To Be Consistent and Persistent
Rakiraki, Fiji Island
I have been told by several individuals that when the first missionaries came to Fiji, they met with cannibals who made desert out of the new comers. The missionaries persisted, however, and did not become deterred in their efforts to adjust the culture of the natives. Now the Christian mission has infiltrated Fiji.
As Daniel, Rasamandal, a local Red Cross Worker, Vrajendra Suta and I hiked a trail to the nearby Krishna Centre a busload of young men passed by us. They were singing the praise of Jesus in a beautiful harmonious tone.
We also walked by a mosque where people were seated for eating time. I see the same architectural design by the Islamic community through out Fiji. The look and colour, predominantly white and green, is consistent here as I saw in Guyana earlier this year
From these two examples, I perceive a spiritual determination that is some what enviable.
For today’s spiritual commitment, I had the honour to conduct a chant and talk program in Lautoka and also in Rakiraki. I had my heart set on journeying to the cave sight of serpent Kaliya but it appeared that securing a reliable guide to take us there was difficult to do. Plus enthusiasm for reaching the destination started to wane amongst the group when we heard that it’s a seven hours hiking ordeal through valleys and then up mountains would be the price to pay for a pilgrim’s yearning. It would be seven hours going back.
Perhaps our determination is weak and that we were meant to engage ourselves otherwise for the coming day. Perhaps more public chanting would be a more favorable determination.
In Fiji, there tends to be a persistent Farmers market venue in major towns like the determined Wal-marts in the west. The market place would likely be our destination for tomorrow’s period.
6 Km
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