Our Vanuatu Outreach: God's Long Journey for the Lost

After 7 days of traveling to go to Vanuatu (read more about our miraculous journey here), the moment we were going to the town (in Luganville, Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu), all of the team (and even our host) cried in joy and relief. It was an amazing and miraculous journey filled with the move of God's divine hand of intervention but it also really stretched and tested our faith like never before.

Just Like the Philippines

For people who speak thus make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. If they had been thinking of that land from which they had gone out, they would have had opportunity to return. But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city. HEBREWS 11:14-16

Espiritu Santo island (Vanuatu) looks just like the Philippines (coastal and island regions of Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao). They have all our fruit trees and plants and weather. All throughout our time here is like we're still in the Philippines and not in an island in the Pacific ocean. Filipinos are visa-free in Vanuatu for 120 days.

The people look so much like the original Filipinos (the Agtas and Aetas) but they are much taller (average height of the men are above 5foot 8). They're mainly farmers and have abundant harvest of delicious fruits and root crops that Filipinos also have. They love Filipinos and they love to watch Filipino tv shows and movies. 

Just like the Bereans

Now the Bereans were more noble-minded than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if these teachings were true. ACTS 17:11

We did the BELT seminar (Biblical Education and Leadership Training, ywambelt.org) in a village called Belsi, a lovely village with lovely people. They have no electricity and the road going there is a bit rough.  They have a church that just recently resumed meeting together after two-month pause due to lockdowns. Life is clearly not easy here as some even have to walk to work (for two hours) everyday. 

Our seminar starts at 7pm (ends at 8:30pm) since the villagers have to work all day. As we sing worship songs while waiting for the villagers to arrive, there's always this joyful feeling from the LORD. HE really delights in their pure and honest worship to HIM. 

The people in Belsi are like the Bereans in the Bible. They listen and study the Word diligently even though there's no proper lighting and some haven't eaten yet. They even help one another in trying to understand the Word. As they study, you can discern the intense Joy from the LORD as He sees them seek HIM. 

A Warfare against Lies

We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, 2 Corinthians 10:5

As we fellowship with them, we discovered that various false religions (those who are firmly denying Jesus is the Son of God) has been recently and alarmingly spreading in the island. They are using financial benefits to recruit the islanders here.

It's clear now that this is one of the main reasons why GOD has called us here, in this land that we've never even heard before. HE wants us to destroy the kingdom of the evil one that's built on Lies. HE wants us to undo the enemy's works with His Truth, the Word of God (Jesus Christ).

The Bible School for the Nations (BSN) New Zealand were here for a month doing BELT seminars then God sent us, BSN Philippines, to do BELT seminar after them.

The Long Journey is for the Lost

What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it? LUKE 15:4

After our study about the Root of Sin and Destructiveness of Sin in our BELT seminar, one mom was crying. We have a poster of a woman trapped in the pit of sin and the Holy Spirit was telling her that she's that person. 

The next day after discussing about Salvation from Sin, we guided them into receiving the biblical salvation (through faith and Repentance). She began crying again and we can see the relief and thankfulness in her face. We believe the LORD and all the saints and all the heavenly beings rejoiced because God's child received her salvation. 

I believe she's also one of the main reasons why God sent us here. God provided huge money, intervened with His Divine Hand multiple times, and setup so many Divine Appointments... just for us to come here in this lovely island, to meet His lovely people, and to be a part in Him seeking and saving the lost. 

Tears were being shed by us and everyone during the BELT graduation, as they were giving us their gifts out of the gratitude from their hearts. When they were leaving, more tears were shed as we were all expressing the gratefulness on what God has done through the lives of each one. We were just being overwhelmed with God's Love and the Joy of His Salvation.

Long Journey to Go Back Home

And behold, there arose a great storm on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by the waves; but he was asleep. MATTHEW 8:24

As we were getting ready to go back home to the Philippines, we received a news that a huge Cyclone is coming. Our flight home was canceled but God kept us safe during the storm. Another cyclone came just few days after the first one passed by. Both cyclones had very strong winds (some trees were blown away). As the second Cyclone was raging, we were also hit by a 6.5 magnitude earthquake. Our island (Espiritu Santo) avoided disaster but Port Vila (capital city) and many islands were badly damaged.

Because of the two cyclones (in a span of 24 hours), we had to extend our stay in Vanuatu. We were also absent in our Bible School for the Nations (BSN) graduation (March 4). Only half of our canceled return tickets was refunded but God replaced the lost funds in a span of minutes (a miracle). We were able to return to the Philippines last March 14. On our way back, God blessed us even more through the love and generosity of our spiritual families in Brisbane (Australia) and in Singapore.

God is really good. This journey is definitely worth it.

Being used by GOD in His Journey to seek and save the one that was lost makes the long and difficult journey worth it. 

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. PHILIPPIANS 4:4