‘Our little can really make a big difference’ was how one Golden Oldie summarised this mission to Fiji. Returning annually over the past 5-years to build on established relationships continues to strengthen the Fiji Churches-Golden Oldies mission partnership.

Village visits and cultural experiences were a team highlight

Here is a snapshot of some of the contributions this team, and friends from NZ, have assisted to contribute to God’s Kingdom and people of Fiji.

Nurses Adele and Heather present the much needed Nebulisers to the Senior Nurse

A Fijian Senior Nurse sat in despair at the urgent request for 2 nebulisers urgently needed for the crowded Heath Centre. Unbeknown to Adele, the Golden Oldies Nurse, she was about to present 2 nebulisers to her on behalf of the team and many supporters from NZ.

The team prayed for people with a variety of needs, from the ministry for ‘the Chicken Boy’, to sick children in villages, to teaching needs at Schools, and development of a new church project, and much more.

Visiting an Old People’s Home, and asked to meet with Government officials to talk of ways of partnering with the Fijian Government about the future delivery of Aged-care in Fiji.

Buying grass brooms from the ladies in a remote squatter village

To learn about the struggles for land ownership and for Fijians of Melanesian descent. This was alarmingly evident with new subdivisions encroaching on their ‘ancestral land’ and the uncertainty of villages like Nadawa. It was great to be able to support their micro-business and buy their grass booms as well.

Be inspired by St Luke’s Men’s Ministry to uphold the woman of their church with a celebrationary dinner in their honour. Then establish a practical DIY ministry for the woman and widows in their local community. The Golden Oldies have offered to provide the tools for this handyman ministry.

Visiting a prison has re-opened the doors for a prison ministry to commence again. ‘Taking ice cream and cones for the men today was a treat like Christmas day for the men’ commented the Prison Major as he thanked the team for their encouraging visit.

Teaching Crafts at the Workshop Day gives new ideas for micro-business products

Preaching Biblical truths to Ministers, Christian studies for families, trauma counselling from the impact of recent Cyclone Winston, small business start-ups, micro-business crafts, and offering health wellness checks.

Wellness Checks at the Workshop are very much appreciated

Giving donations of children’s story books, bibles, clothing for newly born babies and first-time mothers, toothbrushes for children, swimming equipment for water safety training, a guitar, an electronic keyboard, a smokeless cooker, blood pressure and other medical supplies, school stationery, and clothing to churches, schools, hospitals, villages, and individuals.

A smokeless cooker is presented by Rev Dawn as a gift from the Awatere Parish in Marlborough

Providing the first ever Rugby 7’s team jerseys to a Village so their youth can enter the provincial rugby competition.

Officially launching the Village ladies fishing boat to provide a safer way to catch fish and provide more funding for the children of their Village.

The new ladies fishing boat is officially launched

Establish a partnership between Maniava Village, the Church and Golden Oldies, to use local clay to build the first ever mud-brick home in Fiji for a 85-year old widow in their Village, as a Demo Home. The success of this house could lead to the redevelopment of the 33/37 homes destroyed in this Village from the recent cyclone.

A partnership was established to build the first mud-brick house in Fiji for an elderly widow at Maniava

To share in the joy and celebrations of Fiji winning the first Gold Medal of any small Pacific Island nation at an Olympics. The Champion Fiji 7’s team have brought much pride and joy to these beautiful islands with their rugby passionate people.

Finally, to God be the Glory, as together in partnership between the Fijian Churches and Golden Oldies, we strive to further the Kingdom of God in the Pacific.
Vinaka vakalevu.

The Golden Oldies Team 2016 at the Sigatoka church and kindergaten