by Ben Reichert
The Fiji missions trip returned in mid-July. While we were there, God moved in powerful ways. One of the most impactful moments came about two weeks into our time there. We visited a Hindu settlement about ten minutes from where we were staying and shared the Gospel with a family.
One cultural difference is that in most Indian families, sons continue to live with their parents after they marry. At the time, there were about 10–12 people living in this house, which gave us a great opportunity to share Jesus with a larger group.
We arrived around 5:30 pm and took seats in their outdoor hosting area, a common feature in many Fijian homes. Some of us sat on mats around the room, others on couches or outdoor chairs. We began sharing our testimonies about how Jesus has made a personal difference in our lives.
I shared how Jesus gave my life a sense of purpose when I had none. I was nervous, unsure whether what I was saying was getting through. The amazing thing was that, by God’s grace, their neighbour who invited us—a native Fiji Hindi speaker—was able to share the Gospel with them clearly, in a language and way that made sense. God used us to open the door for him to communicate effectively.
After we finished sharing, we asked if they wanted to receive Jesus, and most of them said yes! Nine people, from ages 7 to 70, chose to follow Jesus that day. Ash, the man who invited us, is still following up with them and showing them what it looks like to follow Jesus.
I saw the power of having someone communicate fluently in a language the listeners understand, as well as the impact of our team’s passion for knowing, loving, and becoming like Jesus. They may not have understood all that we said, but partnering with local believers added enormously to the impact.
Crossing cultures and making a lasting impact takes time, so it helped to have someone alongside us who knew the culture well. Paul and Barnabas did the same on their first missionary journey when they returned to Barnabas’s homeland (Acts 4:36; Acts 13:1–4).