The local church mission to Namuaimada was a truly unique and humbling experience. Situated on the northeast coast of Fiji and with our rooms being a stones throw away from the beachfront, the village is truly a testament to the beauty of God's creation. Aesthetics aside, there was a lot of work to be done and the crew of twelve led by Pete and Vini Riches knew it was going to be a long week ahead in which God would be using us and growing us for his purpose and will.

Upon arriving to Namuaimada, our carrier was greeted by a sea of Fijian children, we then realised the magnitude of which the kids groups we were to run every afternoon would involve. Before our arrival, Pete and Vini had briefed us on the omnipresence of the children in the village, to the point where they would peek in our windows and sit outside our door waiting for us to be wrestled, jumped on and chased. I found the kids group a definite challenge, it was hard to distinguish a lack of biblical understanding from a poor comprehension of English. Despite a significant language barrier, God was able to break through it and a sense of understanding was reached at the end of each group, allowing for the seed to be planted. We can only pray for the children of Namuaimada and that God would allow that seed to grow.

The youth group which met every evening was a great opportunity to build relationships with the villagers who were rarely seen during the day and also allowed the opportunity to have a break from the younger children. The youth ranged from 15 year old to 32 year olds - within the village you were expected to attend youth group until you get married, regardless of age. Our team was able to share testimonies, sing songs, open and discuss the Bible and build relationships through games and conversation. I definitely enjoyed getting to share my testimony and open God's word with the teenagers in the village. I felt joy for the future of the village, as the youth clearly articulated the Gospel and we could sharpen and encourage one another with the Bible.

Many times throughout the Local Church Mission, team members were asked to speak from the Bible with less than a handful of minutes to prepare, this gave us all a strong reliance upon God and that his Spirit would work through us in order to speak to the hearts of the villagers and made his presence and purpose for the village (and us as his messengers) clear.

With 2013 being Pete Riches fourth year ministering to the village, the gaps within the gospel are becoming clearer and he is definitely seeing that there is a need for the gospel to dictate village life instead of the opposite. His sermon on Sunday from 1 Corinthians chapter 3 was a great example of "speaking the truth with love" and challenging the Fijians that they cannot have Jesus as saviour but not live for Him as Lord.

Leaving after a week of being a part of such an amazing village induced mixed emotions, I wanted to stay because I felt there was much much more to be done and the gospel was not fully understood in the village, it also felt difficult after getting to genuinely love the village and the people in it and the way the Fijians loved us so selflessly. I hope to return to Namuaimada one day, but I know, in my absence, God's Spirit is present and working.

Gabe Munnoch is a year 13 student from Petersham Anglican