VANUATU Vanuatu? Until CBS filmed a Survivor series on the islands of Vanuatu, most people did not even know these islands existed, let alone realize that over 80 of the 105 people groups living there do not have the gospel available to them in there own language. Several years ago, God gave my wife and me a burden for these amazing people, and our dream of going to them is becoming a reality as we have recently partnered with Biblical Ministries Worldwide to build a team and establish a work in Vanuatu! So for the next few paragraphs I will do one of my favorite things by introducing you to this place, her people, the process, and our passion for Vanuatu.

THE PLACE
Vanuatu (pronounced van-wah-too) is a Y-shaped group of 80 islands located about 500 miles west of Fiji and about 1300 miles east of Brisbane, Australia. The terrain isvery mountainous and the climate is hazardous,but one might be surprised to find that Vanuatu is truly an untouched paradise (if you don't mind a few bugs enjoying it with you!) Vanuatu experiences just about every natural disaster known to man. The islands lie squarely on top of the Pacific ring of fire. There are nine active volcanoes. Numerous earth tremors are recorded every day. In 1994 and 2002 there were quakes rated over 7 on the Richter scale, and as recently as 1999 a quake created a tsunami that destroyed several villages. Cyclones cause the most damage. Each year every village receives some damage due to a cyclone and every 30 years any given point on the islands will have been devastated by a cyclone.

The greatest health risk, however, is the mosquito. Though westerners have no problem getting treatment for malaria, the native people often suffer from its effects. The climate is tropical. The highs average between 79 and 85 degrees and the humidity between 70% and 83%. The dry season from May to October is warm and pleasant. In the wet season there are higher temperatures, heavy rains and cyclones. But ultimately Vanuatu is not about the geography or climate; it is about the Ni-Vanuatu people.

THE PEOPLE
There are approximately 200,000 people living in Vanuatu, of which 98% are native Melanesians. About 36,000 people live in the largest city of Port Vila and another 8,000 live in Luganville, located in the northern island of Santo. The rest of the people live in rural villages of 200 to 400 people spread throughout the bush (jungle) area. Because of their mixed history, 55% of the people speak English and the other 45% speak French. About 90% of all children receive a primary education in one of these two languages, but very few continue past the 8th grade. In addition to English or French, almost everyone speaks Bislama (a pidgin trade language) as the common language and at least one of the 105 tribal languages.

The first missionaries arrived in the islands in the mid 1800's. The largest denomination present today is the Presbyterian Church, with smaller numbers of Anglicans, Roman Catholics and Seventh-Day Adventists.

The greatest challenge facing a missionary in Vanuatu today is syncretism. These "formal" religions have blended with animistic traditions and created a great deal of confusion.

THE PROCESS
We are in the fact-gathering and team-building phase of the process. We did a survey of the islands with BMW Area Director Bill Lake. Presently, there are two mission efforts that we can work with in the islands, but we are praying that other couples will commit to go with us through BMW. Once our team is in place and on its way, we plan to complete language training and secure our visas. Once in Vanuatu, we plan to work with and among the people in their villages.

OUR PASSION
It is our passion to reach the Ni-Vanuatu people with the gospel by learning their language and culture and then systematically presenting the gospel to them as a whole. This is a big step, a huge undertaking, and we would love your support.

Perhaps you are able to pray for the future team, or maybe God has been preparing you to serve in such a field as Vanuatu. Either way, we want you to be a part of our team as we step out together into Vanuatu!

TEAM VANUATU

Members:
Mission Statement:		To plant and assist indigenous churches in Vanuatu
Vision:		The pioneering team will establish a vision in the first year on the field.
Values:	Apostolic model of church planting Self-supporting indigenous church Self-governing indigenous church Communicating in the language of the people Application of Biblical principles to their culture Teamwork Sacrificing one’s personal good and goals for the benefit of the team Commitment to Biblical doctrine (BMW statement) Strengthening families

If you are interested in joining the team or having more information, contact Bill Lake (Area Director for the Pacific and Asia) or Brad Jones.

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