Reverend Mereia Votomosi was the first fijian woman to have been ordained as a reverend in 1988. Her calling in life was a surprise to her, it was one she described as a foundation that weathered many storms in life.

She wanted to become a nurse in a mission hospital during her younger days, however, the church was looking for Hindi-speaking individuals who could spread the gospel.

Since the 63-year-old reverend is trilingual, she agreed to the call.

“While I was waiting, there was a request from the Indian Division of the Methodist Church in Fiji. They were looking for young men and women who could speak Hindi to join them as an assistant – do visitation and Sunday school,” she said.

“This is something that really touches my heart and that is to be where the people are when they are hurting like when they are sick, on their deathbed, about to give birth and moments of trials.”

“You accompany them and they will invite you and open up about their hurt.”

Rev Votomosi has been a lecturer at the Pacific Theological College for the past 16 years. She holds a Masters of Theology in Biblical Studies.

She hails from Lobau in Namosi and is married with three children.

While she has seven more years of work, she said questions surrounding her retirement would always remain a mystery because she does not know when to end her mission.

“If he (God) wants me to continue because I’ve only got seven more years left, then I will do so. But if he calls me within the next seven years, then I’m gone,” she said.

Story by: josefa.babitu@fijisun.com.fj