Over the last eight years, God has been calling our family to the island people groups of the world. In 2016, we met and became friends with the wonderful Marshallese community of North Carolina. In 2017, God put the people of Vanuatu on our minds. There were various signs and confirmations of this calling over the years. We named our son Morgan in response to this. Most notably, however, back in April of 2021, Ricky providentially met a man from Vanuatu. 

In April of 2021, having already sensed that Vanuatu and India were future destinations that God was putting on Ricky’s heart, he prayed for confirmation and whether the best way to get to those places was through media or a role in transportation/logistics. Before the month was over, he had his answer.

While serving with IMS on the campus of JAARS in Waxhaw, North Carolina, Ricky began giving demonstrations of a particular app during JAARS visitor tours. After his first time giving the demo, he incorporated a map of Vanuatu into his presentation because he planned to share testimonials of app users from Vanuatu. Lo and behold, just before his second time giving the app demo, by “mere happenstance,” a man from Vanuatu showed up at JAARS to look around just moments before Ricky was about to give his demo. The man wasn’t part of the normally scheduled JAARS tour group that morning. Ricky told him he must come in and see the presentation he was about to give. The man got his wife and daughter out of the car and came in to watch. Afterwards, in talking together, the man revealed that he and his wife were, in fact, missionaries themselves to India. Ricky could hardly believe what he was hearing—a man from Vanuatu who was a missionary to India, whom he met while discussing media. The odds of such an occurrence boggle the mind. We have stayed in touch with this family ever since and have consulted them about ministry in Vanuatu.

In the summer of 2022, the Holy Spirit prompted us to move to Dallas for a time of preparation, training, and edification. We knew we wouldn't be here long, hence the reason why we only rented and never purchased a home in Dallas. In mid-2023, we perceived an urgency from the Lord to get to Vanuatu by early 2025.

Our goal is to depart Dallas by the end of March and arrive in Vanuatu by early April of next year.

Initially, we will settle in Port Vila, the capital city. 

The people of Vanuatu are known as ni-Vanuatu or, colloquially, Nivans. They are primarily of Melanesian descent, not Polynesian or Micronesian. There are over 130 tribal languages spoken among the islands of Vanuatu. Some language groups can be as small as 50 to 1,000 people. The trade language spoken throughout the islands is called Bislama; it's a pidgin English. Some locals do speak English fairly well, especially in the capital. 

In talking with people there, Bible translation work is still taking place in some 50 to 60 languages. But even among the many who understand the Bible in their own language, there is still need. According to our friend who is a Nivan, "[P]eople need a deep experience of Jesus Christ.. because people in Vanuatu have [C]hristianity for quite a long time but there is syncretism, there [is] animistic world view, there is politics, there is customs, there is church traditions... there is drugs... there is witchcrafts," among many other challenges. 

To put it simply, we will come alongside the local church and help advance the Kingdom of God, with an emphasis on media engagement.

More specifically, Ricky will look to maintain a small role with his current department, IMS. He will also partner with another media organization involved in the Bible translation movement, Faith Comes By Hearing (FCBH). He is currently in talks with their recording and Scripture listening teams. Two local recordists recently trained by both IMS and FCBH have significant work ahead of them and could use assistance. Opportunities for other media and development projects may also arise, given Ricky's training and experience. People flourishing in all areas of life is what we long to see.

There is a lot that needs to happen between now and then. Aidan and the kids are already going through the house and downsizing drastically. Procuring the right visa is also a prayer request. However, the most pressing need is financial: 1) we have a sizable launch budget to raise to help us relocate and get settled in a new country; and 2) we would like to increase the number of recurring financial partners we have, so we can be sustained for the long term.

For the launch budget, we estimate we will need to raise about $70,000.

The launch budget is rather large. The good news is it's a one-time expense. Any one-time gifts or contributions help us a great deal, no matter how big or small. If God puts on your heart the people of Vanuatu, we would love for you to join us in bringing His love and goodness to them. 

And, as aforementioned, we do have a need for recurring financial partners to help sustain our ministry for years to come. Whether it is monthly, quarterly, once a year, or however, we would greatly appreciate people who can partner with us in a recurring fashion. 

• That God has answered prayers and led us this far
• That the kids are excited!!!
• That good connections are being made
• That God keeps confirming His impeccable timing and that the time is now
• That God deeply loves the people of Vanuatu

• That we would obtain the right visa for our family
• That the financial needs would be met
• For the magnitude of preparation that a move overseas entails 
• That we would always keep our eyes fixed on Him 
• For the people of Vanuatu