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.

Sharing the Bread and the Cup

Today was “World-Wide Communion Sunday” and it was a joy to celebrate communion with our Black Sand Church family.  There were at least 22 children in church today with about 15 or so adults.  Pastor John taught a chart lesson on communion for the sermon, and David led the communion service itself.  Pastor John did a good job of helping us in the congregation to understand the significance of Christ’s sacrifice and the memorial meal that reminds us of that sacrifice.  As David led the taking of the communion, Pastor John distributed the elements.  It was his first time to do that.  It was a bit exciting to watch him take another step toward becoming the pastor of this congregation. 

September 2008 - Anna in hospital in Sydney, Australia, with her mom and
Nazarene friends who cared for her and her mom during their month stay.

There is a little girl in our congregation who we’ve known for about 5 years.  We first met Anna at Vila Central Hospital watching as she writhed in pain from burns that covered most of her body, the consequence of a candle left burning in the house where she slept. 
Her life was spared, but she lost her toes and because of a lack of care, her legs became contracted as the burns healed.  She is unable to walk, but has a little wheelchair that helps her get around.  Her disabilities have made life for her very difficult, and the trauma has left emotional scars.  She has been coming to Sunday School and church consistently for several months along with her sisters and other cousins.  We haven’t really seen her participate in any activity, until today.

Anna with her auntie Janet

Makfin, one of the teachers for our children’s Sunday School, was sitting behind Anna on the mat.  As Pastor John distributed the bread, he served Makfin and some of the other children around Anna, but missed her, accidently.  Makfin took a bit of her bread and gave it to Anna who held it in her hand.  She didn’t eat the bread when we were led to do so, but just continued her quiet way of looking around.  When the cups of juice were being distributed, Makfin took one for Anna and gave it to her.  Again, it seemed she missed her cue to drink the juice, but she was obviously observing what others were doing.  Makfin leaned forward and spoke quietly to Anna about the cup and the bread.  Slowly, Anna placed the bread in her mouth and then sipped the cup of juice.  I almost broke into applause (and tears) as I watched Anna take part for the first time in corporate worship.  It was a blessing to witness Makfin’s care and concern for little Anna, and also to know that Anna participated in this important and beautiful means of grace.

Mission Vanuatu 2011 Conference on Evangelism

Twenty-five representatives from 5 Nazarene Churches and 4 preaching points located on 3 different islands in the country of Vanuatu met March 3-5 for the purpose of "igniting our passion for making Christlike disciples."  We sensed God's presence as we gathered for worship on the first evening led by Pastor David Tasso of the Malapoa Church. 

  Sylvia began by sharing about our theme and purpose borrowed from the recent M11 Conference in Kentucky, USA.  She explained what it meant for something to "ignite" and then further described the word "passion."  David and Sylvia both shared from the Great Commission passage in Matthew 28:18-20 and encouraged each representative to take seriously Christ's call to make disciples.     

We broke into small groups to study from the Bible what it means to be a disciple.  We learned that a disciple is - a BELIEVER, a FOLLOWER, a LEARNER, a WITNESS, BAPTIZED, and a MULTIPLIER.  Sylvia shared about the web of friends and family and work relationships (oikos relationships) that make witnessing a natural part of our lives.  We all took time to write down as many names of people in each of our "webs" who are currently not in a relationship with Jesus Christ.  We were challenged to pray for each of them and make the most of our opportunities together to be disciples of Jesus.

On Friday evening we learned about how we carry out the Great Commission.  It must be our lifestyle, just like it was for Jesus, as we live the life of Christ before others, invest our lives in making disciples by giving of our time, participating in Bible study, enabling others in ministry, all done in and through the power of the Holy Spirit.  Sylvia shared about the strategy of Sunday School and small groups as our foundation.  She further explained this in the Saturday morning session with those who will be serving as Sunday School teachers in their local churches.  Sunday School for adults is a new concept for many of them, but they agreed that it is needed in order for us to grow in our relationship with Christ.

Lay pastor Morrison (L) receiving the offering from William

It was a blessing that Morrison, the lay pastor from the island of Tanna, was able to be with us for the conference.  He is overseeing 3 different preaching points that were the result of an outreach effort last June.  In the last 2 months they have experienced two devastating cyclones that wiped out their gardens.  Nazarene Compassionate Ministries has been able to assist with some food relief during this time for the communities that were hit.  The local Nazarene churches in Port Vila also wanted to take part in  compassionate ministry and presented Morrison with a cash gift of over $100 while we were together Friday night.  

We want to thank all of you who have been praying for us during the conference.  God is working in the lives of our leaders as a result of your prayers.  One young man from the Black Sand Church has been struggling spiritually for the last 4-5 months.  We encouraged him to take part in the conference and he came!  When he returned Friday evening, it was obvious just from the look on his face that something had changed in his heart.  This morning he eagerly led the morning worship service at his church where David is the pastor.  William, the interim pastor for Ohlen Church while the Isaac's are on home assignment, stood Friday evening and shared his personal goal of being an example for Christ in every area of his life.  Sylvia will continue to meet two more times this month with the Sunday School teachers to prepare and equip them for their ministry.  On Sunday, March 27, the churches in Port Vila will gather at Vila North School where the Ohlen Church is currently meeting for our Sunday School Launching Event where the Sunday School teachers will be commissioned for service and pastors and church leaders will commit their support.  Pastors Peter and Jenny will continue the work of equipping these leaders after we leave for home assignment on March 29th!  

"Jesus, undeterred, went right ahead and gave his charge:

'God authorized and commanded me to commission you: 

Go out and train everyone you meet, far and near, in this way of life, 

marking them by baptism in the threefold name: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.  

Then instruct them in the practice of all I have commanded you.  

I'll be with you as you do this, day after day after day, right up to the end of the age.'"

Matthew 28:18-20, The Message

Third Vanuatu Assembly with Conventions - for the FIRST time!

Our third annual assembly was a rich time of worship and fellowship! We met in the beautiful sanctuary of the Apostolic College of Theological Studies for three evenings and a full day on Saturday. Representatives from all six congregations participated each evening.



For the past two years we have gathered on Saturday for a time of worship and reporting, but this year we decided to gather for three evenings and give the various ministries an opportunity to lead the worship time. Wednesday evening was led by Women's Ministry. Sunday School and Children's Ministry led the worship on Thursday night and NYI led on Friday night.



There were lots of wonderful special items shared from each church and from the various ministries. The children from Malapoa did an action song on Thursday evening.



Pastor Kidhly and Natcha arrived from Aniwa in time for the Thursday service. The Aniwa youth presented special songs in their own language.



The youth introduced the Evange-Ball in a wonderful skit. We thank Rev. Larry Webb, semi-retired missionary from South America for this wonderful evangelism tool! The young people learned the plan of salvation and are looking forward to using sports evangelism this summer on a mission trip to another island.



Each evening a different speaker shared God's Word to the eager congregation.



On Saturday, we welcomed our Field Strategy Coordinator, Rev. Harmon Schmelzenbach, his wife Cindy and son Quinton.



Pastor Harmon shared an inspiring message with us about God's priorities while Pastor Peter translated.



We heard lots of reports from pastors and ministry leaders. At noon we shared a potluck meal together. In the afternoon, Pastor Graziella led the children from the Erakor Church in singing a wonderful song! We praise the Lord for all he has done!