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Fiji Mission Branch

The Fiji Mission Branch was first established in early 2003 as the branch to look after Fiji.

WHO WE ARE

The Bible Society of the South Pacific is part of a worldwide fellowship of Bible Societies known as the United Bible Societies. It is a Christian organization set up to help all churches in the South Pacific through the translation, production, and distribution of the Bible within the South Pacific. We are not a church but a producer of the Bible – the basic tool for all ministries. The head office is based in Fiji that oversees the Bible work in the Pacific (16 countries) but as a Fiji Mission Branch we only oversee Fiji Islands.

WHY THE BIBLE SOCIETY DOES THIS WORK?
The heartbeat of the Bible Society’s work can be found in John 20:31, “This (the Bible) is written so that we may know that Jesus is the Messiah and through faith in Him, we may have life.”
The Bible is our best treasure given by God. It is the light, food, water, fire and cleansing agent for our lives. It is life and points to our Savior, Jesus Christ!
OUR PURPOSE
“Achieving the widest possible, effective, and meaningful distribution of god’s Word”
OUR MISSION
“Making God’s Word easily understood, available, accessible and credible to all people in all situations”
OUR VISION
“The Bible for Everyone in Fiji”
What we do! Our 3 main tasks are:

1. Translation: – We translate the Word of God into various dialects. There are Six translation projects going on in the South Pacifi c and that includes the dialects here in Fiji. The work consists of a revising old Bibles and new Bibles is essential in order for people to understand God’s Word in every generation.

2. Production: We publish Bibles in the right format……..

3. Distribution: Finally we ensure that the Word of God us distributed as widely as possible to all the people by using the different channels. A regular supply of scriptures is provides through bookshops, churches, schools and individuals that visit our bookshop. We also have special projects in which we supply Bibles or Study Tools at heavily subsidized rates to students, theological students and prisons.

PROJECTS:

The Bible Society of the South Pacific –

Fiji Mission have projects that are ongoing right now. Since we oversee the Fiji area we have 6 projects that is continuing. The main purpose of these projects is to ensure that the people of Fiji are receiving the Word of God into their language or dialects.

Which are:

  1. Fijian Reference Bible
  2. Maumi Gospel of John
  3. Dawasamu Gospel of Matthew
  4. Fiji Bible Comics
  5. Ba New Testament
  6. Bible Week
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Solomon Islands Translation – Comic Workshop

Honiara Comic Translation Workshop Nov 2015 Report

 

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Fiji Translation – Ba Dialect “Gospel of Mark

PURPOSE

  1. To complete the review of Mark chapters 4-16 (whole book)
  2. To recruit 2 or 3 new translators
  3. Give out the gospel of Mathew, Luke and John for translation
  4. Get the translators sign a Translation Contract.
  5. To pay the Translator and the reviewers team their dues.
Ba Dialect – Gospel of Mark Review in Ba

On Wednesday at 8.30 am, a team of 7 men and women gathered together at Ba Town Methodist church and carry out a verse by verse checking of Rev. Savenaca’s 1st translation draft. We started from Mark chapter 4 and we finish the day at 5pm reaching chapter 8. It was a slow start due to the majority of the reviewers not trained in the know how.

To help speed up work the next day which was our last day, we distribute the 9 remaining chapters to them to read in the night and mark off any corrections or improvement they suggested. At 6.00 pm we presented our sevusevu to the elders of Ba Town Methodist Church and also they presented theirs to us. We spend 2 hours of talanoa around the bowl discussing and answering questions about Translation work and Ba Translation project to an interested group of men.

On Thursday we started at 8.30 am again beginning at chapter 9 but unfortunately the volunteers still need to learn more. We pushed on to 4.30 pm but only managed to finish chapter 12. Since we need to complete the chapters from 13 – 16 I requested the volunteers if they are willing to continue tomorrow as it will be expensive if I go back to Suva and come back for the remaining chapters. With a little of dicussion the volunteers agreed in which this time the venue will be at Rev. Savenaca Nakeke’s residence in Nasolo.

On Friday the last day we started at 8.30am with just 3 people. By 9.00am everybody was in Rev Nakeke’s house was ideal for the day. It was quiet and away from town, with beautiful scenery and cool breeze throughout the day. They were a few ladies serving us with refreshments and lunch. We worked till 6pm completing the 16th chapter of Mark. Then I had to leave in a hurry at 6.00 pm to catch the last bus from Lautoka to Suva at Ba bus stand.

It was a 3 day of continuous checking of every verse in those chapters. I admired the endurance and the lively participation of those men and women. It was my joy to work with them.

Reviewers of the Ba Dialect – Gospel of Mark
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WE LOST EVERYTHING EXCEPT THE BIBLE AND TRANSLATION BOOKS

Story By Apenisa Lewatoro, BSSP Translation Officer, Port Vila, Vanuatu (4/8/15).

After our first day of checking the North Pentecost’s Hano New Testament project yesterday afternoon at the Bible Society office here in Port Vila, the translator Collinette Siba (nee Gaviga) shared her traumatic experience of Cyclone Pam (in March 2015) without hiding her emotions.

“We lost everything during the cyclone. Both our home and guest house were destroyed as we took refuge in the church. It was really a scary experience! After cyclone Pam left, we discovered there was nothing left. Our property had all gone. There was no water as our water tank pipe was broken. It was a very sorry sight! But my husband Robin just thought of the translation books and Bible and attempted to recover them. He had put all the books and Bible inside a plastic container and placed the container under a small table inside the house. Amazingly, the container and its content were all safe, not even wet. That’s why I’m able to bring them to Port Vila with me this week for the translation checking.”
Collinette has worked tirelessly on the translation of God’s Word into her native Hano language for the last 19 years. Her dad, Anglican priest Fr Mark Gaviga, was part of the review team that had worked on the Four Gospels and later translated Paul’s epistles and other NT books. Her younger sister, Annie, now works as a Translation Clerk at the Bible Society in Port Vila. The Hano New Testament project has struggled to reach the finish line since it started in 1979 (Four Gospels launched in 1988) and has been revived lately with the goal to complete the project by 2016. Contributing to the delay in progress was the lack of supporting funds and its history of the translation books gone missing or severely damaged by past cyclones. This often resulted in Collinette being tasked to re-translate whatever is in the missing manuscripts. Now there are only a few missing chapters and verses that she needs to translate again and the financial support from the United Bible Societies amongst other donors is greatly acknowledged. However, there still exists a real need to practically help Collinette and her family in restoring their lives after all that has been lost.
Apart from the importance of receiving project funds to propel the translation work forward, the life of a translator such as Collinette is also very critical in order to achieve the translation goals. As for Collinette, she’s still living with her husband Robin and their four children under a tent in their North Pentecost village. Drinking water is strictly rationed and all washings are done at sea (about 45 mins walk). They’ve only received food rations twice from the government so far. A friend from abroad has helped bought six roofing iron sheets for their new home. But unfortunately it’s not enough to rebuild their livelihood and get their house back. Please pray for Collinette and other people here in Vanuatu who still goes through deep suffering and pain after Cyclone Pam. And do let the Bible Society near you know if you’d love to give a financial donation specifically for Collinette’s family. This will in turn help speed up the Hano New Testament project, too.

Trauma Healing

And whilst in Port Vila since last Monday, my work plan had changed after listening to some translators’ personal stories about their encounter with Cyclone Pam. This was prior to Collinette’s arrival. My set goals for the two weeks in Vanuatu were primarily to check the scripture comic translations in four languages and work on the Hano NT project. However, after my exposure to the deep hurts and suffering faced, I am currently facilitating an impromptu Trauma Healing seminar for all the translators each morning for two hours before the translation checking. This has helped Collinette and the other
translators to share their experiences in our healing group and find comfort in God though our prayers. The team is also prepared to translate into Bislama (common language of Vanuatu) the Trauma Healing book titled, “Healing the Wounds of Trauma: How the Church Can Help” (by Harriet Hill, Margaret Hill, Richard Bagge, & Pat Miersma). I trust and pray that this scripture booklet, once translated, will be a great tool for the Church to use in the near future in terms of ministering to the many lives that are still deeply traumatized.

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catalogue

Bible Society Catalogue Door to Door Services
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Trauma Healing

The Bible Society of the South Pacific is privileged to play a pivotal role this year in the establishment and continued development of the Trauma Healing ministry in Fiji and other Pacific countries. This has been made possible through the encouragement of the General Secretary, Mr Solomone Duru, who saw the need for this ministry in the Pacific and particularly the translation of its material into the core languages in Fiji. The three Trauma Healing training workshops that were achieved so far within a span of six weeks (9th July to 13th August) is a testimony of God’s faithfulness and provision. The partnerships with the American Bible Society’s Trauma Healing Institute, the Seed Company, other donors, and those who helped facilitate the seminars are greatly acknowledged as well.

Group Discussion and reflection

1) Trauma Healing Workshop with Rev Wesley Neal (9/7/15 – 13/8/15)

Reverend Wesley Neal, a Lecturer at the Davuilevu Theological College in Nausori facilitated the first Trauma Healing seminar for the Bible Society Staff. The invitation was extended to other Church leaders and/or counsellors who met every Thursdays between 2-4pm at Yarawa Wesley Church for six consecutive weeks. Assisting Rev Wesley during the first 3 weeks was Rev Saiasi Kawa whose also from the Davuilevu Theological College. The seminar was successfully completed on Thursday 13th August and the challenge given to every participant to conduct a small healing group in their church or community in the near future.

FINAL LIST OF PARTICIPANTS WHO COMPLETED THE TRAINING ON 13/8/15

  1. Ledua Turaganivalu Bible Society of the South Pacific
  2. Mere Katonivere BSSP
  3. Vilomena Dautei BSSP
  4. Viniana Koroi BSSP
  5. Marika Waqanivalu BSSP
  6. Apenisa Lewatoro BSSP
  7. Tevita Lala Raiwaqa Methodist Church
  8. 8. Jone Cama Nasinu Wesley Church
  9. Iva Teilai Nadera Methodist
  10. Josese Laliqavoka Raiwaqa Methodist
  11. Tara Qicatabua Yarawa Wesley
  12. Lydia Veikauyaki Pacific Harbour Wesley Church
  13. Kesaia Vilsoni NasinuWesley
  14. Taniela Qeleni Pacific Students for Christ
  15. Ruth Newton Yarawa Wesley
  16. Ross RoundsYWCA
  17. Kinisimere Waqa YWCA
  18. Deaconess Litiana Dau Deaconess Training Centre
  19. Titilia Tonawai Samabula
  20. Fr. Mataiasi Cokanasiga Anglican Church
  21. Litia Nainoka Methodist
  22. Ps. Aporosa Rageci Baptist Church/ Horeb Fellowship
  23. Ps. Sisa Tikoimakogai Baptist Church – Kinoya
  24. Avisake Tukana Yarawa Wesley Church
  25. Rev. Maraia Ryland Nasenaivalu MCF Hospital (CWM) Chaplain
  26. Varea Rika Salvation Army
  27. Thais Bott Salvation Army
  28. Asela Naisara Catholic Mission
  29. Ana Latu Dickson PTC
  30. Sister Doreen Aiwaia PTC
  31. Deaconess Lesila Raitiqa Dudley Methodist Church
  32. Joseva Seru Faith Christian Fellowship
  33. Kitione Sikivou Mt. Carmel International
  34. Siteri Tagivetaua Raiwaqa Methodist Church
  35. Jone Kataiwai Wesley City Mission (Butt Street, Suva)

Trauma Healing 4Web

2) Trauma Healing Translation Workshop

Front (Left-Right): Sapeta (Rotuman), Urmila Prasad (Fiji Hindi), Pam Daams (facilitator), Irene Narayan (Fiji Hindi); Susie Aropio (Rotuman) Back (Left-Right): Meli Bavata(Koronubu-Ba), Tuma (Fijian itaukei), Neco Daams (co-facilitator), Tevita Lala (Fijian itaukei), Apenisa (coordinator)

A weeklong of Trauma Healing workshop was facilitated by Pam Daams (and husband Neco Daams) on 20-24 July, 2015. At the end of the healing group sessions each morning, what followed was the translation of the booklet, “Healing the Wounds of Trauma: How can the Church Help” into the three major languages spoken in Fiji (Fiji-Hindi, Rotuman, Fijian itaukei) and a western Fiji dialect (Koronubu – Ba). We thank the Seedfor helping sponsor this event and also taking care of the facilitators travel and accommodation costs.
At the end of the workshop, the translation teams were given two weeks to complete their first draft. To date, we have the Fiji saral Hindi draft translation of the Trauma Healing core studies (5 Lessons) and the itaukei draft with a lesson yet to be completed. The Rotuman translators have asked for extension and will submit their translation draft by next week.

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Literacy

Being illiterate was like being blind. Now I feel like I have come out of the darkness and into the light!


Being able to read and write is something many of us take for granted. But the joy expressed by this 56-year-old woman who learnt to read through a Pakistan Bible Society literacy class says it all: for someone who has never had the opportunity of an education, literacy opens the door to a whole new world. It’s about dignity, independence and wholeness. And yet so many people – one fifth of humanity – are deprived of the basic human right of literacy (see the infographic below.)
We believe that everyone should have the chance to learn to read and write and to enjoy ‘life in all its fulness’, which Jesus offers. And we know that reading the Bible can transform lives. That’s why we are running hundreds of literacy classes for hundreds of thousands of people across the world.
Our work has been officially recognised by UNESCO, with whom we are in consultative partnership. And we are expanding our plans: by 2015, we hope to carry out literacy projects in 50 languages spoken by more than one million people. Around half a million people will directly benefit from these projects. Please pray for our literacy work.

To find out more about our global literacy work, contact Julian Sundersingh: jsundersingh@biblesocieties.org

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Bibles and friendship for refugees in Austria

As public debate rages about how to deal with the thousands of refugees trying to enter Europe each year, many of them drowning in the attempt, the Austrian Bible Society and its partners have been working for years to help care for those who end up in Austria.
“The situation of these people saddens me deeply,” says Father Albert Pongo, who regularly visits refugees in detention centres and prisons. He is originally from Ghana and gives the refugees Bibles in their own languages, supplied by the Bible Society.
Father Albert Pongo.
“I know from personal experience how hard it is to leave your own country, how much energy and effort it takes. Those who do manage to arrive often have to go back to their home country and face the stigma of failure.
“If I could, I would give them the necessary documents, so that they can stay here in Austria. But I can’t. What I can do is to listen to them and to talk to them about their lives and their problems. We read and discuss the Bible together.”
Father Pongo helps the refugees, some of whom aren’t familiar with the Bible, read passages that comfort and strengthen them.

The story of Job, for instance, who lost all his wealth but kept his faith. When the detainees read about him, they see that everything will end well.

“Often we read the psalms together,” he comments. “Psalm 121, for instance, encourages many people. Some people read the whole Bible by themselves, but for others I recommend passages I find very helpful myself. The story of Job, for instance, who lost all his wealth but kept his faith. When the detainees read about him, they see that everything will end well.”
Father Pongo says that the refugees greatly value the Bibles they are given.
“I can see how excited they are when they get their Bible,” he smiles. “They immediately start to flip through and read. I am very happy that the Bible Society provides these Bibles.
“I’d like to ask all supporters of Bible work to pray for all refugees. We all need to do what we can to raise awareness of their situation and to offer as much support as we can.”

The Austrian Bible Society provides thousands of Scriptures in many different languages for free distribution among refugees each year. Please pray for funding for this vital work.

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Solomon Islands welcomes first Bible Comics in local languages

May 14, 2014 / Author: Communications
10-year-old Timmy enjoys reading a Bible Comic in his language, Arosi.

Solomon Islands is a country of great linguistic diversity but with little or no literature available in many of its 70 living languages. That’s why adults and children alike are delighted at the arrival of the first Bible Comics in 14 languages.The comics, which tell the story of Abraham, are available in the lingua franca, Pijin, spoken by around 332,000 Solomon Islanders, as well as in Arosi, Bilua, Bughotu, Cheke Holo, Gela, Gao, Kwaio, Lengo, Roviana, Sa’a, Simbo,  Ulawa and Zabana.

“It has been wonderful to see children of different languages enjoying the comics,” notes Ledua Turaganivalu of the Bible Society in the South Pacific. “They told our team that although they thought their language was important, they couldn’t read it very well because they’ve had nothing to practise with. These comics will help them get familiar with the written form of their own languages.

Not just children

“And it’s not just children who are happy with the comics – the adults in the villages are also enjoying them. It is helping them to realise that God loves them and that their language is important.”

The comics are being distributed on various different islands by churches and other partners. SIL has been actively involved in distributing the comics alongside relief materials in the wake ofthe worst flooding in the country’s history in April. Twenty-two people died, and the homes and livelihoods of around 50,000 were destroyed. Thousands of people are still in emergency shelters.

Badly affected

“Arosi was very badly affected, so we sent rice and supplies in the first week after the floods hit,” notes Debbie Conwell of SIL. “We included a batch of Bible Comics in the Arosi language. Many other areas, including Bilua and Gao have also been very badly affected and there is going to be a food shortage for some time.”

Please pray for the people of Solomon Islands as they recover from the flooding, and that these Bible Comics will bless them.

The Bible Comics were translated and published as a joint project by the Bible Society in the South Pacific, the Bible Translation and Literacy Partnership and the Solomon Island Translation Advisory Group.

The arrival of the Bible Comics was a happy moment for those involved in the translation work.
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Bible program tackles domestic violence in the Caribbean

March 4, 2015 / Author:

Marking International Women’s Day, March 8

Say the word ‘Caribbean’ and many people think of wide sandy beaches, palm trees and holidays – a kind of paradise. But for a growing number of women there, life is anything but paradise, blighted by the violence they experience at home. That’s why Bible Societies in the region are using the Bible to tackle this increasing scourge, with encouraging results.

*Mary had been trapped in a violent relationship for many years, with her partner’s attacks landing her in hospital several times. She was desperate for help but had no idea what to do. When the Bible Society began equipping churches to assist victims of domestic violence, Mary finally received the help she needed and is starting to turn her life around.

“If only this help had been available earlier, I wouldn’t have spent so many years of my life being victimised,” she says wistfully.

Mary lives in Jamaica but her story is chillingly common across the Caribbean. Although it’s hard to get accurate statistics for each country, the incidence of domestic violence in the region is significant and growing: around 33% of women in Jamaica and27% of women in Barbados, for instance, are victims of some form of domestic violence. It accounts for a large percentage of the region’s crime statistics, too – about 25% of all murders are committed in the home. Nearly all the victims are women.

As Christians we must stand up and let every man, woman and child know that God condemns violence.

“The rise in violence against women seems unstoppable, despite the efforts of many women’s organisations,” comments Erny Van Axel of the Suriname Bible Society. “As Christians we must stand up and let every man, woman and child know that God condemns violence. We need to help them know what the Bible says – that all people are made in God’s image and have the right to be treated with love, respect and dignity.”

This is what Bible Societies across the Caribbean have started doing in recent years, with a particular focus on equipping churches to do this work.

“Quite often the church is the first port of call for women suffering domestic violence,” comments Rev Courtney Stewart of the Bible Society in the West Indies. “But our church leaders aren’t taught about domestic violence at seminary, so they don’t really know how to deal with it. That’s why so many pastors, Sunday School teachers and community leaders are now requesting the training we and our partners are carrying out.”

A ‘Stop the Violence’ workshop for church members in Haiti, where domestic violence has reached pandemic levels.
Hundreds of people across the Caribbean have already been trained in how to spot the signs of domestic violence and offer sensitive and effective counselling and advice, using two Bible-based booklets – ‘Stop the Violence’ for adults and ‘I love my body’ for children.
13-year-old Gabbie* in Haiti who was sexually abused while living in a tent city after the 2010 earthquake says that the counselling she received from a church leader who had received domestic violence training has really helped her.
“It has helped me to understand that if I keep quiet about what happened there is no way to stop the violence,” she said. “I’ve also learned that I don’t have to be ashamed.”
Haiti has a staggeringly high rate of violence against women – around 80% of women are thought to suffer some kind of abuse – but that figure has increased since the earthquake.
“The earthquake brought about so much anger and frustration,” explains Magda Victor of the Haitian Bible Society. “It destroyed people’s homes and livelihoods and led to greater promiscuity. All this has resulted in even more domestic violence.”
Since 2012, the Haitian Bible Society has been tackling this issue by running domestic violence workshops and airing a radio program to help raise awareness about the issue. The Suriname Bible Society has also been using the radio to spread its message about domestic violence. Listening to the program changed Kleia Emanuels-Mijnsen’s life.
Kleia Emanuels-Mijnsen

“I was sitting with friends listening to a Gospel radio program when a counselling session on domestic abuse started. As I listened, I knew I had to call the number for help because what they were describing had happened to me. I had been raped and abused by a family friend and had never told anyone or dealt with the pain. It had completely destroyed my relationship with my mother and I mistrusted all men.

“It took months of counselling before I could let go of the bitterness I felt. But I’m now happily married with two sons and am counselling other women.”

The Bible Society of the West Indies is planning to start running the program in the Bahamas in the next few months, where domestic violence is growing, too.

“Please pray as we seek to reap a harvest of rescuing women and children, and the men, too, who are usually the perpetrators of domestic violence,” says Mr Stewart.

* Names changed to protect identity.

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