ICEJ Fiji Branch

Launched and formalised in 1993

Purim in Fiji : 28th February 2010

The enthusiastic singing of children and the blowing of the shofar, worship and testimonies to God’s faithfulness were part of Purim celebrations for the Fiji Branch!
Chairman Viliame Gonelevu related a brief account of the story of Esther and how God’s name was not mentioned in the book of Esther, but His guiding hand was hidden.

The children quickly regained flagging interest when part of the story was read aloud with “booing” and “hooraying” at the appropriate places when the names of Esther, Mordecai and Haman were read out. Of course no one appeared before the LORD empty handed and a substantial offering was collected.

Prayer closed the meeting but the challenge remained that we are called to serve “in such a time as this” whether they be good times, difficult times, raining, hailing, impending tsunami or whatever weather, the faithfulness of the God of Israel has to be shared.

Israel Awareness Day 5th March,2010

We boarded the mini-bus provided by the Branch from Centenary Methodist Church at 5.50pm and followed by Chairman, Viliame Gonelevu in his car we headed for Lami Grace Field Christian Fellowship, about 15 minutes away. Its Pastor, Samisoni Seru greeted us and whisked Chairman away to his office while we hung up our Israel/Fiji flags prepared the table for the Menorah and the candles.

Worship was led by the active worship team of the church. Our spirits were lifted by the lively choruses and we clapped, swayed, lifted up our hands and flowed with the Spirit. The worship leader of the church, Radini Mere Kolitagane greeted Chairman and the Members and friends of Israel and made us feel welcome. Then Sister Sera Butukoro expressed words of welcome to Chairman, they garlanded Mr. Viliame Gonelevu with a beautiful salusalu (lei) and handed the programme over to the ICEJ.

By this time, we could feel the presence of the Holy Spirit and when Mika Mudreilagi was ready to blow the Shofar and recite the Shema, he broke down and cried and tears welled up in our eyes. One of the ladies from the Church later said when we were sharing, that when the Shofar was blown she was trembling all over, filled with the Spirit as tears flowed down her cheeks.

Then the programme commenced with Courtney dancing the Menorah dance, Susau prayed for Jerusalem, I testified about the Feast in Jerusalem and what we learnt there. Chairman shared how man sinned at the Garden, how Abraham Isaac and Jacob were God’s sovereign choice to establish His people the Jews to be a light to the nations. There was only one Messiah, the Jewish Messiah who, for the Christians, had already come and is coming again, but to the Jews still yet to come. We have to pray for them and comfort them.

Annie then explained about our special projects, the Aliyah programme and the Holocaust project. After the offering, Courtney then closed with the Grafted dance.
We then fellowshipped with the women over a sumptuous fare. We also received further invitations to hold an Israel Awareness meeting in a neighbouring church in the future.

(Adapted from reports by Matelita (Mat) Nagatalevu, Secretary ICEJ, Fiji Branch)

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