Vanuatu: Vitality of Language

Earlier this year, I traveled to Vanuatu on a scouting trip to prepare for future work with Oral Bible Translation, and it was an extraordinary experience. The beauty of Vanuatu captivated me with its lush green vegetation and strikingly blue skies and ocean waters. As I stepped out of the plane, I felt an overwhelming sense of awe at God's faithfulness in bringing me to this place that the Lord had promised I would visit nearly seven years ago.

After a few days of connecting with the YWAM community in Port Vila, I had the opportunity to journey to another island, Santo. There, I traveled with representatives from our partner organization, SIL, who were scouting languages for upcoming Bible translations. Joining one of the families in their efforts, I was able to visit several villages and gain invaluable insights into the language situation. The conversations were enlightening, helping me grasp the complexities of the local languages.

A particularly memorable aspect of my trip was the visit to Tutuba, an island off the coast of Luganville. With the help of a local woman, we secured a boat that transported us across the water. Upon arrival, we offered the villagers bags of rice, and they graciously prepared a meal for us. We spent the night in a church, where a local family generously provided mattresses for us. The next day was filled with purpose as we visited four different villages, engaging with the community about their languages.

SIL places great importance on whether parents are teaching their children their mother tongue. In cases where individuals from different villages marry, they may rely on a trade language, which can lead to the next generation forgetting their native tongue. I witnessed SIL's proactive response through language awareness discussions with the villagers, underscoring the value of preserving their languages.

During one such session on Tutuba Island, a young pastor stood up to express his heartfelt gratitude: "Thank you for coming and sharing this with us. This is the first time I am hearing about this situation, and I want to ensure our language survives. I want to make sure that parents teach their children our language and weave it into our daily lives."

In that moment, I sensed the presence of God stirring within that community, moving to ensure that their language not only survives but also glorifies Him before His throne, as described in Revelation 7:9. I am deeply grateful to have witnessed this significant moment during my visit to Vanuatu.

Despite the challenges of parents not teaching their children their language and some native tongues being at risk, I believe that the Lord's heart is for every language—especially those in danger—to have the Word of God. The process of translation can ignite a revival of interest in their language, encouraging deeper understanding and teaching among families. Together, we can play a crucial role in bringing new life to these languages through the Living Word of God!