CATCH OUR SPIRIT: April 2009

Written by Litia Natomi (Youth Department Secretary - 2009)

Praise the Lord!On the 9th of April, 2009, Thursday evening the Youth Committee stood hand in hand to accommodate about 250 young people who came to attend the youths annual event of the year, "The Easter Camp." The excitement of these youths reached an extent that 14 young people from Korobebe and 7 from Ba arrived at the camp-site around 1 to 2pm. These are the youths that came from the preaching points.The actual check-in time was from 6.30pm, however, we were truly moved to see the attitude of longing to reach God's house well before time. The rest of the youths came in their own tribes. Tribe of Judah, consisting of youths from Division 4, 6 & 8 came in 2 buses were prompt on their arrival and they were all wearing their tribal colors - Black. Tribe Manasseh consist of youths from Division 1 & 2 came half an hour later and they were also in their colors - RED. The last tribe to arrive was the Tribe of Gideon, with youths from Division 3, 5 & 7 and they arrived with their colors too - Blue. The Tribal leaders gathered their members, have them registered by Ilisapeci and Dike who were at the Administration desk. After that, they were summoned to march in with their own tribes. There was so much cheering and applaud when they marched in with their respective colors and flags waving. It was truly an emotional atmosphere and even the Committee were really moved by the youths arrival on their first night at the camp of 2009. During the preliminary service, everyone was totally lost into deep praise and worship. To be a witness at this event, I was so overwhelmed and couldn't find the perfect phrase to express the atmosphere when all these youths were worshiping God in one accord. The Guest Speaker who opened our Easter camp was none other than our very own Senior Pastor, Rev. Saimoni Waqa. Like our father, he welcomed us and wished us a blessed Easter Camping weekend and with that he shared some deep thoughts about the vision of God in the church, for the congregation and specifically for the young people.

At 4.00am Friday morning when the city of Lautoka was still sound asleep, the only sound penetrating through the air was the sound of crying, singing and praise & worship of the young people camping in church. It was such a beautiful atmosphere to be lost in God's holy presence on an early Easter Friday morning. The devotion was held by Pst. Sireli Volau and he talked about God's eyes hovering around the world searching for those whose got the same heart-beat as God. What a challenge and the youths responded with cries of joy and God revealed Himself by touching each and every individual lives. The morning session was held by the former Talatala Qase's dear wife, Sis. Kinisimere Waqa. Since our theme for this Easter camp was about "Vision", she shared some of her experiences for the past couple of years till today. She challenged the youths to the story of Queen Esther, of how she pledged to give her life for the redemption of the Jews "on such a time as this" and what a great challenge when she said, "if I perish, I perish." This really boosted the youths to go into the fields and bear witness for Christ. In the mid-day, Rev. Kilioni Mawa took a session on how the theme "Vision" impacted his life and made him go out into the field to win new souls for Christ. As for the evening rally, the youths were more than excited to come together in worship. There was singing, dancing, jumping, and running as the young people made joyful noise in praising God. Pst. Semi Moroi was the Speaker on this night. He, too, shared his experience in going into the fields of souls as visioned by the Late great man of God, Rev. F.K.Waqa. This was one of those nights that these Christ's ambassadors will never forget when the Spirit of God swept across the auditorium and ministered into their very souls. To God be the glory for the great things he has done.

Saturday 4.30am, the youths were all praying and worshiping God. You could feel the presence of God everywhere as the youths began to sing and praise God in one voice. Bro. Autiko, one of our very own youths who is a sophomore student at South Pacific Bible College, held our morning devotion with the Word from the Lord. This morning was very special because he talked about the Holy Spirit and what the Spirit of God could do when God's children come together in one accord with the same purpose and that is to hunger and thirst more of God and His divine intervention. After the sermon, the youths all went up to the altar and dedicated their lives to God. The Committee came together with the youths to the altar and as we began to sing, we could feel God's presence. God empowered the youths and everyone was filled with the Holy Spirit and oh! what a beautiful feeling it was because on this very day, the youths fasted and prayed before heading down to the City. By 10am, the committee organized 3 buses to take the youths down to town for giving tracks and holding an openaire at Shirley Park. Personally, it was a total different feeling to actually walk around town and share the good gospel by giving tracks and inviting them over at our youth Easter celebration at the park. Somebody stopped me in the midst of the busy people passing around in town just to ask me the tag I was wearing on my T-shirt. I even forgot that I was wearing one. The tag displays my tribe name and out motto; GIDEON - Valiant hearts, Relentless souls. I ask God to out the words in my mouth and as I began to explain, that particular person stood still and paid attention to every word I said. When all was said, he said that he was going to bring his family down after their shopping. This was an Indian man and he's a Hindu. I praise God for his divine intervention. I know I couldn't do what I did, but, God has already empowered us from church before we came down. As I began to look around I could see these youths talking to somebody and you could actually feel that all of Heaven was there with us and encouraging us all the way. When we reached the park to get ready for the openaire, we could see people of difference races making their way there, even those beggars on the streets. The worship team started singing a few numbers and a couple of youths performed some dances. Also, a few youths testified on how God changed their lives. These young people who shared their testimonies came from broken families, experienced broken relationships, drug addicts & drunkards and were rejected by people. They were pretty emotional as they began to tell their stories. It was God who saved them from all those troubles and trials. Our youth president, Bro. Kini Tuidriva concluded the services with a challenge that God is waiting for his children to come home. The presence of God in this place was so powerful that a family and a man gave their lives to the Lord. His dear wife, Sis. Laisiana who is also the deputy youth president was so loyal and organized lunch for the youths with the help of the committee and a group of helping hands. They made lots of sandwiches & juice that we were even able to feed some beggars who came along. If bringing those 250 young people down to town in 3 buses full just to minister to people and if only 1 soul is saved, I believe that makes everything worthwhile. When we returned to Saru, Bro. Cagi was waiting for us for his music session. He knows that the youths were all going to be tired and worn out, but somehow, he made it so perfectly great that kept the youths on their feet as they began singing. I arrived at the campsite first in the first bus and I decided to take a little nap. What woke me up was the sound of singing and cheering. I was amazingly surprised by the youths excitement; they were so alive while singing "Oh, Happy Days!" After Bro. Cagi's session, the youths were given a break. Some went to take a nap, while some were still so hyper that the boys went to play rugby while the girls practiced their dance items for the evening rally. Pst. Jolame Nasilasila was the speaker for the evening rally. He shared a powerful testimony that boosted the youths to another level. It was all about the vision of winning souls for Christ. I believe that is the main reason why we as Believers are here for...Ambassadors for Christ.

At 4.30am on Sunday morning, we had our sunrise devotion. It was a time of thanksgiving and worship; a moment of reminiscing of Jesus Resurrection; a time of breakthrough and a time for revival. Pst. Samisoni Tuivotua held our morning devotion. Everybody was just worshiping God and just thanking God for the victory that he has accomplished 2,000 years ago. By 7 to 8am, all the youths were seated on the right side of the church balcony worshiping God with the English Fellowship members. Rev. Flint Hicks preached on Resurrection. The Fijian service commenced at 10am and by the time they entered the church, the youths were already rejoicing before the Lord in songs of praises. Rev. Saimoni Waqa shared a powerful sermon on the important aspects of family life and the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. This was followed by an inspirational & powerful song by the choir. There was a great revival in the church. The youths sang "Oh! Happy Days" with Lena Baravilala together with some of the campers who were just starting to realize their gift & potential of singing. This was followed by a couple of dances from the youths in the afternoon. Later in the evening, we had our final rally and it was more sort of like a Fun-Nite where youths come up with items and any creative ideas that they wish to show or display. There were island dances, meke, dramas, and action songs. It was their moment to enjoy themselves in skits and singing. The special guest on this night was Lena Baravilala whom we sang with during the youths performance in the afternoon service. She shared a great testimony of how she struggled with life and how God has blessed her with a beautiful voice that comes with great potentials. She knew what it was like not to have breakfast before going to school, not taking any lunch, not to have any proper school uniforms, shoes and bags and she also felt rejected by people. Somehow, God has been laying his eyes on this precious young lady and nobody knew that she was going to be a great influence on alot of people her age. A miraculous and powerful story lies behind the smile on this lovely & very humble young lady. It was also her first time to enter into Saru church and she was really overwhelmed by the site she saw. God bless her heart! When the rally was over, everybody headed down to the basement for dinner. We had B.B.Q. outside and then everybody was just sitting around in their own groups. Some were into fellowship, some were having a singing inspirations, some boys were playing rugby with a great spot-light aiming at the playground and the other enjoyed their small conversation over a cup of hot tea and a piece of bread each. This went on till midnight but some stayed longer than that because this was their last night together of fellowship. Indeed, what a great moment of laughter and fellowship.

On Monday, some slept through and woke up late. Once everybody was up, we had our last morning devotion. We all came together, held each others hands and began to give God the glory and honor for a wonderful Easter weekend. I believe that the youths were full of joy because of the decision they made to spend Easter with their other brothers and sisters in Christ. Anyways, after the devotion the tribes were designated with tasks inside and outside the church for clean-up campaign. All hands were on deck when it was time to clean the church straight after breakfast. After that, their pick-up buses started came to pick them and drop them at their homes. It was pretty emotional when it was time to bid these youths farewell because they have come to bound a new friendship with the others. The Committee made sure that they enjoyed their stay at camp so they gave all their best and with God's help, in order to cater for these young people. When everybody left, a few of the committee and youths stayed back just to make sure that everything was in order. According to our Property Manager it really was. This is all possible because God has touched the lives of these young people and once they were given a task, they did it with their whole heart. When all was said and done, and with God as our Guide, I truly believe with my whole heart that God is starting to move in the lives of the young people into doing God's will in greater dimensions. It has already been foretold by the prophets in the Old Testimony. We are living in the last days and I truly believe that God is using the youths of today to be Christ Ambassadors who are wiling to take up the challenge that Esther did; In our present time of chaos and in the midst of the crisis that our government is facing, God is raising up a different army to build up his Kingdom. I truly believe that God heard the cries of these youths when they stood hand in hand at the altar on a Saturday night proclaiming that God is still in control when the children of Fiji prayed for their leaders. For His Word says, "For the prayers of the righteous are powerful and effective" Why not, since we're heirs of the Father!With this thought I leave you, ""If My people who are called by My name, shall humble themselves and seek My face, then I will hear from Heaven and heal their land!"MAY GOD BLESS YOU ALL...!!!