Walkathon

Four enthusiastic walkers set off this morning at 3.30am. The rain was flooding down just before they started out, but cleared  in time for their walk. They spent the first couple of hours walking in the dark, the road due to the rain was slippery in parts. Because of the cloud cover the early morning was black, but with one small torch between them there was a little light. Flying foxes were chattering away between themselves, and the early morning roosters were crowing. The walk went from Mangaliliu  on the North West coast through to Vila, a distance of around 20 km. From the top of the first big hill they could see the lights of Vila in the distance , and across Mele bay to Pango Point. Four hours later they entered the driveway of Joy Bible College, Russell still had enough energy to jog up the long driveway. In all a successful trip, good fellowship, good exercise, and a lot of money raised. Thankyou to all who sponsored Russell, he was able to contribute $300 plus 3,000 vatu to JBI building fund.

New Baby at JBI

Russell Naias, born 15th March 2009

Pastor Philip, the Dean of Students here at JBI, and his wife Serah, named their firstborn son Russell. This naming  was in honour of our friendship with them. Needless to say we were delighted. We understand that we now have certain cultural obligations for this little boy, these include a birthday and Christmas present every year until he is circumcised as a youth at around 12 years of age. Also  to provide the outfit of clothes for his dedication and the clothes to wear  and the razor to shave with for his wedding. He also has an obligation to do something significant for us prior to his wedding because of his name. All very interesting for us.

Picnic Day

Today was the Joy Bible Institute picnic day. Staff and students travelled by truck to Honeymoon Beach which is situated on Pango Point some 10km out of Vila. It was a perfect day, shady trees and a cool breeze made the day very comfortable. The girls were up at 2am to cook rice, make  manioc and banana lap lap. The boys barbequed chicken wings and sausages. Other staff brought cakes, and salad.  After lunch the boys slept on the beach, then everyone swam in the beautiful waters of the sheltered bay. There was a deep swimming hole in the sea which was popular. The children played in the shallows. Lori produced a cake for Robyn’s birthday, and the 1st year students shared their testimonies.  A day of relaxing and fellowship.

 

We are back in Vila

We attended the World Harvest Institute course  Intensive at Southern Cross Bible College 1st December – 16th January. An excellent Cross Cultural Ministry course run by Kevin and Glenys Hovey. This was followed by visits to our family and home church in Bendigo. We left Melbourne in scorching 42 degree heat to return to a lovely, wet 29 degrees. Our first engagement for the year is next week with a leadership meeting for all Royal Ranger Leaders in Port Vila.

This photo was taken at our graduation  service with our lecturers Kevin & Glenys, and Ros and Norm.  We were an assorted group. Katrina is returning  to Mozambique, Brett and Val to Halls Creek in Northern Territory, Brendan and Wendy to Indonesia, Angie, and Renee will be commencing their degree at Southern Cross College this year, Richard from QLD and Dolly from Alaska, had just completed a TESOL course and are looking at where they want to serve overseas. Us of course are back here in  Vanuatu for another 4 years.

Graduation time at JBI

The students who live here at JBI have become our friends. We were excited to be invited to their Graduation banquet and to attend the graduation service. Well done, Andrick, Elvis and Job who have completed their third year and are now going out as Pastors. We never looked as colourful as this at our own graduation from CBC in 1977.