After a quick 3-day turnaround from Japan, I was suddenly in Fiji for the first time for our Pacific Leadership Forum. Gordy Webb, our Pacific Regional Coordinator, had organised for each national leader plus their key potential successor to be at the meeting. We had wonderful people from Vanuatu, Solomon Islands, NZ and Fiji present. A great time was spent meeting one another and sharing story, doing a solid day on the CS Foundations Training and surfing at Cloudbreak and Hideaway. Special thanks to Kris Stice who hosted us; his godly example and generosity was amazing.
I personally preached at Kris' church, led some Foundations Training, shared the big picture of CSI and fulfilled a surfer's dream of surfing Cloudbreak (even if it was only 1-3'). I was struck with how different surfing is in these far flung Pacific Islands. This is certainly our most remote surfing region and whilst there are plenty of waves, the cost of a surfboard and accessing the surf is the challenge. Surf coaching and sharing in the development of the sport is a real priority. Christian Surfers can be in early on the ground floor of development and shape the culture before foreign tourists do!
Kris is a great example of this in serving the Fiji Surfing Association where CS Fiji have been able to partner in various events and meetings, even acting as team manager at a recent contest.
Thanks to those CSI partners who made this meeting possible.
