AN EARLY WHITE SUNDAY TREAT

​Turning darkness into the light of life was the theme the third year students of the Malua Theological College shared with the children at the Campus of Hope on Sunday.
 
It was a theme that guided the students missionary work with the children of hope, placing emphasis on how God has transformed the creation as per Genesis 1: 1:“In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.  The earth was without form, and void; and darkeness was on the face of the deep ……..Then God said, ‘Let there be light’, and there was light.”
 
In leading up to the children’s special day as per the Annual White Sunday celebration, more than 20 third year students and their wives from the Malua Theological College spent the Sunday with the children at the Campus, as part of their ‘Faamasani’ or Practical Ministry program.  It has been an ongoing program since it first started with SVSG in 2011.
 
And every year, the future church leaders educated at Malua have been innovative in their approaches with the children, and this year was no different.  Everyone was allocated into 4 teams; the children the wives and the students.  This is team building leading up to team work.  Next, there were activities, presentations and talent quests, all as a team.  From the children with disabilities to the toddlers to the older ones, everyone worked in a team and it was nothing short of hilarious.  This is confidence building as part of community engagement.
 
For most of the students and their wives, this was the first time they have visited the Campus, and it showed.  As mothers, the wives were holding the toddlers, others were on the floor working with the children through their paintings and drawings.  Others, just observed in amazement at the transformation they saw on each child’s face, despite the darkness of the trauma each child must have endured.  This is part of rehabilitation.
 
According to Reverend Filemoni Crawley, the Lecturer in Practical Theology who lead the visiting delegation, “We wanted to share with the children the love of God, as He wanted us to remind the children that His love will always be a shining light in our hearts.”
 
From morning until late afternoon, the fellowship continued.  The wives hosted a delicious lunch and desert for the children followed by more singing and praising.  Time is of the essence as the spirit of God moves amongst the fellowship; one of the experiences that both the children, the students and their wives will never forget.
 
To ensure that they have a contribution towards the children’s daily caring, donation of food and clothes were presented before a blessed day ended.
 
“Thank you so much Reverend Maafala Limā, Principal of the Malua Theological College for supporting the sustainability of the parternship between SVSG and the College.  This is our collective responsibility towards the abused and the neglected among us. Thank you also to Rev. Filemoni Crawley for coordinating such an innovative program with the students and their wives.  You have surely put on a special treat for the children for White Sunday.”  Siliniu Lina Chang