Journal Entry

Yesterday, Teivita Alafi, daughter Pasemaca, and son Josefa were baptized in the ocean at Vuna.  The Elders have taught them for months and while the kids (about 17 and 15) have been ready for some time, their father (late 40’s or early 50’s) has struggled.  His wife has been a member for years, though not active, and he has been a minister of a large Pentecostal church.  By and by, his wife’s faith brought him around and yesterday was a culmination of his long conversion process.  Like many Fijian men, particularly ministers, he was full of pride and for months has maintained that he wanted to be baptized so he could become a bishop.  His pride also led him (and his wife) to be critical of how the church leaders in Vuna function.  They do make lots of mistakes but his criticisms came from pride more than substance.  He also maintained doctrinal positions contrary to the restoration truths and that held him up.

One early morning, about 3-4am, I was awoken to a very strong prompting to take the elders and President Lesuma and go talk to him about his pride problem.  The Lord led me to prepare a review of the pride struggles of Sydney Rigdon, Martin Harris, and Peter along with taking him a copy of President Benson’s talk on Pride.  We had a very good visit and spoke to him clearly about his pride problem and the potential it held to take him far from the path of faith.  For the first time, we really felt the message got to him and from that point on, he began to humble himself and really prepare for baptism.

I wanted to describe the unique scene of the baptism, at least to me it was so utterly Fijian that it is worth describing.  We arrived in Vuna about 12:30pm and stopped at the butcher shop – the only one on Taveuni.  The shop is about a quarter mile from the spot on the beach where the baptisms are held.  As we came out of the shop, Teivita and his wife were walking by and we joined them and others in the walk down the beach to the designated spot.  We asked where their daughter was and they said she was on her way (everyone, of course, walks – no cars).  “Where is Josefa?” We inquired.  “Oh, he’s down on the beach already,” was the reply.

We arrived at our traditional baptism location and on the way noticed several spear-fisherman snorkeling along the water, perhaps 50 yards offshore.  It’s a daily scene to see people fishing with hand-lines, nets, from dug-out canoes, and spear fishing so we didn’t think much of it.  But as we gathered for the baptismal service we noticed a group of spear-fisherman swimming towards the shore where we were.  Soon, they began emerging from the water and walking up on the beach.  Then we recognized them as members and investigators who were coming to the baptism!  They took their fins and masks off and quietly joined our group for the service.  Included in the group was Josefa who walked up to his parents and was handed his baptismal clothes that he put on over his wet shorts and prepared for the service.  I baptized the 17 year-old daughter Pasemaca (at her request), then Josefa was baptized by Elder Abplinalp and finally their father, Teivita, was baptized by Elder Mayberry – he was overjoyed and proclaimed this as the best day of his life. After the program, the fisherman put on their gear again and slipped back in the water to continue fishing.  What a unique experience! So Fijian, so typical, so amazing to me.  Life is simple here and the daily search for food goes on, baptism or not!