Vilisi Verebasoga of Tavualevu Village is grappling with the loss of her husband, Jope Tuivanuavou, 55, who tragically died in a train accident on Wednesday around noon in Lausa, Tavua. The incident occurred while he was transporting sugarcane to the Lautoka Mill, and his colleague was seriously injured and is currently receiving treatment at Aspen Medical Lautoka Hospital. Witnesses reported that the locomotive had derailed off the Lausa sugarcane bridge.
“Losing the father of our eight children unexpectedly is a painful experience that is difficult to process,” Ms. Verebasoga expressed. She described her husband as an obedient man of God and the senior pastor of the Fiji Evangelical Church Tavua branch.
Verebasoga recalled the moment she received the tragic news, stating that she felt deeply affected after a worker informed her of the accident. Despite her grief, she expressed gratitude, saying that she had been receiving signs from God and had fasted for a week in preparation for facing challenges ahead.
She shared their final moments together, recalling how after their prayer meeting on Tuesday night, her husband invited the group to spend the night at their home. On Wednesday morning, she woke him for prayer as she sensed something might happen to him. After praying together, he had breakfast, hugged her, and left for work, marking their last conversation as they said goodbye.
In the days leading up to the tragedy, Mr. Tuivanuavou had spoken to their children in New Zealand, Kadavu, and those at home, reminding them to take care of themselves. Ms. Verebasoga noted that their children are struggling to cope with their father’s sudden passing, emphasizing his qualities as a humble, caring family man.
While she mourns his loss, she finds solace in her faith, quoting Proverbs 19:21: “We may have many plans, but God’s will prevails.” She said, “I know this is God’s will, so I have to accept it, but I am at peace because he is in the Lord’s hands.”
Funeral arrangements will be organized after Mr. Tuivanuavou’s post-mortem examination is completed, with family members from New Zealand expected to arrive next week for the service. He is survived by his wife, eight children, and four grandchildren.