Vanuatu Churches of Christ Christian Women’s Fellowship Jubilee
Tod & Ana Gobledale – Australia
Invited as keynote speaker and study leader, I am honored to represent the Overseas Mission Board of the Churches of Christ in Australia and join nearly 300 CWF members from 9 islands for 3 days of worship and celebration. The Nduindui church, painted for the occasion, bulges with the crowd.
The dining room, a fresh bamboo structure built on the foundation of the old church, has pillars wrapped in palm fronds and receives fresh flower decorations daily. A green mango serves as a vase for these hibiscus blossoms.
Every island CWF wears brightly colored matching outfits-pink, green, and yellow.
Invited as keynote speaker and study leader, I am honored to represent the Overseas Mission Board of the Churches of Christ in Australia and join nearly 300 CWF members from 9 islands for 3 days of worship and celebration. The Nduindui church, painted for the occasion, bulges with the crowd.
The dining room, a fresh bamboo structure built on the foundation of the old church, has pillars wrapped in palm fronds and receives fresh flower decorations daily. A green mango serves as a vase for these hibiscus blossoms.
Every island CWF wears brightly colored matching outfits-pink, green, and yellow.
{mosimage}Most arrive by ship, some having traveled 3 days on the waters. With no pier, a small skiff ferries people and goods from the ships to the shore. Always, the first to be unloaded are the babies and children.
Each island group presents gifts of taro, lap-lap (a baked taro casserole), rice, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, and cucumbers.
Everyone enjoys the singing, dancing, good food, fresh pineapples and coconuts!
{mosimage}A CWF memorial stone and plaque are unveiled, honoring the “pioneers, founders and leaders” of CWF in Vanuatu since its inception in 1942. The open Bible verse reflects the theme for the jubilee, “The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy.” (Psalm 126:3)
Vanuatu Churches of Christ
Christian Women’s Fellowship Jubilee
15-17 December, 2006
Nduindui, West Ambae Island, Vanuatu
17 December, 2006
Dr. Ana,
{mosimage}It is indeed a privilege for us to have you as a guest speaker for this special occasion. To celebrate the establishment and growth of women’s work in Vanuatu. As you listen to the history of the women’s work, we are indebted to the work of the pioneers, who were Sister Finger and Mrs. Shirley Ludgater. They are both from Australia. You are representing them at this CWF Jubilee Celebration.
Our special thank you and appreciation goes to the Overseas Mission Board for sending you over to be our guest speaker. We want to acknowledge this through you.
{mosimage}We want also to thank the churches in Australia and USA who sent in their greetings and gifts to us at this special occasion. Can you convey our thanks to them? Also, we want to pass on our greetings to those churches concerned.
Once again, thank you for your coming over and the enlightening studies you have given us, and may our God richly bless you and use you more in his service. I want to finish with the verses in Psalm 121:7-8:
The Lord will keep you from all evil;
he will keep your life.
The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in
from this time on and forevermore.
Presented and read by Deaconess Nellie Sese, Secretary for Jubilee Celebration
Submitted by,
Tod & Ana Gobledale
The Gobledales serve the Common Global Ministries Board at Churches of Christ Theological College (Seminary) in Australia. Currently, their son, Mandla, attends Occidental College in Los Angeles, and their daughter, Thandiwe, has begun a 2-year appointment with Global Ministries at the Family Village Farm near Vellore, India.
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