Hey guys!
Well some of us have just arrived back at the camp from an awesome Church down the road.
Josh’s input-All the people there were so loving they welcome you so sweetly and are all ways going to be welcome at this place 
Me again- So today was a day of rest (being Sunday and all), we woke up late to the most stunningly blue skies; looking out across the coconut trees to see the soft rolling waves lapping at the shore is a sight which I don’t think I will ever get over. It’s an incredible thing to experience the islands in this way, being surrounded by beautiful land, locals and dogs and roosters. We had late devotionals and breakfast and then headed down the road to Sam’s Church which is Petecostal, and boy from the moment you walk in you know it! Everybody greeted us with a handshake and there was a lot of shouting Hallelujah and Amen during the preaching as well. This service was AMAZING! We were singing and dancing and clapping and cheering and even though some of the service was in Bislama and we couldn’t understand it all it just felt like a family. It was absolutely BOILING but that’s ok because the people, the music and the feeling of God’s presence more than made up for it! Brad had to take Jeremy out though because he was sick and a few of our number are still feeling under the weather so we would really appreciate you keeping us all in your prayers.
After Church we all went to Sam’s house for lunch, all 17 of us were invited to have lunch in a house which only just fitted us all sitting down to eat-Sam’s generosity is truly overhwelming and we were treated like royalty with jiuce being brought around, a FEAST prepared, and leaves and flowers laid out on the floor for us to put our plates on (we ate sitting on the ground). We presented Sam and his family with a small gift when we left but please keep him and his family in your prayers, they have such a heart for the people in this area and are really seeking to show God’s love in practical ways but lack the funds to do as much as they would like.
We had a relaxing day together just chilling at the base, did a bit of planning for religious studies which some of our group will be running this week and practised for the musical item which we did at the evening service. About five of us went to the evening service which was similar to the morning one only with fewer people and more dancing praise God! Brad also did a mini sermonette (they had about five people doing short sermons) which was short and sweet and made us proud:) Before the service it was great fun just jammin with the band as well, the local people are very friendly and we taught them a couple of songs which was fun:) The songs they did at this service were AWESOME! one of them involves running around, jumping up and down and dancing-such a great way to praise God! It was amazing to feel the Holy Spirit in that little Church, through the songs, the preaching and the friendly attitude of the attendees, we were really warmly welcomed and some of the older children walked us back to camp afterward also:)
A relaxing evening ensued as we had to rest up for a full on week-o and now it’s Monday morning and we;re rushing off to a day’s work.
Love to you all!!!
Ruth and the team:)
