Westserve

Vanuatu bound

The day arrived, bags were packed (just!), the airport traffic tackled, and Joel is now in his new home for the next 12 months.
This is of course, our son Joel I’m speaking of, and his year of mission in Vanuatu.

It’s been an up and down time preparing for this. Originally, A.F.E.S. was going to oversee Joel’s work there. But for various reasons. that fell through at the last minute. They will still administer the donations and gifts that will support Joel, but that’s it.
Then there was the ongoing saga of what kind of visa he needed – or not. In the end, he had to buy a return ticket in order to be able to get a tourist visa, which will then lead (we hope) to residency. But the late stage of of this happening meant that he was picking his return ticket up at the boarding gate this morning! Pulling it a tad fine.

Hopefully, he is now safely there and either staying with a missio couple or settling into his longer term accommodation.

The first ministry role for him will be to work with Christian student leaders at the Uni in Port Vila, and probably some work in local schools with Scripture Union.

All that aside, I actually found it pretty hard saying goodbye at the airport this morning. While three of our boys have lived independently for a while, it was different casting Joel off overseas for such a period.
But we have a wonderful God who is sovereign, loving and gracious. He has a powerful hand on all our boys, and Rob and I are very grateful to Him for the way he has worked – and continues to work – in the lives of the guys.

So Joel, we love you heaps. God loves you heaps. Go and serve him the best way you know how!