Yesterday was another busy one in the big city. The people sending us gave us three hours of their time going over our priorities for the work we are going to do. Rev. Andrew Bell chatted about his time in Zululand before coming to New Zealand for two years, twelve years ago. Kerry Jones came in for the time we were their to meet us again and go over arrangements. While there she received fresh news via email from Meto that our visas have been issued and the work permits will be just a formality. Since the earliest we can get them is Monday, we won't be on our way till Wednesday 13th. But hurray for progress!!
We are not going to fix Vanuatu, we are going to work in partnership with the people to see how we can help them develop their skills.
We are not going to judge Vanuatu, but to love the people and worship God in a new way with them
We are not going to work ourselves to the bone, but to learn how to live and work long term, so that we can be maximum use to them. We are also going to enjoy the beautiful country that they have.
We are going there to learn their language and culture. They in turn will learn some of my techniques and ways of doing things
We are not resourced enough, nor do we think it will will ultimately help to pay their bills or debts, but we can help in many other ways, and provide help with building up the training school.
Our job is not to change everything, but to work with them how they know it works.
Andrew blessed us and helped us with with various pieces of administration.
Beyond that we have numerous smaller things to take care of: fixing the SD card reader on the computer so we can download photos, buying an electric nit comb, ensuring our cell phones are the type that work over there, and seeing our Henderson doctor to get some prescription medicines for likely tropical problems. Gracie and Paula now have shorter haircuts, and everyone has sandals and crocs to wear for the year.
Rob Meier is now up there, using funds raised in Christchurch to buy a truck for the urban workshop. This will release to us the Isuzu ute for Ebule. He is finding it hot apparently and we are looking forward to meeting up with him during our three introduction to Vila. When we arrive, Ebule should already have staff and students!!! Hope they are getting on fine without me.
Please pray we can get most everything finished and leave in a reasonable rested condition.
Thursday, February 7, 2008
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
Waitangi Day
Wednesday that feels like Sunday!
My sister Phillippa, Davie and I went out early to Waikumete Cemetery to Mum's grave and Nana Joan Levy where my father is remembered having been lost at sea in 1983. We were pleased with its condition, though we need to decide on the headstone. One is certainly not stuck for ideas for graves these days, the Polynesian areas are very colourful and diverse! I explained to Davie again about who my Mum and Dad were, he was particularly curious why Dad was not wearing a life's jacket that on the boat when he fell off that night. Later we were to have lunch with Aunty Fay, my father's older sister.
We shopped for sandals at K-mart and gifts at an emporium. Headlamps and tooth brushes.
Later we were out in Manurewa enjoying a stroll at the Botanic Gardens with Paula's sister Myra and Dave Smith. We explained that our latest countdown was a departure on Wed 13th of Feb, due to the Visa's probable arrival in Auckland by Saturdayish. This gives us another week of.....getting ready and a sort of holiday. Living in our friend Mark's house while he is on Safari is certainly a gift, and if we stop going shopping for odds and ends soon, we might have a trip to the beach or some such. It is very pleasing how Paula's health has responded to prayer and the right medication, though we feel we still have some unwinding to do.
Tomorrow though we are privileged to spend a couple of hours with Andrew Bell from the GMO who is sending us to this position. Though very much looking forward to a new life in the Islands, we are very aware that it will have a different pace of life and an inner working that we will know very little about. I have studied very little anthropology, though its always better to go and find out for oneself.
My sister Phillippa, Davie and I went out early to Waikumete Cemetery to Mum's grave and Nana Joan Levy where my father is remembered having been lost at sea in 1983. We were pleased with its condition, though we need to decide on the headstone. One is certainly not stuck for ideas for graves these days, the Polynesian areas are very colourful and diverse! I explained to Davie again about who my Mum and Dad were, he was particularly curious why Dad was not wearing a life's jacket that on the boat when he fell off that night. Later we were to have lunch with Aunty Fay, my father's older sister.
We shopped for sandals at K-mart and gifts at an emporium. Headlamps and tooth brushes.
Later we were out in Manurewa enjoying a stroll at the Botanic Gardens with Paula's sister Myra and Dave Smith. We explained that our latest countdown was a departure on Wed 13th of Feb, due to the Visa's probable arrival in Auckland by Saturdayish. This gives us another week of.....getting ready and a sort of holiday. Living in our friend Mark's house while he is on Safari is certainly a gift, and if we stop going shopping for odds and ends soon, we might have a trip to the beach or some such. It is very pleasing how Paula's health has responded to prayer and the right medication, though we feel we still have some unwinding to do.
Tomorrow though we are privileged to spend a couple of hours with Andrew Bell from the GMO who is sending us to this position. Though very much looking forward to a new life in the Islands, we are very aware that it will have a different pace of life and an inner working that we will know very little about. I have studied very little anthropology, though its always better to go and find out for oneself.
Monday, February 4, 2008
Vanuatu Ventures
WEDNESDAY 30th, Depart Palmerston
Having originally planned to leave Palmerston North on the 12th of January for a nice little break before leaving for Vila on the 19th, it was something of a shock to be working madly till the the 30th of January trying to get FREE! Even our friends were relieved to see us finally go at 4.30pm for Auckland, with our grossly over burdened trailer and its large container of goods on its way to the freight forwarding company in Mangere. Goodbye Craig, Maria, Alister and Elizabeth. Goodbye all you house groupies and especially Graham Roff. Thanks Mens' group and Mike Tait-Davis. See you St Albans, Brian and Simon Redmond and friends. Come and see us when we get a little bit settled up there and can set up a place for you to stay, and know a little bit of the sights and sounds.
As for our trip to Auckland, we have 900 kg on the tow bar so we went carefully through the night. Thanks to V, and motelliers closing up at around 10pm we drove all the way, arriving at our West 'Auckland house-sit at 2am. Next day we investigated getting a dangerous goods cert for our little plumbing torch, but at a cost of $100 for a $22 cylinder, we gave up and sealed up the container without it. Did I leave one buried at the bottom of the container, Graham!!! I hope not but we'll just have to wait and see at Vanuatu Customs where it will be openned and assessed for duty. Possibly not much to pay as its mostly old stuff and its for a "church" project which often by-pass such necessities.
We are now catching up on sleep and doing little chores for the up coming travels. On Saturday we brunched with some BCNZ pals still their doing their stuff-thanks Fleck family from East Taiere for a great Breaky. Along the way we asked Davie, now 4 and a bit, if he remembers things from our 17 months up here in 2006/07. He does not remember roads, he remember swimming pools, friends, and buildings like his preschool. Today he remembered my old boat, and the first fish he caught off it. I was working hard this Monday 4th feb to clean it up and get it covered for winter. It got rain water in last year due to parking it down hill, so this time it should be better. I need to either sell it or plan to get it up to Vanuatu if it would be useful there. From 2003 to 2006 minister Roy Pearson made great use of his yacht to travel around and transport materials. However for this year I am in demand as a teacher of basic trade skills and farming, water borne activities will be a treat for us.
Having originally planned to leave Palmerston North on the 12th of January for a nice little break before leaving for Vila on the 19th, it was something of a shock to be working madly till the the 30th of January trying to get FREE! Even our friends were relieved to see us finally go at 4.30pm for Auckland, with our grossly over burdened trailer and its large container of goods on its way to the freight forwarding company in Mangere. Goodbye Craig, Maria, Alister and Elizabeth. Goodbye all you house groupies and especially Graham Roff. Thanks Mens' group and Mike Tait-Davis. See you St Albans, Brian and Simon Redmond and friends. Come and see us when we get a little bit settled up there and can set up a place for you to stay, and know a little bit of the sights and sounds.
As for our trip to Auckland, we have 900 kg on the tow bar so we went carefully through the night. Thanks to V, and motelliers closing up at around 10pm we drove all the way, arriving at our West 'Auckland house-sit at 2am. Next day we investigated getting a dangerous goods cert for our little plumbing torch, but at a cost of $100 for a $22 cylinder, we gave up and sealed up the container without it. Did I leave one buried at the bottom of the container, Graham!!! I hope not but we'll just have to wait and see at Vanuatu Customs where it will be openned and assessed for duty. Possibly not much to pay as its mostly old stuff and its for a "church" project which often by-pass such necessities.
We are now catching up on sleep and doing little chores for the up coming travels. On Saturday we brunched with some BCNZ pals still their doing their stuff-thanks Fleck family from East Taiere for a great Breaky. Along the way we asked Davie, now 4 and a bit, if he remembers things from our 17 months up here in 2006/07. He does not remember roads, he remember swimming pools, friends, and buildings like his preschool. Today he remembered my old boat, and the first fish he caught off it. I was working hard this Monday 4th feb to clean it up and get it covered for winter. It got rain water in last year due to parking it down hill, so this time it should be better. I need to either sell it or plan to get it up to Vanuatu if it would be useful there. From 2003 to 2006 minister Roy Pearson made great use of his yacht to travel around and transport materials. However for this year I am in demand as a teacher of basic trade skills and farming, water borne activities will be a treat for us.
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