The Day Nathan Fell

It was on a Thursday and I had worked hard that day. Bobby and I had already eaten dinner and I was relaxed in the recliner, reading the Drudge Report online. Bobby was on Face Book on the office computer. I had already checked FB for any news from Nathan or Jennifer, but there was none. You see, Face Book is our lifeline to Nathan and Jennifer.

Suddenly, Bobby came out of the office and announced that something has just been posted about Nathan. I immediately logged on.

The post from Bryan Webb (I found out a few minutes later that it was Alicia) simply said, “Pray for Nathan! I don’t know all the details yet, but pray for him!”

There are no words to describe the terror and helplessness that gripped my heart! I immediately began sending hurried messages to anyone who might be online in that part of the world, to no avail. And I began praying.

About five minutes into this torture, Jennifer’s mom called and let me know that Jennifer had just called her and all she knew was that Nathan had been seriously injured while working on their house and Jennifer was on the way to the hospital. And she asked everyone to please pray!

As soon as I got off the phone with her, I called our pastor, Bro, Danny Taylor. He happened to be at a Ozark Christian Schools staff and faculty dinner, so he made the need known and they prayed.

Next, I tried calling my sister, but she was at a youth retreat with our church youth, so her phone was off. I tried calling Bobby Dale, but he was at the same retreat, so no answer. I called both Naomi and Ruth and told them to start praying. I'm pretty sure I scared them almost to death! Mom wasn’t answering her phone. I only got voice mail on my other sister’s phone.

I finally got through to Tina, Kara Jaeger’s mom, hoping she had heard something from Steven and Kara. She hadn’t, but promised to try to get in touch with them.

For an agonizing forty-five minutes, I cried out to God for help. I didn’t know what kind of help we needed, but I knew that He knew. I reminded Him of what He already knew; that I had given Nate to Him years ago and that Nathan was His to do with as He pleased.

I also began learning a few sketchy details from Alicia Webb via FB chat. She was at home and only knew what was being relayed to her by her parents. What caused most of my apprehension was that I knew that Bryan Webb was leaving for Port Villa that day. So I was wondering how Jennifer was going to make all the decisions that might become necessary all on her own.

A few minutes later I heard Bobby talking to Bryan Webb. He wasn't in Port Villa after all! (You can read his blog about it here.) Things weren’t as serious as first thought - Just some stitches needed on Nate’s head, possibly some broken ribs and some very sore muscles. I can’t describe the relief that flooded me!

We later found out that Nate had several ribs out of place, which was causing excruciating pain. But, as God would have it, Nate and Jen were scheduled to attend a missionary retreat on the island of Fiji, and since they had to leave the country of Vanuatu anyway due to their Visa situation, the extended stay in Fiji allowed them to seek the necessary medical help that was not available in Vanuatu. Isn’t it amazing how God works it all out?

Please continue to keep Nate & Jen, Steven & Kara, and the Webb family in your prayers. They, along with a medical team, will be on the island of Pentecost for the next week. Nate & Jen will be acting as interpreters as well as doing whatever else needs to be done.

Trica

Visas Have Been Issued!!

I just wanted to let everyone know that Nathan & Jennifer have received their visas!! They will be leaving Fiji and heading to Port Villa tomorrow and should arrive back in Luganville on Monday.

Trica

Update On Nate & Jen

I thought I should put an update on here about Nathan & Jen's status.

Right now, they are in Fiji. They went over there for a retreat that was held for missionaries in that part of the world, but aren't going to be allowed back into Vanuatu until their visas are issued. Please help us pray in regards to this. If they don't receive copies of them by Sunday, they will miss going on a planned trip to the island of Pentecost with the Webb's and Jaeger's, something they've all been looking forward to.

While in Fiji, Nate has been able to see a chiropractor about his back. Since his fall, has had a lump on his back that was a cause for worry. Turns out, he has several ribs out of place! The chiropractor was able to put one back in place last week, and should be able to deal with the other this week. So it was good that their stay in Fiji was extended, even though they would rather be back in Luganville!

Here are a couple more recent pictures of their house:



Yep, that's the ladder that caused all the problems!!

Again, please keep Nate & Jen's visa situation in your prayers.

Trica

Pray For Nathan

We got word tonight that Nathan had fallen off the roof of the house they've been building. We had a few very anxious (and tearful) minutes before we got any details other than they were on their way to the hospital.

Apparently, Nate was stepping up onto the roof from a step ladder when the ladder fell. He fell from about eight feet, landing on his back and shoulder. He ended up with a small gash on the back of his head and a few broken ribs as far as we know. We haven't talked to either Nate or Jen yet, so we don't know the full story yet.

Please keep both Nathan and Jennifer in your prayers.

Trica

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1.03.01

Lost and Found

Saturday morning was normal. Nate and I slept in and awoke to hearing the dogs and children playing in the yard. Not a bad noise to wake up to. The Webb’s dogs with their big gruff barks and our very own little Russia with her high pitched yelp (we actually think it’s cute).

My mind goes back to when we first got her. Her mother had quit feeding her for no reason and unless someone fed her, she wasn’t likely to make it. I remember the day Nate brought her home to me all wrapped up in a little towel. He tried to keep it a secret but the towel kept moving and, of course, I got curious.

Another fond Russia memory was when we took her to town and had to buy a bottle to feed her with. I stopped at a local Café for coffee and handed Nate the bottle, my purse, and Russia wrapped in a blanket, while I paid. Nate decided to walk to a table and sit down. You should have heard the laughter and snickers! Some local Ni Van men were sitting at a table and here comes my husband with a purse, a mutt (or dog of unique breeding, as Nathan calls her) and a bottle. I can imagine them thinking, “these crazy Americans and their dogs!” I tried to explain to them that her mother quit feeding her and we were weaning her, and although they smiled politely the laughter was still in their eyes.

Saturday, however, was not a fond Russia memory. At around 2:00 in the afternoon we realized Russia hadn’t been in all day long for food. It was strange, but maybe she had snagged some food from the Webb’s and was busy playing. It sounded plausible. Then night came and still no Russia. We begin to worry. At half past seven we grabbed the flash lights and headed out. I, being stupid, (I don’t even walk by myself in the day time) said “you go one way; I’ll go the other.” Thirty minutes later, still no Russia and I had lost my husband! I was having a bad night.

Sunday didn’t get a lot better. Great services at church but my sweet puppy was gone. Who would keep me company when Nate was at work? Now, I know what you anti-dog people are thinking, but it can get lonely here and I had gotten attached to those crooked little ears!

Sunday night one of the Webb children let me know that they had helped Russia over the fence Saturday morning because she had wanted to follow the big dogs, who can jump it. It was a small clue but encouraging. I went to sleep that night mumbling “I miss Russia under” my breath.

I believe the popular saying goes “and then Sunday came.” Well, in this story it’s “and then Monday came!” Alecia and I set out for the barracks around 10:00 that morning. We stopped at the bottom of the hill for a short prayer, asking that the Lord would help me find her (I believe He is concerned with all the details of our lives). We saw a lady coming up the road and although she had not seen our dog, she did point the way to where a group of neighborhood women were meeting. When we arrived, I began to explain to the women about my missing pet and even showed them pictures.

It reminded me of a scene from a dramatic movie; they began chatting frantically, all at once! I heard several ladies pointing out one lady who said that the dog she had found was much bigger than the dog in the picture. I decided to join in on the chaos and explained the picture was old and she had grown some. Half of the women were saying they had seen her, the other half were shaking their heads no.

I began to emphasis that there would be small Vatu involved (money), and finally one of the ladies yelled “Hush!” She pointed to another lady and said, “She knows where your dog is and she will get him for you.” At this point I was trying to interpret all the commotion, some of which was in Bislama, and some in their village tongue which I don’t know. I did understand that she would bring Russia to my house. “Do you know where I live?” I asked. “Yes, missionary,” they all cried!

A few hours later I came home to find the right dog at my house! Renee was kind enough to loan me the $10 reward money until I could get back to town. I don’t know if I have ever seen a dog more excited! Consequently, she got so excited that she peed on the floor. I was so happy to have her back I didn’t care.

She is a great dog - potty-trained (except when overly excited) and has a terrifying yelp that is sure to keep intruders at bay! Okay, so maybe the last part is a little off, but we like her and at least her little yelp notifies us if someone should come too close.

All in all, Monday was a great day and I’m rejoicing because what once was lost now is found!

Jennifer

Our First Anniversary

“I cannot believe you are spending your very first anniversary on the field!” she exclaimed. “We appreciate the sacrifice; so sad your first anniversary is overseas” from another. These are some of the comments/emails I received prior to our anniversary. What would my response be now? If I could have picked any way to celebrate, if I could have changed even one thing about it, I'd choose it to be exactly how it was!





We headed for the beach around two on Saturday afternoon. I remember the truck going over the bumpy pot holes as I went over my checklist. This was my first campout to plan and I was sure I had forgotten something. I looked over at Nathan and smiled. The day was perfect. The sun was shining bright but the temperature was cool and there was a constant light breeze. I was certain it was even more beautiful than the day we got married.





We arrived at Champagne Beach and immediately begin looking for the perfect place to pitch our tent. We found a little spot nestled between two trees facing the ocean. A couple of hours later we had met and talked with the owner (a local chief), paid our rental fee, had the tent up, table set, and fire burning strong. The night before I had made cream cheese marble brownies and did all the prep work for our meal. Fajitas over a camp fire turned out to be delicious!





We had hoped to eat at sunset but our timing was slightly off. We ate a little early but had time to settle into a romantic walk on the beach as the beautiful Vanuatu sunset began to unfold. We were slightly worried that with it being tourist season we might not have rented the whole beach to ourselves (only ten dollars a night per person). However, we were blessed and by sunset the entire beach was ours! We buried our bare feet into the white sand as we held hands and talked about everything and nothing all, at the same time.

We played our favorite games on our picnic blanket by candlelight. Later, we blew out the candles just to watch how bright the stars were. A million miles from city lights, there we set watching the stars reflect off of the ocean. It was perfect! We could even see the Milky Way. You can't get all this at a fancy resort!





We set our alarm to watch the sunrise the next morning. In a sleepy state we grabbed our muffins and banana bread, the biggest blanket we had, and headed for the perfect spot. The sun was too fast and we had to race it towards our destination. There in the cool morning air we ate breakfast and watched the sunrise.





This is paradise not torture! Sure there are some hard things about being here, bugs and at times unbearable heat, but it is also one of the most beautiful places on earth. If you stop long enough to appreciate it's beauty, you see even with the poverty of the country, there are certain things God gives that man can't take away.

Family holidays may be hard on the field, but our first anniversary, it was perfect. So if you thought to pity me, just know that I had the best anniversary possible . . . I was with Nathan!

Jennifer

Painting In Paradise

Well, it has been a slow week on the work front, but I have taken the time to do some things I enjoy. One of those things is painting. Not painting houses, although I have done a little of that as of late, but the artsy type painting.

When we left the States, I thought I was going to have to put my painting on hold. My medium of choice was oil on canvas. With all the new airline restrictions I was not able to travel with the needed products, many of which I would not have been able to replenish here if I wanted to. I was disappointed but it was one of the things I felt I could sacrifice.




This all changed in May. For my birthday, the Webb family bought me an acrylic paint set after hearing from Jen that I liked to paint. Well, they couldn't have chosen a better gift. I have been painting like a madman ever since! Never having dealt with acrylics before, I was pleasantly surprised at how much easier they are to work with. So far, I have nearly completed nine paintings and counting.

Jen has also been painting with me and showing me the artistic light she has been hiding under a bushel. I keep telling her that our paintings will be worth something some day, but most likely not until after we are dead! Doesn’t that just seem so unfair? I guess those are just the breaks!





Painting has quickly become one of our favorite pastimes here at the ends of the earth. If you are wanting paint-worthy scenes, look no further than Vanuatu. Between the beaches and mountains here on Santo, to the villages and day to day life that goes on all around us, we will never run out of subjects to be remembered by our brushes. Each time we take up our brushes we try to jot down another thousand words worth of memories of our wonderful time here. We can’t wait to share with everyone these captured pieces of paradise.

Nathan