Fiji Missions Trip

The Pacific Islands reach from the ocean like the mountain tops of the Great Southern Continent. But, as the Middleton Grange 2008 Fiji Mission Team realised, the islands are more than white sand beaches, palm trees and sunny resorts.

At the end of Term three this year Liesl Marsh and Matt Lawrence lead a group of fifteen pupils on a 'Do Team' short term mission trip organised by Transend.

Stepping off the plane in Nadi was the first step into a week-long whirlwind. We travelled to Suva after being joined by a group from Te Atatu Baptist Church in Auckland. The Middleton crew mixed and matched - working alongside them to accommodate "Island time" and a schedule that remained in constant flux. On top of kindergarten and school programmes, squatter settlement and prison visits as well as well organised mission related challenges we were introduced to an array of amazing and inspirational missionaries who have followed God's call to Fiji.

The second week brought a change of pace for the team. Everyone loaded onto a flatbed carrier and journeyed north to Nadovu village. This rural setting was a contrast to what the tourist brochures adverse. However, in no time, everyone referred these laughing children, friendly conversations and delicious hospitality to the façades offered for tourists.

On a whole, this trip was a chance to encounter God in a culture and location very different than home. Whilst seated with beggars, locals, prisoners, villagers and children many pupils had a chance to see what it was like to have nothing but Jesus in common with the beautiful Fijian people. Vanaka Vakalevu to parents, teachers, pupils and everyone else involved with support for this trip!!