Here is an update on our earlier prayer request concerning the situation in Vanuatu, which was recently devastated by super-cyclone Pam.
Rex Morgan (GCI pastor in New Zealand) reports that communications have been restored in Vanuatu and Billy Taren, the pastor of GCI’s congregation in Rory, on the island of Malekula, advises that six of the homes of church families were devastated by Pam, and all of the gardens in the village were flattened. During the storm, members sheltered in our church building, a solid concrete and timber structure that suffered only minor roof damage.
Billy reports that the members in Rory will run out of food in about three weeks, so William Davies, GCI’s pastor in nearby Santo Island, shipped them food. Our pastor in Fiji, Isei Colati, will be there soon, bringing support from members in Fiji who made a special collection to assist their neighbors in Vanuatu. They have sent a large quantity of vegetable seeds to help re-establish the gardens, along with medical items and other supplies. Having experienced tropical cyclones in Fiji, Isei is well aware of what is most needed to help the Rory members at this time. In Vanuatu’s capital, Port Vila, GCI members Euan and Eveline Kanas lost part their roof and sustained some water damage in their home and have already made temporary repairs.
Note: If your congregation would like to help members who suffer from disasters like the one in Vanuatu, you can donate to the GCI Disaster Relief Fund. The Fund assists members in disaster areas with emergency needs such as food, water, medicine, clothing, temporary housing, home and/or church hall repair, temporary local pastoral salary expense and other emergency needs. Monies received into the Fund that are not immediately needed will remain in the Fund to be allocated in future disasters. To donate to the GCI Disaster Relief Fund, have your treasurer set up a one time or monthly donation through the GCI Online system (http://online.gci.org). If your congregation prefers to send a check, make it out to Grace Communion International, indicating on the memo line that it is for the GCI Disaster Relief Fund. Send the check to:
GCI Disaster Relief Fund
Grace Communion International
P.O Box 5005
Glendora, California 91740
