Rex and Betty Fiji Mission

Sunday we had a twelve hour adventure. We left at 6:30 AM and returned home at 6:30 PM. Our first stop was Seaqaqa where we picked up President Patero and his wife, who were our guides to direct us to our little church group called Nakawakawa. We drove through heavy construction all the way over to the west side and down to the bottom of our island Vanua Levu. That’s where the construction ended because from there we traveled on narrow roads, not even on the map, of dirt, big rocks, holes, or gravel. The going was slow and bumpy. There was one place where it had evidently once been oiled, but it must not have been maintained since 1952. No road grader had been there either. I said it reminded me of driving to Willow Flats. Rex said it was more like going up Little Mountain, but not quite as steep. Our top speed was 15 MPH. Of course the top speed on this island is only 48 MPH even on the good open roads. The church is in the tops of the mountains in the middle of “the bush.” Rex says it has “A million dollar view” of the ocean. The saints live so far away that the church pays for trucks to transport them to meeting. The last truck was just leaving when we arrived at Nakawakawa at 10:30 AM. All the meetings were in Fajian so we couldn’t understand many words, but we could feel the Spirit. We got to witness the confirmation of a young boy and girl who had been baptized the day before.

Rex was asked to come up and give closing remarks. He did such a great job. The feeling came strongly to me as he was ending that “This is a man of God.” I am honored to be serving a mission with this amazing man.

There were about 62 members plus babies. Between meetings, the youth saw me taking pictures of the scenery and more and more joined in to have a picture taken.

Rex sat with the Sunday School, and I sat with the Primary. We were on opposite sides of the same room, much like Naduna, but bigger and better built. He read his English version of the lesson on the iPhone while they gave it in Fijian. I sat with the Primary and learned about Prophets. I happily joined in when they sang, “Follow the Prophet” in English.

President Patero gave instructions of how the group should be run and talked of the priesthood authority and keys.

Pita and his “Priesthood” had built the church building and added a missionary apartment where the Elders could live so they would always be close. (I was going to take a picture of it, but I noticed the plywood was weathering badly. I told Rex we need to do a service project and paint it for them. That would help the members and we could bond while we do it. I’m having the mission office research which church group will pay for the paint. I am excited and anxious to make it happen.)

The members loved having us there. They shook our hands many times. One little girl took hold of my hand and escorted me around the room. I finally steered her back to her mother who rescued me. Such adorable children! We will have a few chances to return and get to know them better.

We visited a few minutes after the meeting, ate our peanut butter sandwiches and boiled eggs we had brought will us and returned home to drop into bed.