Fiji, Melanesia South Pacific: For the longest time, district team leaders have been praying and thinking of how they could contribute to Fiji from a compassionate ministry perspective. In the beginning of 2014, an idea dawned on them.
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This scripture from the book of Matthew was what the district team leaders had in mind when they thought of the project. It just so happened that at this time, the government of Fiji was also exploring ways to manage poverty, particularly with regard to assisting those who were homeless on their streets.
Considering the needs of the government and passion and vision of the district, Nazarene team leaders proposed a partnership. The partnership would provide a safe home for the less fortunate and help them restore and rehabilitate their lives to a level where they could return to the community. The government immediately embraced the idea and agreed to work hand in hand with the church. After months of dialogue and preparation, the Good Samaritan Inn (GSI) officially came into being on February 6, 2015.
GSI is located on a three-acre piece of land, in Coloisuva, Suva, Fiji, where there is a newly renovated Nazarene church. Fiji Nazarene Compassionate Ministries (NCM) manages and operates the facility. The government, through the Ministry of Women and Children and Poverty Alleviation, provides assistance through various ministries such as health, social welfare and workshops addressing issues of business and livelihood training.
GSI is built as a temporary home for the less fortunate. It has 24 beds to accommodate the homeless, providing a shelter where they can stay until they are able to get back on their feet. They have been through tough times; many of them have been rejected from their own homes, abused, accused and humiliated.
Given these backgrounds, the church realizes that it is not just their job to provide shelter, but to also be a source of genuine love, patience, forgiveness, understanding and acceptance. GSI teaches the people to pray, and to see God as the provider and a source of healing, restoration and empowerment in their lives.
Apart from providing the land and managing the home, the church donates equipment, clothes and volunteer labor for different work activities.
“This centre, ‘The Good Samaritan Inn’ is the first of its kind in Fiji,” said Rosie Akbar of Ministry of Women and Children and Poverty Alleviation, during the official opening. The church is very grateful and truly appreciates the commitment and faith of the government in this endeavor.
Let us continue to support and pray that this new Compassionate Ministry will impact the people of Fiji, and serve to introduce people to the true source of life transformation and healing, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Indeed, when we give all the glory to God, all things are possible.
