Putting It In Perspective - Part III

We recently had the privilege of visiting the remote village of Fanafo. We drove for miles across bumpy terrain carrying a load of volunteers back to their home village. Upon arrival, we were greeted with smiling faces and shouts of welcome from people of all ages.

Right away, a little boy with a shy smile and big chocolate eyes climbed up into the truck. "Yu wanem drivem trak?" (do you want to drive the truck) we asked. He laughed excitedly and began to talk faster than we could understand.

Meanwhile, as a customary show of hospitality, some of the adults began collecting gifts to send home with us. With their long bamboo sticks they happily knocked down the "popo" or papaya fruit from the tall aging village tree. Three papaya and a pineapple was their gifts to us. As we drove away, they all smiled and waved as if we were old friends. We fought back tears knowing that they are the reason we are here.

Our burden has not diminished, but rather has grown stronger since our arrival in Vanuatu. Every face, every child's smile, every stranger we pass are all reminders of the burden we share. Every day brings new opportunity as we learn more of the language and culture. We long to minister to these people to whom God has called us. We are not so naive as to think we will do more than any other missionary who has come before us, yet we are not afraid to do our part. We do not always enjoy the sacrifice, but if sacrifice is what it takes to reach the people of Vanuatu, then it is what we are willing to give. We feel the pain of missing family and American society, and yet we labor together in His vineyard! We have counted the cost, yet with burdened hearts and willing hands, are ready to press on. With the sacrifice Christ has made for us, can we do any less?

During the next two years we would like to see God use us in many aspects. While in this culture there is little value placed on children, we want to show them how precious they are in His sight. We want to teach them all we can to help them grow both in academics and in their personal walk with Christ. Please join us in praying that God will use us over the course of these next two years to become more for the people of Vanuatu than even we thought possible.

Nathan & Jennifer