Captain's Log #42
October, 2004

New FIJIBoat Web site!
We've just launched a whole new FIJIBoat web site! For answers to all the questions you've ever had (and more) about Nazarene Maritime Ministries with The FIJI Boat Project, photo gallery, access to past 'Captain's Logs', 2005 Deputation schedule and opportunities for involvement, check out http://www.fijiboat.org. A BIG thank you to Russ Hansen and the Helstrom Foundation for providing all the support and technical expertise required to launch this new site.

"My Resting Place"
She is standing absolutely silent and trying real hard not to move up there on the landing in front of the church. For well over an hour she stands there as the crowd gathers in from up and down the coast. She can't be more than 6 years old. Dressed in traditional ceremonial tapa which has been hand-pounded from the bark of the masi tree and then carefully stenciled with natural dye from the earth, she holds a lace-draped cushion on which rests the decorated pair of scissors that will be used to cut the ribbon. Next to her are the Mahogany doors that the mv/Galilean II's engineer hand made for this new church. The choir stands to one side, filling the hillside with four-part harmony in praise to our Lord, as only Pacific Islanders can do. Carefully woven mats and other traditional tokens of congratulation for this event are laid at her feet. The area that is turned into an earth oven, packed with enough roasting pigs and fish for several hundred people, surrounds us with its  smoky fragrance. It all seems very important.  It is. Today is the formal dedication of Kadavu Koro Lighthouse Church of the Nazarene. The dedication of our efforts is to the One who has brought such Hope and Light and Life. In Isaiah 66:1-2, ...the LORD says: "Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. Where is the house you will build for me? Where will my resting place be?

...This is the one I esteem: he who is humble and contrite in spirit, and trembles at my word." What does the LORD's resting place look like today?

There's a very good size delegation from the village, many of whom were in serious opposition to the establishment of the Church of the Nazarene on these shores. They cancel their meetings in order to show support for us in these dedication festivities - THIS IS SIGNIFICANT! God has been at work!    

The Indo-Fijian pastor of our Nazarene Nadawa Hindi congregation on the main island of Viti Levu, together with many others travel with us on the mv/Galilean II, to this outer island to show support. As he prays in Hindustani... it is surely the first time many of these villagers realize that God speaks all languages and is deeply in Love with people of every culture.    

Small coastal boats full of villagers from up and down the Southern shore of this island arrive with the incoming tide, honoring the significance of the day with their presence; only those who arrive early will fit inside our new building... about half are left looking in through the windows. A member of the Prime Minister's cabinet arrives unannounced, brought by a friend having heard of our celebration taking place, and officially he participates in the dedication service...

Like any birth, the birth of a church can certainly be a painful process, but to behold the living, breathing reality is an amazing thing and worthy of celebration. May the LORD find a resting place in the hearts and souls of these, His bride.

Fellow-workers in the field...
Cindy and I are so thankful for the godly co-workers that God allows us to work with. I've included some excerpts from some recent reports by our Field Director for the South Pacific Field, which is a huge area covering 10 island nations across the South Pacific, Rev. James Johnson and also our national District Superintendent in Fiji, Rev.  Tifare Inia. 

James Johnson   
"As we lifted from the runway and began to gain altitude, I wondered if what I saw was what my father saw 60 years ago. In 1943 my father flew in a C-47 twin otter tail dragger from Port Moresby, New Guinea to an isolated patch of ground at Tsili Tsili, cleared by Australian and PNG (Papua New Guinea) workers to allow the US military forces to land. Now 60 years later I was headed for the PNG highlands, flying over some of the same terrain.  My thoughts were on him.

"Joy and I were there to meet with the other field directors and wives from around the Asia Pacific Region for a retreat and the annual Regional Advisory Council meeting.  The terrain and people were diverse; a reminder of the great diversity and complexity of cultures and customs found across Asia and the Pacific.
As strategy, policy and other diverse matters were discussed during the week, my soul was silent and my heart was restless.  I wondered how these strategies and policies would affect the church and people we live with in the South Pacific.

"During Joy's shopping excursion in Madang, she purchased a reprint of a book, which was written over 100 years ago by Charles Finney.  The first page told me why I was restless.  Finney reminded me that in the final analysis, unless men and women are filled with the Holy Spirit, they will lack the power necessary for successful ministry and Christian living.

"I returned home to Fiji and read again a quote I had from E. M. Bounds.  He said, 'Holiness energizes the soul, the whole man aflame with love, with desire for more faith, more prayer, more consecration.  These we need and these we must have, and men must be the incarnation of this God inflamed devotedness.  God's advance has been halted, his cause crippled because of the lack of these.  We have chosen rather to educate, incorporate, indigenize, materialize, forgetting that holiness gives us power to evangelize.  Only Holiness can move the chariot of God.  It is a chariot of fire.  Only fire can move it.  No amount of money, genius, culture can move things for God - only Holiness.  What the church needs today is not more machinery or better or newer organizations or more and novel methods, but men whom the Holy Ghost can use... The Holy Spirit does not flow through methods, but through men... He does not come on machinery but on men.  He does not anoint plans but men.'

"Across the South Pacific Field, the emphasis for 2005 will be the Pursuit of Personal and Corporate Holiness.  Please pray along with us that in this coming year holiness will energize each of us.  Pray that every pastor and laymen will experience a personal Pentecost, be baptized in the Holy Spirit, and have a fresh infilling of the spirit and power of God."        

- James Johnson
(from Fiji District Report to the South Pacific Field Office)

Tifare Inia
"The most significant event of the past six months is the decision to establish a Suva- based Campus of the South Pacific Nazarene Theological College.  It is right here in this area of developing leaders that the church will either succeed, or fail; all other developments are of secondary importance. For the church in Fiji to grow and expand its territory, it must have trained and equipped leaders.  And it is in this arena alone (that) any realistic goals (can) be set for our future.

"It is so encouraging to witness first-hand the tremendous impact these field pastors are having on their congregations - there is now the sense of ownership by the local churches of this, their very own first District.  And I am confident that within the next two to three years, Fiji will experience a growth that will surpass our initial expectations.

To God be the glory!"              

Tifare Inia
Fiji District Superintendent

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 >>

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