When a recent meeting took place between Indian Hindus in Fiji and eight Christians from Richmond, it was the start of an unlikely friendship built on a mutual love for Christ.
In September a group from St Peter's, Richmond embarked on a mission trip to Fiji to work with missionary couple Frank and Robyn Hawkes at an Indian Baptist church near the capital, Suva.
The team shared the Matthias Media gospel presentation Two Ways to Live with the local Indian minority.
Rector, the Rev Wayne Tildsley believes it was the first time the immensely popular resource has been introduced into the South Pacific nation. And the effect was immediate.
"Not much work has been done among them," he said. "Many came to the meetings and you could see their understanding as people learnt the whole presentation. They grew and were strengthened in their faith."
A number of people indicated that they wanted to become Christians during the eight days the team spent there.
One-on-one theological training was conducted with key Christian leaders in the church, with the aim of training so they could train others.
The pastors did not have any follow-up material and only one or two Christian books.
Two Ways to Live was the obvious choice as the six illustrations could be learnt easily.
Mr Tildsley hopes to take another mission group to the island next year and into the future, with the aim of equipping Christians.
"Fiji is our neighbour, and a mission sharpens you up as a worker and as an evangelist."
