Participants: Jeff Reich
Series Code: LM
Program Code: LM000114
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00:38 While we're in Vanuatu, airstrip,
00:39 we want to show you our Medical Missionary 00:41 Aviation work, 00:42 as well as our work on the island of Gaua 00:44 with the church and church school. 00:45 Then we're going to take to you up 00:47 to the far remote part of Vanuatu 00:49 and what is referred to as the Vanuatu's Last Frontier. 01:47 Welcome to the Vanuatu's Last Frontier. 01:53 The Republic of the Vanuatu is an island nation 01:56 located in South Pacific Ocean along the volcanic ring of fire 01:59 about 1000 miles east of Northern Australia. 02:03 Vanuatu consists of 82 relatively 02:05 small island formed by volcanoes. 02:08 It's also very wet 02:09 and in one year it will rain about 93 inches 02:11 or as much as 160 inches in the Northern Islands. 02:17 There are about 221,000 people living in Vanuatu 02:20 but most of the area is rural 02:22 with the exception of several small towns 02:24 and of course the capital city of Port Villa. 02:27 In the 19th century Catholic and Protestant missionaries 02:30 arrived on these islands. 02:32 With Gods help we're working to bring 02:34 the Three Angels' Messages in the best interest 02:36 for this time to these islands 02:38 and we're happy to report many people are coming to Christ 02:41 and to a better understanding of God's character. 02:47 This is how most people get around 02:49 the capital of Port Villa 02:50 they use this little mini vans travel, 02:54 they're like taxis. 02:55 You went into the town you will notice 02:57 that there is a lot of tourists all over from Australia, 03:00 New Zealand and Asia. 03:02 They call it Port Villa 03:03 because it is the main port for the country 03:04 and lot of big ships including crew ships come in here 03:07 and they bring all the major commerce 03:09 for the city as far as like electronics 03:11 and hard goods into this port, 03:12 redistributed throughout the country. 03:18 Port Vila, the capital is the largest city in Vanuatu 03:21 and home to approximately 40,000 people. 03:26 Well, in Port Villa there was a cultural art festival 03:29 which included a parade of various natives 03:31 from different island provinces as they march down Main Street. 03:39 They dressed in their native and ceremonial garments 03:41 as they made their way out to the park 03:43 where the art festival is being held. 03:45 This was a very unique opportunity for us to see 03:47 the different tribes from the various islands 03:49 in one place at one time sporting their native dress 03:52 and practicing their cultural dances. 03:59 We're getting out to the airport right now 04:01 to finish up the 100 hourly on Mark's plane 04:04 and then we're gonna be flying out to Gaua 04:08 probably in the morning. 04:16 We've just finished up the 100 hourly 04:19 inspection on this plane 04:21 and it's always a good feeling 04:22 to get to the end of the 100 hours because-- 04:25 Engine oil really clean. 04:27 Yeah, it's clean, we've just changed the oil. 04:29 So, yeah, we-- 04:31 because we're working in such a remote place, 04:33 we're flying over water all the time, 04:35 we got to just keep this aircraft 04:37 in very good conditions, 04:38 so it's always a good feeling 04:40 to just have finished the maintenance. 04:42 Vanuatu have been very good to our stay. 04:44 They recognize that we're doing 04:46 charitable work in Northern Vanuatu 04:49 and so they allowing us to have 04:52 very good facilities here for maintenance 04:55 and the engineers are helping us with inspections, 05:01 so it's very, very helpful. 05:02 We feel so thankful that God has opened this opportunity. 05:07 So where we're going to go tomorrow? 05:09 Tomorrow we're heading up to Gaua to the banks, 05:12 which is remote Northern Vanuatu 05:16 where you get to see better what's happening out there. 05:42 The flight from Port Villa up to Gaua 05:44 in Northern Vanuatu takes about two-and-half hours 05:47 along the way we flew over 05:48 some of Vanuatu's smaller islands 05:50 having just left the civilization 05:52 of the city of Port Villa, 05:54 it's almost easy to forget 05:55 that we're flying into the jungles 05:57 of one of the most remote places in the world. 06:24 We're in Gaua. 06:25 After the flight Dr. Trimble's wife Naomi 06:28 and their daughter Kay greeted us at the airstrip. 06:31 After dropping of our bags 06:32 I headed out to the constructions site 06:33 to meet Scotty an Australian volunteer 06:35 who came out to help lay the foundation for the hangar. 06:39 As far as building this hangar is concerned 06:41 it's a, it's something that I don't have 06:45 much expertise in concreting that is, 06:48 but myself and couple of other guys Brett and Payda 06:54 we managed to sort out the firm work 06:56 and the sitting things at level and this place is land 07:00 when Dr. Mark brought it was quite up and down 07:03 and the guys got stuck in doing with shovels 07:08 and picks by hand 07:10 and they dug a great holes 07:12 in the hillside and spread it out 07:14 and they've actually managed to level the site 07:16 within four inches across by their own eye. 07:20 When we put the lights were on it, 07:22 the lights are level on it, it was only four inches out, 07:24 so it's quite awesome. 07:27 What really helped us was the guys would show up 07:30 and mixed the concrete and not like we do it at home, 07:33 but it's really back breaking work. 07:35 The water that they had to get for the cement 07:39 was brought in from about 20 minutes 07:42 boat ride down the island 07:43 because they just had a drought period 07:45 and there was not water nearby, 07:47 so they actually carried the water 07:49 by boat to a point nearby here 07:52 and then carried it by 20 laded containers up to the soil here 07:57 and I think the gravel some of the coral gravel too 08:01 and by boat and island truck which on the local shoulders. 08:08 I would wear out quite quickly, 08:10 but those guys just keep going all day, 08:13 and they just do it so well without a murmur or complaint 08:16 and they are such strong guys too. 08:20 We go to have it enclosed-- 08:21 But the hangar design is like semi-circle type of shape 08:27 where it's got curve roof 08:29 and the plan is to have the plane underneath 08:31 and our living quarters on the top. 08:33 One of the things I'm looking forward 08:35 to most of that moving into the hangar 08:38 we'll have a lot more space 08:40 and that will be really helpful especially in the kitchen 08:43 because at the moment our house is really tiny 08:46 and not a lot of space for anything, 08:49 so I think having more space 08:51 and just being able to have things more organized 08:54 will be really helpful. 08:56 Naomi has a focus passion for the children on Gaua 08:59 and is overseeing the school project since its inception. 09:02 The need for a school and a school building 09:04 was born out in the Sabbath school studies. 09:07 If a school program, 09:08 the children would benefit tremendously 09:10 from learning how to read and write, 09:12 study the Bible, learn English, 09:14 Math and basic problem solving skills 09:16 that will help them through their life. 09:19 In addition to basic school studies Naomi, Mark 09:21 and their daughter Kay have helped 09:23 to educate the people with the health message. 09:25 With the better understanding of how the body works, 09:28 the people are empowered with the ability to make 09:30 better decisions for themselves and their families. 09:34 Naomi spends long days at the school 09:36 working with the students and the teachers 09:38 and along with the hard work comes many rewarding moments. 09:41 I have a lot of rewarding moments 09:43 with the children in the school, 09:45 almost daily actually just seeing them learning 09:50 and appreciating and seeing lots turning on, 09:53 you know, in their minds since they learn new things, 09:56 that's really rewarding. 09:58 Another experience I had is working with the teachers 10:02 and doing some teacher training 10:03 and encouraging the teachers and seeing them grow in their, 10:08 not just in their methods of teaching, 10:11 but in their spiritual experience too, 10:13 that's been really rewarding. 10:14 Mark, Naomi and Kay, 10:16 their ministry is making quite an impact, 10:19 the difference that they are making 10:21 on this island are incredible, saving lives 10:24 and even the basic medical needs 10:27 are being met excellently by their ministry. 10:31 One thing we found with medical ministry 10:34 it really is what the Lord made it 10:38 and that is-- it's Christ method 10:40 and Jesus mingle with people as one desire to be good. 10:44 He sympathized with them, he ministered to their needs, 10:46 he won their confidence and then he said follow me 10:49 and waving medical ministry into this project 10:53 is helping us to reach people 10:57 and helping us to make friends and bond with people in the way 11:02 that would not be possible in any other way. 11:07 So Hemia, he come also in when meditating. Yes. 11:14 Had a very deep cut into his hand here. 11:17 And so today is the day 11:19 we're going to pull those stitches out. 11:22 Detect the cyst in this area so. 11:25 In this case we gonna do the wait and see thing again. 11:29 We don't have a lot of test available to us 11:32 and so sometimes when something is just developing 11:34 its not clear exactly what it is 11:36 so, I think we'll observe him 11:38 and in a weeks time we'll review him. 11:42 We had an ectopic pregnancy case recently. 11:44 A lady presented with very severe abdominal pain. 11:48 As soon as I saw her I could see that 11:49 she was going into shock, internal bleeding 11:53 and so we took her to our clinic 11:55 which was next door 11:56 and so we were planning to leave it for the following day 12:00 and back here I had taken her to center 12:02 I was going to fly her to center, 12:03 but the following day the rain was very bad 12:06 and so we had to just go ahead 12:08 with the operation with the concern of the family. 12:12 It was kind of scary moment 12:14 because we didn't have the ultrasound diagnosis, 12:17 we didn't have the ultrasound with us at the time 12:20 beginning the operation, 12:21 her blood pressure was unrecognizably low, 12:23 her pulse rate was 168 plus, 12:26 her saturation was down below 70 12:30 and so she was in severe shock, 12:33 but her life was in danger and so we have to operate. 12:37 Since we opened up, lots of blood came out 12:39 and we were able to locate the small embryo 12:44 and close off the tube that was ruptured. 12:49 As soon as we did that her blood pressure stabilized 12:52 and praised the Lord she recovered 12:54 without any complications. 12:56 We just believe that God especially 12:58 intervened in this case 12:59 because this lady was very, very ill 13:03 and this was the first laparotomy case in this area 13:08 and so it was kind of high impact procedure 13:12 which had a lot of influence 13:16 in promoting the Lord's work in this area, 13:18 so anyway we'll believe that God is good 13:21 and he is helping in what we're doing. 13:24 (Foreign language) 13:26 Named him Lucifer, 13:28 I mean the light bearer one man will be holding like, 13:31 it was no I think he was listening. 13:34 She had a incident in her life recently 13:36 which is making her search in the spiritual things 13:40 her and her husband. 13:43 She gave birth to a deformed baby 13:48 and the baby died 13:50 and so now she has got a lot of questions 13:52 because in their culture they believe that 13:54 the devil was involved in making this baby 13:57 and so we're going to talk to her 13:59 about what the Bible says about devils and angels, etc 14:04 and see if we can help her through this thing. 14:07 One angel we based seen a big one, 14:10 I've seen a big one. 14:11 Patients don't pay me money for treatments or consultations, 14:18 but they do give me food 14:19 and so we have a lot of really tasty 14:24 tropical foods and vegetables, 14:26 regularly coming to us for in return 14:30 for the treatments that we provide. 14:34 Look at that. 14:39 (Foreign language) 14:42 It actually helps the relationships 14:43 with my patients to make sure that they understand this 14:46 some cost is being involved in their care 14:49 and so I make sure that they do bring me some food 14:52 and I just let them know, I appreciate that food 14:56 and I know they appreciate the care that I'm providing. 14:59 There we've a load of sweet potatoes. 15:03 Okay, thank you. Thank you. 15:05 On Sabbath I talked about 15:07 our accepting God's call in our lives 15:09 and use Dr. Marks influence on the island and Rosy 15:12 who almost died of cerebral malaria as an example. 15:15 It was easy to see how important it is for all of us 15:18 to follow God's calling. 15:20 As Dr. Mark and his family did 15:22 when they decided to become missionaries. 15:24 How many people you received help from Dr. Mark? 15:28 Raise your hands. 15:31 If Dr. Mark would have not accepted the call, 15:33 you would not got any help. 15:38 She would be dead. It's same for all of you. 15:43 That we're gonna need everyone. 15:44 God is calling you. God is up calling you. 15:47 And you came through Lord, will you give your life to God, 15:50 He uses you in front of other people. 15:54 They involved in mission field has really been 15:56 an encouragement to me especially my spiritual life, 15:58 I've gained the lot of blessing 16:00 and its being, I believe are real blessing to made it big, 16:05 to go out in the mission field. 16:07 While I'd been here in Vanuatu for the last more than a year 16:11 I've been helping out teaching other teens. 16:14 There's been many challenge teaching them, 16:16 but it's been a real blessing as well as seeing them 16:20 changing some of their ways, they speak Bislama. 16:25 (Foreign language) 16:31 I've tried to learn some of the local languages, 16:34 they are little bit more challenging 16:36 but I'm learning, so I spend a lot of time 16:40 with lot of the young people around here, 16:42 and trying to be good example to them 16:44 being an example to them 16:45 what they can do when they obey. 16:48 Right now there are many young people 16:49 being used by God all over the world 16:51 with Laymen Ministries. 16:52 They each are having a powerful influence 16:55 in the lives of others, 16:56 the one thing that I always hear from the missionaries 16:59 when they return back home 17:00 is how immeasurably the experience 17:02 strengthened their relationship with God 17:05 and change them forever. 17:07 If I had an opportunity to share with young people, 17:09 I just want to encourage them to go ahead with 17:12 if any opportunity they have to be a missionary 17:15 whether being there in their neighborhood 17:17 or whether it be going overseas or whatever they may have 17:20 whatever opportunities they have, 17:22 they still use their opportunities 17:23 to be a missionary. 17:27 I feel being involved in mission field 17:31 for any period of time whether it be shorter 17:33 or particularly a longer period of time 17:35 it would be the good blessings to any young person 17:38 because they could gain so much, 17:40 some many blessings in the spiritual act. 17:42 Of course young people face many challenges 17:45 but it's also as you learn so much working for other people 17:49 and helping other people that are in need. 18:21 When I first arrived in Vanuatu, 18:23 Mark took me to see the trusses in Port Villa 18:25 as they were finishing up the construction. 18:27 Having seen for myself how big and heavy they are, 18:30 it was easy to see why shipping them up 18:32 to Gaua was really a big challenge. 18:34 So these are the trusses. 18:36 Yeah, these are the trusses that have taken 18:37 a bit too long to get together. 18:39 When were they supposed to actually get there? 18:41 Supposed to be about three or four weeks ago. 18:43 Oh, man. 18:44 So this is like one half of truss, 18:46 to clear this make my one part of the roof, 18:48 this is half a truss, we'll be putting them together 18:53 two of these part circles here 18:56 to make a semi spherical building. 19:00 It's going to be six trusses all together 19:03 and as you see they are pretty well built. 19:07 How you are going to get these up to Gaua, I mean. 19:09 We're going to-- that's our big headache, 19:12 we got ships that go up their way 19:14 but it's not very regular 19:16 so we just have to get the right timing. 19:18 In the meantime after flying back to Gaua, 19:21 we were planning a two day trip 19:22 after the last Frontier of Vanuatu. 19:25 In this case Dr. Mark had been 19:26 in the beginning stages of befriending 19:28 a group of Niuean people on the Island 19:30 of Toga into a province. 19:32 So will they tight fit? 19:34 I don't know if I'll be able to do this, 19:36 we were getting ready to fly up to the Torres province, 19:39 the upper Torres province islands. 19:41 The reason that Mark he only chose Gaua 19:43 is because this is kind of like the gateway 19:45 to the last frontier of Vanuatu 19:47 and then from here we can go up to these unreached area 19:49 up in the northern banks chorus us group 19:52 that's we're going to fly to right now 19:54 with all of this stuff. 19:56 Dr. Mark speaks very highly of these people, 19:58 their friendliness and remarkable hospitality. 20:01 Almost five gallons of gasoline set next to me there.. 20:08 Thankfully, we were able to pack a lot of supplies 20:10 in the plane such as chainsaw, 20:13 extra gasoline, medical equipment, 20:15 video gear bags and well I have to do it 20:18 whatever room was left over 20:19 for the two- and-half hour flight.. 20:54 For the last year the people on Toga have been 20:56 carving out a grass airstrip 20:58 right in the middle of this jungle. 21:00 They're not finished yet 21:01 so we'll have to land on a nearby island of Lo 21:05 and take a dangerous two hour 21:07 boat ride to Toga in the morning. 21:10 In Vanuatu you'll see huge bats flying around the dusk, 21:13 the local people call them flying foxes or flying devils 21:17 because they make a high pitch shrill 21:19 when they get aggressive though most of the times 21:21 they just love to eat mangoes. 21:27 Just landed here in the Island of Lo on the Torres province. 21:31 We are going to staying here tonight an then tomorrow 21:34 we are going to load up all this stuff, 21:36 we are going to go over to the Island of Toga 21:38 on a small boat, 21:39 so we got to pack all our gear into these barrels 21:42 and we are hoping for good weather tomorrow 21:43 and they said that there is the chance 21:45 the water is gonna be pretty rough. 22:20 All coconut, fantastic. 22:23 Upon arriving in Toga the locals were incredibly generous, 22:26 they had prepared an assortment of food for us 22:29 including papaya, pineapple, bananas and coconuts. 22:33 We also attracted quite a crowd. 22:37 We've got here in the boat just a little while ago 22:39 and we just finished having a quick snack 22:41 that they provided for us, greeted us very graciously. 22:43 We're going to walk up really quick here, 22:45 it's about half hour to 45 minutes up to 22:47 where they are carving an airstrip. 22:48 This island is extremely isolated 22:50 because it's so hard to get to it, 22:51 it's surrounded by a lot of big cliffs and huge waves 22:54 and if they quickly finish this airstrip 22:56 this will be really great way for Dr. Mark 22:58 and other people to be able to come here and visit. 23:01 This is one of the last frontiers 23:02 here in Northern Torres Banks Island group. 23:07 One of the main purposes for this visit to Toga Island 23:10 was to encourage the people on the work on this airstrip 23:13 as well as getting Dr. Mark an opportunity to survey 23:16 the progress made since his last visit. 23:18 We also brought a chainsaw to help cut up 23:20 and remove some of the larger trees 23:22 otherwise this huge clearing you see here 23:25 has been done by hand with axes 23:27 and simple bush knifes. 23:29 We've only got to 300 meters over the next few months, 23:33 we're hoping that will be extended to 450 meters 23:36 and we're hoping in April 23:37 we are going to have an opening ceremony 23:39 and land more aircraft on Toga Island, 23:44 that will be history. 23:49 Right here and like in this situation 23:50 we've people that are nationals 23:52 that are living here that are donating 23:54 like land for this airstrip 23:55 and they have also given their time, 23:58 tremendous amount of cumulative work 23:59 has been involved in working on this airstrip. 24:03 I just want to thank all the viewers 24:04 that have donated to various projects 24:05 and just remember there's people right here 24:07 that are also sacrificing to help these things happen. 24:12 We had a really enjoyable time that night talking 24:15 and laughing with the people on Toga, 24:17 bonding with these dear people helps them to trust us 24:20 and to be open to the precious truths we bear. 24:23 The next morning Dr. Mark held the medical clinic 24:26 for the people on Toga. 24:27 Many of the people have problems with their teeth 24:30 which is the real common problem throughout the islands. 24:33 Dr. Mark is sometimes left with 24:35 no other option than pulling them. 24:37 We've very basic sterilization systems here in Vanuatu, 24:41 but we are going to make the best with what we have got. 24:44 He tries to be cautious 24:45 and will only pull a tooth as a last resort. 24:48 Some of the people think that 24:49 the only way to remove the pain 24:51 is to pull the tooth 24:52 when the two may not even be related. 24:54 So there's the wisdom tooth 24:55 with all three roots have come out, 24:59 so mission accomplished. 25:02 We flew over this island 25:03 and drop the box with some gloves, 25:05 medicines and other materials 25:07 to assist and encourage these people 25:09 to continue clearing the land for their airstrip. 25:14 In just a couple of years God has miraculously provided 25:18 an incredible Maule bush plane 25:20 and now even runways on multiple islands. 25:23 When laboring for the cause of God, 25:25 there are always difficulties and challenges 25:28 but faith and persistence goes a long way 25:31 and such is the case with the trusses for the hangar 25:33 when after many delays and challenges 25:35 they finally arrived on Gaua. 26:03 I would highly recommend it 26:05 that the people give mission work 26:08 like this an opportunity, 26:10 make some time in their lives because it's a great experience, 26:13 it's something that you will remember 26:15 for the rest of your life. 26:36 When speaking about his second coming 26:38 Jesus said this gospel of the kingdom 26:41 shall be preached in all the world 26:42 for a witness unto all nations, and then shall the end come. 26:46 Having just left the last frontier of Vanuatu 26:49 and one of the most remote areas in the world 26:52 and one of the last places 26:53 to hear the Three Angels' Messages. 26:55 It is the sobering proof 26:57 that we are living in the last stages. 26:59 Now it's the time to cry out this soul saving truths 27:02 and prepare the world to meet its creator. 28:05 This program has been shortened for television. 28:07 To receive your free copy of the full length DVD 28:10 along with some bonus video such as our first program 28:12 in a new series called a Voice in the Wilderness, 28:15 where I share about when I was an atheist. 28:17 Please contact our office. |
Revised 2014-12-17