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