An update on Vanuatu and the devastation caused by Cyclone Pam.

We have received some news this morning from a contact on Santo island. Most of the buildings at Talua Ministry Training Centre remain intact, and – most importantly – there are so far no reports of injury or loss of life amongst those we know personally.

John and Kara Dekker were due to leave Australia today to commence service at Talua but now they may be in Australia for another week.

In other parts of Vanuatu the situation is more bleak. There is a great need for prayer and for practical help for those who have lost family and homes. Yesterday David Cook, Moderator General, announced a Disaster Relief Appeal. He urges all Ministers and Sessions to bring this need before their congregations both for prayer and financial gifts. Please pass this information on.

The appeal can be found at

https://www.apwm.org.au/2015/03/2722/

News from Red Cross
http://www.ifrc.org/en/news-and-media/press-releases/asia-pacific/vanuatu/vanuatu-red-cross-delivers-aid-while-reports-confirm-large-scale-damage-across-the-island-nation–/

Dear Friends,

I have been shocked as we all have to see the desperate affects of Tropical Cyclone Pam on the islands of Vanuatu.

There has been widespread damage and at this stage it is feared high loss of life.

The Presbyterian Church of Australia has a unique relationship with the Church in Vanuatu, we have a long history of Ni Vanuatuan students training for ministry in Australia, and have had a strong connection with the Bible Training College in Talua.

At this stage we dont know of about loss at Talua, the worst impact of the cyclone was in the south, whereas Talua is in the north.

Please pray for Vanuatu, pray for relief to be provided, pray that there will be selfless rescue and generous love shown both from those on the ground in Vanuatu and neighbouring nations.

The Australian Foreign Minister, Julie Bishop has said that our nation is responding along with New Zealand with immediate aid.

Here is an opportunity for the church to be in the vanguard of the relief effort, I therefore urge all Ministers and Sessions to bring this need before your congregations both for prayer and financial gifts.

Cheques should be made payable to

Moderator General’s Disaster Relief Appeal

and remitted to

Presbyterian Church Office, PO Box 2196, Strawberry Hills, NSW.2012.

The Direct Deposit details for the Moderator General’s Disaster Relief Appeal Fund are:

BSB: 032-000
Account number: 003988
Account Name: Presbyterian Funds
Please write the word ‘Vanuatu Appeal’ in the ‘Description’ box on the bank transfer page.

Doing this this way we express in a tangible way our solidarity with our suffering brothers and sisters.

Message from Mark Powel, PCNSW Moderator

“The Presbyterian Church of Australia and in particular NSW has had a long and strategic involvement with the work of the Gospel in Vanuatu. In this their hour of need we have an incredible opportunity to help our brothers and sisters in Christ in rebuilding their communities. Please give generously to this appeal, pray for the wise distribution of funds and also prayerfully consider how you or your church might personally be involved in the future.”

“But just as you excel in everything – in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us – see that you also excel in this grace of giving.” 2 Corinthians 8:7

David Cook.
Moderator General, Presbyterian Church of Australia

Many will have heard of Cyclone Pam and the damage done to Vanuatu. Power is out in many locations and so communication is patchy at this stage and we do not know a great deal.

The video on this BBC page shows the extent of some of the damage.

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-31883712

We’re planning to send another Workpartners’ team to Talua Ministry Training Centre in June-July 2015, and applications to join are now available.

Located on Vanuatu’s largest island, Talua is the Bible College for the Presbyterian Church of Vanuatu.

The plan for this trip is that the team will work towards completion of the new men’s ablutions block and possibly begin installation of some solar panels on one of the staff houses. Most days will be spent on the worksite, where the work will be hot and hard, and Workpartners will be dirty, tired and sweaty most of the time. They will spend lots of time together in work, in fellowship and in Bible studies, meeting and coming to know some wonderful Christian brothers and sisters. There will be opportunities for free time, and Workpartners will get to know the locals as they work and play alongside them. It will be a challenging trip, but also rewarding.

• Dates: 26 June – 12 July 2015.
• Location: Talua Ministry Training Centre, Santo Island, Vanuatu.
• Cost: $2100 per person – this covers flights (exiting from Sydney or Brisbane), accommodation, food and Visa costs. It does not include any passport related fees, immunisation, medication or travel insurance costs.
• Important dates: All application forms must be submitted by the 11th of May, 2015 . Full payment must be made by the 18th of May, 2015.

Download the Workpartners Information Pack: June-July 2015 for more information.

If you are interested in applying for the upcoming trip, please contact Sheryl at the APWM office national@apwm.org.au and she will be happy to help you with the application forms.

John and Kara Dekker will be commissioned for service at Talua on Saturday February 14, in a service commencing at 3:00pm, at Frankston Presbyterian Church, 38 Radiata St, Frankston North, Victoria.

Please come and join us in praying for this ministry and witness a significant step in our partnership with the Presbyterian Church of Vanuatu.

Want to be able to promote the APWM 2014 Christmas Catalogue in Church or other settings? We’ve uploaded some slides (Keynote, Powerpoint and image files) and photos that you can use along with a pdf of the Catalogue. You can find these resources at
http://goo.gl/6rnOL0

Christmas shopping is almost here!

Why not give a gift that keeps on giving this Christmas? Through the APWM Christmas Catalogue you can support the work of our partner Church in Myanmar and help spread the gospel.

Click here to download the Catalogue:
http://tiny.cc/Gifts2014APWM

A brief update on Rick Manton. Rick is making very good progress and the doctors are pleased. He even preached at the weekend at short notice.

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

With deep regret, APWM has decided to conclude its relationship with one of our Partner Churches, the Reformed Presbyterian Church of Bangladesh on 30th November, 2014.

Over the last few years we have been experiencing some difficulties with the church. We had hoped that the difficulties would be resolved through a series of changes coupled with the growing maturity of the leadership. This has not proven to be the case.

On Friday 24th October the APWM Federal Committee held its regular meeting and discussed some of the challenges that we face in this relationship. With deep regret the Committee decided to end this Partnership as at 30th November, 2014. We thank the many supporters of this ministry and the APWM NSW Committee for its many years of hard work and commitment to this ministry.

We are now in the process of ensuring as far as possible that the leaders and pastors in the Reformed Presbyterian Church of Bangladesh have some financial support for the next three months while they adjust to the end of the partnership.

What does this decision mean for the Presbyterian Church of Australia?

(1) That after we have made financial provision for our brethren in Bangladesh we will no longer be sending any more money to Bangladesh.

(2) That no one is authorised to ask for money on behalf of the Presbyterian Church of Australia to support the ministry of the Reformed Presbyterian Church of Bangladesh or any group that may arise from the Reformed Presbyterian Church of Bangladesh.

(3) That only appointed representatives of the APWM Federal Committee are authorised to represent the Presbyterian Church of Australia or APWM in Bangladesh.

We express our gratitude to those who have supported this ministry.

In Christ

Kevin Murray

Sydney Missionary & Bible College recently held its 2014 Biennial Missions Conference and the theme was “Global Church Planting – The Church’s Mission to the Nations”. The talks are now online at https://www.smbc.com.au/resources/2014-biennial-missions-conference