Lay missionaries, Ordained and Lay Co-worker in the US region (Elpaso side). - Photo: Sainiana Tamatawale
After 17 years of cross-cultural mission, I took a one-year sabbatical in 2025. In those years I lived and worked three in the Philippines, 11 in El Paso, Texas/Rancho Anapra, Mexico, and three in Hong Kong. I am deeply grateful to God and the Columbans for these experiences, which have shaped my life and strengthens my personal and spiritual growth. Through challenges, difficulties, sadness, and joy, I felt the unwavering support of the Columbans, the people I served alongside, and God's presence. This kept me passionate about my work, authentic in who I am, eager to learn, and ready to move forward. My spiritual life grew stronger, rooted in deeper faith, trust, and hope in the Lord, along with prayer for others.
I am deeply grateful for my 2025 sabbatical. The renewal course was truly enriching, giving me more time with God and myself. We were reminded that sabbaticals are sacred pauses—detaching from pastoral routines and the busyness of life to slow down, pursue what we love, and reconnect. It was a special time of renewal, re-energizing, and re-connection in a slower pace: to myself, and to God through prayerful appreciation, praise, and awe at His love in my life, my family, and the communities I've journeyed with in the Philippines, Rancho Anapra, El Paso, Omaha, Hong Kong, and communities in Fiji. After completing my CLT term, I had hoped to return to the U.S. Region for migrant and refugee ministry in El Paso and Rancho Anapra, but that path did not occur. During my sabbatical, however, I was blessed with the grace of a 30-day retreat. That retreat became a time of deep discernment, helping me to listen for where God was inviting me to serve - where my contribution to the Columban mission would be most needed.
In the silence of prayer and reflection, I felt a clear call to the Region of Oceania.
When I left Fiji for cross-culture mission to the Philippines in 2007, Fiji was a Region on its own. Now, have returned back for reverse mission to my region of origin it is no longer Fiji region, it’s now Region of Oceania.
I was assigned by the Regional Director to live and worked in Fiji. Most of the time I have to remind myself that the Region of Oceania consist of there countries, Australia, New Zealand and Fiji. This shift is a big adjustment I need to make.
I am now adapting to my current assignment in the Region. This role calls me to participate actively in Columban mission in the Region through the Partnership Program, Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation (JPIC), and Inter-Religious Dialogue (IRD), contributing to cross-cultural mission, mission education, and communications that support the Columban mission in Oceania. As a long-term Lay Missionary, my contributions will deepen engagement with local communities, strengthen collaboration with parishes and schools, especially with Partnership Program in Melbourne and co-workers in the Region.
I've been in this Region for just three months, so I'm still learning the roles and understanding the dynamics here. I have met most of the Columbans and Lay Co-workers when I attended the Oceania regional face to face gathering in April. It was great privileged to know them, learn from them and has helped me in my adjustment, and also felt the sense of inclusiveness to be part of Columban Mission in Oceania.
Another significant adjustment has been returning to Fiji itself, recognizing and accepting the many changes within my family, in the culture and tradition and in the church. These realities invite me to listen, learn and walk gently as I continue this journey of reverse mission.
Sainiana Tamatawale is a Columban lay missionary in Fiji.
Related links
- Read more from the current e-Kaulotu - June 2026
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