Fiji

Each week Matthew, a Gilead-trained missionary and an elder, conducts a Bible study with four students at a teachers college. At the college, ministers of various churches regularly preach sermons in the evenings to church members. The purpose of this arrangement is to support the school authorities, who are trying to combat the bad conduct prevalent on campus.

One evening, Matthew noticed a large number of students in the cafeteria​—about 250—​sitting quietly, waiting with Bibles, notebooks, and pens in hand. They were waiting for a minister from a major denomination who was to conduct a service. Because the minister did not arrive, however, Matthew was invited to address the group. Unlike the usual singing followed by a fire-and-brimstone sermon given by some, Matthew gave a very different type of presentation, using the Scriptures. As the subject for his impromptu talk, Matthew encouraged the students to remember their Creator while they were young. Afterward, all the students lined up to shake Matthew’s hand and express appreciation. He now looks forward to following up the interest generated by this unexpected opportunity.

[Picture on page 63]

Matthew