The Church in the streets of Fijitranslated

For five days, our missionary team from Adelaide crossed Vanua Levu and Viti Levu, carrying food and basic necessities, visiting sick and grieving families, teaching and participating in the celebration of Baptisms, a Wedding and a Holy Mass.

Father Michael Psarommatis

In these streets faith did not stay inside the temples. He entered the houses, was heard in the language of the place and stood next to the joy and the pain of the people.

Before the sun even rises over the green hills of Savusavu, the morning mist covers the harbor and passes over the Copra Shed Marina. The matangi, Fiji's gentle morning breeze, moves the palm leaves, banana trees and hibiscus as we open the first boxes on the tables.

Rice, flour, oil, canned goods, soaps, toothpaste, personal hygiene items and other necessary goods are counted and divided into parcels. The first fishing boats start moving in the port, while the smoke of the morning cooking rises from the surrounding houses. The saltiness of the bay mingles with the smell of wet wood, desiccated coconut and petroleum. The rain continues…