Vetamorphus Fiji Trip 2018

By Mr Ben White (Acting Vetamorphus Coordinator)

Once again our Vetamorphus team geared up for a whirlwind trip to Fiji, sure to challenge, stretch and grow each one of us.  Partnered with Mere and Ben Kato of Missionary Ventures Fiji, our group of 15 students spent 10 days visiting and ministering to five different schools, Peace Chapel church and multiple Fijian communities and villages.

The Fiji trip fulfills the required major ministry service component for our VCE Christian Ministry course, Vetamorphus, but it is so much more than that; it is a life changing experience.  At the church, and various primary and secondary schools the students ran programs that included songs, drama performances, personal testimonies and biblical teaching for hundreds of students throughout the week.  We traveled by bus, open trucks, long boats and bamboo rafts through remote locations experiencing both the scenery and the amazing culture that Fiji has to offer.

It was great to reconnect with Peace Chapel church and see progress in the building project that our 2017 team helped begin and contribute towards.  This year we spent a day with Peace Chapel church painting and helping the music team set up PA equipment to aid their ministry.

The team also had the unique opportunity of being the first group to stay at Waibongi Primary School overnight in the jungles of Fiji.  This gave us a chance to play some rugby with the locals, run a night program and help teach some Fijian classes in the morning.  It was truly a blessing for us all as we continued to build on this established relationship in Waibongi.  

Finally, we got the opportunity to return  to Beqa island to spend a morning with the kids from Beqa Primary School.  Set out on a remote island, they are always grateful for visitors however, being near the end of our trip, it was their students that encouraged us with their excitement and enthusiasm for God and spending time with us.

The highlights of the Fiji trip for 2018 were many, including amazing locations, trips on the ocean and rivers by boat and the hospitality of the Fijian people however, for our staff, it was about our students exceeding every expectation we had for them during the trip.  The dedication, energy, love and talent of this group was beyond what we could have hoped and made the journey such a joy to be a part of.

“One of the most beautiful moments for me personally was interacting with the kids at the remote school of Waibongi, helping them with their reading and chatting to them.  Growing in relationship with them through something like that was really special.  Observing how everyone welcomed us, I would have to say anything we gave to them or taught them we received back tenfold through the Christ-like love they demonstrated.”  Mary B