We arrived safe and sound late Wednesday night (6/25). To all of you that have been praying for our family during this journey, thank you!
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Saturday, June 28, 2008
Friday, June 27, 2008
Riots and Death Result from Accusations of Sorcery
We found this article not too long ago. It was published by the BBC in March of last year. This event occurred just before the March 2007 survey trip when Jim was visiting Vanuatu with those who are now our teammates.
At the bottom of this post, we have provided the link to where you can find the article on the BBC website.
7 March 2007
Almost 200 people have been arrested in Vanuatu after tribal violence flared amid claims of black magic.
Three people have been killed in the South Pacific island nation.
A state of emergency has been declared after fighting broke out at the Blacksands squatter camp on the outskirts of the capital, Port Vila.
The fighting - sparked by accusations that a sorcerer had used witchcraft to kill a rival - escalated rapidly and spread through the settlement.
Blacksands is home to thousands of people who have migrated to the capital from other parts of Vanuatu.
Villagers from the islands of Ambrym and Tanna fought with machetes and knives. Local police said the ethnic violence was the worst the Melanesian nation had ever seen.
It left three men dead and others seriously hurt. Dozens of people have been arrested, including a number of tribal chiefs.
The country's unarmed police officers have been given special permission to carry weapons just in case there is more trouble.
Many residents across Vanuatu's archipelago have been forbidden from travelling to Efate, the main island where Port Vila is located.
Chiefs' meeting
Although Christianity has strong roots in this corner of the South Pacific, witchcraft and superstition remain powerful forces.
On the island of Tanna villagers worship a mystical American called John Frum, while others believe that the husband of Britain's Queen Elizabeth II is a god. Vanuatu's Great Council of Chiefs is expected to meet next week to look at ways to defuse tensions between rival tribes in Port Vila.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/6426877.stm
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At the bottom of this post, we have provided the link to where you can find the article on the BBC website.
7 March 2007
Ethnic violence flares in Vanuatu
| By Phil Mercer BBC News, Sydney |
 Superstition and the belief in black magic is common in Vanuatu |
Almost 200 people have been arrested in Vanuatu after tribal violence flared amid claims of black magic.
Three people have been killed in the South Pacific island nation.
A state of emergency has been declared after fighting broke out at the Blacksands squatter camp on the outskirts of the capital, Port Vila.
The fighting - sparked by accusations that a sorcerer had used witchcraft to kill a rival - escalated rapidly and spread through the settlement.
Blacksands is home to thousands of people who have migrated to the capital from other parts of Vanuatu.
Villagers from the islands of Ambrym and Tanna fought with machetes and knives. Local police said the ethnic violence was the worst the Melanesian nation had ever seen.
It left three men dead and others seriously hurt. Dozens of people have been arrested, including a number of tribal chiefs.
The country's unarmed police officers have been given special permission to carry weapons just in case there is more trouble.
Many residents across Vanuatu's archipelago have been forbidden from travelling to Efate, the main island where Port Vila is located.
Chiefs' meeting
Although Christianity has strong roots in this corner of the South Pacific, witchcraft and superstition remain powerful forces.
On the island of Tanna villagers worship a mystical American called John Frum, while others believe that the husband of Britain's Queen Elizabeth II is a god. Vanuatu's Great Council of Chiefs is expected to meet next week to look at ways to defuse tensions between rival tribes in Port Vila.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/6426877.stm
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Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Last time this side of the Pacific...
At the end of May (I know we are late getting this posted), during our short stint in Montana, we got a chance to see Laura, Houghton, Gretchen, Jesiah, Gwenny, and new baby Addy. They spent the last six months in Boise, ID so we hadn't seen them in a while.
Houghton gave Josh some fun lessons in self-defense...
Just when we were getting ready to go, it dawned on us that we wouldn't be seeing them again until we were all in Vanuatu. The Richards and Laura fly out July 30th, just around the corner! Join us in praying for them as they get settled in Vanuatu, and seek to secure housing for themselves and then for us and the Jones' as we plan to join them the end of September.
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Houghton gave Josh some fun lessons in self-defense...
Just when we were getting ready to go, it dawned on us that we wouldn't be seeing them again until we were all in Vanuatu. The Richards and Laura fly out July 30th, just around the corner! Join us in praying for them as they get settled in Vanuatu, and seek to secure housing for themselves and then for us and the Jones' as we plan to join them the end of September.
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Monday, June 23, 2008
On the Road Again...
This is going to be a short post. But we just wanted to let everyone know that we are hitting the road again tomorrow, this time traveling from Ohio to Texas. We have had an awesome time of seeing God work through our time here in Ohio, but we are going to hold on to that story for our next 'Update'. We are very much looking forward to sharing that story with you.
We thank you all for your prayers.
In the love of Christ,
The Kenners
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We thank you all for your prayers.
In the love of Christ,
The Kenners
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Friday, June 13, 2008
A Short Visit with Brad and Amber...
...and Zoe and Piper - The Jones family!
We are so close to Michigan, so we took the opportunity to shoot on up to Lansing for a visit with our teammates, the Jones - Brad, Amber, Zoe, and Piper.
We spent two days together meeting their family and friends. The kids had a great time hanging out, jumping on beds, and playing with Zoe's pet turtle which she caught in her yard. And the grown-ups enjoyed spending time together talking about the plans and dreams the Lord has given us for the next 25 (or so) years of our lives!
This is the last time we will see the Jones family until September when, Lord willing, we will meet them at LAX for our flight out to Vanuatu!
We are just so amazed by how the Lord brought all of us together, the Jones, the Richards, Laura, and us, and how He continues to equip and provide for us to do His work. We are grateful for the bonds between each of us that He continues to develop and strengthen. Please be in prayer with us for continued team unity!
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We are so close to Michigan, so we took the opportunity to shoot on up to Lansing for a visit with our teammates, the Jones - Brad, Amber, Zoe, and Piper.
We spent two days together meeting their family and friends. The kids had a great time hanging out, jumping on beds, and playing with Zoe's pet turtle which she caught in her yard. And the grown-ups enjoyed spending time together talking about the plans and dreams the Lord has given us for the next 25 (or so) years of our lives!
This is the last time we will see the Jones family until September when, Lord willing, we will meet them at LAX for our flight out to Vanuatu!
We are just so amazed by how the Lord brought all of us together, the Jones, the Richards, Laura, and us, and how He continues to equip and provide for us to do His work. We are grateful for the bonds between each of us that He continues to develop and strengthen. Please be in prayer with us for continued team unity!
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Friday, June 6, 2008
Arrival In Ohio...
We arrived in Gahanna (Columbus), Ohio late last night and are enjoying getting caught up with old friends! Our travel went well. Everyone worries about us cramming into a Honda Civic for so many long miles, but believe me when I say that the Kenner family has the road trip down to an art! (Besides, Aunt Chris gifted the kids with Nintendo DS's, which means many hours of quiet entertainment! Thank you Aunt Chris!)
Here are a few pics from the road...
Thank you all for your prayers for safe travel. The Lord was watching over us the whole way!
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