SOSF Class 34

This group of men completing the StepOut-StepFree journey are known for their youthful enthusiasm. What an tremendous experience it has been in leading these 18 young lives.

We shared with you an early invitation to pray for these men and how necessary and powerful that has been. These men have stayed the course and opened their lives and hearts to new understanding.

Each class spends a portion of each day singing together, a simple act but one that becomes a barometer for what is beginning to take place. This class began as 18 separate voices but over the days they began to sing together, harmonise together and listen to each other. More importantly their singing moved to become an act of worship.

The joy begins in the 'light goes on' moments, where each of the men finds a revelation of personal truth that allows for deep insight, reflection, godly sorrow that leads to salvation. It is these moments interspersed throughout the journey that provide the momentum and build community.

The collective investment in each StepOut-StepFree class is significant. Financially each class runs to around $1000 however it is the spiritual and emotional investment where the benefit to the team becomes incalculable. Sharing life on life, listening, sharing burden, entering grief, remaining vulnerable, hours quietly spent in prayer, maintaining focus while allowing the spirit of God freedom to change the day's plan.

It is in these areas that the integrity of the team and their commitment to Godly restoration becomes our greatest human asset.

These men graduate this Friday, an important milestone in their journey. We trust that these photo's will encourage you further in prayer.

Healing Trauma in Naseibitu

It seemed that every possible climatic event was working against the Operation Foundation teams' visit to Naseibitu Village. Despite more torrential rain in Suva the team set off on a bleak Tuesday morning to visit and lead the village through a 'Healing Trauma Workshop'.

The impact of TC Winston on Naseibitu Village had been significant with structural damage, loss of crops, and most tragically the loss of one of the young men in the village. 

Upon arrival the village herald went through the village summoning all to come to the hall. In small groups they arrived and warm welcome's were exchanged.

The men, women and children of Naseibitu Village working on their drawings.

The workshop is conducted in a very interactive style over two hours, with time for group and individual reflection and discussion. Each participant is provided with their own workbook and using simple techniques, opportunity for insight and personal expression takes place.

The feedback at the close of the two hours and over the lunch that followed was encouraging. The village leadership expressed their thanks in the way that this workshop had given new insight and tools in the restoration journey.

Thanks to all who have partnered to make this workshop and these restoring events possible. Lives are being restored!

Enjoying lunch together after the workshop

Dear God...

The StepOut-StepFree class in Nasinu Prison (Class 34) have journeyed through a wonderful first week. Eighteen young men together in one classroom facing the challenges presented by the lives they have lived so far. 

The last session of our first week was 'Writing Your Lament to God'. A powerful session in the permission that it gives to inmates to be real, raw and open, with themselves and God.

The heads were all down, the room quite and we waited and prayed. After 20 minutes I asked if anyone was willing to share their lament. After a pause the first young man read his and then another young man and then another. 

The power of the first young man's words reverberated around the room. They were his words alone but we all shared in the experience, the rawness, the question! 

The writer of this particular lament, in our combined silence after listening, asked - 'Bro Peter, will God really hear my lament?' Read these heartfelt words and pray for these eighteen young men as they wrestle in the understanding of themselves, their past and a loving God.

Peter Schultz

TC Winston Activity Update - 31 March

In the 6 weeks since TC Winston blew its devastating path through Fiji the Operation Foundation team have been engaged in relief efforts. This has been made possible by both the willingness of the team to lend more than a helping hand and by the willingness of so many of our ministry partners to financially support our efforts.

To the end of March some $16,478.00 FJD was received. We have been inspired by the willingness of so many to contribute to the restoration of Fiji. What has been a real delight is the willingness of local ministry partners contribute to Operation Foundation's efforts. The graph below shows the breakdown of support received. The support has continues to come in and we are grateful for the sacrifice and generosity of so many.

Relief Funds Received to 31 March

To the end of March the team had visited 12 villages and settlements providing emergency relief and aid. Over a thousand people were impacted by these visits and distributions across 3 islands, Viti Levu (the main island), Vanua Levu (the northern island), Taveuni (the garden island). 

Additionally the team have prepared and conducted a Healing Trauma workshop to affected people from Koro Island. These survivors experienced some of the worst devastation and loss of life and property and were relocated to Suva. Other workshops and trainings have been scheduled for the months ahead.

To the end of March some $4720 FJD has been expended in initial emergency relief and aid and more distributions of assistance are in planning.

Distribution of Relief Funds to 31 March

In the last week Fiji has again suffered at the extremes of nature with significant rainfall resulting in flooding. Emergency centres have been rehousing affected people and a new cyclone, TC Zena formed and threatened as a category 3 before miraculously breaking apart and suddenly moving away.

Our efforts are now in revisiting these 12 villages and communities and assisting in the re-establishing of livelihood and providing materials for shelter. The Healing Trauma workshops are gaining momentum and necessary as a step in helping people rebuild lives.

Our constructive step over the next months will be in the partnership with 'Tekivu Tale - Rebuild Fiji'. This movement spearheaded by Pst Mark Wilson has given a commitment to rebuild 30 homes and we are pleased to be playing our part in this effort.

Trauma Counselling

Koro Island participants of the Healing Trauma Workshop

The evidence of shock and trauma among the people was the constant discussion in our team debriefings after we had delivered aid and assistance into villages and communities. In response, Don Goulding and Jill Schultz, prepared a 3-hour 'Healing Trauma Workshop' which was has been conducted to our first participants, who were all from one devastated village on Koro Island.

53 people came together to participate in the Healing Trauma workshop. These wonderful people were survivors had been relocated to Suva after there village was demolished. Their stories of the night of survival were incredible, inspiring and humbling. Families said goodbye to each other as the 300kmh+ winds tore buildings apart, and storm surges filled the same homes and escape routes with sea water. Our time with these men. women and children was powerful - we learnt much from each other!

Other affected villages and communities are now asking for this workshop and the Operation Foundation team is moving in response. To maximise the impact we have developed a booklet which has now been translated into Fijian and we are training additional local volunteers.

It is a privilege to work together, at a time like this, in a restoration ministry.

Team Retreat

Over two days in late June the team came together for a retreat! Its purpose was to focus on personal spiritual growth and organisational planning.  We were blessed to use the guest house at Homes of Hope for our retreat. This allowed the last afternoon to be a fruitful time of discussion and collaboration with the community team from Homes of Hope.

The theme for our time together came from this verse,  Romans 15:14 “I myself am convinced, my brothers, that you yourselves are full of goodness, complete in knowledge and competent to instruct one another” From this verse we investigated four essential areas for the Operation Foundation team; Being: Knowing: Doing: Loving.

What we discovered from our collective passion is the diversity and strength of our combined gifts, and our commitment to lives of integrity. Working together on the core values and our essential practice was invigorating.

Ross & Peter comparing notes