Tales of the South Pacific
In 1969, the nation that we now know as Vanuatu had another name – New Hebrides. At that time, and until independence was achieved in 1980, it was the only nation in the world to be governed by two other nations (at the one time) – England and France.
Called to the Big Nambas Tribe
It was to the Big Nambas people of North-West Malekula, one of the 13 main islands of Vanuatu (there are 83 islands in total) that my parents, Greg and Helen Fox, went, as Missionaries, to present to those precious souls the gospel of Jesus Christ. I was six months old.
The Big Nambas tribe, not too many years before my parents’ arrival, had been involved in cannibalism. They had had almost no exposure to the good news about Jesus. The area that Mum and Dad went to had no running water, no electricity, and no phone coverage (neither the internet nor mobile phones had been invented at that time). Communicating with ‘the outside world’ was only possible by trekking for 6 hours through rugged bushland to the other side of the island. The same trek would have to be made should medical assistance be required. On one occasion, as a young boy, I contracted whooping cough, and Dad (and others) had to carry me across the island in order to save my life.
The Work of Translation
Mum and Dad learned the Big Nambas language, which is entirely distinct from any other known language. Dad wrote an extensive ‘Grammar’ of the language, which was eventually printed, and was deemed to be of such a high standard that it would result in him gaining a Doctorate. Mum ran literacy classes, while Dad, along with another Missionary family and local consultants, translated the New Testament. The two Missionary families ‘planted’ a church, the men preached from the Word of God each week, and the families sought to embrace, and merge into, the culture of the people amongst whom they were serving.
It would be four long years before even one person was converted. After that, many, many more were saved. There is now a congregation of over 100 people in that place, with an indigenous Pastor, together with Elders and Deacons, serving the Lord there.
Growing up in Vanuatu
My childhood was not marked by trial or difficulty. Instead, it was a joyous celebration of life. My days were filled with activities such as swimming in the crystal clear waters of either the Brenwei River or the Pacific Ocean, climbing trees, and running and playing with my ni-Vanuatu friends.
After seven years on that remote island, we moved to Port Vila (the capital of Vanuatu), as my father accepted a request to start another church amongst the people of Ifira Island. The church was small, but still faithful. We lived on Iririki Island. Prior to us moving there, it had been home to the Vila Base Hospital. The hospital had been relocated to the mainland, leaving only the ruins for us children to play in. Since our departure, an international resort has been built on the island. Once again, we (myself and my sisters) enjoyed living just a few metres from the ocean, where we swam every day, as well as regularly climbing guava and banyan trees. In between these activities, we found time to attend the British Primary School, and then (later) Malapoa College (a British high school).
The Whole Bible for the Big Nambas
To cut a long story short, after another seven years, we returned to our homeland, Australia. God later blessed me with a wonderful wife, Noelene, as well as three beautiful children. After serving the Lord as a Pastor in Bathurst (a rural city in New South Wales) for eleven years, I finally had the privilege of taking my family back to Vanuatu to serve in a church in Port Vila.
We were there for three years, and hoped to stay longer, but, in the providence of God, this was not possible, as there were complications with the birth of our fourth child. However, the time spent back in Vanuatu had meant that I had been able to renew my understanding of the Big Nambas language that I had learned as a child. The New Testament having been already printed (and then revised), I was able to focus on translating the Old Testament. I was able to spend four and a half years completing this project, with the help of my church at the time, the Presbyterian Reformed Church, in conjunction with SIL / Wycliffe Bible Translators. The whole Bible was then printed and distributed in Vanuatu in 2023.
Continuing the Mission
I am now the Pastor of Grace Christian Church Redbank Plains (west of Brisbane). The congregation is mission-minded, supporting Missionaries in Japan and Zambia, as well as assisting in training Pastors and other church leaders in Myanmar, North India and Bangladesh.
My hope is to continue to build on my years of experience and deep personal connection to Vanuatu by assisting the process of training future leaders in Vanuatu, whilst continuing in the church here in Australia.
I know that I have the support of my colleagues in i2i, who themselves represent a number of denominations in Australia and New Zealand, all of whom have a strong commitment to furthering the gospel amongst the people of the islands of the South Pacific.
Andrew Fox
Delegate, Island to Island Gospel Fellowship
Westminster Presbyterian Church Australia