Ray and Jill Muler visited Vanuatu in 2017. They conducted Bible studies using DVDs and other teaching resources, visited various communities and also enjoyed sharing meals with the local pastors and friends. Here is a reflection from the couple:

We thank the Lord for again allowing us the privilege of visiting Vanuatu again from August 15 –September 11. We are always able to give some Bibles, devotional books and study notes to help with understanding God’s Word when we visit. 

Maewo
Our week on Maewo was full and enjoyable as we went straight to Betarara on Thursday and then spent Friday at the Gambule Junior and Secondary School with the staff and students here. It is great to see the fine vegetable gardens providing food for the staff and children and as a learning tool for the agricultural students, utilizing Maewo’s wonderful water resource and Ps Micknie’s enthusiasm.

On the way to Nasawa we saw the one metre deep trench dug by the local community for some Km’s in readiness for underground power cable to be laid from the hydro plant built two years ago. In this church community there is a Sunday school of 75 children.

At Nasawa, Betarara, Lalaveru and Vereuae we had studies and showed the DVDs. It is our pleasure to share with these people and enjoy their growth as Christians. The younger pastors are now taking on more responsibility, and we enjoy the opportunity to talk with them as we have a meal together.

Malo
With Ps Wilson and The Afranara Church community, leaders and pastors, we had full days of studies and evening DVDs on 'Heaven' for the week. It is a pleasure to have meals together with Presly and Priscilla and the whole church family who are with us here.  Some walk or ride their bike, quite a long way to spend the day and evening here and return home each night.  We also took a truck to go around the island to see the various Churches, meet their pastors and to pray for needy folks enroute. Ps Presly who we sponsor at Talua College was home and he took us from place to place. Malo community has also been busy digging a trench for a water pipeline to bring water from a source in the hills to the local areas.

Santo Stonehill Church of Christ
Ps Lewis’ wife Merilyn came with us on our first visit to Stonehill, an hour’s truck journey from Luganville but rather isolated. Ps Anderson and Joyce have worked in this area for many years and now there are three churches in this area. We spent the Friday evening with Ps Anderson and Joyce and Saturday Ps Anderson took us to see the local school and church established over his time of ministry here, some 260 students in school. In the evenings we screened DVDs and Sunday had a full day with worship service, studies and DVDs at night. We pray that this will have encouraged this Church greatly.

Santo 
We met up with Principal Peter Bryant from Australia working at Londua Technical College, teachers and Church Leaders we’d met previously also from Ambae. We got to know Ps Semi and Nena Rasu working at Urapiv Island, Malekula, as they also stayed in the Transit Centre.

 Ban Ban Church of Christ
Ray spoke to the youth and preached at Sunday morning service and DVDs at night. We were treated to a picnic lunch at Million Dollar Point with Ps Owen and Jenny Bani and the family. Ps Owen is the President of the Churches of Christ Conference Vanuatu. We had some time with Ps Lewis and Merilyn and Jackson and his family, home from Talua, with meals together and checking out Bombua School, local Church and the proposed Mobile Bible College buildings. Merilyn is the Christian Women’s Coordinator for this year with the Churches of Christ.

As we love to visit our many friends across Vanuatu we thank them for their kind hospitality sometimes at short notice when plans change. We love to fellowship with you. Thank you also to our own family and friends in Australia who also support and pray for us as we travel.  

We left Vanuatu with a heavy heart as the volcano on Ambae became restless and has caused an ongoing crisis for her residents. We pray for the Lord’s strength for those involved in the aid to these people as some are able to move away and others remain amidst the smoke and ash. A reminder of life’s fragile moments as we near the Return of Christ. We rejoice in that our Hope is in God and He guides our steps each day.

Ray & Jill Muller, QLD