A Simple Prayer
Unfortunately the devil can’t be hidden from, not even on the small and remote island of Gaua, in the small and remote country of Vanuatu. To avoid the negative influence that the National Freedom Day (week) celebrations have on the students of Matafanga Seventh-day Adventist school, the school implemented an annual camp during the school holidays. All parents who would like their children shielded from the festivities can send their children to this camp, where they remain until the festival is over.
In 2021 the school was considering having this camp at Masevunu, where there is a beautiful white sandy beach; such beaches are hard to find on this volcanic island. I had been to this beach before by boat, but never by land, so I set out on a hike to find this beach and inspect the area for fresh water, firewood, campgrounds and so on.
This was a great opportunity to explore, so I was sightseeing as much as possible along the way, veering off the trail towards the ocean, and through a few isolated people’s veggie gardens, but I never saw anyone. At point, I decided to wade through the water as it was only knee to waist deep. It was so beautiful, miles away from the nearest human, walking around the coral and watching the small fish on this perfect sunny day — no wind, only waves and silence in paradise …
The tranquillity was suddently ruined by the barking of what I assumed to be a wild dog, and then another and yet another. I looked up from where I was, hip deep in the water, and saw three three dogs barking at me. They were with an old man, hunched over, with long white hair and a long white beard. He did not notice me and after a moment he disappeared over the cliff edge about four metres above where I was standing. I could not believe that someone was living here, so far away from the last village I had passed.
Wanting to be courteous, I decided to venture up and notify him that I was walking through the area and explain why. I found a spot to leave the ocean and made the climb, finding an outdoor kitchen and a small house, completely isolated. The man had not seen me before, because he got a major fright when I got his attention right by the entrance of his house.
The national local language is Bislama — a mix of local words, French and English. I was unable to speak Bislama, but I tried to introduce myself and explain my mission anyway. We sat down for about ten minutes and shared maybe ten sentences that each of us could almost understand. I did not fully get his name — I was convinced it was Christopher, but later found it was Allan.
Just before I decided to head off on my mission to find the beach that still lies waiting somewhere in the distance of the unknown jungle, the Holy Spirit impressed me to pray with Allan. I thought it was a pretty silly idea as he wouldn’t understand a word that I said. And we hadn’t discussed any religious things — I didn’t even know if he believed in anything. But I felt compelled to do
so. I asked Allan if it would be okay if I prayed with him — he agreed without hesitation. As Allan didn’t understand English and I didn’t speak Bislama, I decided that it would make no difference if I prayed in my mother tongue: Afrikaans. So, I prayed, genuinely praying for his soul to meet God in some strange way.
Box ticked. Prayer said, impression obeyed, I’m outta here! But as I stood up, Allan asked me if I had any books. I had a backpack full of camping gear but the only book with me was a survival manual, which I presumed is not what he wanted. I inquired and was amazed to discover that he wanted “Jesus books”. I told him I didn’t have any with me, but would bring some the following week.
After returning with the books, I began to visit him regularly and invited him to come to church on Sabbath and stay for lunch. We have had church at his home. The local church has conducted community service at his place three times now. The building team covered his leaky roof with some plastic and mesh, the ladies spring-cleaned his room, I installed a small solar system for some lights, and friends from abroad have sent old fella Allan gifts. He has even adopted me as his son. At the time of writing this we are fundraising to build him a new house.
Allan is very old. No-one knows how long he will get to enjoy his new home, but many villagers have witnessed, the groups of Seventh-day Adventists walking and driving past with building materials, tools and food. They know exactly where we are going, to visit and help lonely old fella Allan.
I never found Masevunu beach that day, but I’ve seen what obeying the small impression to pray can lead to. May we never think we know better. God has a plan. He doesn’t ask much, just simple obedience, especially in the little things.
Nelis Theron served from 2020-2022 as a lifeskills teacher at Matafanga Adventist Primary and Special Needs School in Gaua, Vanuatu.
