Missions old and new

Allow me to introduce you to Hannah Dudley, if you've not met before. Second from the left. An Australian missionary: feisty, eccentric and someone whose legacy receives mixed reviews these days from some contemporary Indian writers. Nevertheless, here's what she wrote on 4th November 1912 to the Modern Review.

(Source: T. Sanadhya, 'My twenty-one years in the Fiji Islands', Fiji Museum, 1991)

Sir,

Living in a country where the system called “Indentured labour” is in vogue, one is continually oppressed in spirit by the fraud, injustice, and inhumanity of which fellow creatures are the victims.

Fifteen years ago, I came to Fiji to do the mission work among the Indian people here. I had previously lived in India for five years. Knowing the natural timidity of Indian village people and knowing also that they had no knowledge of any country beyond their own immediate district, it is a matter of great wonder to me as to how these people could have been induced to come thousands of miles from their own country to Fiji. The women were pleased to see me as I had lived in India and could talk to them of their own country. They would tell me of their troubles and how they had been entrapped by the recruiter or his agents. I will cite a few cases.

One woman told me she had quarrelled with her husband and in anger ran away from her mother-in-law’s home to go to her mother’s. A man on the road questioned her, and said he would show her the way. He took her to a depot for Indentured labour. Another woman said her husband went to work at another place. He sent word to his wife to follow him. On her way a man said he knew her husband and that he would take her to him. This woman was taken to a depot. She said that one day she saw her husband passing and cried out to him but was silenced. An Indian girl was asked by a neighbour to go and see the Muharram festival. While there she was prevailed upon to go to a depot. Another woman told me that she was going to a bathing ghat and was misled by a woman to a depot.

When in the depot these women were told that they can not go till they pay for the food they have had and for other expenses. They were unable to do so. They arrive in this country, timid, fearful women not knowing where they are to be sent to. They are allotted to plantations like so many dumb animals. If they do not perform satisfactorily the work given to them, they are punished by being struck or fined, or they are even sent to goal. The life on the plantations alters their demeanour and even their faces. Some look crushed and broken-hearted, others sullen, others hard and evil. I shall never forget the first time I saw “indentured” women. They were returning from their day’s work. The look on these women’s faces haunts me.

The reason Hannah gets a mention in this week's blog is that I went to Dudley Memorial Church, named after her, last Sunday. It's one of the thriving congregations of Fijian Methodism's Indian Division, boasting a congregation which attracts members from across the social spectrum including a fair sprinkling of Suva's successful and high powered professionals. Hannah would be delighted, don't you think?

There was the warmest of welcomes from Senior Circuit Steward Anand Reuben, and his brother Revd Dr Reuben who was taking the Communion service. Dr Reuben kindly asked me to assist with serving the elements - an honour - and somehow had me signed up for the January plan before I left. He's a fast worker. 

It seemed to be a weekend of listening for the whispers of Fiji's past mission enterprises translated for the present day. Methodist missionaries William Cross and David Cargill who arrived in 1835 are named on a memorial stone at 'The Triangle', slap bang in the centre of Suva. It's very low-key; an understated, unpretentious monument, ever surrounded by swirling traffic, beeping taxi cabs and in earshot of the infectious reggae beat that booms out of the buses. 

And on that very spot, last Saturday after dark, another town centre congregation - Wesley City Mission - showed themselves to be thoroughly committed to contemporary evangelism, with a real desire to invite others to turn to Christ. I admired the initiative and was so glad I chose to attend and support. I'd met Wesley's energetic, inspirational youth group the weekend before when taking the service at their place. Just to be in their presence gives you hope and confidence that God hasn't given up. So, about an hour's worth of this contemporary city centre evangelism included powerful testimonies, great dance from the youth group guys (yes the guys danced, not the girls!) and a small, live band. There were conversations with those heading to the nightclubs and a call for commitment to Christ which attracted a handful of respondents. The Methodist Divisional Superintendent Rev Jeremaia Waqainabete spoke of his adolescence sleeping rough on the streets and the dramatic turn around in his life that finding faith enabled. Wesley's Associate Minister Rev Viliame Fatiaki was also there, supporting wholeheartedly. I was moved. It was well done. Dudley, Cargill and Cross must surely have approved?

Postscript. 

I made the point earlier of stressing that I chose to support the young people and the city evangelism event on Saturday evening. The alternative event that clashed, and the one - some might argue - I should have prioritised, was a glamorous dinner organised by Pacific Theological College's Women's Fellowship, at one of Suva's vast Chinese restaurants. There was considerable pressure not to desert the home crowd. On this occasion I did, having been present at numerous in-house celebrations and feasts since arrival, including Women's Fellowship-led events.

I've had a few quizzical looks.

Oops.

Sorry ladies. I promise to glam up and join the party next time!