#lucf

The team, from left, included Riven, Caesar, Chris, Kate, Michael, Becky, Christina and Annelise.

Bula vinaka.

In December I was part a TSCF Fiji cultural trip along with other university students and Lincoln-based staff Chris and Kate. We partnered with TSCF’s sister organization Pacific Students for Christ, who did an awesome job of planning and organizing our two-week stay in Suva.

In the first week we split up and were billeted with Fijian families. I was blown away by the hospitality of my hosts, who were joyful and generous. I joined the engineering campus’ Christian Fellowship executive meeting as they planned for that week’s fellowship, and saw how similar this was to the meetings I am part of at Lincoln University Christian Fellowship. On Sunday I was invited to my host family’s church. It was difficult to understand the sermon and singing as it was in Fijian, but I saw their passion for God’s word.

During the second week we all came back together and stayed at a campground next to an orphanage, St Christopher’s Home for Children, along with several Fijian students. We helped run evening Bible studies for the children at the orphanage, and built and painted fences around the property. I also went to a men’s prison with an Australian man who runs a week-long course for inmates focusing on dealing with trauma. Lastly we went to Homes of Hope, which offers a place to stay for teenage mothers and women who are at risk of sexual abuse.

One moment that left a lasting impact was hearing the children sing at the orphanage. That first night they had prepared a few worship songs to sing with us. Those 20-30 children were louder and more passionate than many churches filled with hundreds of people, mics and speakers. Tears came to my eyes after I got over the initial shock of the pure joy that these kids sang with. I wasn’t the only member of the team with tears in their eyes. I aspire to having such sincere joy in my worship to God.

TSCF has long supported PSFC’s work, and I enjoyed being able to see how this support is helping change lives. By hosting a team from Fiji at SPARC 2016 and sending our own team to Fiji, we are building a strong relationship between the organisations and growing young men and women in Christ across the Pacific. I long to see the work of PSFC continue to be supported, so that when the next team goes they will be able to witness how God has used our faithfulness to grow his kingdom.

After the mid semester break, Lincoln University CF (LUCF) had the privilege of hosting Karolyne and Salome, two Ecuadorian students who visited New Zealand to attend the SPARC 2016 conference. Over the course of a week, LUCF students organised site seeing trips to the Port Hills and Castle Hill, as well as taking them to their first rugby game. 

Karolyne and Salome had the opportunity of being at one of the LUCF gatherings, where they reflected on their experiences at SPARC 2016. They also talked about their own tertiary student fellowships back in Ecuador. 

This was truly an amazing opportunity for LUCF, as they learnt, saw and heard about the big impact support from TSCF has had on the students in Ecuador. It inspired the group to think about how to support other student groups around the world. Since their visit, LUCF has actively been seeking how to further supporting students in Ecuador, as well as other student movements around the Pacific. They wish to reach out and help those in need, whatever shape or form that takes into the future.

Lincoln CF finished off a great year with a break-up party at their President's house. Fun, fire and food was enjoyed by all. As many of our key members are leaving, it was a good opportunity to thank them for their contribution to the group over the last few years.