Captain's Log #24
February, 2002

POISONED
I finally had the 'Galilean' to the place that the message had come from. The message came from the pastor of our new church on Kadavu Island - he had gotten word to me that they were deathly ill from fish poisoning but by the time I got the message, already too much time had gone by. Fortunately prayers were being answered, prayers of people around the world who many times don't even know what they are praying for...   but God does. For the first 24 hours the pastor was completely paralyzed and could not move or talk. This poisoning came from eating Moray Eel and it can be deadly as the paralysis can start effecting the breathing. By the time I arrived, they were regaining strength and slowly on the mend. Thank you for praying. According to one of the Fijians who works for the government of Fiji and is a member of our church, not long ago a man died of similar symptoms before they could get him into the hospital from one of the outer islands. Thank you again for your ongoing prayers. Don't stop.

MOURNING
"Blessed are those who mourn"...   This morning, it was with this verse out of Mathew that I began. Phrase by phrase, I waited for the interpreter to keep pace...  he does great! Someone once said; "Speak to those who are hurting and you'll always have an audience." I think this is true, regardless of whether you are here in the South Pacific or in the States or Africa or wherever. It seems that most people find themselves not too far removed from some kind of pain. This became obvious again to me this morning inside a small corrugated iron shed that is currently our fastest growing Nazarene church here on the island of Viti Levu, Fiji. With everyone sitting on mats on the floor it is amazing how many people can fit into church. At the back of the small church, I noticed that there was an exception, one young man sat in a chair that had been brought in for him. Occasionally I would glance toward him as I spoke and always his eyes were glued on me. Somewhere along the way I noticed tears running unhindered down his cheeks and I knew that God was reaching out to him and bringing the kind of comfort that only God can bring.

LEPROSY
After the service I worked my way through the people toward the young man. He was still sitting there, unable to move without help. I reached out and took what was left of his hands in mine - mostly they are just stubs on the ends of his arms. His left leg is also gone, all of this eaten away by leprosy. He is new to our family here in Fiji, new to the Kingdom, he just accepted Christ at one of our JESUS Film showings and I think he knows what it means to mourn. I looked down into his eyes this morning and a huge grin filled his face as he shook my hands...   'Oh God", I prayed silently, "help us to love these people with Your love, help us to Love them into Your Kingdom!" What a privilege to watch God do His work as he heals this one of the same affliction we all came to God with...   a leprosy of our souls. What a God of incredible Love we serve.
 
Please join us in praying for the new ministry to the lepers of Fiji, that God has just opened to us through the JESUS Film partnership with the Namadi Church of the Nazarene.

A FEW DAYS LATER...
LAST NIGHT
Last night was not easy. Some time back you might remember that I had written in one of my reports about a boat I saved that had broken its mooring and was coming down on us in a storm with no-one on board. The couple whose boat and home it was have become good friends during these months since then. We had asked you to pray for Jan (Yaan) and Ella and their little girl, Linda. He just got sick and yesterday she took him in to the hospital. After he got to the hospital he was worried about some electrical things on their boat so last night I took the Galilean's tender out in the dark to where their boat is anchored and I worked on their electrical system for a while doing what Jan had asked. Later last night word came that Ella should go back to the hospital, so I took her back up to the hospital. On our way she was worried about taking my time, especially in the middle of the night and the cost of running her around...   I said; "Ella, it's ok, God has called me to Fiji, and God's family has sent me here to do exactly whatever He needs me to do and right now this is why God has me here."

GOOD BYE JAN
We got to the hospital and the doctor was waiting; it was about 11PM last night. Ella had no family or anyone else other than me there and the news was not good...   Jan had just died. When I wrote the first part of this report a few days ago, I had no idea what the next few days would hold. Last night as the doctor and I held on to Ella to keep her from falling and I tried to comfort her and I prayed with her and we stood looking at the form of her husband, I wondered...    "how very many people do I represent right now, people that have been praying?...   people that have been giving?...   how unbelievable much has God been doing and orchestrating and bringing about as His children have been responding to Him?...   just so that right now I would be able to be right here for Him and for this woman whom He cares so very much about and who just joined the numbers of those who mourn."
 
WHY IT'S POSSIBLE
From the team of Nazarene missionaries here on the South Pacific Field, and it is a 'Battle Field', there is only one reason why we are strengthened and encouraged and excited about moving forward with this Eternal Kingdom work. It is because there is no doubt in our minds...   we know that we are part of a great, great family who stands together with us. It is because of none other than you as you join us in this work of the 'Comforter' who cares so very much for you and for these, thanks.
 
Harmon
Fiji

Be sure to visit our NEW web site at http://www.fijiboat.org
Click on 'Captain's Logs' to read all of the FIJIBoat Email Reports!

The FIJIBoat Project / Nazarene Maritime Ministries is completely funded by designated donations and is a "10% Special Project" approved by the World Mission Division, Church of the Nazarene.

A Big Thank-you to those of you who support Nazarene Maritime Ministries regularly! To be a part of this ongoing ministry you can send support to:
FIJIBoat Project / Activity Fund ID # AFS 1219
General Treasurer, Church of the Nazarene
6401 The Paseo
Kansas City, MO 64131
or you can now contribute online >>

To other Captain's Logs >>