From April 8-13th our mission team had visitors from the USA assist us in spreading the Gospel in Tanna island, at Lorakau (pronounced Lor-a-cow) village. Each evening we held studies where as many as 40-50 people were in attendance.

This was Aaron's fourth time to go and preach in Lorakau village and he was hoping for a different “perspective” through the preaching of Wayne Burger (Columbine church of Christ, CO) and Mike Green (DuPont church of Christ, WA). Though the seeds in Lorakau had been planted over the past few years, it took time for the seeds to sprout and grow.

With Bible studies each evening from 7-9pm and good questions asked after the lessons, we felt like the message was getting through to the people of Lorakau. Eight people in all responded to the Gospel and were baptized into Christ. We had to drive 30 minutes to reach the ocean as there were no rivers large enough in which to immerse. At the ocean, 8 people put on Christ in baptism at the exact location where over 100 years ago the first hint of the Gospel came ashore in Tanna (Presbyterian missionaries). It was a blessing to see these precious souls baptized into Christ and commit their lives to living by His standard and by His truth.

These 8 new Christians will have a difficult road ahead of them as they are the first Christians on the island of Tanna. These men and women realize that they have planted the church on the island of Tanna and want to work hard to follow God's Word. With your prayers, God's help, and our follow up trips to Tanna, we pray for a bountiful harvest for the Lord on the island of Tanna.

AB