The Christadelphian Ecclesia in Tisman, Malekula Island, part of the Vanuatu archipelago, is currently undertaking an exciting new hall building project, made possible through the generous support of the ACBM South Australian Regional Committee and South Australian Ecclesias.
This project is something that is really important to the brothers and sisters of this ecclesia, as the previous hall was severely damaged by the cyclone in 2023. Since then, it hasn’t been possible to use the hall and the ecclesia is meeting in the home of the local area representative, Bro Simeon Yannick.
Over the years the hall has been built and rebuilt, with the effects of cyclones and severe weather taking its toll. Vanuatu sits in a part of the South Pacific that suffers severe weather incidents each year in the March to April period with varying levels of intensity. The 2023 cyclone was a double cyclone just days apart and was declared a national disaster because of the severity of its destructive force. What is needed is a building structure designed to meet the severe weather incidents and this is what the current project is designed to deliver.
As can be seen in the photos, everyone is working together to build the ecclesial hall under the guidance of a local builder. Bro Wayne Wiltshire is managing the project and the logistics of sourcing and purchasing materials available in Port Vila, on the main island of Efate.
Transport to Malekula is a significant part of the building cost. The project is at the stage of bringing in the cement blocks which will provide a much more durable building structure.
Current circumstances are limiting the ecclesia’s ability to come together in a central place of fellowship and worship and be collectively involved in running the affairs of the ecclesia. The new hall will provide a very effective and safe place for ecclesial meetings and Bible study.
It will also enable the ecclesia to return to their preaching activities. The prospect of a new hall has brought a renewed sense of unity and the opportunity to work together for a common goal, dedicating their time and energies to what will bring a greater sense of unity.