Celebrations on Viwa, 13 June 2012

I have just returned from a 7 week stay in Fiji, during which time I attended the celebrations on Viwa for the 200th birthday of John Hunt (born in Lincolnshire 13 June 1812). There were many memorable moments on that day at Viwa, not least the weather which was true to the wet side of the island - rain all day. The locals brushed it off, describing it as an important history lesson in showing what the missionaries had to put up with. The Viwa people were perfect hosts, taking the visitors into their homes for morning tea before delivering them to shelters for the official welcome to Ratu Epenisa, a direct descendant of Seru Cakobau. Also there were chiefs from the major confederations as well as Ratu Joni Madraiwiwi. The church's top executive were in attendance and the whole occasion was hosted by Rev. Peni Cabenalevu, a talatala from Viwa itself.
Highlights of the day included singing from the Centenary Choir, the cutting of a cake to honour the birthday of John Hunt and the unveiling of a plaque commemmorating the ministry of Hunt and his wife Hannah on the island of Viwa from 1842-8. Central to the day was the launch of John Hunt's original translation of the Fijian New Testament, printed by the missionary printer, Rev. Thomas Jaggar, on the island of Viwa in 1847. Hunt was assisted in this translation project by a number of first generation itaukei converts, including the man described by Hunt as Fiji's first theologian, Noa Koroinavugona.

It is heartening to report that the republication of this New Testament has captured the imagination and appreciation of the Church, the talatalas and the people. The New Testament is selling well, not least because of the hard work of Tauga Vulaono and her husband, Save Nacanaitaba. They have jointly financed the first print run of the New Testament and have marketed it through the media. Requests for the New Testament have come from beyond Suva and Tauga and Save will be responding to these requests so that the New Testament gradually becomes known around the islands.

In Suva copies are available from the Methodist Bookshop and the shop will accept orders as well for multiple copies.