A Love for Christ—and Rugby—in Fiji

Fiji is a country  located in the center of the South Pacific. It is an archipelago consisting of more than three hundred islands and has a diverse population. Fijians love to watch and play rugby. Our sevens rugby team won our first gold medal in the 2016 Olympic Games held in Brazil. Rugby players face obstacles when pursuing the sport professionally. Some come from poverty-stricken families, but that does not limit the drive and motivation they have to accomplish their big dreams. The team undergoes intensive training, which includes running on the sand dunes of Sigatoka to help increase their stamina, fitness, and endurance. But in addition to their rigorous physical training, the team focuses on something even more important: pursuing a relationship with Christ.

The team’s motivation is based on Philippians 4:13: “For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.” It reminds each team member to rely on Christ—on and off the field. Most players write the verse on their hand straps before a rugby game as a reminder of God’s faithfulness in their lives. This Scripture allows us to have faith and develop dedication, endurance, patience, and focus in Christ. God wants us to meditate on His Word day and night, no matter what our reality looks like.

God’s Word reminds us in 1 Corinthians 10:13 of His faithfulness through temptation. The devil will always want us to quit. But Christ, the Holy Spirit, and the heavenly hosts are readily available to take us victoriously through our journey. They will always provide an exit point in every difficult situation. If we trust in God through the difficult times, He will see us through.

Our walk with God will not always be an easy journey, but I guarantee you that the process is worth it, because it produces the fruit of the Holy Spirit. These are listed in Galatians 5:22–23. We should be grateful for the process we go through, as it molds our character to God’s likeness.

Prayer Requests

· Child labor is not uncommon. Various jobs are carried out by children, who are usually employed as domestic servants or as laborers on farms and in the fields. Pray for families to be restored and for children to live in caring environments and have access to education.

· Pray for churches to work together in reaching out to the next generation in the community.