Early in 2008 we were looking at the possibility of re-publishing Steps to Christ and National Sunday Law in the Fijian language. We had secured old, worn books to retypeset. Any remaining original copies of these books, when they can be found, are treated as gold.
While researching this project we discovered a proactive worker in Fiji who was working toward reproducing these and an abridged version of The Great Controversy in the Fijian language. We then decided to work together with this worker in raising the funds and preparing these books to be printed.
We have also had a request to reprint the Tongan National Sunday Law booklet which we produced 12,000 copies of in 2004. And also Steps to Christ in the Tongan Language. Apparently only a few have ever been printed since its translation.
We estimate the total cost of these projects to be between $55-60,000 including shipping.
So far we have over $40,000 given for these projects. Some is dedicated toward certian books and the rest will be used for the first ones that are able to be produced. Any excess funds will be used to ship the books to their destinations.
Fijian Great Controversy
The Great Controversy was first published in the Fijian language in 1903 when 2000 copies were printed. A revision was done in 1948. We managed to secure scans of an original printing of this book that was in poor condition. With the help of volunteers, this has now been retyped for reprinting.
All the typed portions were compiled and checked. It then underwent an initial proof and correction by a Fijian teacher before being laid out into book form.
It is currently in the process of having a final check before going to print.
Approximately every $3NZD provides another copy of The Great Controversy to a Fijian in their own language.
Estimated cost to print approx $3 per book | Raised so far $11921.40 + $540 pledged
Fijian National Sunday Law
We managed to source a copy of this booklet and Steps to Christ from a Fijian who was reluctant to let it go but only did once they were assured that it was for the purpose of producing more copies.
We aim to print 10,000 copies of National Sunday Law. This booklet is re typed and has been laid out into book form and is currently being checked over.
Estimated cost to print $12,000 | Raised so far $10,667.25
Fijian Steps to Christ
We are also in the process of preparing Steps to Christ in the Fijian language. This booklet is currently in the process of being retyped from an original.
Estimated cost to print $13,000 | Raised so far $14000.00
Tongan National Sunday Law
In 2004 we printed 12,400 copies of this booklet and it has been widedy used in Tonga and produced great results. There have been requests for further copies so in 2009 we initated a second printing.
Another 10,000 have been printed and shipped to Tonga. This is a blessing to have this project completed to provide the books to the people of Tonga in their language. Now we just need to complete the funds to cover it.
A few extras of these books were retained in New Zealand to make available to Tongans here and abroad, you can buy a copy to help raise funds.
Cost $9350.74 + Shipping | Raised so far $7150.00
Tongan Steps to Christ
10,000 copies of Steps to Christ in the Tongan language have been printed. This book was typed and the translation into the Tongan language and checked. It was then laid out into booklet form and is underwent proof before the copies were printed. It has now been shipped to Tonga and being distributed through out the island nation. Thank you for your contributions so far toward this almost completed project.
A few extras of these books were retained in New Zealand to make available to Tongans here and abroad, you can buy a copy to help raise funds.
Cost $13,150.37 + Shipping | Raised so far $13,550.00
Please contact us to participate in this new 'gold mine' of timely messages to the people of the pacific islands or donate online.
UPDATES:
June 2008 - Within hours of us taking on this project we were joined by two contacts in Australia who are prepared to contribute $1,000AUD and $2,000AUD respectively to also assist with this project. With these funds they have offered to finance 1,000 copies of the Great controversy and use the rest of the funds on the other Fijian booklets.June 2008 - We received a call from a person who has also decided to join in this project. They contributed just over $18,500NZD to fund The Fijian NSL and STC. Praise God for His providence.
July 2008 - We have $1088.56 raised towards the initial minimum $2600NZD for the Fijian Great Controversy to make it viable.
July 2008 - Praise God! We have just received a generous donation of $2600AUD toward the initial fund which now exceeds the minimum of $2600NZD.
September 2008 - We have looked over the masters and have decided to retypeset the Fijian Great Controversy to get the best reproduction possible. We currently have volunteers retyping from scans of original copies.
December 2008 - To date, thirteen chapters of the Fijian Great Controversy have been typed and will be proofread. We admire the efforts of a Kiwi lady who has been working from a poor quality copy and diligently types an hour every day—without knowing one word of Fijian.
February 2009 - Between typers in New Zealand and Fiji we now have the entire Great Controversy retyped in Fijian. We are gathering this together ready for proofing and layout.
May 2009 - We have sent proof copies of both the Fijian Great Controversy and National Sunday Law to Fiji for initial proofing before being put into its final layout.
June 2009 - We are waiting for proofed books to return from the islands and have negotiated a price to print 10,000 Tongan National Sunday Law books. We have $2555.04 toward this so are aiming to raise another $6692.46 to cover the printing cost.
July 2009 - Tongan National Sunday Laws printed and waiting to for the Tongan Steps to Christ to be completed so they can be shipped together.
February 2010 - The Tongan Steps to Christ has now been translated and checked and is ready for laying out into booklet form.
April 2010 - A special thanks to a Fijian teacher who dedicated her time to proofing and correcting the Fijian Great Controversy. It is now ready for processing into book form.
July 2010 - We now have the Tongan Steps to Christ laid out in book form and is undergoing proofing. The Fijian National Sunday law has been presented for proofing while the Fijian Great Controversy has been put into book form and will be proofed before finalising for printing.
September 2010 - Corrections to the Tongan Steps to Christ were received and made to the document, and a cover is being designed.
December 2010 - The final sample including the cover of the Tongan Steps to Christ has been sent to Tonga for final checking
March 2011 - We have received the final corrections of the Tongan Steps to Christ and collected quotes to have the printing done.
April 2011 - The Tongan Steps to Christ is currently being printed at a price of $11984.00 for 10,000 copies. In light of this cost we have revised the estimates to print the Fijian booklets.
April 2011 - We have received contact from other sources in Fiji wanting to join with us in printing the Fijian Great Controversy, this combined effort will expand the number able to be printed.
May 2011 - We are thankful for another substancial donation toward the printing of these books, this increases the fund toward the Fijian Great Controversy and Steps to Christ by $5000 each. The figures above have been updated.
May 2011 - Tongan Steps to Christ and National Sunday Law books have been shipped to Tonga, ETA is early June. We were blessed to be able to coincide with another shipment being sent and were able to combine this freight. We are excited to have these books produced and on the way to their destination. There is still some funding required to cover all the expenses of these projects.
July 2011 - The two Tongan Books have now arrived in Tonga! Its great to get the feedback from Tonga that they are already being distributed throughout the country there. We are thankful to all who have contributed to these projects. There is still about $14200 to raise to cover the total costs of these two books.
August 2011 - Further funds raised towards the Tongan National Sunday Law books reducing the amount still needed to raise to $8500. Thank You!
August 2011 - We are working on completing the Fijian National Sunday Law at present but have one chapter left to be typed. We are also pricing up options for printing the Great Controversy.
September 2011 - Thanks to two donors we have another $12,300 towards the Tongan projects!
February 2012 - We have had dissapointing delays with the proofing of the Fijian GC and are still awaiting one chapter to be typed of the National Sunday Law so we are looking at alternative ways to progress.