Coconut palms, plantains, papaya, and breadfruit trees conceal the Vugalei settlement from the bustle of busy Suva in Fiji. A mongoose scuttles across the roadway, and the village dog slinks nearby, ensuring everyone is safe and there are no unauthorized entries into the settlement.

Stepping onto the road, you get a sense that the village is nearby. You begin to hear the thwack of cement being thrown on walls, saws cutting through wood, and sand being sifted through wire nets. 

When the village comes into view, the first thing you see is the church. The Vugalei Adventist church has a position in the village that encourages visitors, welcomes gatherers, and tells everyone this is a village that knows Christ is at the centre of their lives.  

A group from Alstonville Seventh-day Adventist Church in Alstonville, New South Wales, Australia, received a warm welcome upon their arrival in Nadi, Fiji, at the start of this year. The group, consisting of 33 members—including 17 teenagers, 14 adults, and two children—was met by the vibrant community of Vugalei, who had journeyed three hours to greet them.

The Fijian hosts extended a greeting that was remarkable in its warmth and generosity, involving song, gifts, and a palpable sense of excitement. Their reception set a colorful and energetic tone for the mission, a sharp contrast to the mere utility of the brightly painted bus tasked with transporting the group to Vugalei. The journey to the village unfolded with hymns and praises, as bonds of friendship were forged and solidified with their Fijian companions. This initiation into Fijian culture and community spirit left the group more eager and energized for the collaborative work that awaited them.

Vugalei church members smile in a group photo with the visiting team of volunteers.

Photo: Adventist Record

The service initiative included moments of congregational reflection and prayer.

Photo: Adventist Record

Alstonville church volunteers work inside the Vugalei church in Fiji.

Photo: Adventist Record

The mission focus was to complete the rendering of the interior walls of the church, fund the resources needed to push the project forward, gain a closer connection with Jesus through His mission work, and coordinate a Vacation Bible School (VBS) for children as an extension of their Christian education and as an outreach to the broader communities.

The VBS team advertised the program by door-knocking and inviting families from other settlements to join. The week-long program taught and encouraged children to love and learn about Jesus, educating them about the fruit of the Spirit.

Within the church, members of a mission group, along with the entire settlement, joined forces to clear and prepare the space for upcoming work. For the people of Vugalei, this church goes beyond being a mere building; it is an integral part of their family and the epicenter of their lives, where the presence of God is fervently felt.

The renovation work inside the church was carried out through manual labor, as machinery was foregone. Participants meticulously sifted river sand in large water drums to eliminate any lumps and stones. This sand was then transported to the church's second story, where it was mixed with cement in a demonstration of efficient teamwork and shared responsibility. The community's effort was characterized by an exemplary utilization of resources; no materials went to waste. Any excess cement was cleverly transformed into large tiles for constructing footpaths, while scrap timber was carefully cleared of nails. These nails were sorted into buckets for use in future projects, ensuring that tools and materials were readily shared among all volunteers.

It had been 20 years since the groundbreaking ceremony, and prayers were to be answered and the Vugalei church would be built. Through the dedication and faith of the pioneering families, the church would become the instrument of a multi-generational, multi-national project, bringing people together just as God designed.

At the conclusion of the two-week period, not only was the interior rendering completed, but the exterior of the church walls was also rendered. Door and window frames were set and fitted, and timber was purchased and delivered for the ceiling batons. It was clear that divine intervention played a role, as what the mission group had hoped to achieve was not only met but surpassed. This effort was evidently blessed, leaving all parties involved with a profound sense of accomplishment.

The original article was published on the South Pacific Division news site, Adventist Record.