Relying on God
BROUGHT up in the Methodist faith in Mavana Village, Vanuabalavu, Simeli Ledua’s destiny as a man of the cloth was set in stone to some degree.
Even though he ended up working as a policeman, the journey from being a lawman to a catechist took some time, but when the change came it was permanent.
Mr Ledua said he was taught by his father to attend church every Sunday, and he joined the Methodist Church’s Sunday school program and youth ministry fellowship during his teenage years.
He said like every other youngster in the village, it was a natural process and one he did not regret.
Mr Ledua attended Mavana District
School from Class 1 to Class 8 before moving to Viti Levu and going to Ratu Sukuna Memorial School for Form 3 to Form 5 studies and completed Form 6 at Central Fijian School which today is known as Sila Central High School.
After passing his sixth form examinations, he enlisted and was recruited into the Fiji Police Force.
In 2002, he met a woman from Dravuwalu Village, Kadavu, and they settled down together.
During his 14 years in the police force, Mr Ledua began studying the Bible and sat the catechist’s exam in 2011.
In 2014, he was certified as a catechist and awaited a posting from the Methodist Church in Fiji.
He said the news did not go down well with his wife and two daughters.
“It was hard for them because they were used to receiving my fortnightly salary.
“I told them if that was God’s plan, I will fulfil it and I told my family to pray and fast for one month.
“Before our fast and prayer was completed, my wife told me she wanted us to go and take up our first posting in Kadavu.
“I thanked her and told her that wherever we would go, we would just rely on God’s direction and provision.”
He said in 2015 the talatala qase for the Rewa circuit told him to take his first posting at Korovou Village, Kadavu.
Mr Ledua said his family was overjoyed, and they moved to Korovou that same year.
He said the first year in Korovou was “a little bit tough” but after a while, his family got into the village lifestyle and things improved.
After four years in Korovou he moved on to his next posting in Cevai Village, Kadavu, where he currently serves.
Mr Ledua said he and his wife lived in Cevai Village, their eldest daughter attended the University of the South Pacific and their second daughter was a Year 12 student at Richmond High School in Kadavu.