Praying for the Skirts...

On the island of Tanna there is another family of missionaries. Ken and Mendy have children the same age as Erik and Michele, and the families are very close. I like that my grandchildren call them Uncle Ken and Aunt Mendy it gives them family in this place.

One day on my last visit we decided to go visit them. This family lives very close to the active volcano on the island. Yasur is a favorite tourist attraction and roads in and out are well maintained at least until we reached the 4 wheel drive road that led right into their village, rain during the week made this part of the road more of a challenge, but this was a clear day and I could see the volcano in the distance rising high into the sky with clouds of smoke surrounding it. Yasur volcano is an awesome and humbling sight no matter the distance.

It was Sunday; a day of rest in Vanuatu, and the families had decided to hike to a distant waterfall. I volunteered to stay back and babysit my youngest grandson knowing that the long trip on foot would be to daunting for both of us. I gathered some toys and Joel and I went to sit on the front porch. I watched children playing in the community lawn in front of the house, and as I played with Joel two teenage Ni Vanuatu girls came to the porch. They silently approached me and sat down right next to me. This was unusual. I find that the people are curious about me, but they usually stay at a distance and stare, sometimes for long periods of time, they will stand and watch me. Not sure what to do and because of the language barrier I just smiled and waited to see what they would do next.

"Hello," said one of the girls.

I was surprised at her English, and I responded quickly,
"Do you speak English?"

She smiled broadly; the Ni Vanuatu women have beautiful smiles.
"Yes, I go to school, and I came to speak with you so that I could practice my English."
She began to tell me her story.
"My name is Naug."

"My mother died having me, and my father left and went to live in the city of Port Vila. I do not know him well. My grandparents live here in the village and they raised me."
" I go to school, it is very unusual for a girl my age to go to school past the 8th grade, but Mendy's mom pays for my school. She love Jesus and she pays for my school. I love Jesus; He has blessed me so I can go to school."

"I saw you here and you are like her. I wanted to come and talk to you and say thank you. Thank You for Ken and Mendy, and thank you for your son and his family. I see them here sometimes, and to tell you I am so thankful that I can go to school."

She continued on to tell me more about her desires to better herself in school. She told me more about her village, and throughout her sharing she would often stop and praise Jesus.

There are times when I am visiting that I sit back and wonder if my children' s lives and sacrifices are making a difference in this place. Sometimes the needs and work is overwhelming, and sometimes the difficulties of every day living here is overwhelming , I am sure it is the selfish pondering of a POM, but that day, listiening to this young girl speaking to me boldly in English with such conviction I was completely taken aback. With tears in my eyes I thanked the Lord for this moment and this girl. It was though He spoke directly into my heart that day:

"They make a difference Karen...Trust Me....They make a difference...."

Later in the day, I asked Mendy about Naug.

"Can they make her quit school?" I asked.
"Oh yes ,when the elders in the village say so then she will have to quit school and get married. She is marriage age. Her grandparents have fought for her, and so far they have let her continue, but that could change any time."

I can't tell you how that grieved me, and at the same time gave me a focus for my prayers for Naug. This was the first time I had heard or seen such desire in this place. This was the first time someone had shared with me the difference Jesus love had made in their lives.

Vanuatu society is carried on the backs of the women. It is the women who do most of the work. Bearing and raising children starts at an early age. The women maintain the gardens; do the cooking, washing and cleaning, and whatever else that keeps the family and the village running smoothly. Women here carry a great burden and live hard lives.

I pondered on this story this week as I looked at the pictures of the girls in my skirts....a whole new generation... God has put a love in my heart for these young girls...how do I pray for them?

Lord Show Me.....