DESPITE TRAGEDIES, ALL SMILES IN VANUATU

Pastors Fano and Helen (right) and several believers in front of a church destroyed by cyclone Harold last year.

Above is a peculiar photo. Life on a tropical island is already challenging. But when a cyclone destroys your village, and then COVID-19 cuts off critical supply lines, what is there to smile about? Yet these people ARE smiling. The reason why is written in the bedrock of faith found in the heart of every true believer.

They’re smiling because they know the kingdom Jesus is building on their island can NEVER be destroyed! The above photo shows Ni Vanuatu believers in Sunat, Vanuatu (South Pacific). On the right is pastor Fano and his wife Helen. They planted a church in this village and won these villagers to the Lord.

Last year, cyclone Harold destroyed their village and church. Next came COVID-19, which cut off supply lines from the outside world. But the building of God’s kingdom on this island chain of former cannibals continued despite it all.

Our missionaries (Alecia Webb, and Sam and Lisa Paris) report that LFTL funds provided evangelism tools local pastors and missionaries used for evangelism in remote villages. Among the evangelists were Pastor Fano and Helen.

Ni Vanuatu believers with evangelism books provided by missionary Alecia Webb with LFTL funds. LFTL tools were used to share the gospel on six remote islands of Vanuatu.

Your investment in LFTL through missionary Alecia Webb made it possible for the gospel to reach the islands of Espiritu Santo, Ambae, Malekula, Abrym, Pentecost, and Banks. A total of 234 Ni Vanuatu people were born again, and 222 received the baptism in the Holy Spirit!

All this happened during 2020, a year of pandemic-induced isolation and a catastrophic cyclone! So, there is lots to smile about in Vanuatu. Believers there know it. Jesus is building His kingdom through them, and LFTL is making a big difference. Thank you for helping us in Vanuatu and resourcing missionaries Alecia Webb and the Paris family for their work.

Sam and Lisa Paris and their children serve in Vanuatu. LFTL funds assist them in their ministries.

Alecia Webb used LFTL funds to resource pioneer missionary outreaches to six Ni Vanuatu islands. More than 200 people came to Christ.

Ni Vanuatu believers take exams for discipleship and ministry training courses. Upon completion of the training, each person will be commissioned to go and plant a new church in a rural island village

Dan Kersten is Director of Communications and Development for LFTL and Men’s Ministries. He was a ‘missions journalist’ from 2004 to 2018.Email Dan at dkersten@ag.org or call 417.862.2781 ext. 4174. He wouldlove to hear from you.