Bibles for Fiji
When Suzanne, Jonathan, and their mom, Sandra left for a vacation to Australia and Fiji in April, 2010, they planned to see the sites of Sydney and to relax on the Fijian islands. What they didn't expect was to go to a remote village on a private island in Fiji where their lives would be changed forever!
The Taylors left the main island of Veti Levu to go to a small, isolated island 2 hours away by boat. The name of the island was Waya and it was there that the village of Nalauwaki made a huge impact on The Taylors. In one of the most beautiful places on earth rests an island with people who love the Lord with all their hearts. It’s obvious that from the moment your boat arrives on the Wayan sand that there is something special about the people there. The love of God has taken root in the hearts of the inhabitants of this island and they share this love with anyone who comes to visit.
After being initiated into the tribe by a kava ceremony (the drinking of the juice of a local root on the island), we quickly became part of the family. The chief of the village invited us to church services the next day and we were able to take part in an authentic Fijian Christian worship service. The voices of the choir were unbelievable - the Holy Spirit was so sweet in this place!
We later learned that Christian missionaries had visited their island years earlier and had shared God's plan of Salvation with them. There are 390 members of the village and most profess Jesus Christ as their Lord and savior. The people of this village have very little when it comes to personal possessions. Their houses are shacks compared to our standards and if they own more than one set of clothes, they are considered wealthy. They lack the modern-day luxuries that we have, yet, despite the fact that they have nothing, they’ll tell you that they have everything – they have Jesus!
One morning while Sandra was reading her Bible and having her morning devotion, one of the women from the village asked her if she was reading from an English Bible. When Sandra said that it was an English Bible, the woman asked if she could touch it. Sandra agreed and the woman began to flip through the pages while admiring the Bible as if it were made of gold. Sandra asked if she had a Bible and the woman said that there was a Fijian Bible in the church, but that she did not own one. Sandra asked if she would like a Bible and she quickly nodded in agreement. By the end of the day, 11 more women asked for Bibles!
We later found out that there are very few Bibles in the village and all of the Bibles are in the Fijian translation. According to the villagers, the Fijian version of the Bible is watered-down and not the same as our English Bibles. They requested English Bibles - particularly New Living Translation study Bibles. We also learned that the villagers desperately need basic items like toothpaste, pain reliever, soap, and many other items.
Once home, The Taylors sent 11 Bibles to the village and have promised to send more Bibles as well as other basic items in the future. The Taylors are excited about their new partnership with the village of Nalauwaki and hope to one day return to the island to see the village again. The Taylors have agreed to send supplies on a quarterly basis, and could use the help of other supporters.
Please help us share God's love with the people of Nalauwaki!
To make a donation:
Please send checks to:
The Taylors
PO Box 2252
Lillington, NC 27546
or donate below by using a check or credit card.
Thanks so much for your help!
The Taylors left the main island of Veti Levu to go to a small, isolated island 2 hours away by boat. The name of the island was Waya and it was there that the village of Nalauwaki made a huge impact on The Taylors. In one of the most beautiful places on earth rests an island with people who love the Lord with all their hearts. It’s obvious that from the moment your boat arrives on the Wayan sand that there is something special about the people there. The love of God has taken root in the hearts of the inhabitants of this island and they share this love with anyone who comes to visit.
After being initiated into the tribe by a kava ceremony (the drinking of the juice of a local root on the island), we quickly became part of the family. The chief of the village invited us to church services the next day and we were able to take part in an authentic Fijian Christian worship service. The voices of the choir were unbelievable - the Holy Spirit was so sweet in this place!
We later learned that Christian missionaries had visited their island years earlier and had shared God's plan of Salvation with them. There are 390 members of the village and most profess Jesus Christ as their Lord and savior. The people of this village have very little when it comes to personal possessions. Their houses are shacks compared to our standards and if they own more than one set of clothes, they are considered wealthy. They lack the modern-day luxuries that we have, yet, despite the fact that they have nothing, they’ll tell you that they have everything – they have Jesus!
One morning while Sandra was reading her Bible and having her morning devotion, one of the women from the village asked her if she was reading from an English Bible. When Sandra said that it was an English Bible, the woman asked if she could touch it. Sandra agreed and the woman began to flip through the pages while admiring the Bible as if it were made of gold. Sandra asked if she had a Bible and the woman said that there was a Fijian Bible in the church, but that she did not own one. Sandra asked if she would like a Bible and she quickly nodded in agreement. By the end of the day, 11 more women asked for Bibles!
We later found out that there are very few Bibles in the village and all of the Bibles are in the Fijian translation. According to the villagers, the Fijian version of the Bible is watered-down and not the same as our English Bibles. They requested English Bibles - particularly New Living Translation study Bibles. We also learned that the villagers desperately need basic items like toothpaste, pain reliever, soap, and many other items.
Once home, The Taylors sent 11 Bibles to the village and have promised to send more Bibles as well as other basic items in the future. The Taylors are excited about their new partnership with the village of Nalauwaki and hope to one day return to the island to see the village again. The Taylors have agreed to send supplies on a quarterly basis, and could use the help of other supporters.
Please help us share God's love with the people of Nalauwaki!
To make a donation:
Please send checks to:
The Taylors
PO Box 2252
Lillington, NC 27546
or donate below by using a check or credit card.
Thanks so much for your help!
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