Loving—and Listening to—Our Global Neighbors
by Brian Kaylor, Churchnet Generational Engagement Team Leader
The Fiji Republic sits half the world away. I picture it as luscious islands with beautiful beaches visited by rich celebrities. At least, that’s how I used to picture it. Then I met Fine Akosita Ditoka, a charismatic Baptist leader from Fiji. Ditoka attended the annual gathering of the Baptist World Alliance (BWA) in Vancouver, Canada, to raise awareness about the struggles of people in Fiji and the work of Baptists there. Meeting and learning from Baptists from around the world remains one of the things I most love about BWA meetings.
In February, Cyclone Winston slammed into the Fiji Republic. The largest storm ever recorded in the Southern Hemisphere, Winston brought wind speeds of 200 mph and a sea surge of 40 feet. By the time it passed the islands, the storm killed dozens of people, decimated tens of thousands of homes, destroyed a couple Baptist churches, and caused more than $1 billion in damage.
I listened as Ditoka described the heartbreak and pain. I listened as she described the beautiful and transformative work Baptists are doing in the aftermath of the storm to rebuild structures and help people heal. She told of efforts to help children process the trauma by having them color pictures of the storm and how they felt. The photos she showed of the devastation and of the relief work clashed mightily with my earlier visions of sandy beaches and green landscapes. Those scenes exist. But, more importantly, reality there also includes many people created in the image of God.
I also listened as Ditoka talked
about the need for serious
efforts to combat climate
change, which fuels extra-
powerful storms like Winston
and threatens low-lying islands
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Brian Kaylor leading a communications training seminar during the BWA
annual gathering.
(photo by Cliff Vaughn)