Fiji Mission Trip: Building Relationships Through Love and Service

In March, over spring vacation, a group of students and faculty from Pacific Union College traveled to Mana Island, Fiji, for a 10-day mission trip.

It’s been nearly a decade since the first PUC trip to this remote location. Mana is very small, with a population of about 500 people. Each mission trip has focused on meeting their needs in a variety of areas. A deep connection between PUC and the community has developed with every return trip to the island.

Under the leadership of former Missions Director Fabio Maia and two co-leaders, Biology Professor Floyd Hayes and Nursing Professor Sandra Ringer, this year’s mission trip included 12 nursing students and three non-nursing students. Nicolette Piaubert, a nursing professor at PUC, also went on the trip and helped lead healthcare services.

“This year, we focused mostly on providing medical and dental care for the island’s residents, working as a team with American and Brazilian healthcare professionals,” Hayes said. “We also provided laptop computers, snorkeling gear, solar power systems, Vacation Bible School, and trash removal.”

PUC student Jan Jernigan just finished the ASN program and is now working on her Bachelor of Science in nursing. She was excited about the Fiji mission trip and the chance to gain medical experience and help minister to the people. When she learned that she could also earn academic credit for her clinical hours, she said it was a “win-win.”

Jernigan said once the group arrived and set up the clinic, she went to work helping with triage. She took patients’ vitals and gathered information about why they came to the clinic. Then she directed them to the appropriate or specialized medical professional. Jernigan and other students visited homes and helped survey the village for potential health risks. They also handed out clothing and soap.

On the last day of the trip, the group gathered with the people of the village. As the sun set amid glorious colors in the sky, they joined hands and sang, “We Shall Overcome.”

Hayes wants PUC to continue to return annually for medical and dental clinics and to provide more science equipment and supplies for the school.

Maia, PUC’s former service and missions coordinator, is the one who pioneered this annual mission trip to Mana Island, Fiji. It was his plan from the start to create connections and trust.

This year marks Hayes’ fourth trip to Fiji, including three mission trips. He said PUC and the people of Mana Island “owe a huge debt of gratitude” to Maia. “Our work could not be accomplished without his outstanding organization and leadership skills,” he said.

Jernigan said she would absolutely encourage others to serve on a short-term mission trip. “Going on a mission trip is life-changing,” she said. “We can go in there with all these plans thinking we're going to make all these changes in the people we visit, but I think I learned it's really a partnership between them and us. They teach us about life, worship, and health just as much as we teach them.”

Every year, PUC students have opportunities to serve with love in other countries on mission trips. To learn more, please visit puc.edu/missions.

By Laura Gang

Adam L. Aréchiga

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