September 22, 2024

“Strive to Be”, Albert Park and

Miracle in Vanuatu

I interviewed these four fabulous youth at Moroni High School in Kiribati.  Each shared an experience for President Nelson’s “99 plus 1” celebration.

Charlie’s story was chosen by the church’s social media department.  It was posted September 8 on Instagram “Strive to Be” at the Pacific Newsroom site.  Last I checked he had 3700 "likes" and a few touching comments.  He certainly inspired me.

The entrance to Albert Park in Auckland

The inner-city park is known for its trees.  Notice the couple seated on a low branch on the left.

The spring flower beds provided an added bonus.

The flower colors popped with beauty.

Spectacular trees

Rick leans against this amazing tree trunk.

Just outside the park we see the church tower above the trees.

The clock shaped flower bed baffles me slightly.

The back side of this tree shows new, green growth.

We found rhubarb growing as ground cover.

Eric Molbaleh, attorney in Vanuatu, and his colleagues.  Eric wears the necklace and Port Vila shirt.  His law offices are seen in the background. 

A few weeks ago, he traveled 20 hours by boat to represent a client on an outer island.  While there, 24 church members were performing a service project when they were arrested on false claims by a few people angry with the church.   All the men were placed in a single jail cell with three woven mats on the floor and a bucket in the corner.  One man was 75 years old, two were juveniles.  They were fed a bowl of watery rice each day.  A few became ill in the deplorable conditions.  Paul, lead attorney in our office, contacted every attorney he knew in Vanuatu.  Distance from the main island prevented anyone from helping in person.  Attorney Eric was there and volunteered to spend the weekend advocating for the men.  The presence of an attorney on the island was only one miracle in this scenario.  The local missionaries brought fresh mats and food every day.  Six days later they were released, they reappear in court in October, so the story is not finished.

Malekula Island, Vanuatu.  These 24 men were wrongfully imprisoned for six days.  The missionaries received permission to bring the Sacrament to them on Sunday.  The District President, seated in the middle wearing a dark shirt with the purple tie, told the missionaries they were not appropriately dressed to receive the ordinance.  The missionaries brought as many ties as possible.  Each man could at least wear something resembling Sabbath apparel.

I’m humbled by their desire to be nicely dressed for participation in Sabbath ordinances.  My thoughts turn to this scenario each Sunday as I sit peacefully in our chapel.  Oh, how blessed we feel.