Apenisa Ciwa is one of our Western Volunteers, a young man who on a first meeting will come across as shy and very quite, a thinker to say the least. However as we get to know him we will discover a passionate and committed young man who is zealous about his faith and committed to the Cause of Jesus Christ. Earlier this year, Apenisa decided to respond to an earlier calling and is today a missionary in Cambodia. He shares his journey with us as a young man stepping out in faith
1. Please tell us a bit about yourself and your involvement with SU?
Bula, my name is Apenisa Ciwa, I’m from the beautiful paradise of Lau. I joined SU in 2005 while I was still studying at FIT; I do not regret it because I have passion to work with young people. If you want to change the future for our nation; we have to impact the lives of the young people with the gospel of Jesus Christ because many young people are leaders today and many more will ascend
into national and church leaderships tomorrow. Now looking back it has been an amazing journey and it was only possible through Christ Jesus who have given me the strength.
2. Were you part of SUIS in school?
Yes, I was part of the SUIS when I was in form 6, My Scripture teacher was Ms Jackie Savu. The first time I heard about SUIS I thought it was the name of a Christian dance competition. I never asked anyone what it meant, we were preparing for the SUIS Concert after sharing from the Word. And I remember Mr. Sitiveni Kalou was telling us about the meaning of SUIS and what their vision is! And from then, I was inspired and challenged to come and be part of the SUIS especially in its vision of impacting the life of young people in this nation.
3. What motivated you to volunteer as a SWG volunteer?
My Scripture teacher motivated me, to be part of the SWG, however when I reached tertiary level, I was distracted for a while with other things, what encouraged me was the strong Christian network in Scripture Union and I am so blessed that I have really good friends that are always there to help me especially my sister in the Lord, Naomi Vakawaci. She introduced me to the young vibrant volunteers then and I have never looked back and I have enjoyed my time of serving with them in western schools.
4. You are now a missionary in Cambodia, please tell us about how you came to be a missionary?
I never dreamt in a million years that I would become a missionary. My plan was already set; I will go work overseas and support my family. I had my list of 20 things I need to do before I get married. We have our own plan but is the Lord that has the final say. After I finished school I lost the desire to work, however the passion to serve Christ was brewing by the day and I started going out with the SWG West Team to do school visitations and just sharing about the Lord. I heard a sermon once that your life is not your own, but that we are encouraged to live it for others and was inspired by the Lord’s Word, that no greater love than this, than for a man to lay down his life for his friend. I also remember Cambodian missionary, Pastor Moses O'Connor at a dinner
prior to his departure for the mission field was challenging young missionaries to rise up and he said those words that had inspired me earlier one that “your life is not for you, but it’s for others’’
Just like Jesus said Love your God with all your Heart, with all your Soul and with all your strength, Love your neighbours as you love yourselves. God just brought the right people in my life to motivate me and inspire me and that is why I prayed and sought the Lord on whether I am suppose to come to Cambodia. This year after much surrender, raising funds, faith, prayers and seeking the Lord, the door opened for me and now I am here, a few months on, serving with fellow Scripture Union volunteer and a close brother, Meli Tui and Pastor Moses in Cambodia’s mission
fields. I am loving this experience and thanking God for entrusting me in this mission work.
5. What do you think about the work of SU?
For the work of SU to really advance, we really need faithful people that can work together for the Glory of God. The harvest is plenty but the labourers are few, and also support the works and the
workers weather it is financial or through prayer!
6. Anything else you want to share with our readers?
I would like to take this time, to acknowledge few people before I share. I would like to thank the Council Members of the Scripture Union for the job well done; Sitiveni Kalou, I salute this man for being there for the young people and encouraging them. And also I would like to thank Pastor Jacob Masiyaka and family ,not forgetting Pastor Apenisa Ralulu and Petero Cakau. Thank you so much for laying down your lives for others. John 15:13 Greater love has no one than this, which he laid down his life for his friends.
Thank you to everyone that has been supporting the SUIS ministry. Young people the life that we now live in Christ is not our own! But for the people that are watching us. At the end of the day it’s not about us, but it’s all about God. Enjoy life to the fullness because Jesus is already victorious and He has given us the victory that we need to soar with Him.
Enjoy your life as a young person but live it for the Lord and trust Him daily to lead you.
1. Please tell us a bit about yourself and your involvement with SU?
Bula, my name is Apenisa Ciwa, I’m from the beautiful paradise of Lau. I joined SU in 2005 while I was still studying at FIT; I do not regret it because I have passion to work with young people. If you want to change the future for our nation; we have to impact the lives of the young people with the gospel of Jesus Christ because many young people are leaders today and many more will ascend
into national and church leaderships tomorrow. Now looking back it has been an amazing journey and it was only possible through Christ Jesus who have given me the strength.
2. Were you part of SUIS in school?
Yes, I was part of the SUIS when I was in form 6, My Scripture teacher was Ms Jackie Savu. The first time I heard about SUIS I thought it was the name of a Christian dance competition. I never asked anyone what it meant, we were preparing for the SUIS Concert after sharing from the Word. And I remember Mr. Sitiveni Kalou was telling us about the meaning of SUIS and what their vision is! And from then, I was inspired and challenged to come and be part of the SUIS especially in its vision of impacting the life of young people in this nation.
3. What motivated you to volunteer as a SWG volunteer?
My Scripture teacher motivated me, to be part of the SWG, however when I reached tertiary level, I was distracted for a while with other things, what encouraged me was the strong Christian network in Scripture Union and I am so blessed that I have really good friends that are always there to help me especially my sister in the Lord, Naomi Vakawaci. She introduced me to the young vibrant volunteers then and I have never looked back and I have enjoyed my time of serving with them in western schools.
4. You are now a missionary in Cambodia, please tell us about how you came to be a missionary?
I never dreamt in a million years that I would become a missionary. My plan was already set; I will go work overseas and support my family. I had my list of 20 things I need to do before I get married. We have our own plan but is the Lord that has the final say. After I finished school I lost the desire to work, however the passion to serve Christ was brewing by the day and I started going out with the SWG West Team to do school visitations and just sharing about the Lord. I heard a sermon once that your life is not your own, but that we are encouraged to live it for others and was inspired by the Lord’s Word, that no greater love than this, than for a man to lay down his life for his friend. I also remember Cambodian missionary, Pastor Moses O'Connor at a dinner
prior to his departure for the mission field was challenging young missionaries to rise up and he said those words that had inspired me earlier one that “your life is not for you, but it’s for others’’
Just like Jesus said Love your God with all your Heart, with all your Soul and with all your strength, Love your neighbours as you love yourselves. God just brought the right people in my life to motivate me and inspire me and that is why I prayed and sought the Lord on whether I am suppose to come to Cambodia. This year after much surrender, raising funds, faith, prayers and seeking the Lord, the door opened for me and now I am here, a few months on, serving with fellow Scripture Union volunteer and a close brother, Meli Tui and Pastor Moses in Cambodia’s mission
fields. I am loving this experience and thanking God for entrusting me in this mission work.
5. What do you think about the work of SU?
For the work of SU to really advance, we really need faithful people that can work together for the Glory of God. The harvest is plenty but the labourers are few, and also support the works and the
workers weather it is financial or through prayer!
6. Anything else you want to share with our readers?
I would like to take this time, to acknowledge few people before I share. I would like to thank the Council Members of the Scripture Union for the job well done; Sitiveni Kalou, I salute this man for being there for the young people and encouraging them. And also I would like to thank Pastor Jacob Masiyaka and family ,not forgetting Pastor Apenisa Ralulu and Petero Cakau. Thank you so much for laying down your lives for others. John 15:13 Greater love has no one than this, which he laid down his life for his friends.
Thank you to everyone that has been supporting the SUIS ministry. Young people the life that we now live in Christ is not our own! But for the people that are watching us. At the end of the day it’s not about us, but it’s all about God. Enjoy life to the fullness because Jesus is already victorious and He has given us the victory that we need to soar with Him.
Enjoy your life as a young person but live it for the Lord and trust Him daily to lead you.
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