Mission Adventures in Vanuatu

WATER from the new well. It’s been a flurry of activity, going from one big project to the next. Our assignments are interesting from the standpoint that while we are taking care of missionary housing it also enables us to do some other things that would be considered humanitarian type of projects like water wells, and helping to get bush church buildings repaired, etc. There was this one bush chapel on the island of Malekula that was so bad, people didn’t want to go to church because there were so many holes in the natangora roof (thick durable banana leaves weaved) that the patrons would get soaked from the rain while sitting in church. Most of you reading this, would never even have the thought that you could get soaking wet in the 85-degree intense humidity during a church service. That is the reality in many places in Vanuatu. Before the rebuild. Joe worked with Brother Vianey, who lives on Malekula and has some skill. He wanted to get set up to work as an independent contractor f...

Two of the wonderful Mamas in our branch. Cruise ships have started coming back to Port Vila as of a couple of weeks ago for the first time since the earthquake last December. It has been an interesting experience seeing people get ferried from the ship to the water front... All of the Mamas with their home made goods were ready and waiting for the cruisers to stop, take a look, and hopefully buy souvenirs to take home. I was talking with one of the other senior missionaries and she said, "I looked at the ship and realized I was actually living in the excursion." It made us both laugh at that thought. Visiting a location and seeing the parts of a country and culture that is for tourism, verses how things work day to day and learning to work within the system are two completely different thing Looking out realizing you are living in the excursion... A mama pig and her baby.  A lot of really good things are happening here on the island of Efate where we live. There is one stake...