4-1-20 Fifth Update From Pres. Higgins in regard to Covid-19's impact on the FIji Suva Mission

Update #5 - 1st Apr 2020
Dear Family,
Our missionaries continue to strengthen and support each other as the time draws closer for their return to their home countries. Progress is being made with the repatriation of missionaries well underway. The charter repatriation of North American missionaries from the Pacific area has begun, some Australian Missions now have dates for departure for this Friday, and our mission is awaiting further news on when flights will be scheduled for Fiji. Your missionaries are ready to go whenever we receive flight itineraries.
The government announced today that the Lautoka region lock down will continue to be in place until April 7th at 5.00 am, the missionaries there will have to wait until that date before they can move from the area, they are all doing well and have plenty of supplies to last through this period. The latest information regarding the Lautoka announcement can be found at https://www.fbcnews.com.fj/
Sister Higgins and I spend a lot of our time visiting with our missionaries in their flats, answering their questions and sharing uplifting insights, as you know our mission does not have devices to enable us to skype or zoom contact our missionaries, therefore we reach out to as many of them each day as we can, as we do this we feel so blessed to see their smiling faces, and strong spirits, they are truly remarkable!
I know each of you are anxious to hear when your missionary will be returning, this is a priority and as soon as we are advised we will communicate with you immediately.
Your missionaries are loving the experience of reading through the New Testament together, because of the extra time available many of them are racing ahead, it has been inspiring to know of the insights they are gaining as they look for the attributes of disciples of Jesus Christ. Even though we feel perhaps our message to them is “hurry up and wait” they are using their time wisely and being blessed for their great faith and dedication.
Thank you again for your patience and understanding as we work towards the safe return of all our foreign missionaries in the days ahead.
Loloma yani
President Kei Sista Higgins

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