We have been back in the States for about 2 weeks, and it has been a whirlwind already! Speaking at a church less than 3 days from getting off the plane, preached 3 other times, Nicole has done a ladies missions emphasis, had well over 5 meetings, and then as of Saturday, we started our 57-meeting tour until Christmas Eve. Along with having to do much paperwork, we enjoyed Thanksgiving, saw some family and friends, and enjoying amenities of being “home”, life is in the fast lane to say the least. We finished our NY tour and are in the upper parts of Michigan, planning on being in Indiana by Friday, and that will be our life for this next season. But that is not the MOST exciting news… the exciting news starts now!
We have been trying to hold back some details so that when we go around and visit people, we can share all the details face-to-face. But since it will take us days, weeks, and a little over a month to see some, we thought we would share the abridged version now. If you are social media savvy, click here: Vanuatu Ministry Update 2016 to watch our short 6-minute video that encapsulates everything. This is the video we are using to share at churches.
Our Co-workers
- It took 10 years of waiting on God… but we have found the tribe we plan to live in and serve alongside! 🙂
- We head back to Vanuatu on April 30th to serve with Reach Vanuatu
- We were given a letter of invitation to serve in the tribe; it says that they desire from us:
- A Bible in their language.
- To develop a Bible curriculum.
- To help build up and plant strong churches.
- To develop and train national leaders and pastors.
- To help with/host conferences.
- To disciple them.
- Signed by:
- the community
- The local pastor and church
- The group wanting a Bible in their language
- And the Chief of Chiefs
- Signed by:
- Another super exciting thing is that we were officially adopted into two different family lines. This shows the people that we are serious and want to live there; it is also an amazing tool to share the Gospel. It was exciting for them because we were the first white people to be officially adopted into their culture, they were all so excited and encouraged, and they took it very seriously as well. We did some cultural ceremonies to represent this official acceptance by killing a giant pig, receiving a baby pig and a chicken, and had a feast.
- We went to the capital and applied for our 4-year visa, the government said it will most lively be an easy process, but will just take time to go be finalized.
- They gave us land and we plan to start building our house in July-August! If you have been waiting to help us build our house, now is the time to write us and start the process of communication to get you there and help us build our house.
Co-workers: Pastor Gabby & Jeremy
Needless to say, a lot happened those last 2-3 weeks while in Vanuatu. We were running back and forth up until the day before we left, had a few hours to pack up and clean up our house and head to the US of A. We are sorry to reduce amazing facts and experiences to mere bullet points, but we wanted to make sure we were clear and shared the information. It should be only a matter of time until we see you! Maybe tomorrow, next week, or maybe in a month… either way we want to share all the details and the stories behind the whole thing as soon as we can. If you are not scheduled in on our tour, please call (412)639-6047, and we will arrange a meeting on the second tour if God allows.
Friends for a Lifetime
We hope that was clear and concise, and we hope you are excited along with us! This is a special time for us. That is another reason why we are running around to tell everyone, because this is a special time for you as our supporters… you have invested your prayers and finances in us for this moment. May God be glorified! We praise Him for the journey He has had us on.
As always, we are humbled to be your feet to the unreached, Seth & Nicole
Stoking The Fires 