IGNITED Issue No. 3 Scripture Union of Fiji APRIL-MAY 2010

Scripture Union of Fiji Suite A16 I Grantham Plaza, Raiwaqa I Phone: 3383 322 I Email: sufiji@connect.com.fj

The Biblical Counseling Workshop held on Monday March 1st (a public holiday) organized jointly by Scripture

Union of Fiji and the Networks of Christian Educators went very well. One participant, a teacher, came from as far

as Nadi. We would like to thank Master Joji Tabua, the Manager of AoG Primary School, for kindly providing the

venue at no charge. We also thank those who provided morning teas and lunch. The next workshop looking at

Counseling of Young People in Primary and High Schools is planned for the school holidays in May. Those wishing

to attend should contact sufiji@connect.com.fj or joeveramu@yahoo.com or through his facebook.

JOSEPH VERAMU

Trusting in the Lord Just as David Did We serve a mighty God Jehovah and we can do all things through Christ who

strengthens us. Just as the Lord protected David from the lion and bear and helped

him defeat Goliath, the Lord can help us overcome obstacles and problems if we

will only trust him. In your own lives as students, volunteers, parents and adults we

can succeed at what we do if trust in the risen Lord in every aspect of our lives.

1st Samuel: 17:32- 37 “Don’t worry about a thing,”David told Saul. “I’ll fight this

Philistine!” “Don’t be ridiculous!” Saul replied. “There is no way you can go against this Philistine. You are

only a boy, and he has been in the army since he was a boy!” But David persisted, “I have been taking

care of my father’s sheep,” he said. “When a lion or a bear comes to steal a lamp from the flock, I go after

it with a club and take the lamb from its mouth. If the animal turns on me, I catch it by the jaw and club it

to death. I have done this to both lions and bears, and I’ll do it to this pagan Philistine, too, for he has

defied the armies of the living God. “The Lord who delivered me from the paw of the Lion and paw of the

bear will deliver me from the hands of the Philistines.”

2 IGNITED I April 2010

A second lesson we learn from this story is that God

often uses the simple, ordinary things around us to

accomplish his tasks in the world. It is important only

that they be dedicated to him for his use. David used

small smooth stones to kill Goliath.

What do you have that God can use? A pen, piece of

paper, a few cents in your pocket, your time. Anything

and everything can be a possible instrument for God.

“But I am just a primary student, a high school student

or a school drop out. I am just a worker in a low paying

job. I am just a housewife.”

The good news is that God wants to use you.

The Lord would like to use young people and adults in

his work in spreading the Good News and in the Great

Commission in Scripture Union, your churches, your

schools, workplaces, playing grounds etc.

The third lesson that we can learn is that no matter how

difficult or impossible it is for people, it is possible for

God. Do you have a drug problem, difficulty in your

school work etc? Remember nothing is impossible.

David as Role Model: David (Role Model): Shepherd,

Poet, Giant Killer, King, Ancestor of Jesus: in short one of

the greatest men in the Old Testament. But alongside

that list stands another: David committed adultery with

Bathesheba. He arranged the murder of Uriah,

Bathsheba’s husband. He directly disobeyed God in

taking a census of his people. He did not deal decisively

with the sins of his children. Yet in spite of David’s

failures God still refers to David in Acts 13:22 as “a man

after my own heart for he will do everything that I want

him to.”

David more than anyone else had an unchanging belief

in the faithful and forgiving nature of God. He believed

with all his heart in the Lord. Yes David sinned but he

was quick to confess his sins. His confessions were from

the heart and his repentance was real/genuine. David

never took God’s forgiveness lightly or his blessing for

granted.

In return God never held back from David either his

forgiveness or the consequences of his action. David

experienced the joy of forgiveness even when he had to

suffer the consequences.

Another big difference between David and us is that

while he sinned greatly, he did not sin repeatedly. He

learned from his mistakes because he accepted the

suffering they brought. Often we do not seem to learn

from our mistakes or the consequences of it.

1st Samuel: 17: 37 “The Lord who delivered me

from the paw of the Lion and paw of the bear will

deliver me from the hands of the Phillistines.” The

Lord will protect you from harm and will help you

overcome difficult situations. Like David, the Lord

would like to anoint and use especially the young

men and women in SU Fiji, PSFC, churches, schools,

workplaces etc to do his work.

You can overcome problems: You can overcome

impossible odds and resist temptation through

complete trust in the Lord. Give your lives to the

Lord in Building Up the Body of Christ. Don’t hold

back. Don’t be timid. Those who would like to serve

SU Fiji better or their mission field in churches,

workplaces, schools etc please pause now and offer

up a prayer to God. Going through some personal

problems? Remember David did the impossible by

beating Goliath as the Lord was with him. The Lord is

with us and can help us to overcome obstacles in our

lives.

SU SCHOOL MINISTRY REPORT: VISITATIONS

FOR FEBRUARY (by Te Niurua) Praise the Lord! We have started visiting schools yet again

these last two (2) weeks and have seen open doors from

both primary (10 schools) and secondary (15 schools)

with some of these schools having started SUIS already

(LBSS & GHS). We will continue with our visitations next

week and hoping to see more schools added to our list

when Term 1 ends.

VOLUNTEER STAFF

We are blessed with 3 volunteer staff who have

joined us this year. They are: Mr. Seveci. Nasilisili

who will work with Te based in Suva. Mr Inia Nasoi

who will work with Luisa based in Suva.) Inia is an

SPMTC student attached to SU for 1 year. Miss

Amelia Vesikula will look after Nadi / Lautoka based

in Nadi. All these three volunteer staff had been part

of the visitation team for the past two weeks.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS: We take this opportunity to

thank Dr. Veramu and his team of donors for

donating funds that helps us (4 people) in visiting

schools these two weeks. We believe that school

visitation is a vital component of school ministry and

therefore must not be missed. We have witnessed in

the past camps and other activities the low turnout

of teachers and I would blame the inconsistency of

our school visits. Many heartfelt thanks to them for

this great help.

We also thank School Principals and Head Teachers

for allowing us in to be part of their school program

and are also convinced that without God they can do

nothing. That was the comment made by ACS

Principal (Mrs. Salote Nawalowalo) supported by

many other school heads during our visit in these

two weeks. Thank God!

Mr & Mrs Nasilisili lent their vehicle (4 wheel – DK

615) for our use on 17th Feb as we visited Nausori &

Rewa. We take this opportunity to acknowledge

their kind support towards SU ministry.

Above all, all praises & glory be to God for His Love

and protection over us in these last two weeks of

visitations.

3 IGNITED I April 2010

Profile: Josh Umu: Sportsman for God When I first met Josh, my first question was how he developed the huge

muscles and biceps. Was he always big like this?….like Jonah Lomu or was it

inspired by the Taylor Lautner character in Twilight, New Moon? No, none of

this, he said patiently appreciating that because of the age difference there

can be a huge gap in mindsets between ‘babyboomers’ and the Y generation.

Since he took up rugby league as a sport,

he had to develop a bigger solid physique to be

able to handle the tough and rough world of full

body contact. Josh plays for the Police Sharks

and has represented Fiji in the Under 19 team.

Josh is currently studying for a Certificate in

Sports Science at the Fiji National University. He

attended Suva Grammar School. His hobbies are

playing the guitar, watching movies and singing

worship songs.

The Ravitaki, Kadavu lad attends Butt

Street Church. He likes the Butt Street youth

group “because we encourage each other and it

builds up our faith in GOD. But apart from that,

most of the time, we spend inside the youth hall

and not out there in the lost world.”

Josh says he loves being a SUIS

Volunteers “because it gives me the courage to

talk and also helps me to organize things and be

responsible. Being a volunteer has helped me to

be confident and assertive for the Lord. I am no

longer shy. I used to be withdrawn in the past.

But my youth group has affirmed and

encouraged me to step out in faith and

strengthen my mission field so I can extend

God’s Kingdom.”

Josh, how do you handle temptations? As a

young person, how do you handle, say drugs,

girls etc?” I asked. “If someone offers me drugs or

wants to come on to me, I turn away from the

temptation and trust in the Lord to help me deal

with it. I won’t do drugs because they lead to

mental problems and it’s not good. If a girl

approaches me for a ‘relationship’ I decline

because the Bible states that sex is meant only for

holy marriage.” He quoted 1st Corinthians 10:13

“But remember that the temptations that come

into your life are no different from what others

experience. And God is faithful. He will keep the

temptation from becoming so strong that you

can’t stand up against it. When you are tempted,

he will show you a way out so that you will not

give in to it.”

Josh says that he “spends much of his free time

reading the Bible and praying everyday because

reading the Word and praying is very powerful.”

Josh also shared one of his favourite Bible verses

with Ignited Readers; Psalm 139:14 (NIV) I praise

you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made,

your works are wonderful. I know that full well.”

Readers who might want to make contact with

Josh can link up to him through facebook, bebo

and grounded. IGNITED: Newsletter of the Scripture Union in Fiji

Official correspondences and communications to

Scripture Union Fiji must be sent to

sufiji@connect.com.fj Phone: 3383322. The office is

located at Suite A16, Grantham Plaza, Raiwaqa. The

postal address is Box 1278,Suva, FIJI. Correspondences

to the newsletter can be sent to

jveramu@connect.com.fj or ivateilai@yahoo.com.au

Editor: Joseph Veramu;

Deputy Editor: Iva Teilai;

Graphic Desiger: Saimoni

Reporter: Laisani Vuibau, Losalini Tabakei, Keverieli

Tavainavesi

MESSAGE FROM THE EDITOR

We encourage all volunteers and

readers of Ignited to send us letters,

stories, testimonies, reports etc.

These can be sent to

jveramu@connect.com.fj or

joeveramu@yahoo.com

4 IGNITED I April 2010

Letters to the

Editor:

Young Fiji Firebrand Lario Kalounivale

Letter 1: Dear Mr. Chairman and Dr

Veramu,

Pastor Dr. Geoff Waugh has published

Lario Kalounivale’s story (which

appeared in Ignited Feb issue) on his

facebook page. He is inspired and

blessed by the article and Lario's faith.

Best wishes: Romulo Nayacalevu

Letter 2: Bula vinaka Mr Nayacalevu

and Dr Veramu

I have had a chat with Lario and he has

also read Pst Dr. Waugh's email and

visited his page on FB. Our young

brother is just in awe of how God is

using him to encourage people around

the world and the encouragement he is

getting from great men and women of

God like Dr Waugh and people like

your good selves. I have also received

numerous positive feedback over the

last week on the February issue of

Central Division- First Term SUIS Rally By Vilimaina Cindy Waqanokonoko

On the 23rd of March the first term rally for the Central Division was held at Adi Cakobau School. The SUIS Rally committee faced a few challenges but indeed “The Battle is not ours but The Lord’s”. The theme for the rally was A LIGHT THROUGH THE TUNNEL. The Speaker was Mrs. Fine Ditoka. The rally was attended by the SUIS committee, the volunteers from the School Working Group, the Music team from Nausori ANCF and teachers and students from schools around the Central Division from Navua to Tailevu. Indeed all were surprised that Vashist Muni College from Navua had attended the rally for the first time in history. The program began at 8am with Sing a Long followed by Praise and Worship which was led by the Nausori ANCF Music Team. The host school’s Principal Mrs. Salote Nawalowalo gave a welcoming speech which was then followed by an item from the ladies of ACS. There were also ice breakers which included a specific one where students sat not with their schools but with those from other schools. The Speaker, Mrs. Fine Ditoka talked about PRAYER where there was a great need to pray. Students were put into groups according to their birth months and the groups were led by the SWG volunteers in prayer. The prayer points included the nation’s affairs ranging from the government to the people of the nation. While students participated in the prayer sessions, the teachers from the schools had a meeting with Sitiveni Kalou. After the prayer session, we all hosted to lunch by the ladies of ACS. After lunch, we were brought back into the hall for an afternoon program. This included items presented by each school and presentations from the Friends Rally Committee of the AoG Church and the Youth-Nited Committee. After a day of fellowship and excitement, indeed as they say all good things come to an end, the program ended with a prayer and teachers, students, volunteers and all present at the rally said their goodbyes and made their way home. Indeed we serve a Great God, who has faithfully provided for this rally, without Him this rally would have been impossible, therefore in the end all GLORY AND HONOUR be His and His only.

NEWS IN BRIEF

Event: YOUTH-NITED

2010

What: Rally

Start Time: Saturday,

May 1 at 6:00pm

End Time: Saturday,

May 1 at 9:30pm

Where: VODAFONE ARENA

ALL WELCOME

IGNITED and especially

the article on

Lario..Praise God

Sitiveni Kalou

Editor’s Note

If you wish to contact

Lario, check hum out

on facebook, bebo,

grounded or ning.