Let's hear it for the learners

Which most definitely includes me! Learning a lot as ever in week 4 of being in post as Director of the Pacific Theological College's Education by Extension programme and week 5 of being in Fiji itself. We need rain. Especially in the West. Only an ineffectual dribble so far and water supplies a problem for some of PTC's staff living on the outskirts of Suva. OK on campus so far but have bought a spare plastic dustbin and filled it up in anticipation...

A classic mistake of a photo with the light behind everyone - sorry about that - but here's our tutorial class from Friday morning. A beautiful mix of humanity in terms of ethnic background, denomination, age and gender. Members are pursuing various courses - ministry, Church history, ethics etc - by extension but either live on campus or are near enough to PTC to come in and take advantage of a class, the library and the Director - which is great! We talked about Practical Theology this week: how all our learning has to stand up to the 'So what?' question in terms of application to real life and real Church issues. Why does it matter? What difference does it make? Practical Theology is also a recognised academic discipline these days (has been for a while) and as a result has acquired impenetrable jargon. We commiserated about that and agreed not to become fazed or undermined by it.

Not that much fazes Mila, wife of the Anglican Priest at Suva's Cathedral and Elizabeth, President of PTC's Women's Fellowship, also married to a minister and from American Samoa. Little Esther came along with Mum because plans changed and she couldn't go swimming that morning.

Tema (Methodist) on the left and Ema (Anglican) on the right also both deal with Clergy husbands and busy lives, managing to find time for studies too, God bless 'em..

Food was shared at the end of tutorial this week, organised by the students, to say a heartfelt thank you to Michael Kafonika (chatting in the picture on the left) who stepped into the gap between Directors at PTCEE, to the detriment of his own PhD work which is now getting back on track. He's been a massive help to me - thank you Michael.

And similarly indispensable has been Salome, on the right in the blue stripy t-shirt, who is PTCEE's office assistant and my right-hand woman. She's very patient with me.....

Friday was a full day because in the evening the whole College went 5 mins up the road to Pacific Regional Seminary (PRS) which is the Catholic set-up for the formation and training of their priests. We shared a beautiful act of worship in their striking Chapel, were greatly moved by the phenomenal, plentiful and touching generosity we were shown, not least in terms of the feast prepared, and then there was an evening's cultural entertainment offered by both Colleges. PRS have Tongan students and we don't at present, and their vigorous presentation certainly got vociferous appreciation from the fans!

Some of Tonga's Catholic Priests in training

During worship earlier, the Revd Dr Upolu Vaai, a Samoan Methodist minister and one of our lecturers, preached about the ecumenical hope that's created in the World Church when those being formed for ministry 'meet at the crossroads' as Jesus met with the Samaritan woman at the well, each being changed by the other. I so agree with him! But the ecumenical momentum needs to continue and be lived out way, way beyond College with fierce commitment, determination and the same levels of mutual appreciation and hospitality. That's the challenge

It's lovely to have some manageable garden by Staff House 12. My young neighbour Yoane from Papua New Guinea has been helping me with it and we're planning on planting lemongrass because the mozzies hate it, and maybe adding to the pineapple crop: a plantation of one currently, being lovingly embraced in the photo below by Rev Ted. He's one of Pam Mason's family of Teddies for Tragedies which she knits so faithfully. Pam is from St Martin's, Dorking, my last Church, and I was very touched that she knitted Rev Ted for me, who travelled well to Fiji and  - unlike many of his fellow bears - hasn't needed to offer comfort in times of tragedy as yet, praise God. But it's good to know he'll be on hand if the call comes, eh?

Big things and little things

Well at 6.00pm on 20th Sept it was looking like this according to the Fiji elections office

A fair few results still to come in as I write, but the Multinational Observer Group is upbeat about the process. Certainly anyone who's been kind enough or felt free enough to chat with me about their feelings and political choices - of whatever shade - has felt relieved that what for so long needed to happen (democratic elections) has now happened and looks forward to having a Fijian parliament once again.

Was something going on in Scotland? I heard a rumour.

In the world of PTC Education by Extension, it was great to meet for the first time some local Church members and leaders from in and around Suva who are taking extension courses but are able to get together 'in the flesh' each Friday for a tutorial. I'll be guiding these sessions and I hope the group will allow me to share a few photos and stories as the weeks go by. Most students studying by extension are churning it out on their own, especially in remote locations on small islands across the South Pacific - doing correspondence courses in effect. Each person studying is supposed to have a local mentor - maybe their Priest or minister? - with whom they can chew over ideas and receive encouragement, but early impressions suggest that this splendid idea in theory doesn't always translate into good practice... So that's food for thought. 

Being a great fan of the Trinity, I muse on how possible it would be - even in isolated places - to get study triplets going - holy threesomes slogging it out together? I'll see what people think and listen for practical wisdom from the grass roots - which I clearly don't have - about whether that's a practical runner or not. Interestingly, one of PTC's PhD students, Henri, was sharing about his work this week and talked of a three-ply plaited cord called firi nape which is important to Pacific Islanders, demonstrating in reality and representing symbolically something much more solid and un-detachable than a single strand. There's a tried and tested Biblical precedent of course...

Doing Saturday morning shopping in Suva (fruit and veg from the market, kitchen scales - finding those took a bit of detective work but mission accomplished, and a mat for the bedroom) - I wandered into an arcade just below Centenary Methodist Church. I glanced into a bustling little cafe and stood, momentarily fossilised and transfixed, taking in the sight of flowery plastic tablecloths, assorted large mugs and a lady sitting at one end of a long row of plated cakes dealing with customers and fiddling with small change in a little pot. I thought to myself, 'That's a group of Methodist ladies serving tea and cakes'. It was spookily instinctive. I backtracked to see if I could see the cafe's name. I couldn't, but spotted that I was in the Epworth Arcade. Bit of a giveaway there. I went in and a few minutes later was having a mug of tea and a buttered scone (a square buttered scone, and not a small one let it be said) with Arieta and Seini.

The cafe runs as a Church project throughout the week and on Saturday mornings, aiming particularly to engage and support those who've been widowed. Different teams do different shifts, and they offer outside catering too. If you were thinking of placing an order from the UK, let me know and I'll try to negotiate rates. Otherwise, try Dorking Christian Centre

Sala at the seat of custom...

Partial though I am to a buttered scone, the nano pineapple has become a huge favourite. Bought in little heaps at the market. 




With it's hat on, size of a teaspoon. 

Fits in the lunch box a treat.

Sculpture by Suva's sea wall

There are finds to be had on the other side of Suva'a sea wall.
I spent a while taking in the exquisite beauty of this one.

Can you visit us on Sunday?

From the left, Mele, Tima, Varane and Ateca, my delightful Sunday hosts

That was the question Ateca (pronounced Atetha) asked me when she called into the Education by Extension office on Friday afternoon. On Fridays she comes over to Pacific Theological College to pick up some in-service skills as a trainee librarian, but for the rest of the week she's working in the Methodist Theological College's library at Davuilevu, about an hour from Suva on the local bus.

'You should come to our service!' she beamed. 'I don't mean the one for the Ministers, the one for us in the Young People's Department (YPD). Please - come!' So I did.

Ateca has a certificate in Christian Education; the fruit of three years study on campus at the Methodist Church in Fiji's YPD. Since graduating, she's done all sorts of children's and youth work, and is clearly thinking hard about God's purposes for her life in the future. She originates from Sigatoka in the West, an area popular with tourists, and her bubbly personality and excellent communication skills have come 

into their own when she's been called on to introduce foreign visitors to village life and the local Methodist Church as part of their day trips. She shares a flat on campus with Mele who teaches in the campus pre-school and Varane who's just started her pre-school teacher training. Tima, also pictured at the top, works as an administrator for YPD during the week, but on Sunday was kindly the chef, producing a mouthwatering lunch which included miti ika lolo, fish with coconut milk, and tavioka, cassava. The feast was served and consumed in the gap between a 10.00am service and a 4.00pm one, with a visit to the Sunday School and a walk around the campus also featuring. Oh, and writing an on-the-spot sermon to preach at the 4.00pm. Did I mention that? 

The minister originally scheduled for the day had been called to another appointment. Mr Sanaila Yabakivou stepped in for the 10.00am - he's a Methodist Church in Fiji Catechist - and then suggested I took over at the 4.00pm. I felt honoured but appealed, humbly and politely. 'But forgive me, I haven't come prepared and it's such a significant week for Fiji (elections on Wednesday 17th) wouldn't a preacher who's local be so much better equipped to give the sermon today than someone as new as me?' 'Yes, but you will preach. I was also not supposed to lead worship today'. And so we helped each other out. As you do. 

My eyes and ears, fresh to Fijian Methodist Church life, found worship in the YPD formal, reverential, orderly and traditional. The choir, all in their twenties, practises for an hour before each service and on Tuesday evenings during the week. And it's hymns from a hymn book sung to 'familiar' Methodist tunes, so no problem for me with melodies, but a few tongue twisters in the lyrics. At the 4.00pm, Ateca kindly led the service - the first time she'd done so in English; her friend read the Gospel beautifully - also in English - and I did the preaching. YPD Sunday worship is normally conducted in Fijian, and why not indeed? My presence messed it up. But the experience raised for me yet again that sensitive and tricky issue about the vital value, actually, of emerging leaders in churches across the world being able to find and use their voices in English too, whenever possible. To be able to address public gatherings with competence and confidence is a mighty skill and affords you a place on the global stage, representing and advocating on behalf of your local context and community. And your Church, potentially. As my brain whirred on some of this during the choir's piece, the example of Malala Yousafzai as an inspirational young communicator on a global platform popped into my head. You get my drift?

After worship, back in the flat, on a mat, I threw out a few questions to the young women who'd been so hospitable and welcoming to me during the day. Why was it important for them to follow Jesus, profess the Christian faith, spend so much time in Church? I talked about the UK scene a little. 'Your peer group in the UK - many of them - don't show much interest in these things. What message do you have for them?' Responses included:

My mother and father schooled me in the faith and I think it's true. I want to follow what they say. 

We follow Jesus in this life because we're preparing for our journey back to him.

If young people reject Jesus Christ, they're going to hell - there's no eternal life for them. 

Jesus never stops knocking on our door - it's never too late.

Also of interest, inevitably, were issues of singleness, marriage, children and what choices may - or may not - be on offer to young women in the Methodist Church in Fiji. What might God require? Conformity? Nonconformity? New pathways combining the two? It had been reported with astonishment that the new Reverend from Britain was aged 53 (though she looks young) and she's never been married!  Being 'Exhibit A' in a new mission appointment is, I think, just part of the deal...

It was a super Sunday, and I'm grateful for the kindness of those who are now no longer strangers.

No shortage of inspirational texts posted by the flatmates 

After lunch is rest time apparently - unless there's a sermon to write...

A Sunday School song or two...

Catechist Mr Sanaila Yabakivou and I discuss the day's arrangements...

Quietly preparing for worship

 Ateca and I lead. Her favourite Bible verse is Jeremiah 29.11

For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope.

September spotlight for Fiji

Over here got a good mention from over there this week: featured on the Methodist Church in Britain's weekly e-news update.

Praying for Fiji. 
The Methodist Church in Fiji has particular prayer needs this month, so please pray for: 

• · the election taking place on 17 September: pray for a smooth return to democracy 
• · Revd Val Ogden, our newest mission partner who begins work this month: pray for good relationships 
• · 45 Fijian soldiers serving with the UN are being held captive in Syria: pray for safety and for their worried families 
• · Julia Edwards continues her work on climate change for the Pacific Conference of Churches: pray for her health and happiness

Two names were singled out above and that's much appreciated. But here are one or two others that deserve just as much prayer, recognition and remembrance. 

Click on this Fiji Live link and you'll read the names of the 45 Fijian soldiers detained in Syria, a story and concern much on people's lips and hearts. 

There was a peace vigil held at Centenary Methodist Church which received wide coverage, and at which Methodist Church President-elect Reverend Tevita Nawadra Banivanua said, 

"Our world is full of hatred. Methodist Church prayers will continue for people to do good, to do no harm through our speech and our actions." More coverage from the Fiji Times is here.

Having prayed for two mission partners plus 45 detainees and their families by name, could I trouble you to take a deep breath and pray for our National Election Candidates? Only 250 approx. For 50 seats. The Fiji Elections office proudly declares:

Every Fijian is gaining an equal voice for the first time. 

Every Fijian is gaining a vote of equal value. 

Raise your voice and use your vote for a truly democratic Fiji.

There's much election talk on campus and a community briefing meeting has been called by the Principal this Saturday as election day and its possible implications are anticipated. Memories of the year 2000 are inevitably rekindled. I'm looking forward to being part of that gathering here at the Pacific Theological College to gain a better sense of my new neighbours' hopes, fears, priorities and passions. It has seemed strange to register online myself only this week for a postal vote in the UK when the time comes. Already the London Borough of Croydon seems a world away. 

And happenings in the world of Education by Extension this week?

• I've learnt a lot about the Anglican Church in Melanesia from proof reading a draft Masters' dissertation. The topic of whether missionary initiated and inherited Church structures help or hinder contemporary mission loomed large. It's familiar territory in global mission and makes me scratch my head and sigh a lot. We are where we are and the structures we so often claim are immovable aren't, actually. Not if God-centred, Christ-like, Spirit-filled Church leaders really want change. What precisely IS stopping those with power from being inspirational visionaries, peaceful revolutionaries and Kingdom-bringers? Answers on a postcard.

• I've done some heart wrenching over a young Extension student from another Pacific Island who's longing for all sorts of reasons to remain in Fiji but has no more time left on his visa. He came and shared: respectful, hopeful, anticipatory, bright-eyed. Could I help with a persuasive letter to the authorities on his behalf? He's been enthusiastic and committed in his studies whilst living locally, making the most of PTC and participating regularly in the tutorials on offer. But the nature of our programme means that, in truth, there's no requirement for him to be resident in Fiji. He could study from back home by correspondence and with local support, as so many do. He doesn't want to do that, having other hopes and plans, and I admired him. It was complex. We prayed together. I sought advice from colleagues and didn't write the letter. Would it have made a scrap of difference anyway - who knows? But my heart felt heavy. What would you have done?

• I've attended my first Faculty meeting. This celebrated the conferring of Professor status on our Principal, Dr Feleterika Uili Nokise, Academic Dean, Dr Holger Szesnat and Dr Manfred Ernst of the Institute for Research and Social Analysis, alongside more predictable business. These awards are of huge significance at PTC as the College looks to the future. We were also given a celebratory lunch. Heavens, there was something phenomenally fiery in that chicken. We should feed it to the kind of Church leader criticised earlier. Sadly, Faculty Meeting lunches are only special treats, I was duly warned. More Professorships needed, clearly.

And finally, in the category of  'Gripping Personal News', I've found someone who can deal with dull and boring English hair. Bernadette (Bernie) has five diplomas, updated her beautician and stylist skills in Australia, America, Japan and New Zealand, and was Christmas beauty Fiji Sun girl in 1982. If I ever felt so moved, her salon near the Suva Hotel could thread my eyebrows, deal with my pigmentations and offer me a milk bath. (I don't recall John and Charles mentioning such options when in Georgia). Being a simple soul, I opted for a dry trim for the equivalent of £3.30. That's that sorted then.