Mission Possible – Vanuatu 2012
It was with a mixture of excitement and eager anticipation, combined with uncertainty and just a few tears, that six members of Withcott Church of Christ (WCOC) waved family goodbye at Brisbane International Airport on 21 September for “Mission Possible Vanuatu 2012”. It was to be a 14 day ‘working holiday’ to Central Pentecost, Vanuatu, following on from last year’s visit to the same place, Torlie Central School and Wujenmel Church of Christ fellowship, in the highlands of the Isle of Pentecost. What an adventure we six travellers were in for!
Having two members who already ‘knew the ropes’ was a definite advantage. Vicki Marney had visited Torlie last year and this year accepted the role (challenge!) of being our very capable leader. For Ray Greenwood this return visit was something he knew would occur as soon as he met the people of Central Pentecost in 2011. The other four members of the team were Giff Smith (Withcott COC minister), Tammy Forbes, Stacey Tattersall and Sandy Feldman, each with their own stories of how God had led them to ‘step out of the boat like Peter’ and go where He was leading them, even if it was to be in deep water.
Well, not too sure about deep water (although we did snorkel with the tropical fish at Champagne Beach on Santo) but into deep forest vegetation and unbelievably steep and rutted ‘roads’ we did go! News of our arrival spread quickly with all the school children racing to meet our ute (rather full with nine adults and a mountain of luggage – something one wouldn’t see on the roads in Withcott or Toowoomba!) This welcome set the scene for ten days of wonderful Christian fellowship, sharing and learning, laughing and crying, visiting and being visited.
This community of happy people could not have looked after us any better. God’s love was evident in all of them. From a purely materialist perspective, they don’t have a lot. Their homes are often dirt floors with a thatched roof, no electricity, no in-hut running water, and home grown food. But what they had they generously offered to us and we were very humbled and grateful to accept their blessings.
Whilst visiting Torlie school, the ablutions block (three cold showers and two tubs) was officially opened with grand ‘pomp and ceremony’. We are praying that the construction of this building (and a similar one not yet completed) will provide better health and living conditions at the school and may be a catalyst for higher year levels to be re-established at Torlie school, all of which we in Australia take for granted.
So many more stories to tell and so little space in which to describe them. For me it was a maelstrom of experiences – I was happy and sad, humbled and uplifted, confronted and encouraged. God blessed all of us through this journey and taught each one of our team many things about our relationship with Him and His people in another country. An appropriate way to conclude this article is with the words of a song we heard so often, sung by the children loudly and enthusiastically. Simply put, it reminds us of who God is and how much He loves us all, no matter where we live in this world.
Thank you for your love so full and free
Thank you for your mercy Lord.
For your love is so great to me Lord
Higher than the mountains, deeper than the oceans
What could I do without you Lord?”
There will be a team returning to Pentecost in 2013 I’m sure. I wonder though if there are other Church of Christ fellowships who might like to establish their own Partnership Agreements with other brothers and sisters in Christ in another part of God’s world. Listen carefully; perhaps God’s calling you to ‘step out of your boat’ too......
Sandy Feldman
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