October 2001

Prepositional accuracy

Prepositions are dangerous words. Just the slip of a little two letter word and—oops!—off you go. Historically, missionaries were sent to countries to preach to heathens. Alas, some Presbyterians and many other churches over the years have indeed gone in mission to places. Fortunately, today the PC(USA) and Westminster send people to be missionaries not to another country but rather as missionaries in countries to work with other people and cultures. Therefore, let me emphasize that I am a missionary in Vanuatu in partnership with the ni-Vanuatu.

Vanuatu is termed an “underdeveloped” country. Economically, that is certainly true. There is little or no infrastructure, little education, woefully inadequate medical facilities, unstable politics, the list goes on. With apologies to the Stewardship Committee however, do not allow yourself to think that economics and faith have any relationship to each other. The Presbyterian Church of Vanuatu is spiritually fully developed. It is independent, alive, and growing. In some ways it is more conservative than American Presbyterians but in most ways that count it is our equal or better.

Virtually all of the children here at Onesua School believe in “black magic” of some sort or other. Most unexplainable events are attributed to that. For a while that bothered me, but then I stopped and thought for a minute. Back in the good old “civilized” United States, we knock on wood, throw salt over our shoulder and, last but not least, think money can buy happiness. Black magic?

So here I sit on a muggy Sunday afternoon looking out at coconut palms, papaya trees, and banana plants with the ocean surf as background music, pondering what I most want to share with all of you about my experiences. I suppose I would like you to know that, should the opportunity arise to get involved in mission service, if even only for a week or two, grab it! It is an experience that will change your life forever.

Peace and love to all from Westminster, Oceania

David Walter