Working with our Coordinator from Auckland - Arama

      Arama is a native Mauri.  His family have been members for five generations.  His family was converted in the large group that joined the church in the 1840's.  The missionaries arrived and entire villages were converted.  He is a wonderful, dedicated member and an excellent manager. 
Arama visited us here in Port Vila for three days. We were able to accomplish so much while he was here.  He learned more about our situation here  -  what our difficulties and constraints are.  We learned a great deal from him.  Arama has just recently started working for the church.  He is well educated and has been successful in other endeavors.  He has a positive approach to problem solving!

       This evening we held a meeting for all of the parents of the students that are currently attending the church school in Samoa.  We were very excited that he stated that the opportunity would be expanded this next year.  We will be able to open the opportunity to the member students on other islands.  Frazier is the young man front and center here.  He has been a member for six months.  He is the only member of his family that is a member.  He is very dedicated to his callings in the branch.  He really wants to try and go to Samoa next year.

       Arama attended our monthly Vanuatu Education Committee Meeting.  He presented the new church Self Reliance Program to everyone.  This will be a great step forward throughout the world.

       We took Arama to some of the schools that we have developed a good working relationship with.  The schools were very complimentary of our efforts to build partnerships with the schools.  The director at the Hospitality School said that we are the first church group that has ever made that effort to work together for the people of Vanuatu.



   We also met with President Brewer to discuss some of the big issues that face the returned missionaries here in Vanuatu.  The missionaries want to improve their situation.  Many of them have no financial support from home.  The families are mainly subsistence living and simply can't  help there young people.  This is especially true of those that are from other islands.  We need to find a way for them to live here and go to school and stay active in the church and survive!!!!