Lieutenant Rupeni Daucakacaka (Corps Officer, Taveuni Corps) shared his testimony at Fiji Commissioning in November 2020.
It is a privilege for me to share the goodness and faithfulness of God in my life. My journey has been quite a process for the past years and, particularly, the two years at training school. Coming into officer training was a challenge for me because I saw myself as not worthy. But I thank God that through his goodness and faithfulness he has made me worthy.
When I came to college I thought I was ready, and that I had it all. But it was more that God wanted to work in me every day.
My family life, my school programmes, my personal time with God, everything, God spoke to me through them. One thing he taught me was to put into action what I preach. I found it hard and I know I cannot do it in my own strength, but I can with God’s strength.
I am blessed to be handpicked by God to be a ‘Messenger of Grace’ together with my wife Eleni and my sister Mereani—not forgetting our session mates in New Zealand.
I would like to thank God for those who have been with us on this journey—our families, friends, officers and our tutors from last year and this year.
Our session name has reminded me always of God’s grace. The grace that saved me from this worldly life. The grace that will never leave us. Whether you love God or not, his grace will be with you to save you. This is the grace that I will share with the people whom God will lead me to.
It says in Ephesians 2:8–9, ‘For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast’.
Before I came into training school, one verse that always kept me going with my family was, ‘If the Lord does not build the house, the work of the builders is useless; if the Lord does not protect the city, it does no good for the sentries to stand guard’ (Psalms 127:1, GNT). God has been the foundation of my life and my family.
There was a song we sang during our Covenant Day, which says:
Au na lomani koya veigauna kecega
I will love the Lord always
Lomani koya kua ni beca na lewa
I love him so much that I will obey his command
Vei vosa ni yalayala
This is my covenant
Meu muria Talega
I will follow
Au lomani Jisu
I love Jesus
Veigauna kecega
Always
Just before November, God spoke to me through a Scripture which really touched my heart. This will be our Scripture for our next journey:
‘When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.” Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.” The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my sheep”’ (John 21:15–17).
I give all the glory and honour to God. Amen.