News from Nauru - February 2025

The Journey
My journey started at about 8.15am on Sunday 26th January when my sister and brother-in -law took me to Thornhill Park and Ride to catch the coach to Heathrow.
Always the questions of “Have I too much weight in my two cases and hand luggage?” on my mind, I had to check it in and out at each stop. I managed OK until the last when I had to pay for an extra 5kg.

First flight was about 11 hours to San Francisco – back in time. Good there was a few hours wait as the queues through immigration were very long. Great to chat with people whilst waiting. The second flight to Brisbane was about 14 hours - forward in time. Here it was the queue for what you are carrying/ customs that was long.

I was directed to get a free bus to the domestic terminal and I could then walk to the hotel from there. But unfortunately there are two Ibis hotels and this was the wrong one, so I had then to get a taxi to the right one. I spent the day wandering to a huge shopping centre near the airport. I tried not to sleep until night time, but knowing I had to get up early to check in for 8.20am flight to Nauru.

I got there in good time and then had my last 4 hour flight - 2 hours further forward in time. A tiny airport terminal compared to the massive ones I had been through. Peta, the General Secretary for the Nauru Congregational Church, welcomed me and took me to the Mission House. I think we went around the whole island to get there.

Finding my way around
I think it may be difficult to get lost here. Peta has been great at taking me around in the car. We toured the island twice to find a place to eat the first night with Rev Roger and his wife, and then when for breakfast the next morning. I was taken to Supermarket, to get registered at local bank and get a new Digicel sim card. On Thursday I walked back to the supermarket about 1 hour each way. A cycle arrived on Friday and I have since cycled all around the island 4 times. Sunday I walked inland to a lake and did two laps of it to keep up my paces. I have been trying to swim, but near house is very rocky. I may have to go to the other side of island.

When does work start?
I met with Rev Roger and Peta on Monday morning to discuss what, when and how. Each Thursday I attend the Midweek service at Church and 2pm on Sunday. I also attended the 57th Independence Day celebration on Friday 31st January and I am slowly meeting people. My first month I think will be mostly hearing the local story and trying to understand. I am keen to meet as many people as possible and assess a way forward.

I have met with the pastors and have planned to meet weekly to do some training, Bible study, and mentoring support. I am meeting with women’s groups, Sunday School Leaders and with Youth Leaders.

I know that those who invited me to come will have ideas about what they want to achieve and I am beginning to get some measure of that.

I have been asked to preach on Sunday 16th February. I think it needs an interpreter as much is done in Nauruian.

Prayer and Support
I do welcome your prayers as I start this next part of my journey. As I travel, settle in, make new friends and try to do my best to serve the Church and Community in Nauru. I pray God guides, leads and gives me more patience and wisdom.

Support Group
Has started and I am grateful for their support. I will arrange a zoom meeting with them sometime soon.

The internet seems to be working well and the time difference at present is Nauru being 12 hours ahead of the UK so it is possible to zoom between 7 and 10 some days

If you send anything by post you need to put on the envelope my telephone number as there is not delivery service.

God Bless Guide your Journey in 2025.

Rev Nigel Lindsay
Partner in Mission ‘Enabler’:
Nauru Congregational Church
Mission House Aiwo District
Phone: + 674 556 5104
WhatsApp: + 44 7917 222 304
pastornigel19@yahoo.co.uk