Sunday School

NormanI thought you might like to see the Sunday School classes from church this morning. Ten days ago, these teachers were at our house for a teacher’s refresher course. Norman (a JBI student) teaches the junior boy’s class on the porch of a house near the church. I did not want to get too close and distract them, as Norman had their full attention using an egg to explain the Trinity.

Emily

Emily teaches the primary class which Jasmine is in. They meet in the only classroom that the church has. During the week this same room is used by the ACE school which the church runs.

Sylvie Jeremy attends a class taught by Sylvie and Gretel which meets on another neighbor’s porch.  The children sit on woven mats. This morning as we were on our way out the door, Jeremy told me that his class had no crayons. So we filled an ice cream container with used crayons from home for him to take to Sunday School. When he gave them to his teacher, all the children clapped. Now you know why they were all so happy to hold up their colored papers! Jeremy’s concern for his class was a timely reminder to me as some of you have asked how you could help children in this country. . . well, crayons, coloring pencils, pens, and paper are out of reach for many children and their parents here in Vanuatu. Many school children struggle to buy pens and a notebook for school and we have Sunday Schools and children’s clubs all over the city of Port Vila that do not have what many would consider basic supplies. If this is the kind of assistance which you like to give, please feel free to contact us for more information.

Thank You STL!

Class with new media equipment Just wanted to say “THANK YOU” to the young people, especially of Indiana, for their giving to the “Speed the Light” fund. We recently received funds for an overhead projector, a video projector and a photocopier. This is Lori’s Biblical Archaeology and Geography class posing with some of the equipment which enabled them to see photos and artifacts from faraway Biblical lands.

Christian Education

CE training

Last night 10 Sunday school teachers came to our house for a short review on the importance of children’s ministries and how to organize and prepare their Sunday school lessons. We had a nice time of sharing over a cup coffee. We do not have an AG Sunday School curriculum in the national language, Bislama, and this is a hindrance to systematic Bible teaching in our Sunday schools. I have been looking at some Sunday school materials developed in Africa and we will be looking for funds to have them adapted and translated into Bislama.

General Superintendent

This morning at “We Care” Assembly of God church, the AG General Superintendent and JBI principal, Pastor Edgell Iolopua, was the guest speaker. Pastor Edgell travels regularly speaking in the churches throughout the islands of Vanuatu and yet still directs and teaches at the Bible school. His text this morning was 2 Kings 6:1 and he challenged us all to move into the future with a larger vision than what we currently have. This means that we will need to work more as a team, be willing to accept change, move forward Greetingwith intention of purpose, be ready to take risks and pay the price to be more effective in building the kingdom of God.

Several years ago, the “We Care” church stepped out in faith and bought a very large piece of property with a small church building already on it. Today they were reminded that God has more for them than what they currently do or have.

We thank the Lord for leaders like Pastor Edgell. He became the principal of Joy Bible Institute in 2005 and the following year General Superintendent of the Assemblies of God of Vanuatu. He has many responsibilities so please pray for him and his wife Roz.

Unexpected

tree on houseThe recent weeks have been a crazy combination of daily thunderstorms, torrential rains and steamy humid weather. The other day an especially strong gust of wind blew through our carport and shook the house. The backyard was scattered with our shoes and items normally stored inside the garage. This same unexpected gust of wind ripped through the JBI campus and uprooted one of the African Tulip trees. Here Gary and Jeremy are posing with the tree which fell on the roof of the new girl’s dorm and library building. Please pray that there is no serious damage to the roof.

UPDATE: The tree only slightly bent the roof gutter, no other damage found!

Library Dedication

It’s official! The JBI Library was officially dedicated this afternoon. The school’s faculty, students and a few guests gathered to recognize the workers and pray God’s blessings on the churches, individuals and those of you who made it possible. The school choir sang “How Great Thou Art” right before the triple ribbon was cut by (right to left) JBI Principal Edgell Iolopua, Academic Dean J. Gary Ellison and Grounds Manager, Robert Laumai.Cutting the ribbon

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Everyone took a grand tour of the room and tried out the new chairs and study carrels and browsed the bookshelves. The far side of the room has two computer desks and 3 study tables. We are now anxious for a librarian to come and re-catalogue the 2000 books for us!

10 study carrels Reference readingGoing in New books Thank youClovis and AlickHilton reading

Thank you so much to the churches and friends who responded so promptly and enabled us to finish the Joy Bible library and study room. Thank you to AGWM who also assisted us financially and approved the mission house change of use. This building not only provides the school with a new library but the Dean of Students with a nice apartment, and in a few weeks the upstairs will be the new girls’ dorm!