The past two days we've been wrapping up until next time: making to-do lists, report ideas, listing memories, buying a few little gifts, and a final snorkel, our moment of heaven on earth at Plage PK18.  My sister, a flight attendant for United Airlines worked the trip down here Tuesday night and joined us yesterday and today. We gave her our whirlwind tour of the island, all the while talking through the whole Christian missionary scene in Tahiti.  It was quite wonderful.

Siblings on the Bridge at Trois Cascades, Tahiti

Late tonight we take the redeye flight from Papeete to San Francisco, and thence home to Denver tomorrow afternoon.  I was remembering departure day from this past July, when I was more than a little sad, thinking it might be the last time I see the island.  Not so this time around.  It's been a good day full of eagerness to return and confidence about the Lord's work through us here.  There are more than a handful of opportunities waiting to blossom into significant avenues of service in the Great Commission.  Best of all, these opportunities are in the form of relationships with people we enjoy, love, and respect in the Lord.

A Few Hours Can Make All the Difference

Today we drove to Tautira.  Of this place at the very end of the island road, Robert Louis Stephenson wrote: "It is the Garden of the World, mere Heaven, the most beautiful spot and its people the most amiable, I have ever found."  And so today we spent a few precious hours with a young couple and their daughter, residents of Tautira.

The Bay of Tautira

Totoni and Poet (Pearl) were kind enough to spend the afternoon with us after meeting us briefly on Sunday in Vairao.  What a truly wonderful time of fellowship.  For the second time this week, Tahitian friends asked us about tattoos and Leviticus 19:28.  It seems to be a major concern for Christians here, where tattooing is such a big part of the pagan culture.  So we wrestled with that for a while.  The topic shifted to the Sunday school program at their church, which actually does not exist.  Poet has a vision to begin one since they have 50 children in their church, but no program at all.  So we discussed ways to delicately approach their pastor and respect his position while at the same time lending our organizational skills and experience.  We talked of the forests and mountains of Colorado, and of mutual friends on the island and in the United States, and then again of spiritual matters.  

I had a small bag of French eternity coins in our car, one of a few things we had brought that we were determined to leave behind.  So I showed these to Poet and taught her a simple way to share them and initiate a Gospel conversation.  After we reluctantly began to take our leave, and were pulling away, we saw Poet already giving a coin to a young man nearby.  Wow! Talk about instant results!  We may never meet this man, but he has heard of salvation in Jesus by faith alone, thanks to Poet and the Gospel coins!

As always, please remember to pray for each of these people and the opportunity to come alongside them.

Many Meetings

Morning:  We met with Erika and her children's preschool teacher to provide child evangelism tools and to explain how to use them.  As our conversation went on with this young Tahitian mother, we began to see it as an opportunity to clarify the Gospel for her, the teacher, and the teacher's son who was present.  We find ourselves again and again with opportunities to do this very thing and often with nearby people listening in. We were very satisfied with this connection, and next time around we plan on getting into the where Erika's children attend preschool.

Rene' with Erika and Two of Her Three...

Not long after, we headed down the coast a short ways to meet with our friends the Takaio's.  We met Joel and his wife last year, and picknicked with them in Paea a day or two before we left.  We finally had time to meet up.  At first the conversation went slowly as the language barrier loomed between us, but then we began to find our way with eager biblical conversation over a variety of topics and passages.  My French and their very limited English did not hold us back, and soon there was humor and joy going back and forth.  Before we knew, the appointed hours had come and gone, and we said our goodbyes until next time.  Joel continues to post teaching videos on YouTube and lead a small family group in their home town of Paea.  I left a Village Ministries Foundations book with him, which I believe will stimulate a fair amount of conversation online.  As always we made our promises to connect again the next time we visit.  This is a good relationship to pray for going into the future.

With the Takaio's

In the evening we had a date for Chinese food in Papeete with friends from last time, and spent the evening talking about the history of evangelical ministry in Tahiti and Moorea over the last 30 or 40 years.  The main takeaway was the observation that it has to be God's work and not man's.

Sunday: A Moveable Feast

We rose early yesterday to attend Pain de Vie (Bread of Life) Church, which is a half hour down the coast from our AirBnB.  We chose them on the advice of a couple of friends, an American and a Tahitian.  Our American friend actually emailed their pastor to tell them we were coming, and while our Tahitian friend gave us the highest urging to go, saying it was the perfect church for us to link up with because they have so many new believers who need basic discipleship, we had no translator, and the service was mostly in Tahitian!  Pain de Vie Church is renowned because of their singers are the national champions, having won first prize at the Heiva (Annual Tahitian Cultural Festival).  We were not disappointed by their singing and it was definitely for me the most beautiful church music I have ever experienced.  I have a video, but it is too large for the blog.

Their church service was more formal than what we have seen in the smaller gatherings here, with lots of announcements and even liturgy.  The sermon was on the parable of the landowner in Matthew 22.  They were very kind to introduce us to the whole congregation and include us in the reception line.  More kisses!  The language barrier, and even the French was more difficult than in other places, but we did feel like we connected with the pastor.  Please pray that the Lord smooths the way for future ministry here.

Leaving Pain de Vie, we headed further down the coast for a rendezvous with friends new and old.  We met Poet and Totoni Hamblen at the McDonald's in Taravao, then we followed them to his parents' house in Vairao (Vay Rah Oh), where a big group of family and friends had gathered for Sunday dinner.  Under a canopy, there was a table laden with a great many Tahitian delicacies: Taro, Breadfruit, different kinds of raw fish, coconut meat with vegetables, chicken with Tahitian spinach, three different kinds of potatoes.

The table was lively with laughter, and with fellowship in the Lord.  We fielded questions and answers on such diverse topics as women in ministry and Melchizedek.  Bibles stay open around here, and we see dog-eared and thoroughly highlighted personal Bibles often.  Suddenly we looked at our watches and realized we had evening fellowship and Bible study all the way back up in Papeete, at the far end of the island.  The afternoon had fled away like a polynesian dream.  We took photos just as a drenching downpour came over the mountain, said our goodbyes and made our promises to return and to stay with our new friends, and off we went.

We wondered if even had time to stop for gas, but it is a holiday weekend and there was no traffic.  We drove up the steep hill and met Joseph Ata and off we went through the street-labyrinth of Papeete, down perilous hills and up narrow lanes back to Arue' and the Bible study group.

And voila! A table creaking under the ponderous burden of food.  Kebabs, raw fish, BBQ chicken, taro, and all the other usual diet-destroying foods.  I taught on Romans 6:12-13 before we dug in, and again it was a fun group, very enjoyable in the fellowship of the word and in prayer.  We were whole-heartedly invited to return as soon as the Lord allows.  Great group.

All in all it was a "full" day.

A Starry Night at Arue'

"...That joy has lunar months as well as grief." so James Norman Hall wrote a few hundred yards away, a hundred or so years ago in his poem, "A Starry Night at Arue'".  But last night, we preached God's Word and proclaimed the Gospel of salvation in Jesus Christ alone.  I taught the home cell group from 2 Timothy 3:12-17 and Hebrews 4:12-16, going from the moment of salvation to the spiritual battle of everyday life.  Again, it was very well received by a lovely, steadfast group of believers associated with the Protestant Church in Tahiti.  Following me were Amota (Amos) and Joseph, two men who also preached well, and reinforced everything I said.

Amos Continues the Lesson in Arue'

It was especially gratifying to hear phrases like "The church doesn't decide what Scripture says..." as they taught on the authority of Scripture from the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.  

Once again, the time of worship was special.  One song they sang in French, I recognized the phrase, "I am forgiven forever."  They also sang "How Great is Our God" in Tahitian.  

This morning we had a delightful breakfast with Bob and Sondra Winters, who are retiring from missionary work in the South Pacific, including Hawaii, Samoa, and Tahiti.  Today was their last day on Tahiti, and last days as foreign missionaries.  We had a long discussion about work in Tahiti, including its challenges and joys.  They had a great many memories of how powerfully the Lord had worked over the years.  We wish them a peaceful and fruitful retirement in the Wichita, Kansas area.

Bob and Sondra Winters

A Table Creaking with Food and Fellowship

Dear Praying Friends,

We were able to meet with Kevin Heminway last night, and the time with him was fruitful as always.  He has lived in Tahiti for more than 30 years and seen many ministries and missionaries come and go.  He has especially seen the ugliness of Christian rivalry and competition, much to the demise of the cause of Christ.  We made some steps and agreements about healing and reconciliation of relationships, and about connecting musical artists and the Gospel.  Additionally, we talked about materials for the spread of the Gospel, including coins, Gospels of John, and Surfer’s Bibles.

With Kevin in 2018

Our time with the Pito’s was a wonderful time of fellowship in the Word, and I am happy to say that my study of French is paying off.  They had many questions about the Bible, and many observations about churches and pastors in Tahiti.  Their table is always creaking with traditional Tahitian food.  We ate fried breadfruit, Taro, pomme d’etoile (star apples from china), chicken in coconut milk curry, and more.

Pomme D'etoile at the Pito's

So in both of these meetings and fellowships there was much fruit in the Lord.

Tonight we appreciate your prayers as we fellowship, worship, and teach at a home group in Arue (ah rue ay), near Papeete.  This is mostly the same group as Wednesday night, with a few additions. Again it is our desire to feed the flock here, and identify leaders and potential teachers for further training.

Thanks again for your partnership.

By Courage and Faith,

Mark

Praise in Papeete

Last night we were invited to fellowship with a home cell group from the Protestant Church, which met in a home located down a long side alley in Papeete.  There we sang songs of praise in Tahitian and French, and then I was invited to share the Word.  I taught on the endurance and encouragement of the Scriptures, which give us hope, and hope in turn gives us joy and perseverance.  The message seemed to be well-received.  It is a special pleasure for us to fellowship with people who love Jesus and hunger for His word.  The video is a short excerpt of the praise from last night.

Our translator, Tepoe (Teh po ee), did a wonderful job of conveying words and meaning.  The group was enthusiastic and responsive, and eager for me.  Friday night we will continue with an new lesson on submission of our whole selves to the Lord from Romans 6. 

Tepoe also recommended that we fellowship at Pain de Vie (Bread of Life) church in Papara, a ways down the coast from our place in Punaauia. 19 months ago we actually stopped at that church to introduce ourselves, but there was a memorial service taking place so we went on our way.  Recently we heard that there is a revival happening at that church, and so we had planned already to try and visit there.  They are so on fire that they have a Bible study at 730 AM on Sundays in addition to their regular services.  So, we can't wait to be with them at last!

Today we are visiting the Pito family in Taravao... more pictures later!

Packing Day: Sunday, October 27th, 2019

There is a favorite scene of mine in Kenneth Graham's The Wind in the Willows, where the animals prepare to assault and regain Toad Hall.  Rat is put in charge of packing for the little band:  "The Rat, on the other hand, was running round the room busily, with his arms full of weapons of every kind, distributing them in four little heaps on the floor, and saying excitedly under his breath, as he ran, "Here's-a-sword-for-the-Rat, here's-sword-for-the-Mole..."  I am reminded that we leave for French Polynesia Tuesday morning, preparing for spiritual warfare.  Before me on the footstool are in no particular order: an Ipad, binoculars, reef shoes, sun hat and bandana, headphones, vintage map of Tahiti and the Society Islands (which shows the old hiking trails and spots no longer shown on modern maps... forgive us our trespasses...) map case, Dave Dyrud's guide to reaching your neighbors for Christ, first aid kit in a zip lock, swim goggles, sun screen, different brand of sun screen, three bags of Starbucks coffee as gifts for friends new and old, outfits for a young mom who ordered them for her family photo, English Foundations from Village Ministries, 2x Foundations in French, newly revised by friends in Uganda, power converters for the strange plugs, my careworn Tahiti Journal, a CD of Bob Montgomery Jazz to demo for a possible Jazz festival in 2020, and a SURFBOARD, which we're bringing for a client of Gerard (Poi) Smith's, a dear friend and prayer partner, and former Director of Christian Surfers Tahiti.  In my carry on, my computer, phone, passport, and various wiry things for devices.  Whew!  Now for clothes: swimsuit, shorts, tropical shirts, sandals.  Ha.

How deeply we appreciate your prayers.

Evanelia Mission Letter, October 2019

Dear Friends,

After two weeks in French Polynesia in late June of this year our team left, having experienced frustration because of rivalries: denominational, theological, and personal. The language barriers of French and Tahitian also negatively affected our operations.  At the same time, we gained valuable experience and insight into how to move forward, if we were willing to continue God’s leading and stay in His grace.  Missionaries encounter adversities of every conceivable kind, even from the day they set foot in the field of God’s leading. It is the norm to be shaken, to question, to re-examine.  The biggest question that strikes into the hearts of missionaries is existential: “Did God really call me here?” Tahiti is a graveyard of missionaries who have asked that question and concluded that the answer was “No.”

            I have kept a journal of my thoughts and insights on our French Polynesia mission endeavor.  It has many pages of cultural insights, strategies, names of contacts and potential team members.  On one page, in large letters is the word LEUKEMIA, and on another, a year later, LEUKEMIA AGAIN.  Acute Myeloid Leukemia and its treatment count as an obstacle!  Many times, for various reasons, I have been challenged to discontinue learning French, but always I have resumed.  Through the many adversities, I have continued to say “yes” to the existential missionary question for one key reason, which goes back to the first time I visited Tahiti and Moorea in 2016.  As I drove around the island, I noticed the prevalence of cults and churches that were obviously not grounded in God’s written Word, the Bible.  They were in every town and village on the island, and obviously prospering. Through this observation God formed in me the heart of a good Samaritan, a desire to help the dire spiritual needs of French Polynesia.  I felt like a medic who suddenly encounters broken bodies and vehicles and instinctively leaps to action.  After our first two pioneering trips, the scene only looks worse, the spiritual tragedy far greater than my initial impressions revealed.  This is not a flood; it is a tsunami.  So, in two weeks we go again, asking for your prayers:

1.     Closer relationships and clear communication of our mission with those we currently know, toward formation of partnerships;

2.     Warm initial meetings with new friends, again with clear communication of our mission, and especially close listening to their needs, perceived and real;

3.     Opportunities to partner in active evangelistic and teaching ministries while we are there;

4.     Opportunities to share the Gospel;

5.     Continued insight into the dynamics of denominations, personal relationships, and culture;

6.     Opportunities to heal broken relationships between believers through the power of the cross;

7.     Healthy and safe travel, not only to and from Tahiti, but also while there.

With Thanks for Your Partnership in His Great Commission,

Mark and Rene' Perkins