Paul's Adventure

Welcome to Ambae!

Here are the passengers departing the flight that took them from Santa Espirato island to the island of Ambae. Elder Kasteler and Elder Schern were two of the dozen or so passengers. This was another "first" for Paul... first time landing on a grass landing strip!
Sister Schern and I were not needed on this training session so we graciously stayed behind though Sister Schern makes this trip about once a month when they go over for Seminary and Institute training.

Here is the mode of transportation all over Vanuatu. Just pile in the back of any truck and you are good to go anywhere...shopping, to work, even to church. On this island, like on most of the more remote islands, this is it.... or walk. Paul was told that there were about 14 vehicles on this whole island! Now, age has it's advantages...because Paul was the oldest guy, he got to sit in the cab with the driver instead of in the back as they bumped and jerked and rocked and rolled everywhere they went.

This tire looks like it has been around the island a few times. It is not like there is a local repair shop anywhere. If they need a new tire, or ANYTHING, it has to come by air or by a boat and it takes a long time and it costs a lot of money so they use everything as absolutely long as they can! Paul was keeping his fingers crossed that this tire would last a few more hours.

Here is another version of a Branch meetinghouse. It is always fun to see what the church house will look like. We have seen a wide range of designs and structures. This one has woven bamboo walls. It is perfect for this area and this climate.

This was a really wonderful training session. There are 5 branches on this island and they had at least one leader from each branch. These leaders are very committed and dedicated and take their callings very seriously as evidenced by their dressing in white shirts and ties and making themselves available on a Tuesday morning.

The Scherns were just back to Ambae this week and they sent us an email to tell Paul that during their training one of the Branch leaders got up and started to share with everyone some of the principles and topics that Paul had used in his training. It was really rewarding to hear that the things that Paul shared with them had actually gotten through. Paul looks forward to going back in a few months to visit them again.

Here is the guesthouse that was their accommodations for the night. It looks really nice, doesn't it. Paul said it was very descent. There was a light on the porch and a restroom out back and he said that he didn't even hear the rats that run around on the roof all night long. He must have been really exhausted!

Here is the view of the "freeway" from Paul's perspective in the cab of the truck. Who knows what lies around each curve and incline...probably not another vehicle, just cows or pigs or dogs or people on foot.

Here is a group of boys that were playing around this fishing boat that was just sitting on the shore on the rocks since the tide had gone out. Fishing is a main stay of their lives. No one goes hungry in these areas because anyone can catch a fish or grow something in the ground. It may not be fancy but it is definately sustainable.

One more interesting piece of information that you might not know. James A. Michner wrote a book called "Tales of the South Pacific" while he was in the military back in the 1940's and he was stationed in Luganville, Vanuatu (it was called New Hebrides back then instead of Vanuatu). What he calls Bali Hai in his story is really the island of Ambae. So now Paul can say that he has been to Bali Hai!