Hundreds Attend Outdoor Revival Weekend

Black Sand Nazarene church members who helped to set-up for the outdoor revival.

God provided beautiful weather for the first revival crusade organized by the Vanuatu Nazarene Evangelism Team to be held in the Black Sand area of Port Vila.  Seven years earlier a Work and Witness team from the USA assisted in showing the Jesus Film in this very same location.  We had faced many technical challenges with our equipment at that time, and again there were many difficulties to be overcome!  The Black Sand Nazarene Church had no electricty to offer for the outdoor campaign, and when Pastor Gideon asked another family who did have electricity, they said it would cost at least $100 for the 3 nights!  The Lord provided the power necessary to run some lights and keyboard and speakers through another pastor who also lived in the Black Sand area.

Many people from the community came each night to the services.  We could count more than 100 the first night, but we knew there were many more who stood in the shadows or behind fences or stayed in their homes nearby listening to the messages that proclaimed the good news that our lives can change through the power of Jesus Christ living in us.  Each night more than fifty people came forward during the invitation to pray, and more than 75 people came forward on Sunday night to ask Jesus to forgive them and come into their hearts for the first time, in addition to more than 50 who came forward to pray about other concerns.  Many of the people who came to the revival services, would never step foot inside a church.  Sylvia prayed with one lady on Saturday night who told her that she wanted to come to our church for a long time, but didn't feel like she could.  She prayed for God to forgive her and to come into her life.  The next morning she and her three children came and worshiped at Black Sand Nazarene Church!

Pastor Peter Isaac, District Superintendent of the Church of the Nazarene in Vanuatu, shared how excited he was to see the great step forward in maturity evidenced by the Vanuatu Nazarene Evangelism Team.  This is the first time that anyone other than Nazarene missionaries have organized such an event for the Church of the Nazarene.

More than 250 people came to listen on Sunday night,
but many more were in the shadows.

We praise the Lord for those who have been rescued from the dominion of darkness and have been brought into the kingdom of the Lord Jesus Christ!  Please continue to pray for the Evangelism Team as they prepare to hold a crusade near the Eluklom Nazarene Church in December.  Please pray that many people will be saved from their sin and will be brought into the fellowship of the body of Christ where they can be encouraged and discipled in their new life of faith.

"Be olgeta we oli glad long hem [Jisas], mo oli bilif long hem, hem i givim raet long olgeta blong oli kam pikinini blong God."  

Jon 1:12, Baebol long Bislama

"But whoever did want him [Jesus], who believed he was who he claimed and would do what he said, He made to be their true selves, 

their child-of-God selves."  

John 1:12, The Message

Lunar Eclipse in the South Pacific

For the first time in our lives we had a chance to witness a total lunar eclipse!  We first noticed the moon when we stepped out of Black Sand Nazarene Church following the evening Bible study.  It was nearly 9:00PM, and the moon looked exceptionally bright, but part of it was missing and the missing part seemed to be growing.

We hurried home, hoping that clouds wouldn't move in to cover the skies.  We had an incredible view from our front yard as the moon turned the dark brownish red color that is evidenced in a total lunar eclipse.  The next morning when we got up for our walk, the moon was hanging in the west quite large and bright even though the sun had already begun to rise!

NYI Camp with Pastor Daniel

Pastor Daniel executing his illustration.

The six young men had no idea what they were chosen for before Pastor Daniel Latu selected them out of the more than 60 young people who had gathered at the Eluklom Nazarene Church for a 3-day NYI camp.  He seated them in a circle at the front of the church, and carefully showed each of them exactly how to sit in their chair.  Then, he had each of the lay back against the person beside them.  That’s when he announced that he was going to take away all their chairs one by one.  As he did, the six guys remained stable in their reclining position as if the chairs were still in place.  The illustration worked!!











There was no doubt, he had the attention of everyone!  Pastor Daniel went on to lead the group in understanding what they could learn from what they had just seen – trust and unity are essential elements in an effective NYI group.

The camp was held in the Eluklom Church of the Nazarene

He shared messages each day that challenged the youth to make a difference in the places where they live and to begin reaching out to their communities with whatever God had placed in their hands.

Some of the Vanuatu Nazarene Evangelism Team

After the Sunday service, pastors and church leaders met to talk about how to keep the fire for evangelism burning in their hearts.  They organized a team and called themselves the Vanuatu Nazarene Mission Team.  They made plans that day to organize revival services at each of the communities where the Nazarene church is located in Port Vila.

Tell THE Story in Vanuatu

Ray and Becki Neu in Vanuatu

We asked you to pray and fast with us for an important training event, and God answered your prayers!  Approximately 50 people from our Nazarene churches and several people from other denominations were introduced to and received their initial training in Tell THE Story from Ray and Becki Neu during the weekend training held at Eratap Nazarene Church August 1-3 in Port Vila, Vanuatu.  

Rev. Peter Isaac translated for Ray.

Ray’s gentle approach to teaching captured our attention and got us hooked!  Everyone loves to hear a story!  After telling us a Bible story, he asked us to share what we remembered with someone seated near us.  After that he told the story again, but changed a few things in the story and invited us to say, “NO, no, no,” if we heard something that wasn’t right.  That was perhaps the favorite part of the process for many of the people.  It helped everyone to relax and get comfortable and also gave us another opportunity to hear the story.  The simple open-ended discussion questions that followed gave us a chance to think about the story and helped us to learn together as the Holy Spirit directed our hearts. During the three days of the training, it was interesting to see the responses to this “new” way of learning from the Bible. 

The training happened at Eratap Nazarene Church

 “More than two-thirds of the world’s population can’t, won’t, or doesn’t read,” stated Todd Aebischer, Asia-Pacific Regional Communications Coordinator in a recent story posted on the Asia Pacific Regional website.  Todd goes on to say, “Some estimate that as many as 75 percent of all people learn, gather information, and live their daily lives without reading. They do so by listening and watching rather than by reading.  The Church of the Nazarene is responding to the challenge of making disciples of oral learners by introducing a relational small group discipleship tool called Tell THE Story.”

The men's group discovering truth from the story.

It has been over a month since Ray and Becki taught us about Bible storytelling, and the people in our churches are still learning new stories and sharing them in various ways.  Pastor John seems particularly gifted in learning and telling Bible stories.  On Sunday mornings before he begins telling the Bible story, Ps. John asks the children who are seated on two mats at the front of the church to get up and find a place on the benches with the adults so that everyone is ready to listen.  Then, he tells his Bible story and leads everyone in discussing and discovering God’s truth in the story.  Various church members have taken turns telling a new Bible story for Wednesday evening Bible study and then leading the discussion.  Attendance has increased and people come with a sense of expectancy.

Makfin and Jennifer on the left listen as Pastor Jenny shares her thoughts

It is a method that helps children, youth, and adults to stay alert, engaged, and participating with the Holy Spirit to discover God’s truth in his Word.  One of the young mothers, Elizabeth, is not able to read, but she has such a hunger for the stories, and is beaming with interest as she listens and shares her thoughts!  Black Sand Church's Sunday School teacher, Noela, used the same word to describe how the children feel about hearing a Bible story - hungry!  

Last Saturday, we met with two SPNTC students, Taku and Pastor John, who want to learn more stories and are interested in organizing to share Bible stories using this method with our lay pastors on outer islands.    

Noela reviewing the 12 stories from the Gospel of Luke

Elizabeth and Lily at the Bible storytelling training

Anthona repeats the story for everyone.

  

Ladies group praying together after talking about God's Story

Pastor Jenny shares the 12 stories from Luke visual with her friend.

For more information about Tell THE Story, visit tellthestory.nazarene.org.

Praying and Fasting for Tell THE Story Weekend Training Event - August 1, 2, 3

In just one more week, Rev. Ray and Becki Neu will be joining us for a very significant event.  During the month of August, Ray and Becki will be traveling throughout the Asia Pacific Region to train others to tell THE Story, and they are beginning the tour in Vanuatu.  They will also offer training in Fiji, Philippines, and Indonesia. The training begins in Vanuatu on Friday, August 1 and will continue through Sunday afternoon. 

Rev. Ray and Becki Neu

Rev. Neu said, "Our commission is to train trainers - worldwide - to tell the stories God has given us, in order to see lives changed for His glory! Through this highly interactive discussion based story model, people find personal connections with God's stories and make decisions that change their lives forever!"

We need you to pray and fast with us for the equipping of Christ's disciples and for God to do his saving and sanctifying work in us. Pray for an increased hunger for God's Word and a sincere yearning to share his story with others.  Pray for the Lord's blessing on the Neu's travels and for the Lord to keep them strong and healthy for this month-long tour.  

Rev. Harmon Schmelzenbach, Field Strategy Coordinator for Melanesia and South Pacific Fields, was present in PNG when Rev. Neu presented this workshop to Nazarene leaders there, and said, "GOD WILL BE GLORIFIED and He will certainly powerfully use this incredible tool in opening up His Word even more, and communicating His Gospel even more effectively than ever before in Vanuatu and in Fiji!!...as He already has in PNG."

To read more about Ray and Becki Neu and "Tell THE Story" ministry click here.

Meet Pastor Meriam!

Pastor Meriam

During the recent Pastor Retreat held at the beach on Eratap Point, Pastor Meriam stood and said, “I never thought I would be a pastor.”  She went on to share how the Lord has faithfully led in her life and now she sees that God has a plan for her.

Meriam has been part of the Church of the Nazarene family almost from the very beginning.  Perhaps the first time we became acquainted was at a ladies' Christmas party that was held at our house in December 2003.  We had been holding worship services on the front veranda of our house at Malapoa for a few months.  Many of the women who came to the party were related to Meriam - her mother, sisters, sister-in-law - and all were her friends.

Ladies Christmas Party 2003 with Natalie Ward
Meriam is in the second row wearing glasses

Malapoa had been her home since 1980, the year Vanuatu gained its independence from England and France.  Here is what she shared with us in an interview about her early years:
“I grew up on the east side of Efate Island in a small village called Forari.  When I was old enough my parents sent me to a French school. My family attended a church in the village but there was no change in the way they lived.  My daddy was an alcoholic.  Sometimes when he was drunk, my mother and I had to leave our home to be safe.

       “My daddy went to Port Vila to find work.  In 1980 when Vanuatu became independent, my family all moved to Port Vila and made our home in an area called Malapoa.  In 1983, a group of evangelists talked to my daddy and he saw that his life was not right.  Then our home changed!  He began to train me in reading the Bible, and our family joined in worship together.  But, after some time, the [extended] family left us at Malapoa and went to their own homes because of disagreements.
“I wanted the good life to continue.  In 1990, I found a church called Trinity Church that was running a Bible study near my home and I joined it.  It was in that Bible study that I made my personal decision to follow Jesus and to do his work.  I stayed in this church and grew spiritually.  I had been praying for God to give me a husband, and at 20 years old, I married my husband David Naunga.  I enjoyed being a Sunday School teacher.  But, then the church leaders had a disagreement and the church split-up in 1996.  We did not join another church until 2003 when Nazarene missionaries moved to Malapoa and began holding services."

2004 Charter members L to R:
Joe Iamtang, Meriam Naunga, and Susan Wilson

Meriam quickly showed her interest in being a follower of Christ and got involved in the weekly activities of the church.  She was one of the three charter members who joined the Church of the Nazarene on December 19, 2004.  She lovingly cared for the young people in the church and was pleased to be asked to be the youth leader.

When we began the pastoral training program in January 2006, Meriam was one of the students in the first class.  She and her husband had been planting a church near their current home outside of Port Vila.  A team of college students from Point Loma Nazarene University had come to Port Vila in the summer of 2005.  Part of their ministry was to hold a kid's club near her home and then shared the Jesus Film in the evening.  Meriam continued to reach out after they left.

Some of the Vanuatu delegates to the
2006 Nazarene Holiness Conference in Fiji.
Leimawa is standing right of DS Gabriel Kaulo from PNG.

Meriam was working in her vegetable garden with a neighbor lady who had become her friend.  While she was working, Meriam shared the gospel with Leimawa who then prayed to receive Christ as her Savior.  Meriam continued to disciple Leimawa who was one of the first two Christians to be baptized in the Church of the Nazarene in Vanuatu.  In February 2006, Meriam and her husband and Leimawa attended a Nazarene Holiness Conference in Fiji where Leimawa shared her testimony.

Meriam received her district pastor's license in 2011 when she was assisting the District Superintendent, Rev. Peter Isaac, in pastoring the Eluklom Church of the Nazarene.  At our last district assembly, Meriam was asked to become the pastor of Vila North Nazarene Church where many of the people who still live at Malapoa are now attending even though it is a long way from their homes. The congregation meets in a rented classroom for worship each Sunday.  Pastor Meriam said, "We are still looking for land where we can build a church at Malapoa."  Rev. Isaac commented that "Meriam has already taken in seven new members this year and has started another membership class with seven more people who want to join the church.  She is a good leader." Meriam said, "I have a deep desire to do God’s work; it makes me glad and I feel satisfied serving him as pastor.”  When we asked Meriam if being a woman pastor is a challenge to her, she said, "Even though women are not respected as leaders in Vanuatu, I feel that I am respected as a pastor in my church."

Meriam's family is also involved in ministry.  Her husband David is the district treasurer.  Her oldest child, Rona, is now in her final year of secondary school and is applying for scholarships to continue her education in accounting and computers in New Zealand.  Rona recently assisted in the Children's Camp as a puppeteer with her cousin Susie.  Meriam said, "I'm glad that my daughter is following the road that I've walked."

Pastors and Wives Retreat 2007
Front row: Revs. Peter and Jenny Isaac, Meriam Naunga, and Esther Taso
Back Row: Pastor David Taso, David and Sylvia Potter, and Joy and James Johnson.

Pastor Meriam was one of two pastors who attended our first pastor retreat in Vanuatu in 2007.  Today there are four other district licensed pastors and four local licensed pastors who are serving the Lord in the Church of the Nazarene.  When we first arrived in Vanuatu in 2003, we began to "ask the Lord of the harvest to send forth workers into his harvest field", and God has faithfully been answering that prayer!  We thank the Lord for Pastor Meriam and her great contribution to the building of God's Kingdom in Vanuatu.

Pastors and Wives Retreat 2014

April Children's Sunday School Camp

Children's Sunday School Camp 2014

Some of you may have read our blog Milestone of Discipleship that told the story about a young girl named Susie.  She was the first girl to attend the Sunday School that we started when we first arrived in Vanuatu in 2003.  It is a great thrill to see the children growing up in the church and beginning to participate in ministry as they mature in their relationship with Christ!

Susie and Rona are two of those “children” who took part in a children’s day camp in April.  This was the first time that the Sunday School teachers planned and conducted a camp for the children of the Nazarene churches in Port Vila.  Sylvia helped to guide the teachers as they chose the theme, materials, and activities for the camp.  She also helped them to develop a budget and plan for the financing.  The “bottom line” figure seemed impossible, but working together they found ways to meet the need. 

Behind the screen with Rona and Susie and Abu Man and Rachel

Over 85 children plus 18 adults gathered at the Scripture Union campsite on Pango Point from the five Nazarene Sunday Schools in Port Vila for a fun day of worship, learning, and games.  The children learned about King David when he was a boy and how God used him to save the nation of Israel.  Three of the Sunday School teachers taught the lessons.  We had some fun games and even made a simple craft.  Susie and Rona’s part in the program was to present a puppet skit.  The children listened and watched with amazement as the two puppets, Abu Man and Rachel, sang and talked and taught the children about God’s plan of salvation.  

Watching the puppet show

We praise the Lord for kids like Susie and Rona who are becoming Christlike disciples who make disciples!

We sang and worshiped the Lord!

Anna was able to participate in the camp too!  It made her smile!

The children had a chance to go to the beach to collect 5 small stones.

Trusting God for Kaium's healing

The bandage on her left calf looked as if the doctor had wrapped a baseball on her leg.  Pastor Gideon had called us last night asking if we could arrange a visit to a "private doctor" for this little two-year-old.  We arrived at the pediatric ward in our government hospital during the mid-day visiting hours to see how we might be of help to the family of this little toddler who had just recently arrived from the village of Inapoas on the island of Tanna.  We had never met them before today, but they are related in various ways to some of the Nazarenes here in Port Vila, including Pastor Gideon.  We began last night praying for God's healing touch upon this precious little life, and asking for wisdom to know how to help.

Even though it has been more than ten years since I was practicing as a registered nurse, my heart still feels drawn to these opportunities whenever they come available.  David and I spent some time visiting with the family for a while to hear their thoughts and gather what we could of what was going on.  The doctor was recommending amputation of the leg and the family was wondering why he couldn't just remove the baseball-sized mass that had begun growing last July.  Before coming to Port Vila, they had already tried "kastom medicine" but the mass only seemed to grow faster.  The mysterious thing to them is that the little girl is not in any pain, has no other signs of feeling sick, and is eating and drinking well.

The nurse on the ward was helpful in arranging for the doctor to meet with the father and his brother while we could go along with them.  The doctor clearly and compassionately talked with us about the tumour (sarcoma) that was growing in Kaium's leg.  Chemotherapy and radiation are not available at our government hospital which excludes the possibility of saving the leg.  His main focus is to save her life.  As we walked back toward the ward, the uncle asked if we had medicine that could help.  My mind instantly thought of Kudjip Nazarene Hospital and the patients who were receiving chemotherapy for various cancer diagnoses because of the generous donations from loving people around the world...and I wished we could be there.

We returned to the ward and discussed with the family a little more, making clear the available options.  I was so blessed by Helen's contribution to the discussion when she shared beautifully in Bislama that God can heal through surgery too.  (Helen attends the Prima Nazarene Church and is also related to Kaium.)  We agreed with her and talked about God's power to heal and that we can trust him.  Then we gathered around as I gently laid my hand on Kaium's head and asked our all-powerful God to restore her health and prayed for her family to have God's wisdom to know what to do.  Would you please join us in praying for Kaium and her family?  They will be making the decision regarding the amputation of her leg in the next day or so.  Pray for them also that they will come to faith in God through the loving witness of Pastor Gideon, Aleck, and Helen.

Kaium's uncle, Aleck, walked with us to the parking lot.  We had met him four years ago when we took a Youth in Mission team to Tanna.  We visited his village of Inapoas and stayed in his home.  He and his wife had come to Port Vila with the hopes that he would be able to travel as a migrant worker to Australia or New Zealand, but it hasn't worked out.  He shared with us as we walked that he will be returning to Inapoas soon to build a shelter where people can gather to hear about Jesus.  He and his wife will be the leaders.  Today, we are thankful for his faith in God and that he is here in Vila to help his family through this difficult time, but will return to Inapoas where he can continue to be a support and encouragement.

A Milestone of Discipleship

Rachel and Abu Man in action in 2004

Rachel and Abu Man (Grandpa in Bislama) came to Vanuatu with our first Youth in Mission team the summer of 2004.  One of the students was great at writing puppet skits which Rachel and Abu Man helped to present to many children that summer, then the team passed the puppets and skits on to us to use again if we wanted.  I pulled out those skits recently and discovered that we had one about David and Goliath, the theme story for our first-ever children's camp scheduled for April 5th.  Just one problem, Rachel and Abu Man, the two puppets, had been lost for more than 5 years.

Nazarene Sunday School teachers preparing for children's camp

In a meeting earlier in the month we had split up the teaching responsibilities for the camp among the teachers. Taku shared with me then that she knew where Rachel and Abu Man were located and would bring them to the next meeting.  Taku has been helping in children's Sunday School for at least 9 years, and helped the Youth in Mission team that came in 2004.  She was willing to help organize her team to present the puppet skit.  

Susi (on the left) singing with the NYI at Vila North Nazarene

This last Saturday, we all met together again to make some final preparations for the camp.  It was so great to see our long lost puppets, Rachel and Abu Man, once again!  It began to dawn on me that the Church of the Nazarene in Vanuatu had reached an important milestone and her name is Susi!


Susi, one of our teens from the Vila North Nazarene Church, had come to join our camp preparations last Saturday and is planning to help with the puppet skit. Susi was the first girl to come to our Sunday School back in 2003 when we were beginning the first Nazarene Church in Vanuatu.  As a nine year old, she had been part of the activities with the Youth in Mission team.  Susi came to trust Jesus as her Savior through the ministry of the Church of the Nazarene and has grown and matured in her faith.  Now, ten years later, she is sharing Jesus and helping to make disciples. Praise God for his faithfulness!

Susi as a nine year old in 2004

Please pray for our Children's Camp scheduled for Saturday, April 5th, that many children will give their lives to Jesus Christ and become his disciples.  Pray for the teachers and helpers that they will not be anxious, but will trust in God for the wisdom and knowledge to present the lessons and activities clearly.  We are hoping for 50-75 children to take part in the event.

"Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.  

I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of god like a little child will never enter it."

Luke 18:16-17

'Land'-mark News for the Church in Vanuatu

Entering the Land

The two David's (landowner on left) complete the
final step of the purchase of the Erakor land

A source of great frustration and joy has been the purchase of a half acre of land for a District Center for the Church of the Nazarene in Vanuatu. This land is located beside a main road and is an ideal location for the church in many ways, including its price.  However, the process has been long, convoluted, and difficult.

We are thrilled to announce, that finally, this beautiful piece of land is in the possession of the Church of the Nazarene in Vanuatu!  Not too long after the deal was complete, Nazarenes from around Port Vila joined together in a common effort to clear the land of “bush” or excess vegetation in order to make the land available for construction.  It was wonderful to work alongside people who have remained faithful to the Lord and the Church from our earliest days in Vanuatu, more than ten years ago.

Anna and Edward from Malapoa have been part of the
Nazarene Church since we arrived 10 years ago

Making progress

The tremendous fellowship and work was suddenly interrupted, by a very large, tall man claiming that a different tribe really owned the land.  A group of young men stood nearby showing off their 'bush knives' (machetes) in order to intimidate and to stop any development of the land.  DS Peter Isaac was gentle, but undaunted, knowing the recent completion of legal searches regarding ownership that had just been accomplished. He made it clear to this man that our church had legal ownership.

David, Peter and Bennett (the Isaac's oldest son)
measuring the land and locating the borders

After the man left, DS Peter shared the story of Nehemiah’s trials and triumphs through his trust in God with the stunned Nazarenes who were now sitting quietly on the ground.  He helped them recognize WHY opposition comes when you are involved in the Lord’s work, and inspired them to return to their work of clearing the land.  Soon, everyone was on their feet again, with new vim and vigor, putting their hearts into their work.

Mostly all cleared except the larger trees and some fruit trees
that were left to continue to bear fruit.

This was a key day in the development of the Church of the Nazarene in Vanuatu; a day the Church chose to enter the land that the Lord provided.  Now the churches are beginning to dream together about the needed buildings, building plans, Work and Witness teams, and finances.  We praise God that one of our ministry partners has already given $8000 toward the project, and we are trusting the Lord for the rest of what is needed. Please continue to pray for this project, the ongoing relationships, needed Work and Witness teams, and for the people and leaders involved!

Enjoying some rest under the tropical canopy

The work crew listens as Ps. Peter shares some words of gratitude and inspiration.

The Church Moves Forward

Kookaburra

Our vacation spot overlooking the Pacific

Two weeks before the scheduled District Assembly, we were on vacation in Australia.  It was unfortunate that David was sick during the first half of this time, but great to be able to rest and recover in such a beautiful place.  Our rest included a break from e-mail and the internet, so upon our return to Vanuatu a one-week-old e-mail gave David quite a surprise as he read that he would preside over the 2013 Vanuatu ‘District’ Assembly.

Refreshed and renewed!

Fortunately, preparations for the District Assembly had preceded our vacation, so with DS Peter Isaac’s assistance David officially opened the 2013 Vanuatu District Assembly in the Eluklom Church of the Nazarene on November 9th, 2013.  There was great joy and enthusiasm as we met together in this first permanent church building for the Church of the Nazarene in Vanuatu, the official church opening being held just days before the Assembly.

There were highlights and “low lights” as the pastors reported on their churches.  All of us were disappointed that in spite of increased attendance in the Vanuatu churches, church membership had not increased.  We were encouraged by Pastor Gideon Sam’s report of six new preaching points started by the Prima Church.  This young Vanuatu ‘District’ had only two district licensed pastors during this past year, but was able to increase to five district pastors during this assembly.  DS Peter Isaac challenged us all as he cast a vision for all the pastors, ‘District’ leaders, and missionaries for the new year.  We give God all the praise!

District licensed ministers with their spouses -
Front (L to R):  Ps. Meriam Naunga,  Rachely Kidhly, Aline Gideon, Simone Sandy, Letin Kalorus.
Back (L to R): David Potter, David Naunga, Ps. Kidhly, Ps. Gideon, Ps. Sandy, Ps. Seul Kalorus, and Peter Isaac

Eluklom Church OFFICIALLY Opens

Although the Eluklom Nazarene Church has been meeting in their new building for a year now, it was important to the congregation to have an official opening.  Many people from other churches in the community came to celebrate with them.

It began with a march to the church.

Front of the church.

Ribbon cutting in the midst of a downpour by Rev. Peter Isaac with Ps. Meriam assisting with the umbrella.
The name changed from Eluklom (the name of the village) to Faith Eratap Nazarene Church.

And then we were invited to look inside.  Notice the beautifully tiled floor with the inlaid cross.

Black Sand Nazarene Church Hosts Community Outreach Day

To begin the day, David installed a sign above the door of the church.

About 50 kids came to enjoy a variety of activities.

Ps. John (student pastor from the Black Sand Church) shared the Good News
with the kids using the colors of the Evange-Ball.

Ps. John and Noela getting the volley ball net ready for afternoon sports with the youth.

One of the activities that we shared with the kids was to make the colored bead bracelets
that reinforced what Ps. John taught.  Many of the kids prayed for Jesus to come into their hearts.

After we served a meal to as many in the community as would come, we showed the Jesus Film.
Many adults lifted their hands desiring to pray to receive Christ as Savior.
Picture above shows Ps. Gideon and David preparing the screen.