Widow Coping with Unexpected Loss
“My late husband was an obedient man of God as he was also the senior pastor for the Fiji Evangelical Church Tavua branch,” Ms Verebasoga said.
Thursday 08 August 2024 | 22:31
From left: Jope Tuivanuavou’s daughter Losalini Tuivanuavou, wife Vilisi Verebasoga, grandson Jospeh Tuivanuavou and daughter Seleima Lelea at their home in Tavualevu Village on August 8, 2024. Photo: Salote Qalubau/ Inset: The late Jope Tuivanuavou.
Losing the father of your eight children unexpectedly is a painful experience that is difficult to process,” says Vilisi Verebasoga, of Tavualevu Village.
Her husband, Jope Tuivanuavou, 55, died on the spot in a locomotive accident at Lausa, Tavua 12pm on Wednesday while his colleague is admitted with serious injuries at the Aspen Medical Lautoka Hospital.
The men were carting sugarcane to the Lautoka Mill when the accident happened. Eyewitnesses claimed the locomotive had derailed off the Lausa sugarcane bridge.
Related stories
“My late husband was an obedient man of God as he was also the senior pastor for the Fiji Evangelical Church Tavua branch,” Ms Verebasoga said.
“I was at home when one of the workers called me and told me what had happened; it really affected me. Despite what has happened, I thank God. God was showing me signs, so I fasted for one week.
“We normally have a reason to fast; a message was coming that I will go through something. I will face this mountain and I need to seek His guidance. God had prepared me for this,” she said.
Ms Verebasoga shared their final moments together, saying that after their prayer meeting on Tuesday night, her husband had asked all their group members to spend the night at their home.
“On Wednesday, I woke him up so we could pray because I had a feeling something might happen to him. After praying, he had breakfast and hugged me before leaving for work. The last time we spoke was when we said our goodbyes.”
According to Ms Verebasoga, at the beginning of the week, her husband spoke to their children living in New Zealand, Kadavu and those at home reminding them to look after themselves.
“Our children are finding it hard to come to terms with his sudden death because he was a humble, caring, healthy and a family man.
“While we miss him, I thank God because Proverbs 19:21 says, ‘We may have many plans, but God’s will prevails’. I know this is God’s will, so I have to accept it, but I am at peace because he is in the Lord’s hands.”
Funeral arrangements will be made once Mr Tuivanuavou’s post-mortem is completed.
“Our relatives from New Zealand will be arriving next week, so maybe the funeral will be held then,” she said.
Mr Tuivanuavou is survived by his wife, eight children, and four grandchildren.
Feedback: salote.qalubau@fijisun.com.fj
