Sue and I have returned today from a few days in Fiji, a happy place where, as they say themselves, there is more than enough happiness to go around. It was lovely to step off the plane into their warmth, atmospherically and congregationally.
After stopping in Nadi and overnighting, we flew into Suva Saturday, meeting Frank and Emily Boyd briefly in the afternoon at our hotel, then again later for dinner at the Coffee Hub downtown. We were pleasantly surprised to find Mrs Sofi Kanaimawi there (it was her 81st birthday) with her son Dovi and three of his daughters plus one of her daughter Alisi’s granddaughters. So, before our Celebration even began, another celebration to enjoy with smiles, hugs and warm reflections on our many years of friendship.
We arrived early on Sunday morning to find the hall very nicely set up, with GCI signage outside, greeters at the door, and the inside beautifully arranged with magnificent flower arrangements, church banners, ceremonial mats, and everything neat and well arranged. It felt like a Celebration, both special and warm.
What a festive occasion the day turned out to be, starting with songs and action dances by the children, the girls from Ra (to the north of Suva), and a special song appropriately titled ‘Gratitude’ and sung by Di (said as Dee) Nakautoga. My part was an update on recent happenings before a sermon on ‘We Are Ambassadors’, the theme of Celebration 2024. Meanwhile the children were outside enjoyed children’s church with Takasa Panuve. The service was rounded out with everyone sharing communion, led by Jope Uqeuqe, and sharing a potluck lunch, with all its variety and abundance, and good conversations!
Sadly, a few from the Suva congregation were not able to come this year, such as James and Alisi Panuve and their daughter Charissa, who are in New Zealand just now. But on the flip side, we were joined by Horton Young from Seattle in the USA, plus Murray and Helen Sherwell from Victoria, Australian.
That first day wasn’t quite finished yet, as the youth had a special evening of games and fun led by Li Panuve and his team, which I learned afterwards was a blast! And the church in Fiji has many children across the full range of ages, and it was such a blessing to see them playing and having such fun over the days of our stay.
Monday, the day set aside for a family picnic, dawned fine and warm, and everyone travelled down to the Pacific Harbour region west of Suva along the Coral Coast, Viti Levu’s southern coastline. Some came by car, others by a bus hired for the occasion.
What a stunning beach, as you can see, and a wonderful day of play, fellowship, conversation and food, all contributing to the joy of the occasion and to celebrating, which is why we’d gathered after all.
For the young amongst us, the day was one of endless fun with lots of swimming and a near non-stop game of volleyball. But for the ‘oldies’ it was a chance to sit about and chat as well as sing songs with Mere Tora as she played her ukelele. And after all that play and conversation, what other thing is necessary? Food! Our thanks go to Harold and Agnes Boyd, and Eugene and Takasa Panuve, who churned out vast quantities of hotdogs and gallons of juice to keep us all satisfied.
And again, that night the youth got together while we oldies went home to nurse our sunburns and get ready again for the coming day. For myself, I slept very well that night after all that fresh air, sun, food and fun. Truly, there was plenty of happiness being shared around that day.
Tuesday’s programme called for worship and reflections in the FTU Hall and included more action songs by the children before being handed over to the three Avenue leaders for presentations on each of their areas of service. Epeli Nakautoga presented first on the Hope Avenue and outlined the scope of his responsibilities (all things worship, fellowship, welcoming, etc.). Then Jason Raki spoke on the Faith Avenue, and lastly Eugene Panuve on Love Avenue (shown). After which we were put to work answering questions posed by the leaders. The room was divided into extroverts on one side, introverts on the other (my spot), and those not strongly the one or the other (dare I call these balanced?), with each group assigned to one of the avenues and asked to brainstorm on the challenges and possible responses to those challenges that Avenue faced. I enjoyed hearing the feedback from each of the groups later, including, to our surprise, feedback from those on Zoom, who had also been roped into participating in this workshop portion of the presentations. It left us all with a lot to ponder, and a better sense of what Avenue leaders do, and why they need to help of teams, and of the congregation generally.
And in the afternoon the youth enjoyed a day out at the Fiji Museum. Sue and I didn’t join on this outing, but it would have been fun watching the parents and young helpers marshalling the children around what I have found in the past to be a fascinating series of rooms and artifacts telling the story of Fiji’s history and history makers. It is well worth visiting.
It had been planned to have a games and film evening that night but when all of Suva lost power in the late afternoon that plan was belatedly abandoned … for about 10 minutes … because then the power came back on, and organisers had to furiously phone around to tell everyone it was all on again. Apparently, someone toppled a tree onto one of the larger power lines. So, the day ended well, and fun was had. Sue and I had planned to have dinner out with the Boyds that night to swap notes on how things had been going, but when the power went out, we cancelled, and Sue and I dined at our hotel. As it happened, I needed the time for putting finishing touches on my sermon and PowerPoint for the next day.
Wednesday, the final day, was again a full service. The sermon was again centred around being ambassadors with an emphasis our calling and commission being 24/7, for we are always his representatives – at home, at work, at church, when shopping, having fun, everywhere. The service concluded with communion once again, this time led by Frank Boyd. And afterwards food and more conversation. The Fijian members really are a big family, and it has been especially gratifying to share this time together with them and be a part of that family feel.
But the Celebration was not over yet. In the evening a special meal was laid on (catered this time) to celebrate the 45th Anniversary of GCI in Fiji. A lovely cake to mark the occasion was brought out (chocolate, yum!) and cut by some of those who were part of the church back in 1979 – (left to right) Mere Tora, Sue Richards, Bertha Taylor, Vodo Mataika, and Alex Taylor. During the evening one of Sue’s little friends that she’d had fun with at the picnic came up to her to talk excitedly, and later others of the children did also, gathering for a picture alongside here. It was fun too as we watched several greetings videos streamed in from those who could not be present, including the Nakautogas in Niue and the Panuves in New Zealand. The evening concluded with a poignant song sung by Mere Tora on ukelele and supported by Di Nakautoga on guitar, and a final dance routine to lively Fijian music by the girls from Ra.
It was sad to leave, but what a wonderful time we had. Sue and I really enjoyed mixing with everyone and although we didn’t speak with everyone, we did get to most. It was a wonderful Celebration, well organised and well run. Special thanks go to the Avenue leaders and their teams, and particularly Frank and Emily Boyd who helped out so much in the background. It was lovely to see and spend time with those who had come from overseas to this year’s event also.
So, keep an eye out for announcements about Celebration 2025, and consider joining them next year. You will be warmly welcomed and included in the GCI Fiji Vuvale (family).
Blessings, Dennis
(6 Sept. 2024)
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