Other Vila happenings

 Besides waiting around for citizenship and passports to come through the last few months, I've had the privilege of working a few days a week with Harre and Rrut.  Harre is the son of one of my translation helpers, Alice.  Last year in June, he contracted Guillain-Barre Syndrome, which is a bit like a full body stroke.  He was on a (the one and only in Vanuatu) respirator, tube fed, and was completely helpless physically, but fine mentally.  This is a sickness that many times people recover fully from, or at least a majority of function again, but it often takes up to 2 years.  After a year and 2 months, he is able to eat, breathe, talk, and has all muscle movement back again other than being able to stand and walk unassisted.  Because he and Rrut have been in Vila for so long, I got to know them well with many hospital visits, and they were interested in helping with the translation work.  He has been out of the hospital several months now, and is staying at a relative's house.  I go there to work with he and Rrut, and have enjoyed getting to know all the extended family as well, who (mostly) all speak Rral.

Harre with Rrut and her brother and sister and Alice, his mom.

Rrut and Alice.

Harre at his relative, Stifen's house.  Rrut made a nice snack for us for when we were done working!

Harold is often at work at Stifen's workshop on the property.  He's a pretty impressive carpenter.  He's "from Ambrym" but has never been to visit and doesn't know the language.  Lots of people in Vila are like that - born in Vila, but still claim to be from outer islands that their parents grew up in.

Mak, Rrut, and I.

On Children's Day.

While in Vila I also went to a wedding of a missionary friend, Jared.

How fun to have bride and groom lead everyone in a praise song!

 

 

We had a Vanuatu translation group workshop in a gorgeous location on the beach.

Gretch and I walked the beach in a few minutes of free time and went and saw this crazy unfinished structure just down the beach (pics following).

With the borders being closed because of Covid, we got crazy cheap rates to host at this beautiful place.

The Vanuatu Wycliffe/SIL families in country for the workshop.

 

A friend of mine, Shawnda, is leaving once she and her family can get a flight back to the US.  They've been missionaries in Vanuatu since before we came in 2008.  We had  very lovely going away party for her including lots of very sweet time together praying.  She will be very missed!!

Jinny, Arlene, me, Allison, Julie, Michele, Carol

 Shannon, Shawnda, Jamie

Group hugs!

We had a bit of a walk in the rain!

Jesiah and Shawnda's oldest, Titus.

Shawnda and I.

 Addy and Gwen with Shawnda's middle child, Lexie.

Thanks to this event, I met Allison, who is an Occupational Therapist, and has gone to help Harre with walking and standing!

 

When the Richards were in town for the workshop, I took each kid out to a restaurant and then they spent the night at my house.  Fun Vila auntee tradition.  I forgot to take pictures with Gwen and Kaiden!

Look at those milkshakes!

 

When I'm in Vila I get to go to a fun Zumba class for just $3! Great exercise, and the girls and Gretch go with me when we're all here.

 

There are often over 100 women that go, mostly Ni-Vanuatu, and it is a great class full of energy.  That's my long white arm in the left back.