Roper Fijian Crusades: Sunday Village Excursion

Last Sunday we had the best day. What an experience. A couple of weeks ago the Elders assigned to the same branch as us mentioned that they are teaching some families in a remote village and would like us to come with them sometime. Of course, we told them we’d be glad to. Well on Sunday before church started, Elder Moore, from Mesa, Arizona, mentioned that they were going out to the village at 2:00 to hold a church service and asked if we’d be able to join them. We definitely did. Then they asked if a couple of members could ride out with us! OF COURSE!

Church gets out at noon so we had some time to kill. Kim had printed pictures of the families in the ward and put names on them. (for the main purpose to help us learn their names!) We put them up on the bulletin board. I should have taken a picture. They really looked great and the members really loved seeing their pictures. Plus, now those that got missed are going to want us to take their family’s picture and add it to the board.

After we finished it was about time to go. So, Sister Turagarua and Sister Bulavou climbed in the car with us. Then Taina Tamani, a 16-year-old, asked if she could catch a ride down to her house, which is only about 1/3 of a mile. That filled up our car. Sister Turagarua has 2 twin girls, Una and Tema, who wanted to go. I think they’re about 10 years old. Sister Bulavou has a son, Vaka, about the same age, who wanted to go to. Both moms said they could so they jumped into the back section of our SUV. Definitely not a legal passenger in America, but no one gives it a second thought here. We definitely had a car load then. The road that takes us to the chapel is a one lane gravel road. It’s not in great shape and some of the rocks have gathered in the middle and we were dragging bottom from time to time. We got Taina home and then we continued on the route to the village.

Before I go any further, do you know the story of Elf when he made his way to New York City? How he told of that adventure. I kind of feel like we had that kind of adventure. We went down the gravel road from the church and got to the main highway. We drove about 100 yards and turned onto another gravel road. It was very similar to the road that takes us to the Korovou Chapel that we had just come from. We drove on this remote road through a small village where we have a 12-year-old deacon who lives. We continued on past the village and further through the jungles of Fiji. We drove up and down mountainous terrain with plush greenery of palm trees, banana trees, a pine tree or two and more vegetation of unknown plants and trees. It was a spectacular drive. We stayed on that road about 20+ minutes until the road ended. We couldn’t go any further. The missionaries were driving in front of us with 3 young men from the branch with them. Elder Moore, whom I mentioned earlier, Elder Gasu from West Jordan, and Mosese Tabua, who is about 18 years old, Osea Bulavou, whose mother and brother are with us. He is 16. Then there is Seremaia Tamani, who is also about 18 and is the brother of the Taina who we dropped off at her home on the way. When the road ended, we parked and all piled out. Then the Elders told us we will go down to the hill and cross the river. Down the path and down the hill we went to a river about 20 feet wide and about 4 feet deep. There was a wooden raft that was attached with a rope on both sides of the river. We got on the raft and Elder Gasu pulled the raft across. We didn’t all fit, so Elder Moore pulled the raft back to the other side, the rest of our group got on, and they came across the river to join us. We went through a large field of sorts with a nice cement path. We got to the village and entered someone’s yard. We continued on and then we went down a small ravine with some planks that are fixed across a stream. Some of the planks were broken and missing and in a bit of disrepair. It’s probably 15 feet across and then up the hill and we reached the house of the investigators. We got there about 2:05. The man and woman who live there welcomed us and invited us into their home. We took off our shoes and entered. The floor was covered with a woven mat that is very common in Fiji. They are very durable and beautiful. Sister Tamani tells me she will teach us how to make one. I hope she does. Anyway, we all sat in a big circle on the floor. Their daughter and 5 of their grandchildren joined us. We chit-chatted a little and waited and waited and waited. Finally, around 3:00 a couple of other people came. And we began the meeting. Kim and I didn’t really understand what it was we are doing and what was really happening. But, what seemed to be a sacrament meeting of types happened next. Seremaia Tamani conducted the meeting. I expected the Elders to but they didn’t. We sang an opening hymn and had a prayer. Brother Tamani said some things (all in Fijian). Then we sang a sacrament hymn and the sacrament was passed to those from the village. Since the rest of us had already partaken of the sacrament, they skipped right past us. During the sacrament a few more children came and joined us. After the sacrament was passed, Mosese gave a short talk, I think. Then Sister Turagarua also gave a short talk. We then had a closing hymn and prayer and we were finished. We all stood up and mingled a little and we left. I left with a feeling of great love for the people in our branch. You can tell that they have strong testimonies of the gospel. As we took them to their homes, I wanted to say, “I love you.” That probably sounds bizarre, but I realized how much I truly love these people that we get to serve. I don’t know that I am making a difference in their lives, but they are making a difference in my life. They are teaching me what is really important and what we need to focus on in our lives.

Today was one of those life experiences that you are grateful for. We didn’t understand. We didn’t know the relationship of the people we were visiting with. We didn’t know how many times the Elders had visited with them. We don’t think any of them are members. We need to talk more to the Elders and find out more about who these people are and how much interest they have in the church. We loved meeting them. They were so gracious and kind. They live a simple life and seem to be so happy and content. It was very remote. You can’t drive there. It was quiet and peaceful. You could soak in all of God’s beautiful creations. It was like the Garden of Eden. I can’t really put it into words.

Can you see though how it was a bit like Elf’s adventures in getting to New York City? I can’t remember the correct terms he uses but he traveled down Lolli-pop lane and into the gumdrop forest and through the ice fields…..and on and on. That's exactly what we did.

Here's some pictures of the day:

Driving through the jungle/forest/mountain.

The little river we had to cross with the raft and the path on the other side.

Going down the path to the river.

Coming from behind me....going down to the river.

Getting on the raft.

Picture taken from the raft...more coming on.

Elder Gasu pulling us across the river.

The 2nd group coming across the river. Vaka trying to pull them over.

Walking along the path on the other side of the river. The big elephant ear type leaves are taro. It's a very popular plant and starch. They eat both the leaf and the roots--which are very starchy and kind of potato-ish.

More walking....

The planks we had to cross over a small ravine.

Then up the hill. I absolutely love these red 'bushes'. They use them in many places in landscaping their homes.

The last hill to climb.

After the meeting, Kim had the home owner show him around a little. This was the room we sat in. The woven mat at the very bottom is very common. They said it was 10 years old. The one Kim is standing on was very ornate. You don't see these as much.