The Second "Missionary" Journey to the Island of Tanna

Pastor Peter (left) and Pastor Gideon (right) in Lawangi

 The follow-up trip to Tanna on October 11-14 was a great encouragement to everyone involved!  Pastors Peter and Gideon arrived at Lawangi in the midst of a huge downpour.  We had been experiencing a drought for the last few months, so the rain was a blessing, but it made Peter and Gideon's arrival quite difficult!  The truck that had driven them from the airport at Lenakel to Lawangi was not able to traverse the steep road that would take them down to the village of Lawangi.

Chief John with the Lawangi congregation

So, the two pastors accompanied by Chief John had to walk several kilometers without any umbrella or any other protection from the rain!  Needless to say, they and their backpacks were soaked through and through, but it did not dampen their spirits! 















This was Pastor Peter's first visit to Tanna, and he was warmly welcomed and quickly became acquainted with the Christians at Lawangi.

Pastor Peter with some of the Lawangi congregation

The two pastors wasted no time in getting organized to meet with Morrison and the new Christians.  Something they had not expected was that a newly formed cooperative between the villages of Lawangi, Enkateli, and Imarabu had planned to meet in the village to sell some food.  All the villagers attended this event.  In the afternoon, Pastor Peter was asked to preach for the entire group of over 50 people. 

Pastor Peter praying for Morrison and family

 He preached again in the evening and prayed a prayer of dedication over Morrison and Rehab and Baby Abraham as the new pastors for the three new congregations on Tanna.  Morrison's cousin brother, Sam and wife Ellen, expressed their desire to assist Morrison in leading the church!  Praise the Lord!

Imarbu community gathered to hear God's Word

 On October 13th, Pastors Peter and Gideon hiked to Imarabu where they were met by a group of 23 adults and children who were eager to hear the Good News.

Patrick is seated in the middle.

Inapoas Community

A young man named Patrick had expressed a strong desire to care for the congregation there, so Peter prayed for him and committed him to God's direction and guidance.  Please pray for Patrick that he will come to know Christ more and more.










The two pastors hiked on from there for three hours until they arrived at Inapoas.  They again received a warm welcome and were invited to preach to the villagers who had gathered (over 30).

Louise and Aleck - lay leaders at Inapoas

 

Preaching at Inapoas on Wednesday afternoon

 They worshipped again in the evening with even more people attending.  Pastor Gideon preached this time and 8 or 9 people responded to his challenge, coming forward to pray and repent of their sins.  Pastor Gideon's sister, Louise and her husband Aleck, were dedicated to the Lord to oversee the congregation at Inapoas.

Sam - lay leader from Lawangi

Thursday morning, Pastors Peter and Gideon, returned to the airport and headed back to Port Vila.  There was no doubt that God was building his church and establishing the believers in the Word of God.  We praise the Lord for the people that He has raised up to shepherd these new flocks of believers.  They meet each week with Morrison for training in God's Word, then every Saturday, Morrison travels to a different village to lead the worship and to share more from the Word.  All of these new believers and new leaders need our daily prayers to stand strong in their faith and to become Christlike disciples.  Will you join us in praying...

 "... and asking God to fill [these new believers] with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding.  And we pray this in order that [they] may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that [they] may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified [them] to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light."

Colossians 1:9 - 12, NIV