Shefa Day in Vanuatu

Hello, my Family and my dear Friends!

It is my turn to share with you our week of service here in Vanuatu. I must begin by telling you that I LOVE Vanuatu in the Wintertime! There is a gentle island breeze that we enjoy on most days. The evenings are spectacular although the locals are freezing. On Friday of this week, I taught Institute for Katimal as he was on the island of Santo for an Inservice training meeting with teachers there. I went into the classroom to set it up and opened all the windows! The breeze was glorious! I was in a very happy place. As the students arrived, they went and closed all the windows. Blah! My happy place was for a moment. The students were wearing long sleeves and jackets. The temperature was around 68 with the breeze.

Winter in Vanuatu (May thru Oct)
78 to 83 during the day -- burrrrr!!!

Perfect weather! Last week Mark shared that we went snorkeling, I must admit that when I jumped into the water it was a bit fresh (meaning cold) and even chillier when I got back into the boat with the wind. It was still a very fun adventure.

This week has been very routine, full of success. We noticed on Friday that there were a lot of people dressed up and walking to the big field and stadium in the middle of town. We had no idea why people were dressing up and gathering. I felt like a party was being thrown and we weren’t invited. Come to find out it was Shefa Day. Shefa day is a cultural day of celebration for the locals. Shefa Day marks the establishment of the SHEFA Provincial Government in Vanuatu. The name is an acronym for the SHepherd Islands and EFAte. The day honors the province's culture, rich history, and community resilience.

As we drove through Town it was a beautiful site to see the beautiful Island dresses the girls and women were wearing. The fabric here is beautiful and vibrant. I wish we wore such happy colors in the USA. These colors remind me of creation and how beautiful the world really is.  [Watch this fun video that someone posted on Facebook of kids and adults dancing to the music at the Shefa day event  -  Shefa day video of kids dancing]

I love how the Culture is embraced. 

Shefa Day 2026 - Look at all the people

The people of Shefa Province come together to celebrate their cultural heritage and community spirit. This annual event honors the rich traditions and unity of the Shefa people.

From early morning, families from across the province arrived in Port Vila, filling the streets with an atmosphere of joy and anticipation. The day kicked off with a grand parade featuring children and adults in traditional attire, dancing and singing their way through the main streets. The lively music and rhythmic beats of the traditional drums set the tone for a day of celebration.

Parade heading to the local downtown park for 
this years Shefa Day

Local vendors set up stalls along the parade route, offering an array of delicious traditional foods. The enticing aromas of grilled fish, coconut-based dishes, and a variety of tropical fruits filled the air, drawing in crowds eager to taste the local cuisine. Craft stalls displaying intricately woven baskets, colorful mats, and hand-carved wooden sculptures attracted a steady stream of visitors, each piece reflecting the unique cultural heritage of the region.

In addition to the parade and market stalls, a series of cultural performances were scheduled throughout the day. Traditional dances, storytelling sessions, and music performances being held at various locations, showcasing the rich and diverse cultural traditions of Shefa Province. These performances provide an opportunity for both locals and visitors to gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of Vanuatu’s cultural history.

Entrance at night to the Shefa Day event in the 
downtown park in Port Vila

The festivities also include sporting events and games, promoting a sense of community and friendly competition among participants. Football matches, canoe races, and traditional games.

Shefa Day is not just a celebration of culture, but also a time for community reflection and solidarity. Leaders from various communities within the province took the opportunity to address the crowds, emphasizing the importance of unity, resilience, and preserving cultural traditions for future generations.

More night picture of the Shefa Day event

While we were unable to attend this all-day event, the crowds and the spirit of the day captivated us.

Monday I substituted for Reading & Writing younger
class at the Stake Center

On Thursday Mark decided that since we had a few extra minutes to take a shortcut to the Erakor Branch Unit. What I learned from the experience is a shortcut is not always the best choice. When we turned onto the road, I asked where we were going. Mark said that he wanted to take this road to see if it was a shortcut. In other words, an opportunity to avoid traffic. I mentioned that if it was a shortcut then why aren’t there more cars going this way? We soon learned that this road was full of HOLES! It was a dirt road. A crazy bumpy miserable road full of potholes. I don’t think we will ever do that road again.

The beginning of the miserable bumpy road.   These holes
were full of water when we traveled through them.  

Mark Popped popcorn this week for one of our SIS (Succeed in School) snacks. He made over 90 bags of popcorn. Our other snack was sliced apples and Nutella which has become one of the favorites among our students.

I call my boyfriend "Mr. Popcorn"

This week at the Erakor unit our lesson on multiplication was a huge hit! At the end of the hour, I ask the students to close their books and stack them in the middle of the table. I could not get them to stop. They kept saying just one more Sista Lovelace! I had given them dice to roll as they had a multiplication game set up like candy land in their books. With a partner they completed that assignment and I encouraged them to continue rolling and setting up their own multiplication factors. They loved it. I gave the older group 3 dice which made their work a bit more challenging. While the younger group only had 2 dice. When you have to beg them to close their books is when you know you’re doing something right. I have seen so much growth in 4 weeks. These kids arrive early and we have to seriously say go home see you soon.

Mark's Erakor SIS class doing math

On Wednesday at my Etas Ward Unit, we held Reading & Writing. I had 19 students show up and I swear they must have drank a quart of Kool-Aid a piece before coming. They were wild! That’s ok, they were there to learn and we did our best. I think they have become wonderfully comfortable around me, and I am glad of that. I love these kids! I love teaching them and I love to see their eyes when they grasp a concept being taught. I wish everyone could experience the joy of being surround weekly by these amazing kids. I have a feeling if they took that opportunity they would not want to give it up. We are still hoping to get local teachers trained so we can continue to get this program set up in other units on the island. In that same unit on Friday, we worked on fractions and they had so much fun! I would put problems on the board, and they would raise their hands begging to come to the board to be the teacher. I also have to beg them to close their books.

My SIS Reading & Writing class
out in Etas on Wednesday

Mark's Friday Etas Math class.

 As I mentioned I taught Institute Friday night. Mark taught as well. The Young Single Adults are so cool, and we love hanging with them on Friday evenings. We were invited to go hiking Saturday at 5:30am with a group of them. I love that they want us to hang out with them! Mark and I have been talking about having groups over to play some games in the near future. Our evenings have been tied up with other responsibilities. We are hoping to start this game night up with the Young Single Adults. I’m sad to say we passed on the hike as we had quite a few things we needed to accomplish when I woke up (not at 5:30am) on Saturday. Mark drove out to Eton (an hour away) to load up additional chairs needed for Stake Conference before I ever woke up. We enjoyed a wonderful dinner with Sister Bertelsen (Sister B) at one of the local restaurants after Saturdays Stake Conference Session. It was a good week, and we continue to be thankful for such an amazing opportunity to love and serve with our dear brothers and sistas here in Vanuatu. I love the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I am thankful for scripture, for truth, and for the knowledge that Life has a purpose and can be most meaningful. I’m thankful for Covenants. The kind of covenants I have made with God and his beloved Son. I’m also grateful that Jesus Christ is a Covenant Keeper. We were asked earlier in the week “Who is Jesus Christ to you?”  Jesus Christ is a Promise keeper! Jesus Christ is my teacher, Jesus Christ is my Salvation, to name a few. I invite you all this week to ask yourself the same question. I think every day he may be what you need him to be. I know he loves us. Be faithful and loyal to him. Have a wonderful week and go about doing good.

Love,

Nana & Papa, Mom & Dad, Darleen & Mark, Sista & Elda Lovelace

View from one of our favorite
restaurants -- Stone Grill

Local art work

Flowers outside the restaurant we 
ate at on Saturday