Christian Surfers New Zealand (CSNZ) headed back to Fiji for a second time to serve the
surfing community of Fiji. This was the second international missions team that CSNZ has sent
out; last year responding to a request from the Fijian Surfing Association (FSA), and now taking
up the invitation from the FSA and the newly formed Christian Surfers Fiji to return in 2009. It
was an international team that set off on May 1st 2009 with 20 Christian Surfers from around
New Zealand, Brazil and the USA. The mission started off on time, on schedule, and as planned
– something that was never going to continue in Fiji once island time was encountered. For
some team members this was their first experience of island time – along with lots of the other
peculiarities of life in a developing country – coconuts, geckos, cooking over fire, overloading a
bus with surfboards through the side windows, travelling in the back of trucks, feeding 50 people
in one sitting out of one pot. It was a big adventure for the whole team.

We arrived in Nadi to be met by the welcoming crew of Christian Surfers Fiji – lots of strong
guys to load the gear and surfboards through the bus window. Off we headed to an even bigger
welcome by Kris Stice and more of the Fiji Christian Surfers and local Youth 4 Truth. The first
day was all about fun and we took a boat out to a break on the outer reef known as “Frigates” –
yep some of you will have seen this one in the surf mags! A nice 3-4ft over coral in warm water
kept most of the crew happy for hours.

The team worked closely with Kris Stice and his family, a local missionary and leader of
Christian Surfers Fiji along with Tuks and Mala. Kris and his family run the Marantha Gardens
ministry in Fiji and we attended the local church that Kris pastors on Sunday for a celebration
service with the local community. That evening we were greeted with an impressive lovu (a
meal similar to a hangi) and good times hanging out with CS Fiji. The generous donation of
surfboards meant we were able to gift one each to the local leaders of the two Christian Surfers
Fiji groups (Tuks and Mala from the Coral Coast and Sigatoka). Other boards were donated to
Christian Surfers Fiji and other individuals who needed them.

For the next few days the team split into two groups, one going to Sigatoka and one to Navua.
The team in Sigatoka ran learn to surf lessons for the community, kids programmes in the local
village, and enjoyed the warm hospitality of the Sigatoka locals. Some of the team also scored
waves at Sigatoka, the only beach break in Fiji – with some gnarly sandbanks when the swell
came in.

The team in Navua stayed with the families of local members of Christian Surfers Fiji and had a
great time – especially learning how to dance Fijian style! The team helped out the ministry of
Marantha Gardens run by Kris and Lyndie Stice. They ran a volleyball tournament for the young
people of Navua which was a huge success. Lots of teams entered and were so keen to play
they kept going even when the tide came in and began to cover the volleyball court! Christian
Surfers put on a bbq for all the participants and a prizegiving with lots of awesome sports gear
to share around. Nev and Stephen, one of the local chargers, were able to share their
testimonies with the local community. The team also ran a kids programme for the local
children in the settlement, with 60 kids turning up in the rain. Wow!

The team met again in Sigatoka after sad farewells to their wonderful hosts. The weather was
not really helping along with the onset of the seasonal Trade Winds so the planned girls camp
melded in with the wider surf camp with time set aside for lessons for the women in Christian
Surfers Fiji, Youth 4 Truth, Sigatoka locals, and visiting foreign women who were keen to join in.
About 50 crew turned up for the surf camp and wonderful meals prepared by local women from
Sigatoka, and Shelley and her team from CSNZ. We’d never seen pots quite that big before!
Cooking Fiji style for big crowds was something new. The rain meant the plan for the guys to
sleep outside also didn’t go quite to plan and they were billeted in the village, in the back of the
truck and in other vehicles as space could be found. Great for team bonding.
While we had made plans, God had other ideas – as is often the way. Plans were made for a
competition in conjunction with the Fijian Surfing Association, and the competitors turned up, we
supplied prizes and all was ready to go – except for the roaring swell closing out the beaches.
Everyone had a great time driving the coast of Fiji in the back of a rather large truck searching
for contestable conditions. But none could be found. Christian Surfers Fiji were supplied with all
the equipment and prizes and will hold the competition with the Fijian Surfing Association later.
In the evenings there was time to spend with Christian Surfers Fiji, doing devotions and
watching outdoor movies under tarpaulins away from the rain. There was a great night spent
watching Bethany Hamilton’s movie and encouragement for all the girls hearing from Mel Clark
the National Women’s Co-ordinator for CSNZ. Another night was spent watching Outsiders and
hearing from Gordie Webb about his journey with God.

The surf camp was great, with good times for all despite the weather and wild surf. The girls
loved the surf lessons, several locals were trained by Phil in how to repair damaged surfboards,
the kids loved the programmes, and time and skills were invested in the local community,
including first aid and CPR. The mission built good relationships between the CSNZ crew and
the growing leaders and members of Christian Surfers Fiji, giving opportunities for both teams to
learn and grow.

The key verse of the mission was Romans 1:16 I am not ashamed of the Gospel, because it is
the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes; first for the Jew, then for the
Gentile. CSNZ and CS Fiji together took it to heart. Well done to all of the team for their
willingness to step out in faith and serve the local surfing community of Fiji. Christian Surfers
being a Christian presence and witness to the world surfing community. Thanks and well done
to team leader David Farr and his family for their service to the team:

David and Shelly Farr, Joshua, Daniel and Rebekah (CS Taranaki)
Gordie and Jean Webb (CS Cambridge)
Matthew and Sharman Perry (CS Cambridge)
Nev and Maryanne Wells, Makayla and Jessa (CS Taranaki)
Philip La Trobe (CS Central Auckland)
Hayley Rogers (CS Wellington) Melony Clark (CSNZ staff)
Samia Moreira (CS Brazil) Ivy Rodrigues (CS Brazil)
Edson Da Cruz(CS Brazil) Cindy LaFranchi (CS USA)

A big thank you also goes out to all of our sponsors who provided equipment, funds, competition
prizes, surfboard repair supplies, and first aid supplies for the team and CS Fiji!

Backdoor Surf http://www.backdoor.co.nz

St Pauls Church Auckland

RPM http://www.rpm.co.nz/

Black Sand Taranaki

RealSurf Lyall Bay http://www.realsurf.co.nz

Rebel port New Plymouth

Leamington Pharmacy Cambridge Munro Pharmacy Cambridge

E.J & B Webb Ripwave Surfboards

Walking On Water www.WalkingOnWater.com