This morning started like most of our mornings beginning
with 5.30am devotions with the students of the school; then breakfast and then
into classes where we have been teaching English and then today we also did a
class on NZ geography. Teaching the students has been amazing and there have
been great moments within the classes – especially when we have been breaking
into smaller groups and talking to 3-5 children getting them to have
conversations in English; asking them about their favourite food and their
favourite things to do in Tanna and things like that.
After a morning of classes we had an unexpected surprise,
our Volcano trip was rescheduled for this afternoon so that we could see that
Volcano at night because that is when it looks the best. It was a two hour
drive on rough, steep roads, standing on the back of 4 wheel drive Utes and it
was one of best car rides ever! The views as we drove up and down (and over)
mountains was just spectacular.
The Volcano itself was simply humbling! We stood at the foot
of it to have a team photo and as the photo was taken we heard this loud
thunderous rumble! The team all looked at each other – what are we getting
ourselves into? When we got to the edge of the creator you cannot even explain
what we saw; smoke and ash billowing up into the sky. Then, without warning you
will hear a loud crash like thunder which usually makes everyone jump and then
a fountain of lava will shoot into the sky. It was spectacular and at times
rather frightening as lava got within 200 meters of us at one stage (we then
moved locations after that explosion). I must say, as it got dark and night set
in, words cannot then explain what you witness because the lava is so bright and
red as it floods into the dark night sky! Truly one of the most amazing things I have ever
seen and it really gave me a new understanding for the power and might of God.
Then it was back to the school for a quick dinner and then
we gathered into the hall for an hour of singing with the children and then we
did night time devotions with them. It was a great night! The children taught
us some of their songs in their native language of Bislama, we taught them some
of our songs in English (like, ‘Move a little bit closer” and “Every move I
make’), we all sung together ‘Lord I lift your name on high’ which they already
knew. Then after devotions (we did a creative drama of the good Samaritan) they
taught us a couple of new action songs, one in Bislama and one in English. It
was a great night and we laughed with the children so much – they are really
starting to open up to us and feel comfortable with us.
Again, it was this random (almost unplanned) hour singing
with the children that I found really impacting. Just standing with the
children, being able to teach them and have them teach us – it was just an
amazing experience. As I watched the team dance and sing with the children I
realised this trip is going better than I planned – I have often pictured how a
‘dream’ mission trip might look and this trip is going beyond what I ever
imagined. Could I be falling in love with off-shore mission? (If you read my first blog you might understand my surprise because it is never something I thought would escite me).
It is time for bed because these 5.30am starts are really
starting to get to me! I’ll try and get some photos up but no promises as this
internet is very slow. I can’t wait to see what unexpected surprise God has in
stall for us tomorrow.
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