It’s been a great 4 weeks though catching up with the Talua Connors and we’ll be sad to leave.

Posted at 05:28 on 31 May, 2010 UTC
Scientists are warning airlines and tourists of the danger of ash and volcanic rocks erupting from Mt Yasur on Vanuatu’s Tanna island.
Wellington’s Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre has reported an ash cloud covering 100 nautical square miles and more than 1.8 kilometres high within the volcano’s vicinity.
A geohazard technical advisor for the Vanuatu government, Sylvain Todman, says tourists are now banned from visiting the volcano and the government’s assessing the impact for the ten villages nearby which are being affected by gas and ash spewing from its crater.
“We saw very large explosions and important explosions outside the crater rim. All these bombs could reach all the villages around the volcano. We have a new kind of activity with a lot of ash falls, very large ash plumes and very important gas.”

So looks like it will be straight back home on Friday. Looking forward to getting back home…

We fly home Friday morning, arrive Sydney 9:40am and will then drive back to Dubbo Friday.

7.2 on the rickter scale and 25km deep and 100km away. (not sure how to spell ricta!)

It would be good to be praying for the students at Talua and the recent graduates as they minister in their churches. The biggest opposition to the gospel in Vanuatu appears to me to be the Churches and the pastors. People are keen and open to the gospel. The churches place a burden on people and pastors don’t seem to do much ministry. I don’t know where this comes from but the young pastors at Talua don’t seem to be infected by it. There are so many good opportunities for these young pastors to do good gospel ministry. My fear is that they will become disillusioned with the ‘church’ or bogged down with other non-ministry responsibilities. So pray for Pastors to be bible based and ministry minded, pray that they would be working with and discipling people, pray that they would seek God’s glory above the approval of others and make a stand for what they know to be right when the situation calls for it.

Barry is off to town today to buy some more supplies. Our money has run out so we are just trying to finish the jobs we are doing. We bought a whole bunch of bannanas on day one – it’s just ripened today so we’ll be eating lots of bananas today and tomorrow.

Some sickness after last Sundays feast – 3 local kids off to the clinic, Colin, Ben, Rachael all vomiting and others with an upset tummy. Some flu around too so please be praying for our health.

Kids club was great last week but plans have changed and no week long kids club this week. We are just getting involved as we can with things.

Greg and Wayne joined in staff devotions this morning which was great.

Today we farewell Nancy and Cathy. It was quite sad as it has been a close week together. See you back in Dubbo!

Waterproofing the library.

The attitude and just the way that the Nivanuatu people go about their daily stuff is an encouragent in itself.
Joyce, one of the single ladies at the college is always wanting to, and reminding me to thank God for all he has done for us.
Nancy

Hello,
When we get back to Dubbo we will be teaching our pastor how to be humble again where at every meal he will go last instead of being first over here.
Devotions are very encouraging, we are having very good discussions on Romans 12:1-14.
Jacob Knight

I had a very encouraging conversation with Peter one of the local blokes, and he was saying they struggle with the same things we struggle with back in Australia- young people having troubles with drugs, alcohol etc. PS love you Sylvia and Rhianna.
Marty

Some students from Talua have joined us for devotions and kids club and it has been encouraging getting to know them and seeing their love for Jesus.
Deirdre

We are constantly reminded that we are in the tropics rain every day very high humidity constantly sweating 27 28 degrees all the time even during the night. It is beautiful lush vegetation amazing flowers fruit trees lots of geckos lizards butterflies frogs. Kids club was very encouraging and humbling to see how well they cope with so little-we are so priviledged. The teachers really appreciated the time we spent with the children. It is great working with the team everyone is working together well. Kaye

Cameron off to Church!

Warming up with some games.

Singing