MISSIONS

Vanuatu (Torba Province)

We have started a pilot Bible school program in the Northern Province of Vanuatu (Torba Province).

In our many trips there we have noticed three things.

1. People are being saved when they come into the main village and then returning to their own and planting churches with absolutely no knowledge of scripture or how to study the bible to gain that knowledge.  They also have no training in any form of Christian living and principles.
   
   
2. If they do decide they really want to learn or gain some ministerial qualifications they then have to travel to Port Vila to study usually for 3 years.  This naturally involves great expense for the person and often families are left behind to fend for themselves for that time.  We have had cases of wives and children going without food for lack of finance.  Also unfortunately there have also been cases of marriages failing through immorality due to long separations.
   
   
3. When the person gets a taste of “city living” (running water, electricity and all its comforts) they become disconnected from the village way of life and no longer desire to return.

District Executive Blessing the project	Praying for students at the opening	Students in the Circus Tent

This program we believe addresses these issues in the way it is being set up. We bring the students in four times a year for four weeks each time.  During those four weeks they will do four subjects each time – things such as how to study the word of God, Old and New Testament overviews, basic Christian principles and some leadership training as well as ethics etc. 

By doing it this way we eliminate the need to travel to Vila and families are not separated for a great length of time.  During the non study time the students return to their village and put into practice what they are learning.  They remain connected to their roots, families and to their churches.

The Student's Kitchen - not completed	Kitchen - Dining Room - walls are up.	Bath and Toilet - to come

We have obtained a bible college program free of charge that is being successfully used in the Torres Straight area to train indigenous ministries there.  The only cost we have is the one relating to students.  For $1000 per year one student can participate in this program (that’s accommodation, food, and transport costs while they are in Sola).

There are 5 other churches within our fellowship in Queensland who have partnered with us to sponsor students for the year and their pastors have also taken up the challenge to travel to Torba Province at their own expense to help train the students.

Men's Dormitory	Dorm walls to be finished	Dorms - inside view

We already have 10 students participating this year: the first series of lectures and learning commenced in September this year. There are 5 local churches that have sent students. This includes 3 pastors who currently lead churches lead churches. Also the 1st 2 women to study the bible from Torba Province are attending (Florina and Lingrose).

Boat to help raise funds so college can be self supporting.	Dorm view	Praying for Students

There are already another 10 people who want to start next year including more women.
The college has already had a boat given to it so that students can be transferred for cost of fuel. It can also be used commercially to transport goods and people for an income to help fund the college.

Most students arrive by boat	Afternoon Tea	Relaxing - lecture break

The college is also putting money aside to buy a 4 wheel drive for transporting goods and people around the island as another source of income for self funding.
Torba province is considered the least and last of all the provinces in Vanuatu. It gets the least govt funding and is the poorest of them all...the Bible college is making a very great impact throughout Torba.

The classroom	Wilton's turn to cook	Samuel Smith from Moto Island
Ps Wilton Dini from Motalavua.	Ps Nelson Wilson from Vatrata	Job Frezer from Motalavua (district youth leader).
Florina Ruddley from Sola.	Aswin Wenau from Guia	Abel Patterson from Sola