I’ve made this note several times before, but apparently it’s necessary to do so again: don’t schedule things in December or January. Things just don’t tend to work out during those months. It’s a lesson I’ve learned over and over, but we made a reporting trip to New Zealand in December 2012, and we were finishing up our Visiting Missionary role at OC in December 2013, and so I’d forgotten.
Why is work so difficult? It hinges on the fact that Vanuatu’s school year follows the calendar year, and since our summer months are January-March here in the southern hemisphere, schools are on holiday in December and January. Anytime school is out, the rest of the community tends to check out a bit too. Some businesses even close for entire weeks or even a month during the holiday season.
With all the closures and resulting free time, you’d think it would be a perfect time to schedule something extra: a workshop, a study series, a campaign effort or a church picnic. But to the contrary, it means that everyone scatters, many going to visit family in other villages or islands. It’s only reasonable, really, as it’s the only time of year they are free to do so. It actually makes perfect sense when you think about it.
Live and learn, Eric, live and learn ;)
Sounds like May-July here, Eric. Most families take this time to visit, vacation, and spend time with children.
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