25 April 2005
Greetings from sunny Vanuatu! We hope this update finds you doing well and prospering for the Lord. We are grateful for your continued thoughts and prayers, and ask that they continue. I thought that our preparation days were over when we departed…but for some reason I forgot there would be many preparations to take care of once we arrived here too. Thankfully, our days thus far have been productive. I am constantly reminded of the Vanuatu National Tourism Office’s motto: Another Time, Another Pace. We are beginning to get used to the fact that things take a minimum of two days to accomplish…you apply one day and come back the next to pick it up (unless they suggest that you come back a week later). WORK PERMIT. You might remember that one of the objectives of my trip last month was to secure the team’s work permits. I started the process then, but was unable to complete it while I was here (which wasn’t major, since it was not essential to enter the country…only the residence permits were). We arrived on Thursday night and I went to the Labor Department on Friday morning. They informed me where to take the payment (an office on the other side of town, of course) and I headed there. I received a pleasant surprise upon my arrival. While I was here in March, they quoted a work permit fee of $300, which was higher than we expected. We came prepared to pay that amount, but it ended up being only $100 instead. Yahoo! I assumed this meant the process was complete…but I was wrong. I took the receipts back to the Labor Department and they said to come back on Monday afternoon. I arrived on Monday and was asked to return Tuesday instead. I arrived on Tuesday, same result…Wednesday, Thursday and Friday too. I went in this morning (Monday) expecting similar result…but I was surprised again. We have our work permits!! PO BOX. Interestingly, when we inquired with the Post Office about a box, they stated that the PO boxes were currently on “lock-down.” This was because many had not been paying their monthly fees. Their “solution” was an interesting one, but one we had to accept. Thankfully, we returned there this morning (Monday) and secured a box. The team will be sharing one, and all letters/packages may be sent to: First and Last Name As soon as we get a handle on customs procedures, we will update the website as to the most cost effective way to send us packages...practice makes perfect. As for now, if you would like to send us something, we suggest that you look at usps.com, ups.com and fedex.com to determine the cheapest way to ship. When sending a package you will have to fill out a customs form, which includes the item’s description and price. On our end, “used” items will require the least amount of customs fees. Therefore, you could wash a piece of clothing, repackage candy, watch a DVD, listen to a CD, read a magazine, etc. before sending the items. This will allow you to put a less-than-retail price for the item (customs fees are determined based on value). Please keep in mind that they could charge anywhere from 10-100% of the package’s value. HOUSING. We are happy to announce that each family has now found housing. Mike moved into his new place last Thursday. It is a nice house in a wonderful location, and he even has some extra room for guests who come over to visit/work. Shawnda and I have secured a duplex, and the best news is...the Bakers are our next-door neighbors. This has worked out wonderfully! There is even a “common area” between the two that will serve as our office. Each side of the duplex has three bedrooms, one bathroom, a decent-sized kitchen, a dining room, a living room and a nice-sized yard in front and back. The office has an additional bathroom as well. It is approximately a 15-minute walk from town (for those who know, it is just west of Vila Central Hospital). God has truly answered our prayers in this regard! Other items that have taken our attention these first few days: bank accounts, driver’s licenses, setting up electricity/water/phone/internet/gas, and other “settling in” requirements. We have also really enjoyed getting to spend time with the brethren in Vila and Eton. As an additional bonus, two brethren from New Zealand are in town for a couple of weeks helping the church in Vila with plans for a building. We have thoroughly enjoyed getting to know them as well. Thanks again for your continued support. We think of and pray for all of you often. You are truly a blessing to us! We love all of you, Eric and Shawnda |
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