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Vanuatu
Aaron & Cindy Baker
baker@missionvanuatu.com
Eric & Shawnda Brandell
brandell@missionvanuatu.com
Mike Olson
olson@missionvanuatu.com
Visit the Mission Vanuatu website
Mission Vanuatu: Current Status 2/18/2005
Bright eyes gladden the heart; Good news puts fat on the bones (Proverbs 15:30).
I don't know if that second part is good or not but we do have good news. This good news should lead to a trip to Vanuatu in the near future. The FBI records we have been waiting on for the past 9 1/2 weeks have arrived! This means that we can move on to the next phase of the immigration process. There has been a great deal of excitement around the Mission Vanuatu house in the past few days. On Tuesday February 22, 2005 we will be sending a bond payment to be held in a bank account for the purpose of an emergency leave. This is required by the Vanuatu government. After this, all of our paperwork regarding residence visas and work permits along with the necessary fees will be sent to a brother in the church in Port Vila named Steven Felix. Steven will hand deliver our papers to the proper authorities and hopefully be able to expedite the process. Vanuatu is after all a third world nation, and the wheels of progress can sometimes be slow. If all goes well we should be headed to Vanuatu in April. Please be praying for this process.
Our big task now is packing all of our belongings to be shipped in a crate to Vanuatu. Each individual item must be carefully packed and cataloged on a manifest so that the shipping company and the Vanuatu customs know exactly what is in each box. Every item! Packing also means getting rid of a lot of the things you are not taking. We will hold another moving sale in mid March to try and get a few dollars for the remainder of our things. All in all, our excitement level is through the roof right now.
We would like to again extend our sincere thanks and appreciation for the supporters of Mission Vanuatu. Prayers, financial support, household items donated and encouragement are the backbone of such an effort as this. We are truly humbled and thankful for your trust and generosity. Every person who has contributed in any way should be assured that you not only have helped us directly, but you have also helped to further the gospel in Vanuatu. God bless you all!
In Christian love,
Eric and Shawnda Brandell
Aaron and Cindy Baker
Mike Olson
UPDATE - 2/23/2005
It seems like just last week that I was giving you on the latest news on the happenings of Mission Vanuatu. Now on the heels of that good news of FBI clearance coming in, this week yields even bigger things.
After two team meetings and careful considerations of what lies ahead of us, we have decided to take a bold step in an effort to secure immigration visas and work permits as quickly and as hassle free as possible. This means that Eric Brandell will travel to Vanuatu on March 6th with all of the appropriate paperwork and necessary funds in hand. He will then work with the brethren in Vanuatu to deliver the documents to the proper authorities and then follow up on the process so that it is not put under a big pile on someone's desk. One of the brethren is a very well known and influential man who can help the process receive confirmation in a matter of a few weeks if not sooner. We are convinced that this is the best and most time saving step that we can take. After confirmation is secured, Eric will return to the United States and finish the final details of moving with his family to Vanuatu. As of right now he is scheduled to return to the United States on March 22nd.
You may be wondering why this is necessary. The explanation would be confusing if I were to try and spell out all of the details necessary in what must happen to obtain permission to enter and work in the country of Vanuatu. But I will try to relate to you as best as I can what we are facing.
First, our documents were to be mailed to an individual in Port Vila named Steven Felix and he was to take care of this for us. Steven is a good man, but he is an islander and does not work with great haste. We could not expect him to follow up on the process as is needed because he is a student, husband and father. Eric can check daily on the progress and keep it before the immigration people.
Second, the visas and work permits must be submitted with the necessary payments. These funds need to be in Vatu, not American dollars. The process of sending funds, having them converted, given to a Ni-Vanuatu citizen, converted to cash and given to the immigration office is one that will be extremely difficult. Our communication with Vanuatu is by e-mail, fax, or even phone, but getting a response is nearly impossible and all of these steps accurately being carried out are not likely. Again, Eric can simplify this process since he already has a bank account established and he can take care of the financial transactions without any confusion.
Third, this makes the most sense. Other religious groups have people established in Vanuatu to help their workers come in. We are doing the same thing as they are by sending Eric, only we will come back loaded with the truth of the gospel. For us to go about this final stage not knowing what is going on each step of the way is unwise. Sometimes in life we do things a certain way saying, it was worth it in the long run. Taking this step will be "worth it in the long run" for the mission team and their supporters.
Upon receiving confirmation from Eric of a positive response from the Vanuatu government, the group here in the states will purchase tickets for the whole team to travel to Vanuatu. These tickets will probably need to be 15-20 days in advance of flight, so our departure still looms sometime in the month of April. Mark your calendars!!
The team would like to commend Eric for his willingness to make this sacrifice on behalf of the mission team. Flying back and forth half way across the world twice in a matter of 30-40 days is not anyone's idea of fun. But Eric has graciously volunteered to make the extra trip and expedite the immigration process. As always, please continue to petition the heavens for a speedy and favorable response. The work in Vanuatu for the kingdom is not far away. All glory and honor to the Lord.
Mike Olson for the team
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