2nd Round of Fiji Testing, plus a friend from US visits Vanuatu.

Hello Family & Friends,

This week was filled with teaching, preparation, meetings, testing, and many reminders of how the Lord continues to bless His youth and His work here in Vanuatu.

Monday was largely spent preparing for seminary and institute responsibilities. Darleen worked on plans for the upcoming seminary and institute graduations, which will take place at the end of the school year in late November. I spent time preparing for P13 SOC testing and getting ready for my afternoon Succeed in School (SIS) Math class at the Stake Center.

That afternoon, I met with the youth, and it was exciting to see how eager they were to learn. We focused on decimals, fractions, and percentages using real-life examples. I asked each student what kind of work they hoped to do as adults and then created examples based on future salaries, raises, and pay reductions. While some of the concepts were new to them, they worked hard to understand them. By the end of the lesson, every student could calculate percentages and explain how they arrived at their answers.

One of the challenges we continue to see in Vanuatu is educational consistency. Many families struggle with school expenses, and while public schools are less expensive, teacher strikes can significantly disrupt learning. Unfortunately, some schools are currently experiencing strikes for the second consecutive year. It is difficult to see students lose valuable learning opportunities. This reality makes Church educational efforts, even in a small way, even more meaningful as we try to help youth continue progressing.

Monday evening brought a pleasant surprise as we met with Catherine Hunt, her sister, and cousin. Catherine and her husband, John, were members of our ward years ago when we lived in Acworth, Georgia. Catherine and her sister make a point of taking annual trips together and decided this year to visit Vanuatu. They love traveling in the South Pacific but have never been to Vanuatu, after reading our weekly blogs they thought why not visit Vanuatu.  They invited us to eat at a restaurant, and after our SIS meeting we met them, and had a great time catching up, hearing about their family, and sharing stories from both home and the islands. We enjoyed a delightful evening together before they continued their travels to Santo.

Nice evening dinner with Catherine Hunt

Tuesday began with our regular Seminary and Institute meeting, followed by SIS classes. Before class, Darleen arranged a meeting with President Charles, the newly called Branch President in Erakor. We introduced ourselves and discussed seminary and SIS efforts. We specifically asked if he could help us find a teacher for one of the SIS classes.

To our surprise, that same afternoon he introduced us to a new teacher he had already recruited. His immediate response and willingness to help impressed us. Experiences like this remind us how dedicated local leaders are as they work to strengthen the youth in their branches and wards.

Wednesday focused primarily on educational efforts. I spent the morning preparing another P13 SOC practice exam while Darleen worked on a presentation for a meeting with several sisters from the Stake. During the afternoon study session, twelve youth participated in practice testing as they continue preparing for what may be their final opportunity to gain acceptance into the Church school in Suva, Fiji.

Wednesday night P13 SOC study session

Following the study session, Darleen and I met with approximately twelve women organized by the Stake Relief Society Presidency. Darleen led the discussion, with me adding a few comments as needed.  She encouraged them to support seminary and SIS programs by helping identify and strengthen committed teachers. One challenge we occasionally face is inconsistency in teacher attendance. Darleen did an excellent job emphasizing the importance of helping the rising generation become who Heavenly Father has sent them here to be.

Education meeting that Darleen worked with the
Stake Relief Society Presidency, Sister Poita, to organize
Wednesday night.

Thursday included additional SIS teaching, P13 testing preparation, and organizing facilities for Saturday's exam. After teaching in the Erakor Branch, I gathered tables and transported them to the Stake Center. Large events here often require us to borrow tables from multiple wards and branches because no single building has enough available. It has become a regular part of preparing for major activities!

Friday was another busy day. We met with Maklin, our Port Vila Seminary and Institute Supervisor, to discuss plans for the upcoming graduation program. Since this is her first year serving in S&I, we wanted to help provide some ideas and guidance as she develops the program for Stake Presidency approval. Darleen's experience as a seminary teacher for nine years has proven invaluable, and afterward she sent Maklin a graduation template that may help with planning.

Later that afternoon, Darleen taught the younger SIS students at the Stake Center while I visited the Etas Ward SIS classes to deliver snacks. One of the teachers was absent, so I stayed and taught a math lesson to the two students who attended. While attendance was much smaller than in previous months, those two students still deserved a meaningful class experience. Fortunately, one of the teachers arrived before I left and was able to complete the lesson.

That evening, Darleen attended a Relief Society dance practice that was scheduled for 5:00 p.m. She arrived at 5:30, only to discover that very few had come. More participants arrived later, but it was yet another reminder that island time operates a little differently than what we were accustomed to back home!

Saturday was our final P13 SOC testing day for the year. We had sixty participants attend, making it one of our largest testing events. Although registration was scheduled for 8:30 a.m., arrivals continued right up until the start time. We eventually began at 9:15 a.m. and even had a few late-arriving students who were only able to participate in portions of the test (Math & Writing).   We are planning on having those few meet with us on Wednesday afternoon to do the comprehension portion of the test.

Students lining up to register for the Saturday
morning P13 SOC testing to see if they qualify
for the Fiji Church School scholarship

P13 SOC testing at the Stake Center in Port Vila.   
Sixty prospective students trying to qualify for Fiji school.

Organizing the event required considerable effort. Between preparing testing materials, coordinating volunteers, and gathering tables from multiple church buildings, it was truly a team effort. However, it was rewarding to see so many youth seeking opportunities that may lead to additional education and future employment.

By the time the testing concluded and cleanup was complete, Darleen and I were exhausted. We planned to return the borrowed tables immediately but decided to stop for lunch first. When we returned, the mission assistants had arrived at the Stake Center and helped load everything into our vehicle. It felt like one of those small but meaningful tender mercies that lightened a heavy workload.

Sunday brought one of the highlights of the week as our ward presented its Primary Program. There is something special about hearing children bear simple testimony through songs and prepared talks. Some children were a little hesitant and needed encouragement from parents and teachers, but they all did fantastic.

Some of the Etas Ward Primary children getting 
ready for the Primary Program.

One particularly memorable moment came when an eleven-year-old girl stood and recited all thirteen Articles of Faith completely from memory. She announced each number and then quoted the corresponding Article of Faith without hesitation. Her preparation and confidence were remarkable.

Nisha reciting the last two Articles of Faith.   She blew us away!!!

We also had the opportunity to minister to one of the missionaries assigned to our ward. Shortly after sacrament meeting, his companion approached us and explained that he was feeling very ill. When we visited him, he was suffering from fever, body aches, and difficulty breathing. Because dengue fever has been spreading on the island, the mission doctor suspected that may be the cause and arranged an appointment for the following day.

The young elder was understandably concerned. Darleen spent time comforting and reassuring him while we also provided some medication to help manage his fever. He was running out of Tylenol to help with his 103+ F fever, so we drove to our apartment and grabbed ours for him.   When we got back to the church, he still wasn’t doing well, so we felt he needed to get home.  Unfortunately, he wasn’t feeling well enough to drive, so I drove them home to their apartment, and Darleen followed me there.   Helping care for missionaries when they are ill is always meaningful, especially as we think of our own sons and the kindness others showed them during their missions.

Only way for the Elder's to get into their apartment
is through the back window.   The door isn't opening 
from the outside.   

Another special blessing this week was distributing more than thirteen Bibles to seminary students. For many of these youth, receiving their own copy of the scriptures is a significant gift. Seeing pictures of them holding them up, or hearing from the teachers on their excitement is great witness we hear across the different island units.   We hope these scriptures will become treasured companions as they continue to strengthen their faith in Jesus Christ.

As we look back on the week, we are grateful for the opportunities to teach, learn, serve, and support the rising generation. Helping youth come unto Christ continues to be one of the greatest blessings of our mission. We regularly witness the Lord's hand guiding efforts in education, seminary, institute, and leadership development throughout Vanuatu.

Until next week, thank you for your continued prayers and support.

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

Huge sail boat that visited Vanuatu Port Vila a 
few weeks ago that I never posted.   This thing
was massive.  The mast was probably 3 feet around.