October 2011 Mission Trip to Fiji

Members of the California-Nevada Delegation to Fiji:

From the Conference – Bishop Warner Brown, Minnie Brown, and the Rev. Linda Caldwell
From Centennial UMC in Sacramento – the Rev. Linda Loessberg-Zahl, Laitia Kurucake, and Virisila Batiratu
From Florin UMC in Sacramento – the Rev. Wilson DeOcera and Semisi Toganara
From First UMC of Palo Alto – the Rev. Michael Love and Lepani Verebasaga
From First UMC of San Rafael – the Rev. Liza Klein, Christopher Klein, Alena Vunakace, and Julie Hutchison
From First UMC of Santa Rosa – the Rev. Greg Bergquist, Lekima Banuve , Sekope Tauyavu, and Isimeli Radrodro
From Hayward UMC – the Rev. Elmar DeOcera
From First UMC of Petaluma – the Rev. Amy Beth Durward
From Temple UMC in San Francisco – the Rev. Schuyler Rhodes, Tikiko Lesuma, and Emma Rhodes
From Trinity UMC in Mountain View – the Rev. Anne Schlesinger, Luke Vakaliwaliwa, and Ruci Vakaliwaliwa.

Hide Extended Entry

Our visit to the Methodist Churches of Fiji : Day 2 Oct 16 in which we are sent to preach in the morning at various churches in the Suva area, rejoined in the afternoon at Centenary Church to hear our Bishop Brown preach, followed by a welcoming tea. In short, we worshiped and feasted from dawn till dusk.

A self portrait by Pastor Michael before heading out to preach.

Welcoming Ceremony at Nazareth Methodist Church, Nepani, Fiji.
Lepani's father is on the left and Jesse, the Talatala of the church is on the right.

Nazareth Methodist Church, Nepani, Fiji

The Social Hall at Nazareth

The world over, with Methodists you always get food!

Lepani's father

Lepani and Jesse

Day Two : October 17. A day of many official consultations and visits, more celebrations, and more meetings. Perhaps our busiest day yet.

Gen. Secretary Rev. Waqairatu, Methodist Church of Fiji preaching on the Body of Christ

Communion

Today's fantastic choir

The Permanent Secretary to the Prime Minister of Fiji received us

The Assistant General Secretary of the Fijian Methodist Church sharing some history

Our time with the Permanent Secretary to the Prime Minister was cordial

The Fiji Government building

No, it's not a kilt, it's a sula, a gift to Pastor Michael from the Talatala of Nazareth Church where he preached on Sunday. A great honor.

Minnie Brown and Bishop Brown in full garlands

Fiji : Day Three October 18. Are the days getting easier or are we finally getting used to the pace? Today we visited The Ballantine School, the President of Fiji and his wife, the Suva Methodist Primary School, Kinoyo Methodist Church and Navuso Farm. Whew!

First stop : Ballantine Memorial School

The home of the President of Fiji

The President of Fiji, Minnie and Bishop Brown, the President's Wife

Third stop : Suva Methodist Primary School

Everywhere we go, mats, mats, mats

Some warrior entertainment after our third "light lunch" of the day

Kinoyo Methodist Church

Bishop Brown gives the benediction of thanks at Kinoyo

Good bye, Vinaka!

Fiji : Day Six, October 20. Not so many pictures today. We were busy, busy, busy...and HOT. We were honored guests at the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Suva, the Anglican Church in the Diocese of Polynesia, the Samabula East Methodist Church, and after lunch, the American Embassy (sorry, no photos allowed). We were able to meet the brand new Ambassador Frankie Reed, who hails from the Bay area. You can read more about her at http://suva.usembassy.gov A surprise gift of no late afternoon protocols, consultations or "light meals" left us with some free time to relax and read. Praise God!

His Grace, the Archbishop of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Suva

The Most Rev. Dr. Winston Halapau of the Anglican Church in the Diocese of Polynesia

We're getting good at finding shade!

The school at Samabula East Methodist Church

By now you can probably recognize the traditional welcoming ceremony

At Lunch we are entertained before we leave for our next site

Fiji : Day Six, October 20. Today was spent well. We visited Davuilevu Community, which includes the Davuilevu Theological College (DTC), the Young Peoples Division (YPD), Lelean School, Baker Hall and Dilkusha Home. These are all Methodist Church of Fiji ministries. A relaxing night saw us each sent out to be in various communities for a special welcome. I was privileged to be received at Raiwai Methodist Church. Much welcoming, much song, much food, a bit of kava, and wonderful hospitality was a fantastic end to the day. Blessings of sleep are ahead, for tomorrow is full as well.

Lelean School, Davuilevu

Bishop Brown addresses the students

Lunch at the YPD (Young Peoples Department aka Youth Ministries)

Duvuilevu Methodist Church

I was an honored by a welcoming ceremony and feast at Raiwai Methodist Church. This is Meke, storytelling in a variety of forms. Fast lively singing and movement are definitely involved!

A welcoming by the students and faculty of Davuilaevu Theological College

The beauty of the land, the Vanua, is hard to capture in photos.

The Bishop has given an inspiring message at every stop.

And everywhere we go, we get a garland of honor.

In Fiji, the mutual giving and receiving of a gift is very important

Bishop Brown planted a Dakua tree, a symbol of our visit and friendship.

Every school and church has one of these calling gongs.

Shade is good.

Fiji : Day Three October 18. Are the days getting easier or are we finally getting used to the pace? Today we visited The Ballantine School, the President of Fiji and his wife, the Suva Methodist Primary School, Kinoyo Methodist Church and Navuso Farm. Whew!

First stop : Ballantine Memorial School

The home of the President of Fiji

The President of Fiji, Minnie and Bishop Brown, the President's Wife

Third stop : Suva Methodist Primary School

Everywhere we go, mats, mats, mats

Some warrior entertainment after our third "light lunch" of the day

Kinoyo Methodist Church

Bishop Brown gives the benediction of thanks at Kinoyo

Good bye, Vinaka!

Navuso Methodist High School

The school at Navuso Farm

Beautiful finish to a wonderful day

Day Three : October 17. A day of many official consultations and visits, more celebrations, and more meetings. Perhaps our busiest day yet.

Gen. Secretary Rev. Waqairatu, Methodist Church of Fiji preaching on the Body of Christ

Communion

Today's fantastic choir

The Permanent Secretary to the Prime Minister of Fiji received us

The Assistant General Secretary of the Fijian Methodist Church sharing some history

Our time with the Permanent Secretary to the Prime Minister was cordial

The Fiji Government building

No, it's not a kilt, it's a sula, a gift to Pastor Michael from the Talatala of Nazareth Church where he preached on Sunday. A great honor.

Minnie Brown and Bishop Brown in full garlands

Rev. Greg Bergquist of the First United Methodist Church of Santa Rosa presenting a gift conveyed from the California/Nevada United Methodist Women to the Women's Unit of the Fijian Methodist Church

Pastor Liza Klein from the San Rafael First United Methodist Church presenting a special gift

The ceremony of giving and receiving

Long, L O N G time for a debriefing meeting

Our guest preacher on Sunday, March 13, 2011 was the Rev. Gary Henderson. He serves as the Executive Director of the Global Health Initiative of The United Methodist Church. He spoke to us about how the United Methodist Church is working to eradicate malaria.

Listen to his sermon, watch the videos, and learn more about Imagine No Malaria here.

Hide Extended Entry

Click here to view these pictures larger

Lelean School Assemby and Choir from Michael Love on Vimeo.

Meke at Raiwai, Fiji from Michael Love on Vimeo.

Centennary Methodist Church Choir, Fiji from Michael Love on Vimeo.

Receiving the Tabua at Centennary Methodist Church, Fiji from Michael Love on Vimeo.