Parish opens heart to the `good people'

BY RACHEL YOUNG

Kneeling side by side for holy communion, any differences between New Zealander Dave Rentoul and Simon Vira, from Vanuatu, disappear as faith unites them.

This is not an uncommon sight in the tiny Church of the Good Shepherd.

When a small group of men from Vanuatu arrived in the Wairau Valley under the recognised seasonal employer (RSE) scheme, the church parishioners immediately invited them to join the church. This doubled the congregation's size.

At each service, the men turn up with guitars and drums and voices ready to provide an extra element to the traditional church songs.

Last Sunday, a group of 11 Ni-vans turned up at the church and were given the task of leading the music.

Greeting everyone around them, they filed into the pews.

After a few hymns and the minister's welcome, the group took centre stage. They gathered around the altar to play two songs in their native tongue (bislama) one about unity and the other roughly translated as Save me, Lord.

Despite having heard their voices before, several parishioners are quick to point out the beauty of the music as it resounds round the church.

Rev Kevin Gwynne says a large part of the Vanuatu culture involves attending church with families, so while in New Zealand they should be able to continue to attend church, although in a different kind of family.

Church elder David Cresswell says because the Ni-vans spend a lot of time working, they do not have a lot to do with the Wairau Valley community. Getting them involved in the church provides an outlet.

"It's a very Christian-based society they have come from, and that's one of the main things, so it's good they have somewhere they can go to worship God.

After Mr Gwynne gives his sermon and holy communion has been taken, the Ni-vans close the service in song.

After church, the parishioners take turns to host the group at their houses for a pot-luck lunch. This gives them time to chat, and the Ni-vans often sing to show their appreciation.

Through these interactions, the locals have come to know the group and learn what help they might need.

Parishioner Judy MacKenzie dropped off knitted beanies, which her neighbour gave her, to help the men ward off the chill on frosty mornings.

She says the group are very appreciative of anything they do to help them. "It's been uplifting."

Valley resident Margaret Cresswell went to their house each day last week to teach them how to cook.

She says they are generally not used to cooking, and she is showing them how to use the slow cooker so they can have a hot meal ready after work. She says it is a pleasure to help them.

Wairau Valley resident Lou Avery says accepting people into the community is the best way to make people feel at home. "It's quite special and very enriching to have another culture here in the valley."

An RSE worker from the island of Ambrym in Vanuatu, Maximillien Abel is in New Zealand to earn money so he can build a house.

He says moving here was not too hard, except for the cold, and it has been made easier by the warm welcome they've received.

"They have been good to me."

Likewise, Simon Vira is finding the Wairau Valley a home away from home.

"We are happy staying here," he says.

A shopowner in Vanuatu, he hopes to earn enough money working to expand his grocery shop.

The group are all in New Zealand through AYR Contracting.

Managing director Ross Young says the Ni-vans are a "neat crew". He praises the people in the Wairau Valley for welcoming them.

Although this is the first time a group from Vanuatu has lived in the valley, the connection to the Pacific Island was formed a few years ago.

The Wairau Presbyterian is made up of three congregations St Ninians, Renwick and the Wairau Valley congregation.

In 2007, as part of the parish's 50th jubilee celebrations, a partnership was formed with the village of Utas on the Island of Ambrym in Vanuatu.

Mr Gwynne says the parish pledged to raise $50,000, then another $5000 for the following four years in a five-year partnership with Utas.

He says these targets have been reached every year so far, thanks to the fundraising efforts of the parishes.

Every year a team of 10 goes on a missionary trip to Utas. So far, the groups have reroofed and painted the village church, repaired water wells, built a water tank, painted parts of the hospital and helped with plumbing.

These endeavours helped forge the links to the little church in the Wairau Valley, with members of its congregation going on these trips. In fact, some of the parishioners have met their newest church-goers' parents.

Mr Gwynne says if he goes to Vanuatu, he will catch up with the Vanuatu men who have been attending his services.

Likewise, church-goer Judy MacKenzie says she will visit them if she goes to Vanuatu.

While the Vanuatu men have found comfort in the church, the local parishioners are thanking God for sending them the "good people".

- © Fairfax NZ News