LIFE APPLICATION BIBLE SEMINAR
REPORT FIJI 1998
Sincerest thanks in the Lord to each one of you that prayer, helped out, donated bibles, worked, supported, filled in, encouraged, and reached out with your love. You have been an important part of making this wonderful trip a reality. It would not have been possible without the help you have given and the Lord has multiplied. All the people of Fiji and the other South Pacific island nations send their grateful thanks and lift up their voices to praise God for you. Their testimony of your generosity has reached the throne of God and is recorded in His book for all ages.
During the outreach to the Fiji Islands we were able to conduct three seminars and train over 500 people to effectively use the Life Application Bible. Among the participants were 2 high chiefs of the Fijian people, the General Superintendent of the Assemblies of God South Pacific, senior pastors of many denominations, assistant youth pastors, women's groups coordinators, Sunday School teachers, foreign and native missionaries, youth evangelism team members preparing for work in the Solomon Islands, students from two Bible Colleges including South Pacific Bible College.
Each of these made a commitment to share and teach others the riches found in the Life Application Bible. One of the most significant commitments was that of a Fijian high chief who promised to begin translating the LAB into Fijian for his people. He carries on the work of his grandfather and great grandfather who helped early missionaries with the first translation of the Bible into the Fijian language.
There were representatives of almost every city on the two biggest islands, as well as several of the smaller islands. Many came from villages in the remote interior traveling many miles to participate. In addition, 10 other island nations were represented. These seminars resulted in great enthusiasm and excitement to study God's Word and new bible study groups were formed.
As the Bibles were presented, many shared how grateful they were to receive the LAB and to be able to participate in the seminar. One pastor said, "I have learned more in three days at the seminar than I did in three years of Bible School." Another said, "I will teach my leaders the way you have taught me. I am excited. I deeply believe this will bring revival in the lives of my people. The LAB will be used to train those preparing to establish new churches, as well as being used in Sunday School programs and cell group studies."
People groups represented included Fijian, Indians, Somoans, Phillipinos, Africans, Europeans, Americans, Asians, and South Americans.
In one city pastors from the two major denominations came together for the first time at the seminar. The Spirit of unity was so strong the guest churches requested to be notified of future seminars and workshops. The host pastor's secretary reported the next day the church office was filled with people sharing what they had discovered in this new Bible. The office staff was kept so busy with phone calls and missionaries and outstation pastors coming to the office thanking them for the seminar that they had to put aside their work and welcome the visitors. There were many reports of God's mighty work through the seminar.
We cannot possibly convey the joy and appreciation of the people who shared in the seminar with us. One regret that we have is that we ran out of Bibles. Please remember us in prayer that we will be able to carry on the work and that others will grab hold of the vision and give of their time, resources and finances to fill the need for future seminars.
