We have been blessed to be trained in both the scriptures and to also have missiological training, we have heard endless teachings and things on “what to expect” while in the tribe, but as for most things, life is the only teacher.
You think a missionary just learns language and teaches bible? We wish that is all we did this past 5 days…
-Cry with a pastor that we are training, because his dad died
-Help with the logistics of the burial
-Preach at the funeral
-Be a transport driver for people and materials
-Support (financially and food-wise) the many meals that have to be hosted for the next 10 days (their cultural way of mourning after a death)
-Make a casket
-Console the family
-Challenge the witch doctor’s teachings to both him and the people hearing him
-Encourage the pastor daily
-and much more…
Building the coffin
No training in this world prepares you for how to deal with death… no preparations explain how to balance getting involved and loving on families during this event. Our people group has a 5-day and a 10-day ceremony/mourning process, and then after that they arise and go walk the foot trails to think about where he has walked one last time. They also have a 100-day ceremony (they call it that, but it really depends on when their gardens are ready, most of their produce takes 3 months to grow, 90+ days). And then the mourning process is officially finished.
Weeping and wailing…
It has been an amazing time to see how the training we have given these people has been manifesting itself in their lives, to see how they harmonize following the truths of the Bible and still engaging in their culture, it has been great to see firsthand. The pastor has actually been sharing a verse here and there with the family that is staying together; the immediately family along with those who helped bury the body all have to sleep in one house for 10 days during this process. It has been good, because it is an opportunity for people in the village to see how you can be both a Christian and a person who speaks Tiale. The 10-day event finishes on our Sunday here in Vanuatu, continue to pray that the pastor stands strong in his beliefs, and is an example to those who are around him, all eyes are on him, people are waiting to see how he reacts to each traditional belief.
Your feet to the Tiale people,
Seth & Nicole Stokes
Stoking The Fires 
😥 Love and miss you. Thank you for your love and sacrifice. God bless you! ❤
What a learning experience for you! I am so thankful for your willingness to fill all these roles. It all seems so “over the top” in human terms. I am so proud of you both for being who the people need to see examples of what a brother/sister in Christ really is. I pray for you.