Dear Friends and Partners in Ministry,
In a village, there once lived an elderly woman who was shunned and feared by everyone. Both young and old avoided her, as her curses and angry words were terrifying to hear. She seemed to be on a path to ruin, with no one caring for her.
But then, the Gospel message reached the village. The Good News of God’s salvation was proclaimed, bringing hope and freedom from sin’s grip and its consequences.
This hardened sinner heard the message of love offered even to the guilty. But not only that—she believed the Word she heard, and it transformed her. She experienced the truth of the hymn:
“He breaks the power of canceled sin, And sets the prisoner free.”
Freed from her fear of death and judgment, she also began to experience freedom from the power of sin. When she became seriously ill and was thought to be near death, someone asked her, “Are you afraid to die?”
With sincerity and joy, she replied, “Jesus died for me.” That settled everything for her. She could now rejoice in the work her Saviour had done. Death held no more terror for her. For her, to live meant to serve Christ—and to die meant to be with Him.
The grace of God reaches even the most broken and transforms them completely. The corrupt become pure, the drunk become sober, the profane become reverent. The Gospel remains the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes. It can reach the vilest sinner in the depths of sin and lift them up, cleansed and made new, into the glory of God.
No reader is beyond Christ’s reach. You may feel too sinful for the company of good and holy people, too lost for the respectable world to welcome you—just as this elderly woman had felt. But you are never too far gone for Christ to save and cleanse you.
Come to Him. He will not turn away anyone who comes to Him today.
“He who comes to me (Jesus) I will never cast out.” (John 6:37)
As we approach the end of the year, we are reminded of God’s unwavering faithfulness and the strength we draw from your continued prayers and support. Your partnership is invaluable as we navigate the challenges and celebrate the victories in our ministry across the South Pacific.
Updates and Praises
• Completion of Academic Year and Graduates’ Ministry
We are pleased to announce that all our resident students have successfully completed their academic year and have returned home for a well-deserved rest. We pray that this period serves as a time of recuperation and spiritual renewal, especially for those returning in 2025. We also lift up our recent graduates—Varesa, Samisoni, Koroi, Molisio, Falesa, Josia, and Vitali—as they embark on various ministries. Notably, Varesa, our former head boy, will be ministering in American Samoa. We eagerly anticipate how the Lord will work through these individuals, molding them into greater conformity to the image of our Lord Jesus Christ.
• Generous Rice Donation for Community Support
We are grateful to Barnabas Aid International for their generous donation of six tons of rice, designated for distribution to those in greatest need. This act of kindness allows us to demonstrate Christ’s love in tangible ways and opens doors to share the gospel. We are also thankful to a church member of Lautoka Bible Church who has graciously provided warehouse space to facilitate this endeavour. This collaboration exemplifies the unity described in Psalm 133: “How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity!” We will update you all on the distribution phase in the coming weeks.
Prayer Requests
• Health and Provision for Joel and Sidhartha Duvu’s Daughter, Naila
Please join us in praying for Naila, the young daughter of Joel (one of our dedicated lecturers at the Bible College) and Sidhartha Duvu. Naila has been battling severe pneumonia and has faced ongoing health challenges since birth, including paralysis in both legs. The cost of her treatment has been substantial, and earlier this year, the family’s car became inoperable, further straining their finances. We ask for prayers for Naila’s health and healing and for God’s provision to meet the family’s needs during this challenging time.
• Support for Monika’s Dialysis Treatment
One of the individuals Christian Helps has been seeking to witness to and minister to is Monika, a young woman who celebrated her 40th birthday last month. Monika is battling end-stage kidney failure with only 1% kidney function remaining and urgently requires dialysis treatment. Each session costs approximately FJD $280, and she requires three sessions per week, totaling FJD $840 weekly. This cost is insurmountable for her family, whose combined income is just FJD $170 per week.
Abandoned by her husband during her illness, Monika now lives with her elderly parents, who are doing their best to support the family despite their limited resources. Her father, at 70 years old, earns a small income by cutting grass, while her mother cares for the household, which includes eight other dependents. We are currently assisting Monika in applying for a government subsidy, which, if approved, would reduce the cost of each dialysis session by FJD $100. However, the financial need remains critical.
Last week, Monika’s condition worsened, and she was admitted to the hospital. To help alleviate the financial strain and provide her with the necessary medical care, a GoFundMe page has been set up to raise funds for her treatment. We humbly request that you share this need widely among your friends and churches. The GoFundMe page can be accessed here: Help Monika Devi Fight End-Stage Renal Failure.
This situation underscores the dual mission of Christian Helps: to share the life-giving message of Christ and Him crucified and to demonstrate His love in tangible, practical ways. Please pray for Monika’s health, for the approval of the subsidy, and that the Lord might open their hearts, minds and eyes to the hope of the gospel during this challenging time.
• Health and Strength for Kirsten Kumar and His Sister Keziah
Kirsten Kumar, who ministers within Christian Helps, was hospitalised last week due to a severe pain crisis from Sickle Cell anemia. It was the worst episode he has faced, but we praise God that he has since been discharged. Kirsten’s older sister, Keziah, also suffers from Sickle Cell anemia and thalassemia . We are praying that the Lord would bring along a haematologist who might help manage their chronic illness effectively. Their mother, Ashika, serves faithfully as AFC(SP)’s accountant, and their father, Sidweshwar (known to us as Kumar), is the Pastor of Link Rd Bible Church, the secretary of the Bible churches, Administrator of the Fiji Bible College and is volunteer International field representative for Operation Christmas Child with Samaritans Purse. Their family has been part of our ministry since 2004. Please pray for healing, strength, and the right people to come alongside this family in their time of need.
• Repair Needs for the Vocational School
Our Vocational School has suffered extensive termite damage, with repair costs estimated at USD $15,000 (approximately AUD $20,000). We bring this need before the Lord, trusting in His provision to restore the facility so that we can continue to serve and educate our students in a safe environment.
We are continually encouraged by the love, unity and generosity of those who have laboured and partnered with us for nearly six decades. Your prayers and support are a testament to the body of Christ working together to advance His kingdom. As we face these challenges, we look to the Lord, knowing that our loving and merciful God is with us every step of the way.
Thank you for standing with us in prayer and partnership.
In Christ Alone,
Narayan and Savita
Ambassadors for Christ (South Pacific)
(If you would like to give to the Lord's work in Fiji and the South Pacific, you can do so by going to our website: https://www.afcfiji.com/ and clicking on the "give" tab).
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