These next two weeks were so special to me, and I truly cherish them. It was a time filled with relationships, family, learning, growing and much stretching. At times there were difficulties, but the special connections and beautiful moments made, far overshadowed these trials.
This week started by taking the same Vanuatu ferry from the island of Espiritu Santo to the island of Malekula. This was around only 6 hours, so much more manageable than the last 22 hour ferry ride. In addition to the shorter length, they had installed fans into the lower section, and there was way less people. This ferry ride was rather pleasant and definitely redeemed this once dreaded ship for my team. Once we arrived on Malekula, we took an hour or so truck ride to the village of Lambubu, where we would be staying for the next week and half.
This village was so incredible. As soon as we got there, each team member was adopted into a family. We became one of their own, it was so special. I had two families; mama Rayanna's family (which I had an incredible bond with by the end) and Mama Lily's family. Everyday in the village, we would do ministry in the morning, then in the afternoon I would just go and spend time with my family; doing life together, learning about them and their ways. It was so incredible and we were so immersed in the culture. I definitely learned so much and really began to understand and live the Vanuatu culture and lifestyle, including their language, as most of them did not know any English. In the the evenings, we would have worship and a devotional lead by someone different on my team everyday. This time was so special to me, as we had the opportunity to directly and intentionally teach them about God and living life as a Jesus follower. So during the day, we got to cultivate relationships and show Jesus' love through our actions, and then at night we got to directly tell them about God. How amazing!
This village was on a Cocoa plant, and it was super interesting to see how this and the surrounding villages partnered with plant. I got to go harvest cocoa with my sisters one day, and other day we helped clear out a block of the plant with the whole community. It was so fascinating to learn about the process of harvesting Cocoa and to be a part of the production, my machete skills definitely improved! I also found out that the pulp of the cocoa plant itself is delicious!
We got to do 4 clinics during our time here. The first one was in our village and the second was in a village about an hour away called Laravat. We actually went to this village twice. The first time, we were attending a Presbyterian meeting; where the Presbyterian churches from surrounding villages met up, discussed items and had fellowship. We went with the Presbyterian church from our village (the only church) and it was so amazing just to sit and absorb the culture and take part of these festivities. It was so wonderfully planned, and included a little parade, many speeches, delicious food and beautiful decorations. We also got to perform our drama; which is always a fan favourite. After visiting this village; we got in contact with a pastor and were able to plan a clinic there. Our third clinic was at the school in our village. Kids from the surrounding villages come to this school; so it was incredible we could help kids outside of our own village during our short time here. This was definitely a fun clinic, as when you weren't doing wound care, we were blowing up balloons made with our surgical gloves, playing games with the pikinninis, or letting them try to hear our heartbeats with our stethoscopes. Our last clinic took place at the little makeshift bus stop beside our house in our village. People from surrounding villages had heard we were staying there, and just kinda showed up! It was our last clinic and a really special one. After we were done; we counted up all our patient forms and learned we had seen over 450 people during our 11 clinics in Vanuatu. We are so grateful for the work God was able to do through us and all the people he brought to us to see.
Some other things we did was run church on Sunday, have a sports day, clean up around the school and run a volleyball tournament. We also walked an hour or so through the bush with the village to go swimming in the ocean. This was a really fun afternoon, walking and singing with the kids. They would go run off into the forest than come back with some new flower or fruit for me to try. Playing with them in the water was also a highlight. I would have 5 or 6 kids just clinging to me and laughing as boys with giant sea-slugs they found would chase us around. I formed a really special bond with the large number of kids in the village. They were so loving and giving. They loved to play with my hair; swap songs, dances and handshakes, and just be with you. Their joy was so contagious. One night, I got to sleep in a small tent with two 12 year old girls. I loved just doing life with them and showing them how special each of them are to me and to their heavenly Father.
Ministry this week was amazing; but it was the sweet time I got to spend with my family that really made this week incredible. I would just go sit at their house and "Storian" or chat. I learned so much about their families and how they live, and got to share pictures of my family back home as well. I learned how to weave and got to make Simboro (a traditional dish) with my mama as well. My mom and sister could play the guitar, so we would worship together and teach each other songs. I grew very close with my mama Rayanna and her family. She would always call me over and chat. In the usual Vanuatu mama fashion; when I would say something funny, she would give off a big cackle and slap me on the arm a couple of times (an action of endearment), but man, these woman are strong! Mama Rayanna had 2 daughters, therefore I had two sisters in their 20's ; Christina and Georgina. These woman were so incredible, and taught me so much! I especially loved chatting to them. Christina had an adorable little daughter named Sonya. She referred to me as mama Ki, and I loved cuddling with her and making her giggle. We had many special times together, and on the last day; they made me lunch. It was an amazing spread; and it was so lovely to fellowship with them.
On our last full day in this lovely village; we had a celebration at night. Before this, our mamas all give us traditional island dresses to wear, so we all showed up wearing our best. It was a long but lovely celebration, where we thanked the village, and they thanked us; exchanging gifts. Everyone from the village was invited and we all ate together and watched various skits, dances and singing performances put on by the villagers. There were many speeches of gratitude for both parties. This went on until after midnight and ended with our mamas singing a goodbye song that definitely did not leave a dry eye on our team.
This village and my families were truly so special to me. The last day I visited their houses to say goodbye and exchange gifts. These goodbyes were so heart wrenching. I had build so many close and deep relationships with these people and truly felt part of the family and village. My sister Georgina who was 6 months pregnant told me that if she had a girl; she would name it Ki after me, and if it was a boy; Erik after my brother. This absolutely touched me and I felt so honored to be a part of this village and to be able to have see God's incredible heart here. Mama Rayanna and her family encouraged me so much in my faith during my time here, and I am so grateful for all the love and wisdom they passed on to me. My mama left me with this verse as tears streamed down both of our faces:
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
- Psalm 91:1
This was such an amazing reminder for me at this time. I was definitely worn out at this point in outreach. I was always serving, doing, going and pushing myself to show God's love. I had started to depend on my own strength instead of God's. My own strength and love of course was failing me as I was constantly drained of energy, starting to get sick, and not sleeping well. The past almost 2-months of sleeping on the floor, sweating, having minimal if not any alone time, and not getting barely any physical, mental or spiritual rest was wearing on me. God absolutely spoke through this verse to me, ensuring and reminding me that all I have to do is to go to Him and remain in His presence for refreshment. I can come to Him with all my burdens, with my weariness, with my pain and with my weakness and He will give me rest.
I think a part of my heart will always be in Lambubu. It is crazy how one little village and the people in it could totally capture my heart. This week and a half taught me so much, stretched and grew me considerably and truly touched me in a way I did not think possible. I will never forget my time there, the beauty I saw in the nature and the people, and the relationships made. Nor will I ever stop being grateful for God and how he blessed me with this experience.
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