Jane Pelz, Link staff serving as Co-Director of Missions (along with her husband, Jeff), Tertiary Students Christian Fellowship, New Zealand 2007-11-08
The Fijis are a popular destination for honeymooners and sun seekers. My experience in Fiji was neither romantic nor sunny . But I still had a great time!
I was invited to Fiji to assist our sister student movement, Pacific Students For Christ (PSFC). We met lots of people and learned tons about the ministry. We asked lots of questions over many meals (curries, Chinese food, pizza, and of course awesome fruit!). We visited campus and sat in on a cell group at Fiji Institute of Technology (FIT).
My co-worker, Karen, and I sweated, got bitten by mosquitos, laughed, got rained on, and didn't understand a lot. But we bonded big time with our Fijian brothers and sisters. Suva has most of the tertiary institutes including the beautiful University of the South Pacific and other Institutes of Technology in Fiji. Yet, all of their 10-12 student groups are run by volunteers, mostly recent graduates, unpaid and committed. What an inspiration!
During our time in Fiji we gained a much better understanding of how the student movement in New Zealand (TSCF ) can work with PSFC to help train students and staff. Next month at our TSCF leaders conference we will receive a contingency of Fijian students, helping them develop Bible study and leadership skills. We're praying that these lively students will understand and appreciate their less lively (hey, we need to tell them there won't be worship dancers here!) brothers and sisters in New Zealand.
PRAYER POINTS
PSFC is at present without a full-time staffworker. Pray for the alumni who currently serve as volunteer staff. And pray for the 8-10 Fijian students attending the conference in New Zealand - that they'd grow as leaders and learn Bible study skills that would shape them and all those they lead back on their campuses in Fiji.
