OK, everyone ready?

So..... we caught a big bus at 0430 from opposite Suva market which took us to Natovi Wharf. Then the big bus rolled onto the ferry and rolled off again at Nabouwala on Fiji's second largest island Vanua Levu, and we arrived in Labasa pronounced LaMbasa at 2.30pm. 

Smooth crossing. 

The road to Labasa has one or two flooded and forlorn parts and the big bus has to wibble-wobble a touch carefully over some tiny, creaking bridges with gushing brown water underneath, but predominantly it was an excellent run with a star driver. The 'we', by the way, comprised Mrs Salome Kalouniviti our Administrator in PTC's Education by Extension Department,  Mrs Ema Asioli, a 2014 Certificate in Theology graduate and Anglican lay leader, and the so-called Director of the outfit. Here we are in our matching PTC blue in the grounds of Labasa's Friendly North Inn: which was.

Labasa is the largest and most populated town on the island. It lies about 5 km inland and is the administrative centre of western Vanua Levu: a bustling trade and service township, Labasa has been key in Fiji's sugar industry since the colonial era, with the Labasa sugar mill opening here in 1894. In 2003 a cyclone nearly devastated the area and many farmers are still living with the repercussions and struggling to restore their livelihoods.

We went to Labasa to touch base with those already studying PTC theological courses by extension (correspondence) and to spread the word that we can offer 'Theology for Everyone' - at least if you've got reasonable reading/writing skills in English. 

And the majority of people of course have - and more. In the last seven days I've had conversations with a University of the South Pacific law graduate now a magistrate, the person who heads up child health and nutrition education for Fiji's Ministry of Health, and a Divisional Inspector of Police - all highly equipped and articulate in their professional fields and deeply committed Christians, but who've never so much as looked at a theology course, even for interest. Theological education has been understood, basically, as (a) what the minister/preacher says on Sunday from the pulpit - unlikely to be questioned, and (b) the ability to pluck out an appropriate verse of the Bible as the definitive and sufficient response to any question life may throw at us. I'm deeply admiring in many ways of the capacity to quote Bible chapter and verse so skilfully - a lot better than I can most of the time. It's testament to hours and hours of poring over Scripture and a deep love and respect for the Bible. But 'God so loved the world....' and the world's a complex place where people of faith have to do better than only trading in texts. Or, as we experience too frequently, using them as ammunition for conflict. Theological education takes Scripture, Tradition, Reason and Experience seriously and is crucial in aiding us to account for what we believe convincingly. And if we're scrabbling around looking for a text to authenticate the claim I've just made, 1 Peter 3. 15b-16a would be a start!

...but in your hearts sanctify Christ as Lord. Always be ready to make your defence to anyone who demands from you an account of the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and reverence. 

So what did we do? 

Thursday: Travelled as described above. Settled into our room at The Friendly North Inn and explored the town's  long high street. Always good to note the 'holy ground' of the local post office where our students mail off their assignments to us. We also found Nasea Methodist Church where the Saturday workshop was to be held

We gave thanks for travelling mercies

Friday: planning with our team on the ground at Nasea Methodist Church: including the minister Talatala Rev Noa Turaganivalu, and the amazing and energetic Deaconess Jeta Draunidalo, seen here on the left organising many practicalities by mobile phone. We are so grateful to them. 

Nasea had just finished hosting the Methodist Divisional meetings and were preparing for Mothers’ Sunday but still showed us amazing grace and hospitality.

Saturday: ‘Theology for Everyone’ workshop with present and potential students across Vanua Levu. We were delighted that the Dreketi Anglicans made it! Sairusi Kaiwaidau, Queenie Nivoi and Sekaia Silinatoba are regularly in touch with us here at PTCEE and studying hard.

Here's one of the workshop exercises that we did. Why not give it a go yourself?

Sunday: Preaching, plus participation in Aleeshya's baptism at St Thomas’ Anglican Church in the morning, with kind hospitality from Fr Kelvin Rakesh and family. 

I was asked to offer a blessing to the children and, as it was Mothering Sunday in Fiji, made the connection between parental nurturing and 'Mother Church' nurturing and investing in her children. One of the ways to do that would be, I claimed - perhaps somewhat predictably - through encouraging all ages in their theological education!

Then it was back to Nasea Methodist to speak and share at their afternoon Mothers’ Day service. It was great to participate in this celebration. Women had been practising music and drama for weeks, and were keen to stress that the refreshments afterwards had been arranged for and would be served by the men in the Church. 'Does that happen on other days?' I enquired. 'No Talatala. Just one day a year!' came the response with a wry smile. The sanctuary area was resplendent in gold and white silk including this stunningly dressed pulpit. 

Monday: back to Suva by plane, which only takes 50 minutes. I'd told the team, 'If we can save money by co-habiting in one room at the Friendly North Inn, we can afford a Friendly Fiji Airways return flight!' This met with agreement - and the budget...

It will be important to get out and about more: not just in Fiji, obviously, but to other islands across the region, to connect with students and spread the word about the courses and resources we can offer. 'Theology for Everyone' sounds good on paper, but it needs a theology of presence to make it come alive. 

When Ema gave her 'testimony' (in extempore English, not written down and read out) about what being a PTCEE student meant to her and how she'd achieved a Certificate in Theology, she absolutely radiated delight and new-found confidence. That humanises theological education and speaks volumes to others. It's nothing less than words made flesh, to the glory of God.

Certificate in Theology graduate Ema Asioli on the left, prepares for take off. Can she soar to the heights of a Diploma in Theology next? You bet she can.

Bless you and thank you, good people of God at Nasea Methodist Church....

...and similarly at St Thomas Anglican Church, Labasa.