Vanuatu : Natanara Christian Fellowship

The area known as Natanara is located about 20 minutes from Luganville down an “American road” built in World War Two by the Allies. Over 100,000 Americans at a time were in Luganville during the war to prevent the Japanese from completely capturing the Pacific. This was a staging area for the battles in the Solomon Islands. The remnants of World War Two are still put to good use. Virtually every road on Santo was built during the war and many buildings in town also date from this period. Natanara is a coastal area that is covered by coconut plantations and scattered settlements. The people of Natanara Christian Fellowship come from a large area with many walking over an hour and a half each way to church and back. Most of these people hail from other islands and speak different languages. It is not uncommon for the people in the fellowship to be conversant in five or more languages. Usually English is their third or fourth best language. The language most commonly used in Vanuatu is Bislama, which is a form of Pidgin English. This is the language that Pastor Floyd Bani and his assistants Steve Moli and Bradley Ngwera use in teaching the Bible.

At Natanara fellowship, church is an all day event. Before the church family arrives, Pastor Floyd, Steve and Bradley must put in several hours in preparation. Beginning at 5:30 a.m. they rake the leaves that continually fall. With no running water, they make many trips carrying five gallon buckets to the various locations where fresh water will needed throughout the day. Then the process of making lunch begins with the boiling of three huge pots of rice. Rice is the staple that goes with every meal in Vanuatu. As early as eight o’clock people begin trickling in for the service that starts at ten. Some come to help, others come to rest and enjoy relaxing on the peaceful grounds. Lunch follows the service and is a time for fellowship and laughter. The children will often start a game of soccer, basketball, or just play together. Many of the older youth and adults play volleyball. Others escape the heat and humidity with a nap on the shaded grass while being cooled by the soft ocean breeze. Around half past four in the afternoon following a short time of worship, the church family begins dispersing and making their way back home. The only things to be seen at the close of the day are the coals of a burning fire in the darkness with the three men gathered around worshipping the Lord.

Floyd Bani has been the pastor of Natanara Christian Fellowship for the last year and a half. He had spent the previous year as the children’s pastor in Fanafo before returning to Natanara. Floyd is a gifted Bible teacher who keeps the emphasis on Jesus Christ in a way that is refreshing. Steve Moli and Bradley Ngwera help in many ways around the fellowship. They do everything from leading worship to teaching the children to cooking. They are beautiful examples of serving the lord with joy and humility.

Fanafo Christian Fellowship