It was great to attend the Suva Cathedral today. Its amazing to think it was half designed by the British –with no windows to protect against the snow!;and second half by the Fijians who gave it windows to allow the breeze in.

Its easy to think we know what’s best!

As I step onto Fijian soil have been struck at how quiet and the simple way of life appears here. I’m also stuck by how people take the time to say ‘bula’ to you and make you feel at home.

One guy came up to me and after saying ‘bula’, then apologised to me for the rain we were experiencing today! Wow! -Darren

The short flight from Nadi to Suva was a real surprise…

I sat next to a young man reading his bible, but it wasn’t the bible I knew. As we started to chat about God I discovered be was a training Mormon and was preparing to depart for Salt Lake City for more intensive training very shortly.

Then ensured half an hour of serious discussion with him exhorting me to learn about his faith and me explaining mine. As the plane touched down in the darkness and tropical heat of the night, we were able to agree on our belief in Jesus’s saving sacrifice and in the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit.

So our mission has begun, and already we are having the privilege of sharing our faith. And that’s even before we have arrived at the Bible College! –Erena

Amazing!
Incredible!
Humbling!
Donations have been pouring in for this year’s Golden Oldies Mission to Fiji. In partnership with St Johns Bible College, a number of project partnerships have developed over the past years.

The Golden Oldies have focused on projects that either receive minimal or no support or funding from other sources. These projects include working with remote villages keen to provide improved housing, sanitation, education and health for children and families; churches working with new mothers at a maternity hospital; supporting a remote medical centre; schools specialising in second-chance education for students living in squatter villages; supporting the St Christopher’s orphanage with sewing lessons; and helping at an old peoples home based in the WW2 army barracks. these are some of the projects the Golden Oldies are investing their time, skills, and finance in.
We’re grateful for all the contributions from Golden Oldies members themselves, friends supporters, Archer residents,the Archer Board, and Archer Tours members, and individual fundraising groups from around NZ who have heard about these missions.

Recently our first sea freight of donated goods including sewing machines, children’s books, clothing and prayer books was shipped to Suva. While the Nurses at Archer have purchased over $1,000 of medical equipment to take on the trip, with generous donations in price discount from the medical supply companies have allowed us to take even more equipment

Golden Oldies from throughout NZ

This year’s Golden Oldies Mission team comprises of people from Christchurch, Blenheim and New Plymouth. The team has returning Golden Oldies, termed our ‘Graduates’ who are coming to transfer their life experiences and skills to mission projects we have previously visited, and first timers, our ‘Interns. The group ranges in age from 50+ years to 80+ years.
The Christchurch Team have had 2 training sessions in preparation for departure on Saturday 15 August. “I’m so excited about having the chance to go on a mission, something I have never done before”, says Intern Darren. The team has enjoyed getting to know one another and prepare themselves for the mission ahead