Shalom, dear friends!
As many of you know (and some may not J) on Friday, July 10 (very soon!) I'll be departing for Vanuatu on a month-long missions trip. I'll be traveling with a friend from school, Nika, and we're going to be living with two different missionary families for a few weeks. They've given their lives to be involved in Bible translation with Wycliffe on an island called Tanna, and we're joining them for a short immersion into the work that God is doing across the globe.
This opportunity to jump into another culture and work amongst them for a short time is a huge blessing from the Lord. Pray that my eyes would be opened and filled with compassion for the lost. Also that I would grow an increased desire to come alongside and encourage those in Tanna who know Jesus as their Savior.
There are so many great activities/jobs that the Nehrbass and Stapleton families have mentioned that we'll get a chance to do. Here is a short list of possibilities:
1. Language learning
2. Visit the local primary school
3. Lots of computer tutoring to some locals! (This is always fun)
4. Show language videos like God's Story to villages in our language group
5. Sit-in during a translation session
6. Work on a back translation (double checking for the accuracy of the translation)
7. Hiking and running (On my running schedule for Cross Country in the fall I have around 200 miles to run during this month – Lots of exploring!!!)
8. Collating language books
9. Transferring MegaVoice sound files to MP3 files
10. Cultural learning-- the garden, weaving, cooking, local weapons like bow/arrow, house building, etc.
11. Outdoor work, building etc.
12. Taking over some childcare duties such as playing with or home schooling the kids (both families have four kids J)
13. and any other way that we can work alongside the missionaries or village people!
Prayer: Just recently a friend from camp encouraged me with this verse from Matthew 7 - "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened." (vs 7-8) Our God is faithful to the prayers of His children, and I'd like to ask you to join me in prayer during this trip! Pray...
1) that God would move mightily in hearts:
strengthening the faith of the Ni-Vanuatu Christians,
encouraging the missionary families to keep persevering in the work of sharing the gospel
teaching and reminding Nika and I of His great love poured out for us and opening our eyes to the many lost souls whom He desires to know and gather into His caring hands.
2) that we would be a blessing and not a hindrance to the Stapleton and Nehrbass families. That we might refresh them by bringing energy and excitement to help them (especially with mundane chores).
3) for humility to serve others - not demanding to be served as a tourist, but seeking to fit in to the culture and bless the people.
4) that I would learn more about missions and listen to where the Lord is leading me in the future (important for choosing which career to pursue in college).
I'll be emailing some of you specific prayer requests also, if you would like me to.
May the peace of our Lord be with you this next month,
Jacob (aka "A very excited traveler!")
For your curiosity: Vanuatu is an island group in the South Pacific, about 200 miles east of Australia. Click here to a google map of the island (Tanna - pictured to the right) that we'll be on while living with the Bible translators. If you zoom out a tiny bit you can spot Port Vila to the north and if you zoom out even more you can see the whole county and then later Australia.
Here's a brief itinerary of the trip:
Leave Medford 7/10
Arrive Port Vila, Vanuatu 7/12
Short stay at SIL Mission Compound in Port Vila
Flight to Tanna 7/14
Week 1 w/ Nehrbass family
Week 2 w/ Stapleton family
Week 3 w/ Stapleton family
Flight back to Port Vila 8/4
Few more days at SIL
Arrive Medford 8/9
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