDUCATION & LEADERSHIP TRAINING For the last four years graduates of Youth with a Mission’s Bible School for the Nations have taken the Biblical Education and Leadership Training (BELT) seminar to various village communities throughout the nation of Fiji. Invited by the Methodist Church leaders to various villages, two week seminars were held. The seminar focusses on equipping community leaders to be able to fully understand and teach how to apply biblical principles in day to day life in a community. Topics such as ‘Understanding the nature and character of God’, ‘the design and purpose of people’, ‘tactics of the enemy’, ‘understanding sin and salvation’ and how to apply ply Biblical principles in family life make up the seminar. Community leaders erss learn to teach all these topics using poster material in the local language ge e which makes Biblical truth much easier to understand.

Besides equipping local residents with tools to teach Biblical life principles, ess, BELT teams also seek to serve the community in practical ways such ass addressing drinking water issues, providing water filters, first aid, family ilyy counselling and simply participate in village life.

Bagata Visit 2014 In the latter part of 2014, the Methodist Church in Bagata village on Vanua uaa Levu conducted a Bible reading event where the people publically read d through the entire Bible in a matter of 8 days. Village people took turns to read chapter by chapter – the voices being amplified by a village loud speaker proclaiming the Word of God. A major reconciliation had happened in the village previously and this was a way to acknowledge and honour our creator God. When the village found out a Bible teaching team from YWAM was in the area, we were asked to conduct the BELT seminar in the evenings after the reading was done.

It was an unforgettably powerful time of interaction with the Holy Spirit, the word of God and the people making application to the word of God. Many people aligned their lives afresh to the God –given purposes, making radical changes to the way they live. A small pile of rocks erected by the BELT participants symbolically reminds us of the commitments made during that time.

In August 2016 we visited KavewaIsland in the Macuata Province. Invited by the Fiji Ministry of Rural Development and co-hosted by the Methodist Church an international team of 8 arrived on the island staying for 2 weeks.

We held 14 seminar sessions and together with the Vakatawavisited nearly each one of the 22 homes on the island engaging with the individual needs of the families through conversation, listening and praying for each family. Many of the village people committed their lives under the Lordship of Christ afresh, relationships were restored and friendships established.

Kavewa Visit In August 2016 we visited Kavewa Island in the Macuata Province. Invited by the Fiji Ministry of Rural Development and co-hosted by the Methodist Church an international team of 8 arrived on the island staying for 2 weeks. We held 14 seminar sessions and together with the Vakatawavisited nearly each one of the 22 homes on the island engaging with the individual needs of the families through conversation, listening and praying for each family. Many of the village people committed their lives under the Lordship of Christ afresh, relationships were restored and friendships established.

The Kavewa Team The village often has difficulties providing clean drinking water -especially August 2018 , Issue 12 | www.methodistfiji.org |

after long periods of no rain. During the last two days of our visit we were able to demonstrate the use of a water filter which turns dirty water into potable water. We distributed ten of these filters - one for each water station in the village - thus providing the possibility of clean drinking water for the entire community.

At the end of our visit we could see how relationships among the village people was much more harmonious after applying some of the new understanding received within the family, but also to the community at large. Several relationships were mended.

Here are some quotes from the Kavewa people who attended the BELT seminar. “These things are new to us – I want to teach these things” “It’s changed my view of God hearing about the loving way he reacts when we do things wrong”. “I now understand that the Kingdom of God is not just church”.

Asking the Vakatawa as to what he thought about our visit he said: “110 % well done, I am thankful for getting to know you,for your help in building up the spiritual life of the people, and also building up my own spiritual life, as well as doing the house-visits.”

A huge Vinaka Vakalevu goes to the people of Kavewa for their rich hospitality in welcoming us to their community.

Asking the Vakatawa as to what he thought about our visit he said: “110 % well done, I am thankful for getting to know you,for your help in building up the spiritual life of the people, and also building up my own spiritual life, as well as doing the house-visits.”

A huge VinakaVakalevu goes to the people of Kavewa for their rich hospitality and welcoming us into their community.

At the end of our visit we could see how relationships among the village people was much more harmonious after applying some of the new understanding received within the family, but also to the community at large. Several relationships were mended.

Here are some quotes from the Kavewa people who attended the BELT seminar.

“These things are new to us – I want to teach these things” “It’s changed my view of God hearing about the loving way he reacts when we do things wrong” “I now understand that the Kingdom of God is not just church”.

“It’s changing our marriage. My husband is helping me more with my work.”

Asking the Vakatawa as to what he thought about our visit he said: “110 % well done, I am thankful for getting to know you,for your help in building up the spiritual life of the people, and also building up my own spiritual life, as well as doing the house-visits.”

A huge VinakaVakalevu goes to the people of Kavewa for their rich hospitality and welcoming us into their community. | Page 23

MISSION WORK

Beqa visit 2017 Last year we visited Lakeba village in the Macuata province, a Hindi speak-ing congregation in Labasa, Dreketi village and Waisomo village on Beqa Island.

We were given the use of a yacht to be able to transport our teams plus we have developed a close partnership with the Fiji Bible Society, so we were able to take newly printed Bibles plus Christian literature in the local dialect to the people of Waisomo on Beqa island.

It was wonderful to see how more than a dozen community leaders began to “own” the material and teach it in their own language in their community.

If your community would like for a BELT team to come and visit your community, please contact Mr Sisa Vukialau on 9207171. We will be very happy to include you into the schedule.

Again, many of the leaders committed their lives devoted to a godly lifestyle making application to the biblical principles of building our relationship with God and with each other. Simultaneously we taught some of these biblical life principles to the youth of the community. A further visit is planned to teach the second level of BELT in the future. We are deeply grateful for the wonderful hospitality shown to the YWAM team and the many good hours of interacting with various families on the islands.

METHODIST LAY TRAINING CENTRE PROGRAMMES & ENROLMENT DATES PROGRAMMES

ENROLMENT DATES

DIPLOMA IN LAY MINISTRY

3RD SEPTEMBER 2018

CERTIFICATE IN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION

3RD SEPTEMBER 2018

NOTE: The copy of the School Handbook 2018 is also there for further details, also call 3477706 for more enquiries.

Page 24 |

www.methodistfiji.org | August 2018 , Issue 12

SPORTS

TAKING THE GOSPEL TO THE

PLAYERS

STORY OF REV. JOJI RINAKAMA

Story by: Kitione Radrodro Rev Joji Rinakama is from Lutu, Wainibuka Naitasiri and currently the Minister (Talatala) of the Nayavumata Methodist Circuit in the Naitasiri Methodist Division.

Rev Rinakama attended Primary School at Lutu District School and then joined Ratu Kadavulevu School from 1975 to 1979 where he developed his rugby skills.

His mother is the eldest in a family that included Rev Josefa Tiko Sewale’s Dad who was the Chief Steward at the Nawaka Methodist Circuit. It was this uncle of his that brought him (whilst still drunk) to be enrolled at the Methodist Lay Training Centre (MLTC). His mother had complained to his uncle that his behaviour is not becoming of a young gentleman.

It was at MLTC that his life completely changed. “I could not say a word of prayer when I joined MLTC” and slowly through proper training and guidance of the Holy Spirit, I managed to complete the two-year course in 1986. During these two years he played for Duavata Rugby Club in the Nausori Rugby Competition and was also selected with the current Talatala Qase of Nausori Division, Rev Jone Matanatabu to play in the Rewa Rugby Team. The Duavata Rugby Club was formed by former Fiji Rugby Representative Ilaitia Tuisese and Fitness Guru, Mr Epeli Lagiloa.

The team mainly consisted of MLTC students, Young Peoples Department (YPD) Students and DTC students. We played hard rugby on Saturdays which ended up in all-out brawl in the playground. Spectators used to shout at us, “Dou veivacu tiko, mataka, Siga Tabu dou baci lai vunau mai enai tutu ni vunau - vakamadua”) – (You punching opponents on Saturdays and preaching on Sundays, what a shame!!!).

Well that was hard fought rugby at that time, hard tackle which usually end up in fist fight.

“In 1987, I was posted as a Catechist (Vakatawa) to Nausori Methodist Circuit”. He spent nine years here and he continued to play rugby. He was the Captain of the Rewa Rugby Team playing as an Open Side Flanker (No 7 Jersey). Whilst at Nausori, he coordinated a Youth Program, called themselves Uprising Club where they would plant dalo and cassava for a youth for an hour and moved to another youth’s land to do the same. Members were dropouts, ex-prisoners and unemployed “It was a successful scheme. I had to take the gospel to them since they were not coming to church”. From 1984 to 1991, Rev Rinakama was a national trialist and in 1988, he was selected to the Fiji B Team to play against Tonga.

In 1995, he passed the examinations to be enrolled at Davuilevu Theological College in 1996. “I spent three years at DTC graduating in 1998 as a Probationary Minister and my first posting was to Nasaucoko Methodist Circuit where I had to serve fourteen (14) villages through rugged terrain travelling mainly by horse. I remember one night around 12 midnight, I left Waibasaga on horse to go back to Nasaucoko. On my way, in the middle of that dark night, whilst the horse was on full stride, the saddle was not tied tightly and it twisted and I fell down. I hurt my elbow and laid there unconsciously. The horse kept running and there was a group of young men close to Draiba drinking methylated spirit.

They realised it was the Reverend’s horse so they went searching for him until they found him and took him to Keiyasi where he was rushed to the Health Centre at Vatumali then to Sigatoka Hospital”. He was admitted

for a while before he recuperated at Naucukidi’s residence at Nacocolevu.

Whilst at Nasaucoko he coordinated and got approval for the establishment of three other Circuits, namely, Nausori Highlands, Keiyasi and Nawairabe. Rev Rinakama was instrumental in the re-entry of Navosa Rugby Union into main line competition after Navosa was banned it created after a match with Vatukoula in the late seventies. Rev Rinakama saw the potential found in these young, strong and tall young men of Navosa Highlands and organised a 7s tournament. They participated in most 7s tournament and helped coached the team to reach the final in the minor unions with Macuata to enter the major unions competition.

Basically, he took the gospel again to the young men of Navosa. “I found out that when I visited the 14 villages, young men would just pip in from their homes and not coming to church. So, I thought, I had to take the gospel to them through a common interest and that was rugby”. Some players from Navosa Rugby Union made it to the Fiji Team in the first year of major union – Isoa Neivua, Seveci Taka and Sekove Leawere to name a few.

In 2004, Rev Rinakama was posted to Nasigatoka Methodist Circuit in the Nadroga Methodist Division. He was approached by the Nadroga Chief, Turaga Na Ka Levu to be the coach of the Nadroga Rugby Union. He took the challenge and used the same approach, taking the gospel to the players. His term as Coach was a sucees winning Farebrother Cup and Telecom Cup. In 2005 he met his dear wife, Adi Soro Vakacegu Rinakama, a school teacher by profession. They have 3 children now (2 boys and a girl). He completed his 5 year term at Nasigatoka Circuit.

In 2009, Rev Rinakama was posted to Kalabu Methodist Circuit in the Naitasiri Methodist Division. Again he was approached to coach the Naitasiri Rugby Union. His records for Naitasiri was a success and at the end of his 5th year at Kalabu, he was commissioned to be the Force Chaplain for the Second Battalion at Sinai for a term of one year.

He returned in 2014 and was posted to Nayavumata Methodist Circuit in the Naitasiri Methodist Division. Again he was approached to be the Coach of Naitasiri Rugby Union. He was replaced as Coach in 2016, However, he continues to be a consultant to the Army Rugby Club during the Sukuna Bowl Clash against the Police.

His advice: Be committed to the work of the Lord you are doing, and everything else will fall into place!

Rev Rinakama, the former rugby player, Successful Coach, great Motivator and currently a serving Methodist Minister. A family man and has unique way to evangelise a congregation. Doesn’t force his message, but leaves it to individuals to realise the potential he has in the rugby field if only he serves his Lord faithfully and everything else will fall into place.

Next issue : His role in the 2007 Rugby World Cup..

| Page 25

ANNUAL CONFERENCE PHOTOS

WHERE - WHEN

TOPIC

August 2018 , Issue 12 | www.methodistfiji.org |

| Page 27