Vanuatu

When I was 9 my family and I started to pray for a country.
But not just a country, a place where there were very little bibles... the bibles people had were most likely to not be in their heart language. So we prayed.
Then we started praying for someone in our church to go to Vanuatu.
He answered our prayers... I can't deny that.

We just never saw it coming.......... That we would be the ones to go.

I was littler. I didn't get all of it. I understood but I didn't know why WE had to go. I was excited we were going, but I was scared too. I didn't want to give up my comforts, everyone I loved. I wouldn't see them for 4 years!!

But then it hit me, why WE had to go. It wasn't just Gods job, it was our job. That even if people never got the chance to hear the Word, the were still dying and going to HELL. It scared me, I didn't want those people to die not knowing the Word. I thought of how fortunate I was, that God would give me the chance to hear his Word. So I made up my mind, I NEEDED to go to Vanuatu. Even if I was leaving behind everything and everyone I loved. It was hard, but it was what I needed to do.

We moved to Dallas for language training (for my mom and dad). I met my friend Annika there. We lived there for about 3-4 months.

Then we moved to Clintwood to raise support. It was about a year before we left.

The night before we were franticly packing last minute stuff with family and friends helping us on every side. We (family, friends, us) cried.....a lot. Then, we were in the driveway of our house. We went to Louisille to see my BFF Brooke and spent the night with my aunt Gina and Jasee who met us there. My cousin who lives in Mayfield, KY. She was going to take us to Papaw (grandpa) Roy in St. Louise to catch our plane the next day... We woke up and it was April fools. As soon as we woke up my mom and Gina said "You're not going to Vanuatu today!" Me and Jasee just lay there in shock. "What do you mean?!?" we both said. Something had went wrong with our immigration/dual-citizenship papers. "You're coming to my house!!" Gina said. "It's April Fools today!!! How dare you!!" I said laughing. "No, Really! You aren't going today!"

I couldn't believe it! So we made the trip to Gina's, only 3 hours from Louisville. We spent a week there. We went roller skating, had a bunch of fun, until it was time to leave. Jason and Drew (Gina's husband and son) came with us to Papaw's house. The next morning we left. Tears were shed, hugs and kisses were given, goodbyes were said, and we got on the plane. We got off in Denver, then got on another plane to LA, then Figi, then Vanuatu.

We were welcomed by warmth and kind faces. The SIL director and his wife picked us up and took us to our new house. I (personally) was greeted by Cassia. We just said hi. Then she came over and helped my unpack. It was REEAAALLLYYY awkward. We didn't even talk. After she left I took a shower and went for a little lunch thingy. It was ok then. Went to bed at like 6pm. Jet lag had us.

My mom had culture shock. It lasted for about a month. She got better. We went to the Cascades, which is waterfalls you can swim in! It was awesome.

A few months later I met Sierra! She was an awesome friend to! Sierra, Cassia and I were the inseparable, three peas in a pod, the three musketeers. We did everything together. They had the BEST pool there!

Next the Nehrbass family came (kids: Caleb, Hannah, Abby, Kate). The Pikes (Kids: Hayden, Matthew, and Alexis) also came.
I made the best of friends! It was the best place ever!! We also BUILT a basketball court. YEP we  did!!

Conference was awesome! Beach trips, basketball, music, performances, friends.

Then we left to PNG. I was sad. Everyone was there to say bye. People did such nice things for us. I was sad..... so was everyone else.

PNG wasn't that fun. :( I could have passed.

We came back to Vanuatu. But we left for home about 4 weeks later. Support went down. I was really sad. But I understood.


We wanted to surprise most of our family, so we only told a few people. People that didn't know:
Gina (aunt)
Jason (uncle)
Jasee (cousin)
Drew (cousin)
Allie (cousin)
Tonya (aunt)
Nick (cousin)
Ariana (cousin)
Aaron (uncle)


First Ginger (aunt) came to the airport in St. Louis. Then we drove to a gas station where Ginger was going to meet Gina for Christmas. Ginger was getting all her stuff ready to get back on the road when we come around the corner. Gina didn't see us so Ginger said "Gina!! Come here!" Gina turns around and sees us.... here is her face



She was really surprised!! After this came crying. "Are you coming to my house???" was her first words. HAahaahah yes!! Love you Gina!!


Then to surprise everyone else we decided to pretend Drew was hiding in a box to surprise everyone. But little did the know it wasn't Drew.... it was one of us!!! Elijah and I surprised Allie, Mom surprised Tonya, I surprised Jasee and we all surprised Jason and Drew.



Me and Jasee


Me and Allie



So we have been back a little over a year now!!! Thanks for Reading!!