History of Etas
Tom and Alice live in a small village called Etas, just 15 minutes outside of Port Vila. Less than a year ago there were not any Christians in this community and Cindy and I studied and worked diligently to change that. Since October of 2005 we have held weekly studies in Etas to reach out with the saving message of the Gospel. In January of this year, Sam, Leimawa, Pbles and Ruth were baptized and the church was started in Etas.

As the studies continued and the weeks and months passed by, we continued to sow the seed in Etas. In April, Timothy was baptized and the following month, Phillip was baptized into Christ. By the month of May, a new congregation had been formed and there were six Christians meeting weekly for worship on Sunday and on Wednesday for Bible Study. Each week there are still several visitors and the potential for growth is great in this village.

Tom and Alice
We have known Tom and Alice since October of last year. I had gone through personal evangelism studies with Tom, yet as we would get to the last few studies, he would not come back to finish our lessons. He would always show up for worship on Sunday, yet it was like pulling teeth to get him to come to our studies. I knew something in his life was preventing him from becoming a Christian, but I did now yet know what it was.

In the meantime, Cindy had set up a study with Tom’s wife, Alice, and had also studied thoroughly the plan of salvation and many other studies. Alice had strong ties with the SDA (Seventh Day Adventist) church and we thought that this was her obstacle that was keeping her from obeying the Gospel. As Cindy and Alice’s studies came to an end, Alice was just not ready to commit and again, we could tell something was preventing her from fully following the Lord.

For months Cindy and I would constantly encourage Tom and Alice to be baptized into Christ, yet they were just not ready. Finally, I confronted Tom and asked him what he was waiting on. He said he was ready, yet because of his job, he wasn’t ready to become a Christian. You see, Tom’s job was to sell Kava at his Nakamal (which means: meeting place). Kava is a root that when ground and mixed with water, creates a drink which has an intoxicating effect. People who drink kava become relaxed and “drunk” on this disgusting brew.

As Cindy and I studied continually with Tom and Alice we covered the topic of Kava. Both Tom and Alice realized that they could not be a Christian and sell kava or have anything to do with this sordid business. They clearly understood what they needed to do to become Christians, yet were unwilling to change their lifestyle. Tom frankly told me, “I had been listening to your lessons, but had not yet taken to heart what you were saying.” Tom’s sole source of income is from selling kava to provide for his family. Unlike many other people in Vanuatu, Tom has no garden in which to work to even grow the food needed for his family.

On Tuesday, August 8th, Tom and Alice took a leap of faith that will have an eternal effect. Tom came and talked with Eric and I about how he finally decided to let go of his kava business and fully trust the Lord. Tom said, “with my words I was trying to do what God wanted me to, but with my actions and in my heart I knew I was ignoring God’s Word.” Tom uttered these words just before I baptized him and his wife into Christ for the forgiveness of their sins.

What will they do now?
Since Tom gave up his only source of income, he is looking for work. Unfortunately, unemployment in Vanuatu is very high, resulting in much difficulty in finding work. On the good side is the fact that we have been in the process of constructing a building in which the church in Port Vila can meet. Tom has been helping with its construction and working daily to help us complete this project.

Over the next few weeks as Tom looks for a more permanent job, please pray for Tom and Alice that they might not be tempted back into their old lifestyle, but that they might remain strong in their decision and resolve to please the Lord.

AB