Two months ago I flew from my home in Texas to Tauranga New Zealand and joined up with YWAM-Marine Reach newest ship the Pacific Hope on it’s maiden outreach after two years being refitted, to serve the peoples of Melanesia. Of the nations in this part of the Southern Pacific Ocean our recent focus has been on the people of an Archipelago known as the Yasawas. Which belong to the Island nation of Fiji.
There are 6 main Islands with several small ones in the Yasawas. The island we focused on for this time was the Island of Naviti. The Island is most famous for having hosted the ship HMS Bounty prior to the mutiny in 1789. Our fist stop was the village of SoSo which is the chiefly village of this Island where the customary Sevu Sevu took place to welcome visitors.A multitude of activities happened from ferrying dental patients aboard to taking the various crew onshore to show Gods love through actions and words. For my part I was one of the ferryman and though it was a fun job it was also very taxing both physically and Mentally.We made roughly 200 hundred trips ashore return with two boats over the course of the two weeks we were serving this Island. We ran from sun up to well after dark driving crew and patients to their various destinations. The ones made in the dark were the most tiring always having to be alert not to run upon the coral reefs!From here we served in two other villages. The second was Kese and the third and final was called Somo Somo. Similar opportunities were available to bring Christs love to these people. Many know Christ but many have walked away and are living in darkness. So to bring the light once again in such a unique way makes people take notice and invariably ask why are you here and not receive anything for it.The ship had many patients come aboard and much was done for the various houses that needed repair but the eternal work is the most important. And it is this that cannot be quantified!
In a few days we will make way to the Island nation of Vanuatu to assist with the rebuilding after Hurricane Pam devastated the Island earlier in the year. Please keep Sherry and our children in prayer and also for myself that we will have a clear line of communication and that all the Lord has for us to learn and do is accomplished.
Matthew Baumgardner
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