Bansenblog

Bula and Merry Christmas to everyone! We just wanted to send a Christmas greeting, some news and some pictures to keep everyone updated.













This is our team on the way into the village near the dump outside of Lautoka (I'm sorry I do not recall the name of the village).











This is the drama which we have been using to convey the gospel. It's called 'masks', showing that Jesus sees through our pain and the 'games' we play and he calls us to himself to be healed and forgiven.









Ginger and I in 'Masks'.













Eli and Hannah in their sulus after church looking very cute!


















Our group on the side of the road awaiting a bus to take us to Lautoka from Nadi.












We would like to just express to you all a heartfelt thank you (vinaka vaka levu!) and warm Fijian 'Merry Christmas'! May the warmth, blessing, and joy of our Lord be in each of your homes and hearts this Christmas as we all remember that Jesus humbled Himself and came to earth from Heaven as a man that we could each know Him and have eternal life. Praise God! We miss and love you all!

Love in Christ,

the Bansens

Ni Sa Bula!... (A warm Fijian greeting to everyone)

It doesn’t feel like the Christmas season has come here, partially because we're used to the change in seasons and we’re used to having family around (we miss you all very much!). Well, it feels here like a humid summer does back home…strange for the holidays, although there are Christmas decorations up in all of the shops. But it’ll be a new experience and we’re sure, a lot of fun. You’re all in our hearts as December has come and the holidays are approaching. Keep us in your thoughts and prayers because God has been at work in Fiji and He is continuing to use this team to His glory.
We’ve been here for two and half weeks, partnering primarily with Emmanuel Worship Center Church in Nadi to evangelize an Indo-Fijian settlement called Navakai.
Two months ago the church had distributed DVDs of the Jesus Movie to everyone possible in the settlement. Inside the DVD cases was a follow-up card and information about the church. Our task when we came was to go in groups from house to house and inquire after the follow-up card in each DVD. The card has given us information about people’s interest in the movie and their interest in Jesus. In many instances it was an open door to share the Gospel and people who were ready, came to know the Lord. People will invite us into their homes whether they are interested in Jesus or not. This becomes an open door to share our testimonies, and more about Jesus, and to even ask if we can simply pray for them right there. Usually we are invited back because we’ve formed a relationship with them, and we have returned and continued to talk about Jesus. Many have already received Jesus as a result of this outreach to Navakai, and there are more who are taking to heart and weighing carefully the Truth that we present to them. Most of the Indian peoples with whom we have come into contact are Hindu or Muslim. They have pictures of their gods on the walls of their house or even have a little temple to their family gods out in the back yard. There is a lot of bondage and spiritual oppression in Hinduism, but usually they are open to hearing more about Jesus. Those who are Muslim usually tell us that they go to pray at the mosque and aren’t necessarily interested in receiving Jesus personally, although they still welcome our visits and often invite us to return to share more.
So when you pray:
· pray that God would continue to go before us and prepare hearts and lives for His truth;
· pray against spiritual authorities and strongholds that would hinder us from sharing and them from receiving;
· pray that we can speak and address people’s needs so that they can see past religion and into the true heart of Jesus.
This Sunday we will hold a large “Jesus Meeting” in Navakai for all of those new believers who need to get connected to a church. Emmanuel Worship Center will continue holding services there every Sunday afternoon. This will be a new ‘churchplant’, but with no building or real agenda yet, just to connect believers together and establish them into local Bible studies. Please pray that God draws many into fellowship and that He seals the work that He has done in their hearts.
As God is working there in that settlement, He is also working in our team and we are being stretched too. We will be moving soon to another city called Lautoka to work with another church and will be staying at the YWAM base there for two weeks. Our accomodations there will be much more difficult because it's more like a dormatory than a lodge. God is going to further disciple us as a team and stretch us in our ability to love each other during our time there. Please pray for us in the next weeks (fyi...5 weeks remaining).
Vinaka! ...(Thank you) for your interest, your prayers, and support. God is good and He's constantly showing His goodness to those here in Fiji and to this team. Thank you for your partnership. Just in case there isn't a newer blog posted before Christmas (I do intend to do one though)...Merry Christmas to all with much love!

Sincerely in Christ,

the Bansens

Pictures top to bottom: our family (Shawn and Eli are in traditional Fijian sulus), Shawn and Eli with Benjamin Lal and family (new Christian friends from Navakai), Hannah learning to make Indian roti bread with Bobi and Michelle Lal, Eli in his sulu dangling for a picture after church.