These last few months...

"How do you eat an elephant?...

"One small bite at a time!" answered Linda on that first day of class and then added, "And, that's how we're going to learn English! One bite at a time." 

Jim and Linda Dortch from Texas came to Vanuatu near the end of January to teach English. They have done this in other parts of the world, and also conduct English as a Second Language programs in their home church. They are experts at what they do, and we are so honored that they committed to come help our pastors and church leaders. 

They taught two 3-week sessions of English composition as well as two one-week free sessions for anyone who wanted to improve their English speaking skills all in the space of 8 weeks!  They made class fun for their students!

The pastors and church leaders that attended their class came from a variety of educational backgrounds. Some had attended primary school in English and some in French school. One had completed a university degree, while others had completed only the 6th grade. 

By the end of the second course, the students were able to write an academic essay in English using the grammar skills that they had learned. But more significant than that, beautiful, eternal relationships were established between these two brave, loving, energetic Texans and their new friends in Vanuatu!

Jim and Linda with their class signing "I love you!"

Pastor John Nato

After Jim and Linda left, we continued the training we began last year of helping our SPNTC graduates to teach the Bible college courses.  Two of our graduates from SPNTC* are doing an outstanding job of teaching the pastoral course of study! It’s always more work to help someone else do something than to just do it yourself. But, we are finding it a great joy to spend time with Pastor Gideon and Pastor John preparing for the courses. We learn so much from each other! 

Pastor Gideon Sam

The first week of May, Pastor Gideon traveled to Tanna Island, where there is one organized Nazarene Church and several preaching points, to teach the first extension course for SPNTC. He planned for 10 students but 14 showed up and 2 were from the island to the east, Aniwa! He is preparing to teach another course in August this time on Aniwa. Please pray for good weather and quiet seas so the students from Tanna can travel over to Aniwa.