Community

Shawnda and Renzo pose with the birthday cakes

Mixing and pouring the concrete memorial

I have often thought to myself how similar Vanuatu (and most other developing countries) must be to the 1st-century world.  Living here for six years has opened my eyes to so many peculiars of the New Testament - the marketplace, fishing, the status of dogs, self-sustenance, family loyalty, etc.  A value that has really become clear since living in the village is the sense of community.

For example, during our first week back in Malekula, “our family” (the local one that has basically adopted us as their own) had two major events take place.  Interestingly, they both took place on the same day.  First, about 20 men gathered at our house to pour a concrete memorial where Flexon and Alsen’s dad is buried (yes, about 15 feet from our house).  Funerals and weddings are definitely community events, as there are no funeral homes or wedding planners on which to rely.  Though the patriarch of the family died back in 2009, friends and family were still eager to assist with the last portion of the burial customs.  I appreciated the opportunity to assist them.  Even though I was never able to meet the deceased, I have come to love his children as if they were my own brothers.  Following the work, as is customary, a meal was shared to express thanks to all who assisted.

The day also happened to be Lorenzo’s first birthday (Flexon’s son).  Ni-vans traditionally only celebrate a person’s first birthday, so they tend to go all out.  That is the primary reason Flexon and his family were in the village for a few weeks (you will recall that they live in Vila).  An interesting tradition for birthdays in our area is a water fight.  While originally it just meant dousing the honored guests’ brothers and sisters on the special day, in turned in to an all out water war.  Shawnda and I enjoyed taking part, since we are “a mommy and daddy of Renzo’s,” but Titus and Lexi were a little freaked out by all the yelling and running.  There were probably 100 people there for the celebration.  Fiona asked Shawnda to make a cake, which was a big hit.

It was interesting that these two events - one somber and one exciting - occurred on the same day, but since the interested parties were basically the same for both, it just made sense to complete them both then.  It’s so neat to see how the community cares for each other.  Previous to this and similar experiences, I had found it hard to understand how the Christians were so charitable following Pentecost (Acts 2-6), but now it makes perfect sense. 

In that vein, let me encourage you to visit a developing country if ever the opportunity presents itself.  It will change how you look at the world, and it will likely even assist you  in understanding more about the cultures, customs, and lifestyles of those we read about in our study of the Bible.