Journal of Pacific Adventist History - vol. 1

32 Pages·2016·2.78 MB·English

Vol 1 Number l June 2001
ISSN 1445-3096
Journal of Pacific
Editorial
Adventist History
Statement of Mission Seventh-day Adventists
Journal of Pacific Adventist Histoiy serves his­ have a past in the Pacific worthy of record, and wor­
torians. members and others interested in the mis­ thy of being shared. God has been directing His
sion of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in the work for over 100 years, and exciting things have
South Pacific Islands. It focuses on people and
happened. He has guided the course of history in
events involved in the establishment and develop­
the islands towards the fulfillment of His purposes.
ment of the church in preparation for the event of
He has suggested, influenced, and responded to
the ages—the Second Coming of Christ.
human appeals, decisions and actions. Sometimes
he has lead out Himself and caused particular
• Editor and David Hay
things to happen. And Pacific islanders, expatriates,
Publisher
and others interested in the people of the Pacific,
have been involved in God's acts of divine provi­
• Editorial Kathryn Brady
dence. What has been accomplished needs to be
Assistants Lester Devine
acknowledged, better understood and more widely
Cecily Hay
appreciated.
Ursula Hedges
Laurence Gilmore
People, places and events will be featured in arti­
David Potter
cles and stories. On occasions there will be life
James Rabe
sketches, book reviews and letters.
Arnold Reye
Sherrill Robinson
In this issue Ray Wilkinson tells of the challenge of
Yvonne Sutton
establishing the church's first island regional institu­
Kuresa Taga’i
tion to grant degrees. Mrs Rusila Beranaliva de­
Shirley Tarburton
scribes the early years of Dorcas activities in Fiji.
Gaynor T arrant
Brian Townend How the Adventist Church first began in Papua New
Raymond Wilkinson Guinea is well documented by Alfred Chapman.
David Hay gives an account of the difficulties en­
• Layout and countered by a national expatriate in bringing the
Text Cecily Hay Adventist message to another Pacific country. And
Lester Hawkes shares his surprising findings on the
• Advisor Barry Oliver meaning of the seventh day in several Papuan lan­
guages.
• Volume l, i\To l, June 2001
There is good reading for everyone. May you find
• Suggestions for. topics and titles for future arti­ your journey through the Pacific Islands rewarding
cles aie welcome.
and inspirational.
• Address all correspondence including change of
David Hay
address to the editor
1 Ebony Drive
Thanks to the editorial assistants and the
Hamlyn Terrace NSW 2259 reviewers who willingly share their experience and
Australia expertise. Their contribution is valued.
Telephone Fax
National [phone] (02) 4393 5529
International 61 2 4392 0000 61 2 4393 5529
“5the church is making History. Tv cry
• Published twice yearly in Australia. day is a Bat tie ancC a march. On every
• Subscription is FREE. sixde we are Beset By invisiBCefoes, and we
either conquer through the grace given
• Cover Picture: Construction of facilities at Pacific
us By Gjodor we are conquered”
Adventist College May 1983.
E G White, Testimonies to the Church, vol 6,
14 Mile Sogeri Rd, Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea
p 327.
C o n t e n t s
Articles
3 ESTABLISHING PACIFIC ADVENTIST COLLEGE:
a new emphasis in island education.................................................... Raymond Wilkinson
8 YEARS OF PRACTICAL CHRISTIANITY:
The commencement and growth of community services
in Fiji from 1952 onwards.................................................................... Rusila Beranaliva
11 BREAKING NEW GROUND:
the entrance of the Adventists into Papua-New Guinea................. Alfred Chapman
17 ANA TJONAL EXP A TRJA TE OF NOTE:
Tavita Niu of Samoa...............................................................................David Hay
27 AN UNUSUAL PRACTICE
Seventh day rest in Papuan languages................................................Lester Hawkes
30 Life Sketches
Leonard Victor Wilkinson 1906-1997
TeetaMooa 1947-2000
31 Book Review
Tini, Trailhlazer in the Wake of the Pitcairn
by Abbie Lam Yuen Watt.......................................................................Neil Hughes
ESTABLISHING PACIFIC ADVENTIST COLLEGE:
a new emphasis in Island education.
----The first principal’s challenge.
Raymond As early as the mid 1960s some recendy acquired dairy' property' less
Wilkinson of us on the staff at Fulton College than a kilometre from the existing
(particularly Glynn Litster, Bill Miller college plant. It was envisaged diat
and myself) urged our Union Mission the two campuses would share an
leadership and the Division Educa­ administration, and some facilities.
tion Department to give serious We were commended for our for­
thought to introducing a fully tertiary ward blinking, but told clearly that
program to serve the needs of our there was no money for such a
island union missions. We recom­ move, and that there was no imme­
mended as a first step separating the diate plan for a tertiary’ program in
high school and training programs at the island section of the Division (at
Fulton College, by constructing fa­ diat time the Australasian Division
cilities for the training program on a of Seventh-day Adventists). It was
felt that Avondale College could lead that the central Pacific coun­
meet the need for tertian7 trained tries like Fiji had at that time. I was
island nationals for the foreseeable impressed then, and am still im­
future. pressed by the vision that Lance
The first clear intimation I re­ Butler had, and his grasp of the
ceived that such thinking was situation in the various island na­
changing came in 1975 when Papua tions.
Raymond K Wilkinson,
New Guinea Union Mission meet­ The first substantial move to­
EdD, a graduate of
ings were being held in Lae. I was ward the establishment of the new
A vondale College,
Massey University (NZ) attending as Principal of Sonoma college was made at a meeting of
and Andrews University College, the training centre for both Education and Division personnel
served as principal of the Papua New Guinea Union Mis­ in Honiara, in July 1977. At that
PAC (now PAU) from
sion and Western Pacific Union time a clear decision was made to
1982 to 1991. Also prin­
Mission, and Pastor Lance Buder, at ask the Division to plan and estab­
cipal at Kambubu Ad­
ventist High School, that time our Division Treasurer lish a tertiary institution to serve the
1979-81, Sonoma Col­ was also in attendance. We met on island fields of the Division. I was
lege, 1972-76, deputy at an early morning walk through the not at the Honiara meeting, as I was
Fulton College, Fiji,
lovely Botanical Gardens just oppo­ in the United States on a study pro­
1958-59, principal at
site the Union office, and as we gram, but learned with some jubila­
Papaaroa Junior Col­
lege, Cook Islands, walked Lance asked me if I consid­ tion of the decisions being made.
1956-57. He was educa­ ered the time had come when we The Division immediately es­
tion director of the needed to plan a full tertiär)7 pro­ tablished a planning program, seri­
WPUMfrom 1992-94.
gram for the island unions. I assured ously considering ways of gathering
him I considered the time had not the necessary funds (a 13th Sabbath
Ruth taught Home Eco­
only come, but that we were some offering was dedicated to the pro­
nomics to the high
school students at Fulton years late in making such a move. gram, more funding was built into
and to the teacher train­ He asked me if I thought we needed the Division budget, and plans were
ees at Sonoma and PA U a new institution to be established, made to borrow money from exist­
or if a tertiär)' cap on one of the ex­ ing Division reserve funds so that
Since his retirement in
isting colleges would suffice. 1 said land acquisition and a building pro­
1995, he has been a vol­
unteer at Fulton College, that I thought a tertiary cap added at gram could be financed) and a
1997 and at the Lay Fulton College would be the fastest search was launched to find a suit­
Training School at Aore way to get the program started. He able site. Fiji, the Solomon Islands,
in Vanuatu in 2000.
gently disagreed with me, and I was and Papua New Guinea were con­
quickly forced to concede that add­ sidered as possible host nations. Be­
Ray and his wife Ruth
have four children, Roy, ing a third level to the already diffi­ cause Papua New Guinea’s popula­
Gwenda, Enid and cult mix of secondary school classes tion represented approximately 80%
Helen. with post-secondary training pro­ of the total for the region to be
grams at Fulton would only add fur­ served, particular weight was given
rIhe Wilkinsons live in
ther problems. Lance then gave me to looking at sites in that nation. To­
retirement at Cooran-
bongNSW. the first information I had heard ward die end of 1978 Pastor Lester
about serious plans for a tertiär)7 in­ Lock, who had grown up, and then
stitution, telling me that he had al­ worked for most of his adult life in
ready started to establish a fund to Papua New Guinea was asked to
provide at least a foundation for the check out available sites. It was seen
heavy costs that would be involved as desirable that the site chosen
in planning, constructing and staff­ should have ready access for stu­
ing a tertiary institution for the is­ dents and staff from other coun­
lands. We talked a little about where tries, have phone, power and water
such a program could best be lo­ services available, have adequate ar­
cated, mention being made of the able land, and be reasonably near a
population dominance of Papua commercial centre and other educa­
New Guinea in the Division’s is­ tional facilities. For those reasons
lands region, but the educational special consideration was given to
sites in the Markham Valley near
5
Lae, and near the capital, Port Moresby. The sites positive, and formal proceedings were initiated to
available near Lae were not considered suitable, so try and acquire the site.
the search was concentrated near Port Moresby. Securing the land was not a foregone conclu­
Pastor Lock was accompanied by Pastor Yori sion by any means. The land was owned by the
Hibo, President of the Central Papua Mission of Koiari people living up on the Sogeri Plateau and
Seventh-day Adventists, as he looked at two sites in the foothills of the Owen Stanley mountains
along the Sogeri Road, a little over 20 kilometres north of Port Moresby. Even if they would be
north of Port Moresby’s business centre. One site willing to lease the land to the Church there were
was land owned by die Ilimo Farm, Papua New still major challenges to overcome. Private (non­
Guinea’s largest poultry business. It had been government) groups were restricted to leases of
used to grow maize for the farm, but was no not more than 25 years, far too short a period for
longer in use. The other property was owned by such a major project as establishing a college. For
the New Zealand Dairy Corporation, and had the plan to be feasible the Government would
been run as a dairy, but because of problems with have to agree to take out a long-term lease of the
feed during die long dry7 season, and the high inci­ land from the landowners, and then sub-lease to
dence of pests (particularly ticks and buffalo fly) the Church. But Government would be hard to
the company had decided to cease its local dairy convince that the Church should have the use of
operation, and reconstitute milk from New Zea­ the land for a college, as other groups also wanted
land milk powder. the site. The Forestry Department wanted it as a
The two men looked first at the Ilimo Farm training centre and nursery7. The Agriculture and
site, and felt there were some problems, not die Fisheries Department wanted it to sub-divide into
least of which was the need to construct an ex­ blocks for a model farm scheme. Some influential
pensive bridge to give ready access to the prop­ government men wanted it to run a commercial
erty. They then looked at the dairy7 land, (called piggery7, and the Sogeri owners were of two minds
Tanuabada, meaning Svide plain’) and were im­ over letting any group have it, thinking they might
pressed by a section of elevated land suitable for want to farm it themselves.
building sites, the well watered look of part of the Pastor Yori Hibo was himself of part Koiari
land even during the dry7 spell, the ready access ancestry7, and made it his mission to talk to his
from a sealed road, the fact that power lines from people about the blessings that would come if a
the hydro power stations on the Laloki River went college was established on their land. And when
right past the site, that phone lines would be easy the time came for a decision to be made, the land-
to link to the nearby Bomana Exchange, and that owners told the Government they would lease the
the water treatment facility7 for Port Moresby^ do­ parcel of land on a long-term basis provided it
mestic water sendee was just on the boundary7 of was made available to the Seventh-day Adventist
the property7, providing easy access to a supply of church to establish a tertiary7 training college.
treated water. The site was also close to Port Mo­ In talking to our Church representatives the
resby’s international airport (which was also on landowners asked that the College be called
the north side of the city7) and to the National Koiari College, in honour of the landowners. It
Government offices at Waigani, and the Univer­ was Pastor Ron Taylor that explained to them
sity7 of Papua New Guinea. The tw’o men became that the church required the name 'Adventist’ to
quite excited as they considered all the positive be part of die official name, and diat it was to
features of the land. serve a wider need than the local name would sug­
They talked to the manager of the Dairy7 Cor­ gest, but as an alternative he suggested that the
poration in his office at what was at that time an name of the whole estate be Koiari Park, and that
ice-cream factory7 situated on the west edge of the became the official name of the estate. The name
property7, and he agreed that if the men paid a de­ initially chosen for the College was Soutii Pacific
posit they could have an option on the site for ten Adventist College, or SPAC. It soon became ob­
days. Pastor Lock had no money with him, and vious that the name had a problem, in that the
Pastor Yori Hibo had only one Kina (at that time Pigin English term for ‘drunk and disorderly’ is
a little less than US $1), but the manager gra­ 'spark’, and the local pronunciation of SPAC was
ciously said that would be a satisfactory7 deposit. so close to ‘spark’ that a linkage was inevitable.
The money was paid, and a receipt given. People started to make fun of our farm workers
Pastor Lock immediately contacted the Divi­ and builders as being the 'spark line’. It was clear
sion, and men were sent up from Sydney to give that a change was needed, and the official name
the site a thorough appraisal. Their report was was changed to Pacific Adventist College, or PAC
6
(which some termed ‘pak’, but at the College we weeks, then there were suggestions to take back to
always rendered it as separate letters — P-A-C). the Division, and the draft went backwards and
The land officially became the property of forwards several times during 1982 and the first
the Church in 1979, and Phil Ellison and some half of 1983. When the draft had been accepted
farm workers moved in to care for the catde by both the Division and the Government (with
(about 700 head) and begin an agricultural pro­ some reservation on the part of the Division, and
gram. In 1980 groundwork began, with roads, possibly on the part of the Government also)
building sites, and the lakes being formed. The plans were made for it to be presented to the Par­
initial plan was for one large lake on the western liament I was asked by Sir Barry Holloway, then
side of the main buildings, but it was found that it Minister for Education, to prepare two speeches
would be too difficult to produce just one level, for him, one for when the Bill was first intro­
and so the plan was adapted so that two lakes duced, and another to use during any debate. 1
were formed, with a causeway in between. was also asked to be ready to attend as a resource
The first appointment to the college staff was person if needed. However, when the Bill was
that of Brian Townend, as Librarian. He was able presented in the House it evidently met with wide
to work from Avondale College, where he had approval, and the first I knew of its progress was
been Librarian, and began collecting and prepar­ a call from the Minister for Education’s office to
ing library resources for shipment as soon as there tell me it had been passed. From memory, the
was a library building on the new campus. An­ date was August 13, 1983.
other early appointment was that of Carl Stone- In 1983 we were able to get down to the im­
man as the Clerk of Works, and builder. Carl was portant work of planning courses, gathering staff,
a tireless worker, taking an interest in the farm receiving student applications, and making plans
program, and overseeing the building of staff toward the official opening in February 1984.
housing as well as carrying out his task as Clerk of The Division had been very helpful in appointing
Works for the contractors who were constructing a skeleton staff of experienced people who were
the major buildings. Carol Stoneman, Carl’s wife, able to work on course structure and subject out­
served as a cashier and clerk for the program until lines. The library was becoming usable for library
the time that John Pocock, appointed as the first and office space, and the cataloguing of materials
Business Manager, was able to move onto the was going at a good pace — though there was no
new campus. library? shelving or other furniture at that time. In
Near the end of 1981 I was asked to be the designing our courses we wanted to do our best
Principal of the new College, to oversee its plan­ to meet the actual needs of the region we were to
ning and eventually its operation. My first visits to serve, and not just follow the approach and
the College (in 1982) involved visits to govern­ courses that others had developed. For instance,
ment officers, the Papua New Guinea University, we planned that our degree program would be in
and businesses in Port Moresby. Great help was two modules; the first two years would qualify
given to me by Dr Geoff Gibson, who was not one for a diploma, then after some field experi­
only a long-time friend, but had also been a leader ence (one or two years) the student would return
in the Papua New Guinea Government’s educa­ and complete another two-year module to gain a
tion program for many years. He knew the right degree. In accepting students there was some dif­
people, and was known and respected by leaders ficulty? in working out what credit to allow for col­
in Government and the education system of the lege level work completed elsewhere (for instance
nation. In fact I would give much of the credit to at Fulton College in Fiji) and also working out
Geoff for the ease with which the Papua New equivalent standards for entry from the many Pa­
Guinea Government accepted the concept of a cific nations we were to serve, each with its own
church sponsored tertiary college, and even gave education system and terminal high school qualifi­
official standing by passing a special Bill in the na­ cations.
tion’s parliament to provide a charter for the new Once there were families living in the staff
college. housing being constructed for the College we be­
Getting that Bill prepared was a major hurdle. came the target for some of the gang raids for
The South Pacific Division prepared a draft, well which Port Moresby is known (the so called
considered by the legal minds and the officers of ‘raskol’ gangs to use the Pigin term). The only
the Division, and dien I took that draft to the communication we had between houses was whis­
Papua New Guinea Government’s legal office for tles that we could blow, and we would use them
their consideration. Their review took some to alert other families that there were intruders.
7
Some weeks there were several such intrusions, dormitories.
and we would be tired from chasing ‘raskols’ off Fortunately Married Student Village One was
the campus at night, and then having to put in a ready (more or less) early in December 1983 when
full day of work during the daylight hours! After a the first of our students arrived on a special flight
particularly vicious raid we were provided with from Fiji. Air Niugini had down a charter flight
better security for our houses and vehicles. But for die Fiji Government, to take members of the
the problem of intruders was one that was always Fiji Military for peace-keeping sendee in the Mid­
in mind—and to this day continues to be one of dle East, and to return others of the Fijian force
the problems for the College (now called Pacific back to Fiji. As the Air Niugini plane returned
Adventist University), despite hearty expenditure from Fiji to Port Moresby a number of our pro­
on security measures and personnel. spective students were able to get cheap flights
While the planning of the academic program across. That meant they arrived over two months
was in progress there were some difficulties with before our ofdcial opening. But what a blessing
regard to buildings and plant to contend with. that was to us! They worked with a will making up
The engineers and contractors were directly an­ pre-fabricated library shelving and study desks for
swerable to the Division, not to those of us on the library and classroom, helped to get the cam­
the site, and it took considerable time and ma­ pus into at least a degree of order, and were a ma­
noeuvring to get problems checked and (if possi­ jor factor in helping us be ready for die February
ble) corrected. An example of the type of problem 1984 opening.
met was the highly innovative (but very problem­ We had prepared information brochures to
atic) air control system for the library/ give to each of the media entities—TV, radio, the
administration building. It was based on many so­ two daily newspapers—and the Government.
lar panels (some 120, from memory) on the slop­ Despite that, each of the news items that told of
ing roof of the building to produce hot water, our opening contained errors. One newspaper
which in turn was used to produce cooling. If even reported our opening a week before the ac­
power went off and the water was not circulated tual event! A major desire of the media seemed to
the water in the panels would actually boil and we be to stir up controversy between the College and
had to hose with fire hoses to try and keep diem the University of Papua New Guinea. Fortunately
cool. The system did not prove as efficient as was the Vice-Chancellor of the University, Doctor
hoped, and the weight of the water in the many Elton Brash, was helpful and supportive of our
panels began to strain the roof, which sagged, and plans, and there was litde the media could do to
began to leak in many spots (under the solar pan­ initiate the hostility they thought would make
els, so we could not get at die leaks!). Finally the good news! In fact, the University, and the Gov­
panels were taken out and a more conventional air ernment’s Department of Education were suppor­
conditioning system was put in. The automatic tive throughout the time of my association with
checking machine put in the Library to prevent the College.
unregistered books being taken out never did We were able to arrange for Papua New
work properly. We were told it had been wet with Guinea’s Prime Minister, Sir Michael Somare, to
salt water on die way up from Sydney, and despite officially open the College. Sir Michael had taken
visits by the technicians from the manufacturers a personal interest in our project as the College
gave endless trouble. Some problems were to do took shape, often driving through the campus to
with design, like the fact that the home economics have a look at the progress being made, and from
room was given fly screening on one side, but not time to time visiting with Doctor Geoff Gibson
on the odier! And in the science building an (who had trained him as a teacher many years be­
elaborate hot water system never did work prop­ fore, and was a personal friend and an advisor in
erly — though we did manage to get die hot water matters to do with education). With Division ap­
disconnected from the toilet cisterns and con­ proval Geoff had built a house on the campus
nected to the wash hand basins in that same and was one of our early residents in the ‘Faculty
building. Another problem was diat contractors Village’. Sir Michael took an almost paternal inter­
did not seem able to keep to schedules, and when est in our program, and often visited Geoff, ask­
the college finally opened we had a whole village ing how ‘our College’ was progressing.
of student housing not ready for occupancy, and The dav Pastor Yori Hibo and I were sched-
J
for the first half of 1984 had to put ten student uled to meet with Sir Michael to ask him to offi­
families on the top door of one of the men’s cially open the College he was confined to his
home, because he had sprained an ankle the day
before (playing golf with Ratu Sir Kamasese Mara Division Secretary, Pastor Tom Andrews the Di­
from Fiji). When Pastor Yori and 1 went to Sir vision Treasurer, and Doctor Gerald Clifford, Di­
Michael’s office we were informed that he was at vision Education Director, who had been a con­
home, and all appointments had been cancelled, stant guide and help. One who could not be pre­
‘just wait/ said his Secretary. ‘I’ll check and see sent (despite the fact that the bronze plaque that
what you should do.’ We waited, and soon the records the opening lists him as being there) was
Secretary came across to tell us that Sir Michael Pastor Lance Butler, who at that time was General
still wanted to see us, and would be happy for us Conference Treasurer, and at the last minute was
to visit him at home. We went to the Prime Minis­ kept away by the pressure of his work. Many
ter’s residence, and after a very friendly visit had other of our church dignitaries, and government
Sir Michael’s agreement to be the primary guest at and community representatives were also present.
our opening, and to perform the opening cere­ It was a relief when the opening ceremony
mony by unveiling a plaque, and cutting a ribbon. with all its pomp and formality7 was over, and we
The time for the opening of the College fi­ could settle down to the task of running classes
nally came. Doctor George Babcock (who had and all the other features that make up a college
been my fellow student at Andrews University) program. In retrospect it is difficult to remember
came to represent the General Conference Educa­ the difficulties of those early days. It is much eas­
tion Department The South Pacific Division was ier to remember the wonderful staff and students,
represented by Pastor Keith Parmenter, who had and to acknowledge the blessings God gave and
been our Division President through most of the rejoice in the blessing that the College and its
planning and building stage, and Pastor Walter graduates have been to the program of the Gos­
Scragg, the current Division President and Chair­ pel.
man of our College Board, Pastor Ron Taylor the
YEARS OF PRACTICAL CHRISTIANITY:
The commencement and growth of community services in Fiji
from 1952 onwards.
Rusila It was one of those lovely tropi­ Oh, how I wished to be with them.
Beranaliva cal mornings when I was travelling One morning when I was staying
by bus from Fulton College to Suva. with my sister, Elesi, wife of Pastor
A cool breeze fanned my face as I Saimoni Nauluvula (now deceased),
admired the lush green foliage on she asked me to help with the house­
both sides of the road, while above work and cook lunch for my brother-
the horizon, white clouds hovered on in-law, for she was going out to do
the top of blue mountain ranges pro­ some charity7 work. I was happy to
viding a magnificent sight that help my dear sister and besides it
brought peace to my soul. would give me somediing to do.
Life in the Suva mission station However I was inquisitive about
was lonely and boring for me when this ‘charity’ work so when the last
compared with all the interesting ac­ plate was placed on the shelf and the
tivities at College. Ever}7 morning I floor swept, I ran across the cassava
would sit under a large mango tree patch to an old garage where some
overlooking the city7, watching big ladies were busy working. Quietly I
boats and small sailing ships coming entered and sat down. I noticed a
in and out of the harbour, as 1 number of workers’ wives, including
thought about my friends who were Elesi, together with Mrs C.S. Adams,
also away for the school holidays. an Australian lady and the wife of the
9
president of the mission. They were sion, Mr Mervyn Blyde with his
using a hand sewing machine, pins, wife, Olive, who became Secretary
and scissors as they busily sewed of die Welfare Federation. Adi
children’s clothes and packed them Torika was Assistant President, Mrs
Mrs Rusila Beranaliva,
a graduate of Fulton into parcels. My sister was surprised Hem a, Assistant Secretary, and the
College, served her to see me and was happy when I in­ Committee Members were Mrs
people in a variety of dicated that I had finished the house­ Kamea, Mrs Nakasamai, Mrs Nailaiti
positions in Fiji and in
work. and Mrs Rusila Beranaliva. At this
Sydney A ustralia.
“What is this charity work?” I session, plans were laid to incorpo­
She taught in the pri­ asked her. She straight away quoted rate welfare rooms under the youth
mary school at Fulton from Matthew 25:34-40, “...come ye centre being built at Suvavou, to
College in Tailevu for blessed of my father.. .for I was hun­ close the room in Suva and to trans­
over JO years until
gry and you gave me food...l was fer the financial support to the new
1967. She was a recep­
thirsty and you gave me water...I welfare rooms. The welfare work
tionist and translator at
was naked and you clothed me. Then grew rapidly and its influential role
Fiji Mission at Suvavou
from 1968-1972. For the righteous will answer, when did I was seen in new areas.
the next eleven years see you hungry and I gave you In 1961 the welfare work in Fiji
she was the mission food... and the King answered was officially recognised and then
community welfare
‘Inasmuch as you did it to one of the organised as one of die church de­
leader and director of
least of these...you have done it to partments under the umbrella of
the centre in Suva.
From 1984-1992 she me.’” She also quoted Matthew 28: what was then known as the Depart­
was a government com­ 19, 20, “Go therefore and make dis­ ment of Lay Activities. The diree-
munity educator at ciples, ...teaching them all I have roomed centre was adapted to the
Suva and Nausori.
said to you.” needs of the field with one room
I gave a little giggle. It didn’t used for an office, another for stor­
When she and her hus­
band transferred to mean a thing to me. I did not under­ age of supplies and the tiiind a work
Sydney, she became the stand but little did I know that one room for the sorting of bags of
director of the Greater day, down the track of life, I would clothing and supplies to be sent to
Sydney Conference
be involved in this ‘charity work’ in the societies of the federation.
Community Centre at
my country. This work in the old ga­ The work of the federation was
Parramatta from 1993-
95. Since the beginning rage, as far as I know, was the hum­ divided into two sections: work in
of2001 she has been a ble beginning of the welfare effort in the welfare room and work of visita­
bilingual community Fiji. In 1959, twelve Dorcas Welfare tion in die field. Office and general
educator for the Batik-
Societies joined to form a federation work in the welfare room fell very
stown and Cumberland
under the leadership of Pastor and heavily on Mrs Blyde and later on
Health Service.
Mrs Coates. Mrs Beverly Phal was Mrs Lois Bailey so the Fiji Mission
Rusila is married to elected as the first federation presi­ provided a secretary for two morn­
Filimone K Beranaliva dent for a term of two years and it ings a week.
who is a past president
was under her able leadership that a Mrs Crabtree reports diat “each
of the Fiji Mission and
new and lively interest was shown in society in the federation was ex­
a CPUM departmental
the welfare work in West Fiji. At this pected to send in a report of work
director. He pastored
the Fijian congregation time a welfare uniform was adopted; each month as well as their mondily
in Sydney. a welfare room was rented in Suva financial support of the welfare
for £\2 per month and this rent was room. In return, bags of clothing
They have four chil­
raised by contributions from the so­ and supplies were sent for their use
dren, Simeone, Miri-
cieties in the federation. in visitation work. We gready appre­
ama, Salote and Ana
As the years passed many expa­ ciated consignments of clothing
The Beranalivas are triate wives came and went. They did which were sent regularly, mainly
now living in retire­
‘charity work’ in ever}7 possible way. from New Zealand. There were
ment in Sydney, NSW
Then in the 1960s came Pastor Barr)7 scores of letters and requests which
Crabtree and his wife Norma, who needed to be attended to from the
was voted as Federation President at 43 societies now in die federation.
the biennial Welfare Session held in “The work in the field was large.
Nagia in 1961. In 1964 tiiere came a The aim was to visit ever)7 society
new secretary treasurer for Fiji Mis­ each year, but it became impossible
10
to do this as the work grew so rapidly. The field women, interested in what had happened, went
was divided into seven districts: Suva, Lautoka, to find die Dorcas ladies. After learning about
Wainibuka, Baravi Coast, Navosa, Cola North and the objectives of the society, they both enrolled
Lau. Each district appointed a leader and a com­ and as time went on brought other Indians
mittee and held meetings throughout the year.” along. As a result five of these women joined
In 1969 when the Crabtrees left Fiji, the re­ the Adventist Church and the grandsons of die
port was as follows: old man and their wives and children are bap­
“There were 104 Welfare Societies with 2,376 tised members today.2
members. 697 of them were in uniform, joining in During this time many places were open
the welfare work were 501 Methodists, 196 to the welfare work where Seventh-day Advent­
Cadiolics, 27 Assemblies of God members, 9 Je­ ist preachers were not accepted. Many lives
hovah Witnesses and 43 Indians, making a total of were touched when the welfare ladies visited
776 non-Seventh-day Adventist ladies. That year and helped die people. Slowly, through interac­
139 became baptised members, 97 back-slidden tion with diem, the Word of God penetrated so
Adventists were brought back into church fellow­ that many have made their decision to keep die
ship and seven non-S.D.A. societies became Saturday Sabbath and prepare for the second
church companies. coming of Jesus
“$4,118.22 was donated by Dorcas members. The Dorcas ladies visited girls in prison.
They gave 19,221 hours of work and 32,617 arti­ They taught them crafts and introduced them to
cles of clothing as well as 59,552 from New Zea­ the Voice of Prophecy Bible lessons. One
land and helped 16,687 people.”1 young lady, who was sentenced for life, re­
In the 1960s the leadership of the welfare sponded to the ladies. She changed from being
work in Fiji was handed over to national women sullen and unhappy to a pleasant, vibrant Chris­
who have served effectively and efficiently. These tian. Recognising the genuine change in her life
ladies were: Naomi Nasausila 1962-1972; Rusila the authorities eventually set her free and asked
Bera 1973-1983; Mañea Matavuso, 1984-1985; die Adventist Church to care for her. I had the
Sala Ratulevu 1985-1987; Mañea Tokalau 1988- privilege of having her in my home where she
1992; Atelini Lavava 1993-1995; Marica Tokalau became a part of the family and was baptised.
1996-today. Also the Blydes provided work for her in their
I would like to sincerely thank the expatriate home. A young Adventist man became inter­
wives for their loyalty and dedication in establish­ ested in her; they married and had four boys.
ing and nurturing the welfare movement in Fiji Now this lovely lady is one of the strong pillars
for they set the pace and assisted us to continue of the welfare movement in her church, which
the good work which has progressed amazingly. shows what an enormous impact this work has
The Government of Fiji has registered it as one of had in changing lives.
the social agencies of the country to whom it can When I was called to serve in die welfare
refer people for assistance. work, my mind travelled back to the 1950s
“By 1965 the Mission committee had ap­ when I asked my sister in the old garage, “What
pointed Naomi Nasausila, as the first full time is charity work?” At the time 1 willingly ac­
Welfare Leader for the Fiji Mission. She gave a cepted leadership. I understood the words of
strong lead in teaching courses in Child training, Jesus in Matthew 25: 34-40 and the Lord’s com­
Nutrition and Cooking, Sewing and Club Manage­ mission in Matthew 28:29,30. The welfare work
ment”1 was always to find new avenues to reach hearts
She tells a story of the long lasting effect of in the community, so our mission for the 1970s
small kindnesses done. One day on Vanua Le vu was 'To venture into the community’.
the Dorcas ladies were visiting homes to care for Building on existing programs, the Dorcas
the clothing needs of the people. While they were women set out to develop educational programs
sitting sewing and mending, an Indian man came to 'better the community’s quality of life’. They
to the door selling egg plants. They noticed that chose such subjects as sewing, hand crafts, hy­
his shorts were torn so they persuaded him to let giene and sanitation, home improvement, good
them mend them. grooming, home gardening, food and nutrition,
On returning home his daughter and an­ how to prepare and cook a balanced meal, how
other Indian lady noticed his mended shorts. He to turn handcrafts into cash, and vegetarian
told them what had happened and that the ladies cooking using local foods.
would not take any payment. Immediately the two The problem was how to put it all into