Bible Institute in Fiji Celebrates Achievements of Graduates

Updates on the Bible Institute at Raiwaqa

Teaching Updates

Since our last newsletter, I have taught two courses: Minor Prophets and Acts. Minor Prophets is one of the very first courses that I taught and is still one of my favorite classes. I actually first taught it in American Samoa as part of the Pacific Islands Bible College that is directed by brother Robert Marin. Through the years, I have enjoyed teaching this great material. In addition to my two courses, brother Emosi Sailo taught a course on 2 Corinthians and Galatians, and Dad (Rocco Pierce) taught a course on Congregational Development. It has truly been a great joy teaching with these two great men.

BIR Graduation

I have mentioned before how John Nakabea first came to us as a student in July 2022 in the middle of a school year. Dad was taking his World Religions students on a field trip to Nadi when the van he rented broke down. Dad contacted John to see if he would be available to drive some of the students on the trip. John was so interested in the field trip that he came to the school to sit in on Dad’s World Religions class. He ended up falling in the love with the program and staying. Even though John came into our program in the middle of a school year, he quickly established himself as a serious Bible student. Although he has gone through some challenges, he managed to graduate our program with a 4.0 GPA. We are so proud of him!

Since John came in the middle of the school year in 2022, he did not need the full second year of courses. Because he was our only full-time student this year, he was able to complete all of his course work at the end of July. So we held graduation on Saturday, July 27. Because this was our final graduation (more on that in the next section) and we only had one graduating student, we decided to do something special. Since John loves seafood, we decided to hold our graduation at Suva’s most famous seafood restaurant, Tiko’s. Tiko’s is a restaurant that is actually located on a boat moored in Suva Harbor. We were able to reserve a private room and have the meal catered. The Tiko’s staff did an outstanding job of catering the event.

Closing Out BIR

It is with a great mixture of joy and sadness that I announce the completion of the Bible Institute at Raiwaqa. On July 27, we held our final graduation for the full-time program. Over the last few weeks, we have worked to close down the school facility. While we are certainly sad to see our work with the school come to an end, we are filled with joy over the works that we have been able to accomplish. Over the last eight years, we have had a total of thirty-three students to complete at least one course for credit and twenty-two students to go on to graduate from our full-time program (not counting our Monday night program in Suva or our Saturday program in the West). Today, we have graduates preaching and teaching with at least ten different congregations on five islands in three countries. Additionally, we currently have five graduates who are serving as elders in three congregations (along with two elders’ wives). 

Closing out the school has come with its own challenges. Since we are registered with the government, we have been required to do a great deal of paperwork to close the school down. We are especially grateful to Peter and Moira Lee for the work as our liaisons with the Fiji government during this process. Lord willing, the school will officially be closed down on August 31. One of the big challenges with closing down the school was dispersing the school supplies. The biggest part of this was what to do with the school library. Thankfully, we were able to set up a room that is now climate controlled at the Raiwaqa church building to keep the library so that it can continue to be used by the local congregations. Other materials were distributed to different congregations to be used in their works. We were also able to distribute some of the materials to some of the widows and members in need. We also transported some of the equipment (like the printer and comb binder) and supplies to our apartments (Dad’s and ours) so that we can use them to continue using them to produce materials to be used by the local congregations for teaching, training, and outreach.

Updates on Past BIR Graduates

I want to take a moment to highlight some of the fruits of our labors here with the Bible Institute. Two of our graduates, Emosi Sailo and Lesio Saurara, have been serving as the elders at Raiwaqa since January 2021. It has been wonderful to see these two men grow in their positions of leadership. Both of these men (along with their wives, Nancy Sailo and Jacinta Saurara, who are also graduates) are constantly active with various works of the church at Raiwaqa. They are regularly involved with preaching and teaching, organizing the worship services, and planning various events in the church. Both men regularly send out devotional messages to the members of the church through phone texts. Both men and their families regularly visit other congregations in Fiji to preach, teach, and encourage the brethren. These two men and their wives have become models for what our program was designed to do. They have come to understand the importance of continuing the mission to train a new generation of church leaders themselves. Recently, Nancy and Jacinta started a “Tabitha class” to train the young ladies in the church. They get together once a month for a period a devotional study and to do service projects. Emosi and Lesio started a preaching training course and invited the men from other area congregations to come and learn how to develop a sermon. While they asked Dad and myself to provide our teaching materials on preparing and delivering sermons, they have put together their own course and are teaching it themselves. The class lasts for 4-5 hours every Saturday. They have had several men (including some youths) from three different congregations to participate in the class. 

In June, it was announced that another congregation in Fiji was appointing elders. The Naila church of Christ appointed four men to serve as elders in the congregation. Two of those men, Kitione Solinadrotini and Semi Sasalu, are graduates of the Bible Institute. Both men have remained active in the church at Naila over the years. We are so excited to see them appointed as elders. This makes three congregations in Fiji which now have elders, and each of the congregations includes at least one elder who has graduated from our program. Please pray for all of these elders as they seek to shepherd the flock of God’s people in Fiji. 

Brother Kitione Solinadrotini from the Naila congregation visited me earlier this week in part to ask for a letter of recommendation from the school. Brother Kiti has long had a passion for doing prison ministry. In the past, he has visited the prisons on his own to try to teach the prisoners. Recently, the paper listed postings for a couple of jobs working as a chaplain in the local prisons in Fiji. If he were able to get one of these jobs, it would give him greater opportunities to minister to the prison population here. Please pray that God’s will be done as he applies for one of these posts.

Our Future Plans for the Fiji Work

While the full-time program has closed down, that does not mean that there is not plenty of work for us to still be doing! We see this as a transition phase for our work. The school motto has always been 2 Timothy 2:2, which says, “…and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also” (ESV). Our stated mission has always been to train our students to take over the responsibility of teaching the next generation of Christians to teach others. While we have trained several classes as students, we want to help them set up their own programs to help teach and train members in their congregations. Over the next several months, we will be working at helping them to do that.

One area that we will be focused on over the next few months will be curriculum development. One of the biggest challenges to spiritual growth in Fiji is the lack of available resources. Books are not widely available and are often expensive to the point of being unaffordable for the Christians. We want to put together resources that our graduates can use to teach their own Bible classes. The goal is to take a portion of our school curriculum and make it available to past graduates to set up their own school programs that are modeled after our Monday night program at Raiwaqa and our Saturday program in the West. We want to put together both student workbooks and teachers manuals that can be used to teach these classes, as well as putting together assignment and exam ideas to be used. While we have materials that we have used in teaching our own classes, we want to put those materials in a form that local instructors can use to teach on their own. 

We also want to devote more time to helping build up and encourage the local churches in Fiji. While we have always sought to spend time visiting, teaching, and preaching at the different congregations, the demands of working full-time with the school have at times limited our opportunities. We have typically made working with the Raiwaqa congregation a priority, since they have served as the sponsor for the school. While we will continue our regular works at Raiwaqa, we are hoping to be able to spend more time directly working with some of the other congregations as well. Two weeks ago, I was able to preach at the Southern congregation in Samabula (Suva), and they have already asked me to come back to preach again in September. This week, I was visited by one of the new elders at the Naila congregation (a village about 30 minutes from us). He wanted to invite me to consider coming to Naila and teaching a course on Preparation and Delivery of a Sermon for some of their men who did not attend our program. We are looking forward to being able to travel more to the West to help with the congregations in Nadi and Lautoka, which have both gone through some periods of struggle recently. We have also been invited to possibly come and do some work on the northern island of Vanua Levu by one of our graduates, Romulus O’Brien. These are just some of the possible works that we are considering for the next few months. 

In addition to all of this, we continue to work with the Raiwaqa church of Christ. Nathan and I are both part of the regular preaching rotation at Raiwaqa, preaching a two or three times a piece each quarter. This year, I am teaching an in-depth course on Wednesday nights through the book of Second Samuel. This study has been really well received, and I have noticed that our attendance has grown in recent weeks – which is always encouraging to see. The life of David is one of my absolute favorite Bible studies, so I am really enjoying getting to teach through this material each week.

The 7th year in Fiji has begun

Our Seventh School Year Has Begun!

It is so exciting to be back in school! On February 20, we kicked off our seventh school year for the Bible Institute at Raiwaqa. Currently, we have three full-time students enrolled in the program. Tuisamoa Papamau and John Nakabea are returning students. We have added Peter Lanyon. We expect all of these students to continue the excellent standard of past graduates of BIR. 

So far this year, we have completed four courses. We currently operate on a three-week rotation schedule. We teach two courses at a time for three weeks – one in the morning and one in the afternoon. Each class involves 30 hours of in-class time. To date, I have taught two courses: Language Skills and Research (which focuses on some foundational principles like outlining, using library resources, and using digital resources for ministry) and Homiletics 1 (which focuses on how to develop sermons and preach). Brother Emosi has taught a text course on Life of Christ 2: Mark and Bobby Whippy has taught a text course on Prison Epistles. Next week, we will begin our next two courses with me teaching Intertestamental Period and Emosi teaching 1-2 Peter and Jude. 

In addition to our full-time program, our Monday night program has started back up a couple of weeks ago. That program continues to be run by brother Emosi Sailo. Currently, Emosi is teaching a course on the Pentateuch (Genesis-Deuteronomy). There are seven students taking that course, including a couple of new students who have never attended the night program! 

On a more disappointing note, this year we were supposed to have had an international student join us from Pohnpei, Micronesia. The missionary in Pohnpei had been working with us for months to get a student to our program. Unfortunately, all of the travel arrangements fell apart at the last minute. There is no direct route from Pohnpei to Fiji, so travel between the two nations requires multiple layovers in various island nations. The problems began about a week and half before the student was schedule to leave for Fiji when Australia approved the student’s transit visa to travel through Australia but denied visas for his two young children without providing any reason for the rejection. After several days of trying without success to find answers, the missionary looked into alternative routes.

Ultimately, he was able to find an alternative flight route that bypassed Australia. Everything seemed fine until the night before the flight, when the missionary received an email from the airline informing him that one of the destinations had just passed a regulation a couple of weeks before requiring all transit passengers (even those who are not leaving the airport) over the age of 5 to be fully vaccinated for Covid-19. While the parents were vaccinated, the young children were not. It would have taken three or more months to meet the requirement. After scrambling at the last minute, it was decided that there was no feasible way for the family to get to Fiji to attend the school. We are so grateful for those who worked so hard to try to make this happen, and we are sorry that it did not work out. However, we remain confident that God is wiser than man, and we trust that there was a reason things did not work out. 

Visiting BIR Teacher

Over the last three weeks, we were blessed to have Bobby Whippy visiting with the school. Bobby received his training attending a school in New Zealand for three years. Dad has known Bobby since he was teenager, and he first introduced me to Bobby more than eight years ago. During all of that time, Bobby has always shown himself to be a dedicated servant of the Lord. Dad had originally invited Bobby to come teach a course in 2021. Unfortunately, that trip was cancelled due to Covid-19 restrictions. When the health issues came up with Mom, we were glad to invite Bobby to come and teach the course he was originally scheduled to teach two years ago. While here, Bobby taught a course on The Prison Epistles (Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon). Bobby did a great job teaching for us!

A Special Note to Brag on Our Students

I want to take a moment to talk about the quality of our students. Over the past few weeks, I have been reminded about just how special our students are. This year, Brother Tui has volunteered to oversee the Sunday youth class and the youth activities for the year at the Raiwaqa congregation. In addition to that, he regularly leads singing on Sunday morning, is a part of the preaching rotation, and teaches a Wednesday night singing class once a month. Before Covid, Brother John had never preached or taught a Bible class. He is now a part of the regular preaching rotation, often volunteers to teach the adult Bible classes (which are done on weekly volunteer basis for Sundays and monthly for Wednesday nights), and helps with counting and recording the contribution each Sunday. This week, we are on a school break. When I drove past the church building on Monday, John was using his free time building benches because we are short on seating space. Brother Peter is currently attending one of the other congregations in the area, but on Sunday night he accepted an invite from the elders at Raiwaqa to come as a guest preacher. 

I was recently surprised to learn that not one of our current students have completed a high school education (which is not uncommon for men in Fiji). Yet they continue to work hard at their studies while becoming more and more involved in the work of the church. Truthfully, they are some of the most active members in their congregations. The school is making a big difference in their lives, and we can see the real growth taking place in their preaching, teaching, and Christian service. 

Fiji school celebrates two graduates

BIR SCHOOL UPDATE:

 Jason and I finished the regular school term on the 21st of October at the Bible Institute at Raiwaqa.  Jason finished up his study of the Greek language.  I taught a class on Critical Thinking in which we did a brief survey of rhetoric, argumentation, logic, and fallacies.  The purpose of the course was to help our students think more critically so as to evaluate the arguments and propositions used by others and be able to determine their validity.  Another goal of the class was to help them form better propositions and arguments so as to more effectively communicate the truth of God’s word.  

 SHORT COURSE TEACHERS:

Following the close of the regular term we were privileged to have two short course teachers come to us from Jackson, Mississippi.  We had Andy Dulaney, his wonderful wife Dana, and Derek Broome were able to come to Fiji to help us out.  Andy serves as an elder of the Lord’s church and Derek as an associate minister.  Andy and Dana are no strangers to Fiji and have made several previous trips.  However, this was Derek’s first time in Fiji, though he has previous mission experience in Europe and Central America.  Andy taught a course for us on the Parables of Matthew’s Gospel and Derek taught First Corinthians.  Both did an excellent job.  Dana was an encouragement to Debbie and Devan as well as conducting a lady’s devotional for the ladies at Raiwaqa.  

 BIR 2022 GRADUATION:

Andy, Dana, and Derek were able to help us celebrate our 2022 graduation.  We were very fortunate to have two graduates this year from the village of Vatudamu on the northern island of Vanua Levu.  Romulus and Meriani O’Brien are a husband and wife team who have six children.  They were able to persevere in spite of the challenges posed to us by the Covid19 lock downs of 2021 to complete their course requirements.  On Tuesday evening, October 25 we had a banquet at the school in their honor.  The staff, students, and their wives came together to help them celebrate their well-deserved achievement.  Upon completion of their program it is Romulus and Meriani’s plan to return to the village where Romulus will resume his duties as the local evangelist.  We look forward to great things from this dedicated Christian couple.  

Fiji school tackling tough classes

We are about midway through the school year.  The students are doing great!  Currently, our full time students are having two challenging classes: The morning session is on the book of Revelation and the afternoon session is on Christian Evidences.  They are up to the challenge and really enjoying the classes.  In our Monday night program, they are studying Christian Leadership.

We have been fortunate to have some very generous sponsorships this year.  A church in middle-Tennessee donated four new computers for our students to use at the school.  Also, a very generous donor had donated funds so that all the students in the Bear Valley International Schools could have a copy of the AP Study Bible, produced by Apologetics Press.  This has really come in handy for our students, especially as they are studying Christian Evidences right now.  

We want to thank all of you for the prayers, generosity, and kind words of encouragement.  You make this program possible and have blessed so many.  May everything we do bring glory to God.

Rocco Pierce  

Classes resume in Fiji

It is a new school year.  The covid19 pandemic has left its mark on the Pacific Islands.  Many countries are still closed to international travel.  However, due to an ambitious push by the Fiji Government to get the population vaccinated the nation of Fiji has opened their borders to international travel.  Currently, it only requires a negative covid test and a 3 day quarantine.  

Higher institutions of learning have opened their doors to in class instruction. Students must maintain social distancing and wear masks during class.  The teacher is permitted to remove his mask while teaching.

Long story short, the Bible Institute at Raiwaqa was able to open its doors on time. Orientation began on February 21.  Classes started on the next day.  Jason’s class was the Major Prophets and Emosi taught the Gospel of Mark. 

Our Monday night program has been going on and they just finished up a class on the Gospel of John.  Emosi starts a new course tonight on Timothy and Titus.

Currently, I am still in the U.S. taking care of some medical issues.  I have another doctors appointment on today that should give me an idea of when I will be able to return to the field. Your prayers are greatly appreciated. 

Rocco Hugh Pierce

Director of the Bible Institute at Raiwaqa

Graduation in Fiji

Bula vinaka to the friends of the Bible Institute at Raiwaqa, Fiji,

SCHOOL UPDATE: We have come to the close of the 2021 school year at the Bible Institute at Raiwaqa. This year has presented us with many challenges. For example, we have not been able to have in-classroom instruction since 22 April 2021. Since that time, we have recorded videos, produced textbooks, workbooks, and exams for our classes. These courses were supplied to the students on Micro SD cards which were played back on school furnished tablets. The students were assigned two courses at a time and were required to report their progress each Saturday morning before 10:00 AM. At the end of the course, assignments and exams were retrieved and new videos and assignments were delivered.

We also utilized FaceBook Messenger to interact with our students where we encouraged questions and discussion. We received some really good questions from our students, answers from our instructors, and positive feedback. Overall, the students rose to the challenge and demonstrated through their questions, assignments, and exams that they were getting the material that they need to prepare them for greater service in the kingdom.

(Note: We had looked into hosting the classes live via Zoom, but this was not practical due to inconsistency and expense of the current internet service available on the island.)

One of the benefits that we derived from this year’s challenges is that we now have video courses recorded for 14 classes. These videos, with their textbooks and workbooks, can be used to teach students remotely, enable students to retake a class they failed, or make up a class they missed. The video courses recorded so far are:

1 Church History, 2 New Testament Church, 3 Genesis, 4 Exodus to Deuteronomy, 5 God's Plan of Salvation, 6 Peter and Jude, 7 Romans, 8 Joshua to Esther,
9 Godhead, 10 Psalms to Song of Solomon, 11 Denominational Doctrines, 12 Hebrews, 13 Prison Epistles, and 14 Church Leadership.

2021 GRADUATION: We had three to graduate this year from the Bible Institute at Raiwaqa. Petelo and Moana, from the neighboring nation of Samoa, and Asenaca from Naila Village here in Fiji. Because of covid19 restrictions, it was necessary to split these graduations into two events. One was hosted at the school for Petelo and Moana, the other was hosted in Naila village for Asenaca. We were fortunate to have three guest speakers for our graduation exercises who recorded their encouraging messages in video. They were Dr Denny Petrillo, president of Bear Valley, Keith Kasarjian, director of the international schools, and Terry Pafford, a good friend of the school and an elder of the Lord’s church in Midland, Texas.

Lord willing, Petelo, Moana, and their son Jimmy, are scheduled to return to Samoa on the 3rd of December. They plan to work with their home congregation at Vaimoso, in the capital city of Apia, for about 6 months. It is then their plan to move to their home island of Savaii to establish a congregation of the Lord’s church in their home village. Petelo has demonstrated a heart for preaching and evangelism while a student here in Fiji. During the lockdown, Petelo started a Bible study group with his neighbors in the settlement across the gorge, behind his house. He also has been a weekly speaker on the Talofa Bible Readers FaceBook group in American Samoa where he preaches to a Samoan audience in his native tongue.

Asenaca (Ase) is a second generation graduate. Her father, Kitioni, graduated in 2019 and is one of the leading men at the Naila Church of Christ. Kitioni currently serves as one of the preachers at Naila and heads up a prison ministry. Sister Ase has demonstrated herself to be a diligent student, consistently making A’s in her classes. Following graduation, she sent me this note via messenger:

Good evening Brother Rocco

I would like to personally thank you for everything that you have done in the school – the lessons and the values that you teach.

Thank you for sharing your experience with us.

May God give you a long healthy life. Vinaka, Ase

Ase currently has plans to enter the university to study law. She is a fine young Christian woman and will be a positive influence wherever her travels take her.

Please pray for our graduates and the work they will be entering into! We look forward to keeping up with their progress as they seek to serve the Lord with their lives.

THANK YOU! Let me close by saying, vinaka vaka levu (Fijian: thank you very much) for your interest in, your prayers for, and your support that makes this work possible. May God credit the fruits of our labor together to your account.

Rocco Pierce

Director and Instructor for the Bible Institute at Raiwaqa, Fiji

Making adjustments in Fiji

Bula vinaka from the Pacific Island nation of Fiji,

The Bible Institute at Raiwaqa has been facing challenges due to the Delta variant of the covid19 virus. We have been restricted from having in-class instruction since April 25, 2021. However, we have been able to conduct classes via videos downloaded to SD cards that can be played on Android tablets.

Our program is set up on a three week schedule for regular classes and a two week schedule for short course classes. Since we are unable to meet together, we have been recording 20 to 30 minute videos as a substitute for in class instruction. The student usually receives 90 minutes of video instruction per class per day. Our instructors teach two courses for each two or three week term.

We provide the student with a textbook written by the instructor and a workbook containing a class syllabus, schedule, class assignments, and exams. Each student has been supplied with an 8 inch Android tablet to view the videos on. The Saturday prior to the start of class, Jason, Emosi, and I deliver the textbooks, workbooks, and SD cards to the students. At the end of each week the students are required to report on their progress by 10:00 AM on Saturdays. To receive credit for attendance and class participation, they must have completed that week’s videos, workbook assignments, and exams (if any). At the end of the class, we pick up the workbooks and give out the new textbooks, workbooks, and videos.

So far, Jason has taught classes via video on God’s Plan of Salvation and Joshua through Esther. Emosi has taught a class on Peter and Jude. I have taught classes on Genesis, Exodus to Deuteronomy, and Romans.

Because of the travel restrictions, our short course teachers have been unable to travel to Fiji this year. Some of them have graciously agree to record videos for their classes and submit them to us along with their textbooks, assignments, and exams. Paul Merideth taught a class for us via video on Church History, and Shane Fisher taught a class for us on the New Testament Church. Gary Hampton has agreed to teach a course in the fall on Prison Epistles of Paul, and Andy Dulaney has volunteered to teach a class on Congregational Leadership with an emphasis on the role and work of an elder.

Our students and instructors have been busy in spite of the travel restrictions. In addition to serving as an instructor, Emosi is one of the elders at the Raiwaqa Church of Christ. He and fellow elder, Lesio (a graduate of BIR) offer daily words of encouragement to the congregation and students via Facebook Messenger. Also, Emosi live streams a sermon each week to the congregation via Facebook.

Petelo, along with his wife Moana, are scheduled to graduate this year. In addition to his student load, Petelo has been studying with families in a settlement in the ravine below his house. This settlement has popped up since the covid19 lockdown due to the hard economic times. Petelo has befriended these settlers and used this as an opportunity to set up a Bible study with them.

Romulus is a first year student who was converted in 2012. He is a former denominational preacher who has served as the evangelist for Vatudamu Church of Christ since his conversion. The village has refused to allow the church to build their own church building, so they have been meeting in the living room of his tiny home. While Romulus is attending school on the island of Viti Levu, the members at Vatudamu have been working on an extension to his home for the church to meet in on the island of Vanua Levu. Rokola, a young man, has been living in Romulus’ home and taking the leading role as an evangelist in Romulus’ absence. He plans to swap places with Romulus upon Romulus’ graduation and attend BIR starting in 2023.

While we endure travel restrictions and the challenge of being unable to assemble, we must remember, “God is not chained” (2 Timothy 2:9). He continues to bless our feeble efforts with fruit to His name’s honor and glory. We thank you for your prayers and your generosity. May God credit the fruits of our labor together to your account.

Rocco Pierce,
Director of the Bible Institute at Raiwaqa

All-Fiji Workshop

The weekend of the Easter break is always a special time for the churches of Christ in Fiji. Easter weekend means that it is time for the annual All-Fiji Workshop. Traditionally, the workshop alternates years between the two large islands in Fiji - Viti Levu and Vanua Levu. Unfortunately, Covid-19 resulted in the workshop being cancelled in 2020. While many of the restrictions for large gatherings have been lightened this year, it was still not possible for all of the congregations from both islands to meet together in 2021. However, the congregations on Vanua Levu came together and requested that the Bible Institute at Raiwaqa put together a workshop just for the congregations on the north island. They agreed to allow the Buca congregation in Savusavu to serve as the host congregation. It turned out to be an outstanding workshop.

On December 17, 2020, Tropical Cyclone Yasa made landfall on Vanua Levu as a category 5 storm. The damage was incredible, with many residents losing their homes and entire crops. Since the majority of the people on Vanua Levu live largely off of their plantations, this was a major blow to the people. Shortly after the damaging winds of TC Yasa, Vanua Levu was hit by a second cyclone on January 31, 2021. TC Ana was a Category 3 storm which brought heavy, widespread flooding across the island which resulted in flooded homes, mudslides, and road collapses. While Rocco Pierce, the director of BIR, has been actively involved in doing disaster relief work on the island to help with the physical needs of the people (thanks to generous donations from numerous members and congregations of the churches of Christ), he wanted to do something to help with the spiritual needs of the Christians impacted by the storm. The workshop was a perfect opportunity to do this.

The Bible Institute at Raiwaqa partnered with the local congregations of Vanua Levu to put together a program on the theme God is Still Good Even When Things are Bad. The focus of the program was upon encouraging Christians to find hope even during the difficult struggles of life. The speakers came from the BIR students and staff, as well as from the local congregations on Vanua Levu. Five different congregations from Vanua Levu were present for the workshop, and the Buca congregation was an outstanding host for the event. They worked tirelessly to provide meals for close to two hundred people who were in attendance for the workshop.

The workshop was held on April 2-4, 2021. The schedule was:

Friday, April 2

9:00 AM – Bible Class Teacher: Romulus O'Brien (BIR Student) Subject: God is Still Good When I Lose Everything

Text: Job 1:13-22 10:00 AM – Bible Class Teacher: Samuela Tupou (BIR Alumnus) Subject: God is Still Good When My Faith Grows Weak Text: Psalms 73:1-5, 15-18

2:00 PM – Bible Class Men's Class: Petelo Tulaga (BIR Student) Ladies' Class: Nancy Sailo (BIR Alumnus) Youth Class: Cory Pierce, Caleb Pierce, Mosese Narai (BIR Student)

Subject: God is Still Good When I am Criticized

Text: Psalms 41:5-11 6:30 PM – Singing – Atu Tawake 7:00 PM – Key Note Lesson Speaker: Rocco Pierce (BIR Instructor) Subject: God is Still Good When A Family Member is Lost Text: Romans 9:1-5; 10:1-3

8:00 PM – Bible Questions and Answers

Speakers: Rocco Pierce and Jason Pierce (BIR Instructors)

Saturday, April 3

9:00 AM – Bible Class: Teacher: Duru Ketenilagi Subject: God is Still Good When I Suffer Illness

Text: 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 10:00 AM – Bible Class: Teacher: Joeli Finau Subject: God is Still Good When the End is Near Text: 2 Timothy 4:6-8; Psalms 116:15

Children's Class: Debbie Pierce, Devan Pierce, Ase Solinadrotini (BIR Student) 2:00 PM – Bible Class: Men: Joji Vuetimaiwai (BIR Student) Ladies: Moana Tulaga (BIR Student) Youth: Cory Pierce, Caleb Pierce, Mosese Narai (BIR Student)

Subject: God is Still Good When I Feel Alone

Text: 1 Kings 19:9-18 6:30 PM – Singing – Atu Tawake 7:00 PM – Key Note Lesson Speaker: Bobby Whippy Subject: God is Still Good When A Loved One Dies Text: John 11:21-22 8:00 PM – Bible Questions and Answers

Speakers: Rocco Pierce and Jason Pierce (BIR Instructors)

Sunday, April 4

10:00 AM– Bible Class: Adult Class: Rokola Naikavuka

Youth Class: Cory Pierce, Caleb Pierce, Mosese Narai (BIR Student) Subject: God is Still Good When the Waves Roll High Text: Mark 4:35-41

Children: Debbie Pierce, Devan Pierce, Ase Solinadrotini (BIR Student) 11:00 AM – Worship Speaker: Emosi Sailo (BIR Alumnus and Instructor) Subject: God is Still Good When We Mess Up

Text: Psalms 103:8-13

3:00 PM – Worship Speaker: Jason Pierce (BIR Instructor)

Subject: God is Still Good When the Storm Rages Text: Psalms 107:23-32

The workshop was such a wonderful and encouraging time. The highlight of the weekend was that ten precious souls responded to the Lord's invitation to put on Christ in baptism and have their sins washed away. Those who were baptized included the wife of a current student at BIR and the youngest son of one of our full-time instructors (Jason Pierce). Beyond that, it was a time in which everyone's spirits were lifted by a period of fellowship and study of God's word. In a time when people are struggling with storms, Covid-19 restrictions, and a loss of crops and jobs, it was great to be reminded that Christians have hope that is found in the knowledge that God is Still God Even When Things are Bad!

~ Jason H. Pierce

Academic Dean & Instructor

Bible Institute @ Raiwaqa

Student outreach in Fiji

Bible Institute at Raiwaqa, Fiji

Our summer break is over and all three of our programs are back in full swing. Classes started back on our full time program on the 22 of February with three returning students and two new students. We have since picked up two additional students bringing the total to seven. To date, we have taught two classes: Language Skills and Research by Jason, and Biblical Interpretation by Rocco Pierce. Tuesday, we started two new classes with Emosi Sailo teaching the Gospel of Mark, and Jason Pierce teaching Homiletics One.

Our Monday evening program continued through the summer break, with them completing a course on Personal Evangelism where they went out into the community surrounding the school and passed out tracts for three of their sessions as part of their training. There are five students in this class and they began a new class on the 15 of March. The evening program is directed by Emosi Sailo and he does most of the teaching in that program.

This past Saturday, Jason and Rocco started back the Saturday classes in the West (Nadi / Lautoka). Our numbers have remained consistent for the program. We had ten students show up to study the book of Revelation by myself, and Planned Preaching by Jason.

Due to covid19, almost all of our students now are from Fiji except two of our returning students from Samoa who arrived before the pandemic hit. We are fortunate to have students from all over Fiji. We have students in the West from the cities of Ba, Lautoka, and Nadi. Here in Suva, we have students from the villages of Vatudamu and Nabouwalu on the northern island of Vanua Levu, one student from Kadavu island, between here and Vanua Levu. We also have two students from Naila village and four students from the greater Suva area.

Two of our graduates have been appointed elders at the Raiwaqa Church of Christ in Suva, Fiji. Emosi Sailo, who also serves as an instructor of the school, and Lesio Saurara. Both of these men have been active in preaching, teaching, and evangelism and have now taken on the challenging task of shepherding the flock at Raiwaqa. This is a historic event. The church at Raiwaqa was established over fifty years ago, and these are the first men to be appointed to this office. Please keep them in your prayers!

Giving help in Fiji

Bible Institute at Raiwaqa, Fiji Islands

We currently are on our summer break from the Bible Institute at Raiwaqa (BIR). Lord willing, classes will begin again on the 22 of February 2021. I thought it might be good to highlight some of the activities of four of our graduates during the recent cyclone. On December 17, 2020 Cyclone Yasa roared ashore, cutting a destructive path the length of Vanua Levu, the second largest island in the Fiji Islands. Yasa was the strongest tropical cyclone since Winston in 2016, as well as the fourth most intense tropical cyclone on record in the South Pacific basin.

Thanks to the generosity of congregations and friends in the U.S. we were able to help the brethren with relief efforts in the villages of Vatudamu, Buca, Nabouwalu, Navare, and the town Labasa. Additionally we were able to help with relief on the island of Tavea. This is Emosi Sailo’s home island. Emosi is a graduate of our first class and an instructor at the Bible Institute. We were able to help with food for 43 families and materials to repair the roofs of 20 homes damaged in the cyclone on this island. Emosi and his wife, also a graduate of BIR, were able to come over and help with distribution of food and building materials. They also brought with them 1500 dalo tops and 1000 cassava cuttings to help with replanting the gardens in Vatudamu and Nabouwalu.

Side note: Emosi serves as an instructor in our full time program, director and instructor of Monday night program, and is currently teaching a remedial English class to some of our students. Nancy helps Emosi with an active personal evangelism and visitation program in and around the greater Suva area.

Movono Rokotuivalu, another graduate of the school, organized and oversaw the harvesting of the dalo tops and cassava cuttings in his village of Delaidemanu on the southern Island of Viti Levu. The dalo and cassava on the northern island of Vanua Levu was just about ready to be harvested when the cyclone twisted in the ground making it unfit to sell or eat.

Side note: Upon graduation in November, Movono was appointed an elder in the church at Delademonu. Movono also serves as the preacher for this congregation.

Cassava and dalo are staples in the diets of these brethren and will take 3 to 8 months to replace.. It will take about 3 to 5 months for the cassava to produce and about 6 to 8 months for the dalo. To help tie them over we were able to organize a distribution of rice, flour, surgar, oil, tin fish, and breakfast crackers for 103 families in the places listed above. Samuela Tupou, a graduate of the school, was able to help me with distribution. He is a former military commander who headed up logistics for the Fijian army. He was able to help with assessing the damage in the villages of Nabouwalu, Navare, and Tavea Island. He mobilized the brethren in Nabouwalu into four work crews to do repairs in Nabouwalu and Navare. He was able to liaise with the Fijian military in securing a place to store our materials and arrange for the road to be repaired so that the materials could safely be transported to the landing where they could be transferred by boat to Tavea Island.

Also, Samuela was instrumental in getting the church in Navare to start meeting again. After the passing of their preacher 2 years ago, the church had stopped meeting. We had placed materials in Navare 4 years ago to repair their church building destroyed by Cyclone Winston. The repairs were never completed due to the illness of their former preacher. Samuela was able to redirect the materials to repair a house that had lost its roof in Cyclone Yasa, so that the church could have a place to meet again. They had 7 families to show up for worship the Sunday Samuela was there and he was able to preach for them.

Side note: Samuela serves as the evangelist for the 10 Miles Church of Christ on the island of Viti Levu near Nausari.

We are proud of our graduates and the work they continue to do in serving the Lord!

A challenging but productive year in Fiji

Reflection on 2020 challenges for BIR
This has been an interesting year. We had big plans. We had scheduled 8 guest speakers to come teach in our program this year. Tony Duncan and his wife Kathy arrived in time to help us kick off the school year. He co-taught our class on the Writings of John with Emosi. Beginning on February 18 he taught for two weeks on the Gospel of John, and was followed by Emosi who finished the course teaching on John’s three epistles. Tony did an excellent job and Cathy also worked with the ladies in the program on how to do a ladies’ devotional.

Shortly after their departure we were shut down by the government on March 24 and had to finish the first term via videos. We were able to distribute these videos to the students due to a generous donation from David and Connie from Alabama. We were still hopeful that some of our teachers would be able to make it later in the year, but that turned out not to be.

We had to totally revamp our schedule to get the required courses in and eventually had to tell the short course teachers one by one that they would not be able to get into the country due to the travel restrictions imposed by the Fiji Government.

Two of our short course teachers volunteered to teach their courses via audio recordings. Terry Pafford wrote a textbook, recorded 17 short lessons on Psalms and 14 lessons on Job, wrote the exams, and graded the exams and homework assignments from his home in Midland, Texas. He did an excellent job with the class.

Dr. Tim Ashley also recorded his class. We were really excited about the course he was scheduled to teach on Maintaining the Preacher’s Physical, Mental, and Spiritual Health. As a primary care family physician who has lived in the Pacific and an elder in the church, he was uniquely qualified to teach on this important subject. He wrote a textbook, recorded 15 lessons, and administered and graded exams and class assignments. In conjunction with this class, students were required to keep a health diary, set health goals, and write a plan for their village. We also had a health screening clinic in conjunction with the class where the student’s weight, blood pressure, and blood sugar was tested and recorded. His class was well received.

By a tight schedule, and reassigning short courses to our local staff we were able to get the required classes and hours in necessary for our 2nd year students to graduate on time. As was mentioned in our last report, we had six students to graduate on October 31, 2020. Again, due to the travel restrictions, we were not able to have any guest speakers from the U.S. But Terry Pafford, Keith Kasarjian, and Denny Petrillo sent videos, and Lesio spoke locally on behalf of the students.

We thought the challenges were behind us for 2020, but one more surprise was in store. Cyclone Yasa struck Fiji on the 18 of December. We thought Suva, where the school is located, was in line for a direct hit. Cyclone Yasa didn’t turn as far to the south as was initially predicted, but it stayed to the north of us. However, the northern island of Vanua Levu was hammered. The churches of Christ in the villages of Nabouwalu, Labasa, Buca, and Vatudamu were hit hard. There was significant damage to many of their homes. But the most serious problem was the destruction of their crops. Especially with the downturn of the economy due to the covid19 travel restrictions they are particularly dependent on their gardens for their daily sustenance. Please keep them in your prayers!

While 2020 did not go as we had originally planned, nonetheless, we were able to accomplish our primary goals. Also, we are continuing to have success with our Monday night program for part time students. We were also able to start a Saturday program in the West and have 11 committed men to that program. It is taught every other Saturday in Lautoka and Nadi.

We continue to thank you for your kind words of encouragement, your prayers, and your generosity. God continues to bless the work here in spite of the challenges. We give Him the glory and the praise!

Rocco Pierce

Director of the Bible Institute at Raiwaqa

Graduation in Fiji

Another academic year has come to a close. We have had our third graduation at the Bible Institute at Raiwaqa. On Saturday, 31 October, 2020, we honored six students who have successfully completed a rigorous program consisting of 48 classes covering every book of the Bible. Their studies also included several classes on Bible related subjects like Greek, Christian Evidences, Backgrounds of Early Christianity, Hermeneutics, Scheme of Redemption, and Critical Thinking, etc. This year’s graduates are:

Moira Lyn Lee

Irava Etika Mesulama

Movono Rokotuivalu

Nanise Carol Tera Sailo

Jacinta Saurara

Lesio Soko Saurara

With covid19 travel restrictions, we were not able to get any guest speakers from the U.S. But thanks to the marvels of modern technology we were able to have video presentations by Terry Pafford, an elder in Midland, TX, Keith Kasarjian, director of international studies at Bear Valley Bible Institute International, and Dr. Denny Petrillo, President of Bear Valley Bible Institute. These all gave timely and encouraging charges to our graduates, students, and staff. Also, Lesio gave a very encouraging message on what the Bible Institute at Raiwaqa means to him.

The services were well attended by the families and friends of our graduates. Sharon Nakabea, a student in our night program, donated a beautiful cake that was served at a reception held in honor of our graduates.

To God be the praise and the glory!

Rocco Pierce
Director

The school in Fiji is growing

Our gracious God has blessed our efforts in Fiji in so many ways.  The country has been covid-19 free for 150 days.  The country itself, is still under lockdown.  Only Fijian citizens, who have been abroad, and yachts are currently allowed to enter the country, and then they are quarantined for 14 days.

That said, the school is growing.  We have had an evening class since the end of last year.  It was on break for about 3 months because of the evening curfew.  10 weeks ago that curfew was lifted and we were able to resume those classes.  11 students took the class on Preparation and Delivery of Sermons and 8 students completed this course this past Monday evening.  3 of those students were driving in on Monday afternoons from Nadi, This is a four hour commute one way.  They would then stay the night and drive back at 4 AM the next morning so they would arrive in time to get to work!

Because of the covid-19 restrictions on travel, the prices of renting an apartment have come down.  Unfortunately, this doesn’t affect current leases, but it does affect new leases.  This has enabled us to take out a two year lease in the Nadi area so we have been able to start a Saturday program in the West.  Every other weekend, Jason and I drive to Nadi.  We have been teaching classes every other Saturday.   We will teach two months in Lautoka, and then two months in Nadi.  We have had 11 students coming from congregations in Nadi, Lautoka, and Ba.  The two classes that we have started with are: Backgrounds of Early Christianity, taught by Jason, and Rebuilding Confidence in Leadership from the Book of Nehemiah taught by me.  The classes have been well received.

Because of the covid-19 travel restrictions, we have had to cancel our short-course teachers for this year.  However, Terry Pafford from Midland, Texas has gone the extra mile.  He has recorded 31 lessons from Psalms and Job that are between 10 and 30 minutes in length.  He has provided his notes as a textbook and has provided questions from each study.  He will be grading the exams, memory tests, and homework assignments from his home in Texas.  While the internet is not robust enough to stream live, we have been able to download his lectures and upload the tests and assignments for his grading.  He has done an excellent job with the class and the students are really enjoying the lectures.

Our day program is going well.  We have eleven students taking classes four days a week from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM Tuesday through Friday.  We have six students on tract to graduate on the 31 of October 2020.  Debbie and Devan are working on getting things ready for graduation.  These students have worked hard and we are looking forward to celebrating their achievement with them the end of October.

We continue to thank God for your prayers, kind words, and support of this work.  Your efforts are bearing fruit for the kingdom of God in the Pacific Islands!

Your servants in Christ,

Rocco, Jason, and Emosi

2 Tim. 2:2 in action in Fiji!

 Bible Institute @ Raiwaqa (Fiji) Report

2 Timothy 2:2 – “And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.”
Bula and Greetings in the Mighty Name of our Risen Savior Jesus Christ. Before I move on, please allow me to introduce myself.

My name is Emosi Sailo. I am 52 years old. I am a member of the Lord’s church here in Suva, Fiji Islands. This is my second year in helping out brother Rocco Pierce (Director – BIR) and brother Jason Pierce (Dean – BIR), at the Bible Institute here in Suva, Fiji.

The first day I walked through the doors of the BIR as a student, it was not in my wildest imagination that one day I will be teaching in the Bible Institute. I have been teaching, preaching, Youth Coordinator, and especially bringing souls to the Lord’s church since I was baptized in the year 1999. I thought I had it all, but when I was going through the studies that the BIR is offering, and after completing it at the end of two years and three months, I came to the conclusion that I was mistaken. The Bible Institute has taught me so much in regards to God’s word.

For that, I would like to take this time to thank the Bear Valley Community and family for bringing the Bible Institute to the Pacific. We are really blessed to study under two great teachers of God’s word.
During my first year as a teacher, I have also completed studying online the “Fundamentals of the Faith” through the World Video Bible School page.

So, this is my second year in teaching at the Bible Institute. Some of the subjects that I have taught were, Life of Christ based on the Gospel of Mark, Called to Holiness based on 1&2 Peter and Jude, Denominational Doctrines, Gospel of John (Writings of John), Acts of the Apostles, and 1&2 Timothy and Titus. At the moment I am preparing a lesson to teach on Personal Evangelism based on my personal experience here in Fiji. The Director of the BIR has also given me the task of organizing and implementing our Evening class program for our working brethren which we started in November, 2019, on Monday evenings. At the moment we have 11 (2 being excused for work and family commitments) students for our Evening classes in which bro. Rocco Pierce is taking them on Preparation and Delivery of Sermons.

Teaching at the BIR has also encouraged me to do more personal studies, be a good example of the word, and continue our husband and wife ministry here in evangelizing and visitation to the needy and the sick.
The experience during this one year and four months to be precise, was challenging and at the same time fulfilling.

Once again, Thank you so much! (Vinaka Vakalevu).

Emosi Sailo

Doing good in Fiji

The Coronavirus guidelines basically kept the school shut down for about a month. However, during that time, we were not idle. We were busy working on plans for reopening the school and continuing to train our students. After about a month, the government eased some of the restrictions on institutions of higher learning. While they encouraged schools to use online programs as much as possible, we were allowed to resume classes of fewer than twenty people at a time. Since we are a small school, this meant that we were allowed to have in-person classes. However, there were still concerns about finding childcare for some of our students.

In the end, we decided upon a plan to use pre-recorded videos to finish out our classes from the first term. We were able to do this in large part thanks to a private donation from a member of the Killen (AL) church of Christ. This donation had allowed the school to purchase several Samsung tablets. Dad and I were able to record videos and place them on the tablets for the students to watch. We then delivered the tablets along with the assignments to each of our students. At the end of the week, we swapped out the videos and gave them new assignments. This allowed us to ease back into the program.

On May 19, we were finally able to resume in-person classes. We have had to revise our schedule in order to allow our students to still be finished with the school year in time for graduation (October 31). We are now following a schedule with two classes being taught at a time (one morning and one afternoon). Each pair of courses run for two or three weeks. We have unfortunately had to cancel all of our planned evangelistic campaigns (due to both the lost time in the schedule and the continued travel and assembly restrictions). However, we have set time aside during our personal evangelism course for doing evangelistic outreach.

Since resuming classes, we have completed four courses. Rocco Pierce and Emosi Sailo co-taught a class on the book of Acts. Emosi Sailo taught a course on 1-2 Timothy and Titus. I have taught a course on Christian Evidences and a course on Greek Grammar (which has basically been a review of what we had learned before the coronavirus guidelines shut us down). This week, we will be beginning two new courses. Rocco Pierce will be teaching a class on Bible Geography, and I will be continuing teaching Greek Grammar.

At this point, I must take time to compliment our students! When we first decided to resume in-person classes, we were not sure how many of our students would return. However, on the first day of classes, all of our students were present and accounted for! Since resuming, they have all been enthusiastic in their studies. In fact, the general response has been that they missed being in class, and they have a greater appreciation for the program. We continue to see this new group of students grow closer together. We look forward to the opportunity to continue teaching them.

Each year, we make it our goal to bring in six visiting short course teachers. We believe that it is important that our students have the opportunity to learn from a variety of different teachers. The students always love coming for short courses. Unfortunately, the coronavirus has really impacted our short course program this year. As I mentioned in our last letter, we have already had to cancel our April and May short courses. We had hoped to reschedule them for the end of this school year. However, the continued restrictions, mandatory quarantine times for visitors, and the closing of Fiji Airways has made this impossible. We have already had to cancel most of our short courses. We do have one teacher who will be pre-recording his classes and sending them to us. We have another who is still hoping to come, because he had already purchased his airline tickets. While we have not been able to have short course teachers to visit us this year, we remain hopeful that we will be able to schedule teachers for next year. Please pray that the travel restrictions will be lifted so that we can continue bringing in quality teachers to help educate our students in the word and work of God.

NIGHT PROGRAM

There is one other thing that I need to mention. As previously reported, we had started a night program that was a shortened form of our program that was offered one night a week for Christians who work during the day and cannot attend the full-time program. Unfortunately, we have had to suspend this program over the last few months due to the curfew and travel restrictions. As those restrictions ease up, we will be revisiting the program. We hope to be resuming those classes as soon as possible.

Jason Pierce

Full speed ahead in Fiji

We are back in full swing at the Bible Institute at Raiwaqa.  We have been going strong on our new schedule for three weeks now.  Emosi and I have finished co-teaching the book of Acts and Jason has finished up a rigorous course on Christian Evidences.  Jason has a solid background in this subject both academically and from a practical standpoint.  Jason started out his preaching career as a missionary to Moscow, Russia where he was able to hone his understanding of the subject through discussions with bona fide atheists and skeptics.  He was able to bring this experience to the classroom to engage his students.

Jason and I have been working on the schedule for 2021.  We are working to bring our course offerings inline with the new guidelines for standardizing the curriculum for the Bear Valley International schools.  2021 starts our two year cycle over again, so this will be the perfect time to start with this new schedule.

Due to the covid19 restrictions we have had to totally revamp our schedule for 2020.  While we had an extended break, we were able to complete the 1st term via videos, and through rescheduling have been able to put together a schedule to complete our year without cutting classes or hours.  We have had to reduce our breaks for the year from 6 weeks to 3 weeks to accomplish this.  Lord willing, graduation will be on time on the 31 of October.

Regrettably, it is not looking good for any of our short course teachers to come out this year.  So Jason, Emosi, and I will be taking up the slack.  Terry Pafford, one of our short course teachers, is in the process of recording his classes via video.  Unfortunately, our internet is not robust enough here, for these classes to be taught live.   But, Terry has his textbook, assignments, quizzes, and final exam worked up and will administer his course via a proctor here in Fiji.

Rocco Pierce
Director: Bible Institute at Raiwaqa

Fiji granted permission to reopen

On the 24 of March, the Prime Minister issued a nation wide directive for everyone to stay at home during the Covid19 outbreak and limited public gatherings to 20 or less.  On the 3rd of April the Prime Minister issued a lockdown order for the Suva area, an 8:00 PM to 5:00 AM curfew, and a ban on all public gathers.  In turn, we received a directive from FHEC (Fiji Higher Education Commission) to "defer all face-to-face education and training." until the 17th of April.  We had already shut down the school the week before because of the concern of exposure to the virus by our students who were having to use public transportation to reach the school from the outlying villages.

On April 17th we received an e-mail from the FHEC encouraging HEI’s (Higher Education Institutions) “to resume training operations from 20 April, 2020."  Jason, Emosi, and I met on the 20th of April to work out a plan to reopen the school.  Even though the Suva lockdown has been lifted, the 8:00 PM to 5:00 AM curfew remains in affect along with the no public gatherings rule.   Nonetheless, the Fiji government has given us permission to restart our educational activities with the following “precautionary measures:” 

1. Restricting face to face training of up to twenty individuals per class;

2. Maintaining physical distancing of at least two meters between individuals;

3. Limiting accessibility of external visitors to the premises; and

4. Practicing safe hygiene standards at HEI’s, by sanitizing training equipment and facilities and availing the use of hand sanitizers and hand wash soap to learners and staff.

• Schools are encouraged to deliver training activities to students via online platform(s) whenever possible.  

With these guidelines in mind, we have determined to take a twofold approach to reopening our program. Due to the generous donation of a couple from Killen, Alabama, we were able to purchase 10 Android Tablets which we plan to utilize in phase one. 

• Phase One:  To finish out our first term which was interrupted by the Covid19 lockdown, we will record the classes on these tablets and distribute them to the students with their assignments.  They will have one week to view the videos and complete their assignments, after which the assignments will be picked up and the next weeks videos and assignments delivered. Jason and I have begun working on recording the videos and Emosi will deliver them to our students beginning on the 2 of May.  In this manner, we hope to complete our first term by May 18.  We thought it good to work out the bugs with this approach in case there is a second wave of the virus, and we return to lockdown conditions. 

• Phase Two: Since the FHEC allows classes to meet with up to 20 individuals per class, we plan to return to the classroom under the above guidelines starting on the 19 of May.  Because our original schedule has been disrupted we have had to significantly revise the schedule.  We will have three Covid19 Terms divided into two week and three week increments with a single week break between terms.  The two week terms represent our short courses and the three week terms our regular courses.  As much as possible, we have scheduled our short courses in the 3rd term to provide the best window of opportunity for those teachers to come.  International travel to Fiji has been banned at least through the end of May.  Hopefully, travel restrictions will ease up by September and those who are still able to come at that time can do so.  We have a contingency plan to cover any course where a visiting teacher is unable to come.

If we can stick to this plan, we should still be able to cover the courses and hours necessary for our second year students to graduate on the 31 October 2020.  I am enclosing a copy of our revised schedule in PDF format.  

Because of the Covid19 restrictions we have had to cancel our planned evangelistic efforts for the year.  However, our students and faculty have been busy on their own visiting shut-ins and conducting Bible studies, resulting in at least three baptisms during the lockdown.  One of the things that we have incorporated into our revised schedule is a one week practicum attached to Emosi’s class on Personal Evangelism.  This class will include lectures and outside assignments where students will engage in tract distribution and setting up personal Bible studies.  

We continually thank God for your interest, support, and prayers for the Bible Institute at Raiwaqa! May God bless you for your kindness!

Your Servants in Christ,

Rocco, Jason, and Emosi

Guest teacher in Fiji

Bula vinaka, friends of the Bible Institute at Raiwaqa!

It is hard to believe that we are now in our fifth year of the operation of the Bible Institute at Raiwaqa.  The Lord has been very gracious to assist us in our efforts to serve Him in Fiji and neighboring countries in the Pacific.  We started the current school year with five returning students.  We graduated four and one had to have surgery at the beginning of the school year, so she hasn’t returned.  We have added two students from the country of Samoa, a husband and wife from the Vaimoso congregation in the capital city of Apia.  Movono has returned to complete his program.  He was scheduled to graduate in 2018, but was unable to complete the program at that time, due to family commitments.  He has brought with him a new student from the village of Delaidamanu.  Brother Tupou has proven to be an excellent student and we look forward to great things from him.  We have also added two students from Naila village, the daughters of Kitioni, who graduated last year.  This brings our total number of enrolled students in the day program to 11.

We had Tony and Cathy Duncan from Centerville, Tennessee to come in to help us kick off our school year.  Tony has taught twice for us before; this time he taught our class on the Writings of John.  Cathy was able to conduct a Saturday VBS for the Raiwaqa congregation.  Tony always does a great job and we had an excellent turn out for the Saturday VBS as well.  Cathy also conducted the morning devotionals with our lady students while she was here.  

As I mentioned in our last report, we have started a men’s leadership program at night under the direction of Emosi Sailo.  Students have taken two classes to date on Monday evenings.  Nine students completed the first course on the Life of Christ.  Seven students have taken the second class on Peter and Jude.  The next class is scheduled to begin on Monday night, April 13 on Sermon Design and Delivery.  

We have currently taken a 3 week break due to Covid-19.  The government has closed the public schools and extended the spring break for the universities in Fiji.  So far there are only 5 confirmed cases of Covid-19 infection which the government has been monitoring closely.  We are currently under a 10 PM to 5 AM curfew.  Also, international travel and inter island travel has been suspended.  If no new cases arise we are hoping that local restrictions will be lifted allowing more freedom of movement.  We hope to resume classes for the day program on April 14, 2020.  

Due to the international travel ban (which is in place until the end of May), we are in the process of rescheduling short course teachers until later in the year.  Jason, Emosi, and I will be sitting down next week to come up with a revised schedule of classes for the rest of year.  We are hoping to graduate six students in October.  

We thank you for your interest in the work here in Fiji.  We are very grateful for your support of this work!  We covet your prayers!

May God bless you with peace and mercy!

Your servants in Christ,

Rocco, Jason, and Emosi    

Urgent prayer request for Fiji

Dear Friends,

I would like to ask all of you to pray for Vanuatu and Fiji at this time. Last night, Tropical Cyclone Harold passed over several islands in Vanuatu as a Category 5 Cyclone. The storm has knocked out much of the communication lines in Vanuatu, so we are currently unsure about the full damage that has been done. However, there are already initial reports of roofs being blown away and buildings collapsing. 

The same storm is expected to hit Fiji tomorrow. Current projections have the eye of the storm passing just south of Suva as a Category 4 storm sometime within the next 24 hours. Like many of you, Fiji’s resources are already strained due to the outbreak of the coronavirus here. Devan and I (along with my parents) remain fairly safe because we live on high ground and live in a cement block house which has passed a government hurricane safety inspection. However, many of the people here in Fiji (including many of our students) are not as fortunate as we are. Thankfully, the government is opening up emergency storm shelters for those in need. 

We ask that you please pray for those in Vanuatu who have already suffered the effects of the cyclone. We also ask that you please pray that the storm will turn away from the inhabited islands in Fiji. 

Thank you for your interest in our work and your prayers upon our behalf. We pray that God will bless you all in your service to Him.

In Christ,

Jason and Devan Pierce

Outstanding graduates in Fiji

We had four graduates from our program in 2019: Alphonsus, Kitione, Asher, and Samuela.  These men have successfully completed the program and are serving the Lord in their respected congregations.  

• Alphonsus came to us from the Solomon Islands and was our top graduate for 2019.  He is now back home serving as one of the evangelists of the Honiara Church of Christ on the island of Guadalcanal.  Alphonsus shares the pulpit with Lency, a 2018 graduate of the school.  They plan to work with the Honiara congregation for two years to build it up and then return to their home islands to establish the church on them.  Alphonsus is from the island of Malaita and Lency is from the remote island of Lata (4 day boat ride from Honiara).

• Kitione is a leader in the church in the Naila village just out of Naisori.  He was converted while in prison many years ago.  After getting out he entered the military and served faithfully until honorably discharged.  After that, he served the Fiji government until he retired again.  He has a heart for prison ministry and has been involved for several years now.  Upon graduation, he has started a weekly Sunday prison ministry.

• Asher comes from the Federated States of Micronesia from the island of Pingelap.  10% of the population on this island is totally color blind.  Not only does Asher have this condition, he is extremely nearsighted and super sensitive to light.  He is legally blind.  In spite of this handicap, Asher did very well and earned the "heart of a servant" award for the 2019 graduating class.  He has returned to Micronesia where he is working on the island of Pohnpei assisting with preaching, translation work, and passing out tracts in the community.

• Samuela lost his wife about 5 years ago leaving him with 6 girls to raise from age 3 to 13.  Samuela is a former Olympian swimmer and commander of the Fijian army.  While in school, Samuela had a full time job, preached for the 10 Miles Church of Christ, and took care of his six girls.  Samuela has a heart for the work and continues to serve as the evangelist for the 10 Miles congregation.  

These four graduates are representative of the caliber and character of the students we have enrolled in our program.  We praise God for blessing us with this opportunity to serve!  We continue to thank Him for your interest, words of encouragement, prayers, and support of this good work.  May God reward you for your kindness!

Rocco

Director of the Bible Institute at Raiwaqa