Mission Log

• Teams?

Dates have been determined for four teams to enter Vanuatu in 2007.

Dates are:

Team 1 - July 6 to 20

Team 2 - August 3 to 17

Team 3 - September 4 to 21

Team 4 - October 5 to 19

A fifth team may also be organized for November 16 to 30 after the yachts have left. They will be a land based team. PYM’s volunteers for 2007 are being organized and coordinated through One Mission, an organization that specialises in linking volunteers with projects. Are you a qualified, currently registered medical or dental professional interested in joining a team. PYM welcomes bookings by volunteers up to 3 years in advance. Contact One Mission now; email - julie@onemission.org.au 

• Yachts?

Last year we had no yachts but in 2007 it looks like we will have several. ‘Windango’ is slowly looking more like a yacht again as her refit continues. It is hoped to have her in the water by the end of April to begin presailing trials. Three catamarans and one monohull with their owners/crews have offered to assist. Another monohull is currently undergoing fitout. Her owners hope to have her ready in time to add to the fleet as well.

• Where?

PYM has an ongoing commitment to the people of TORBA Province in northern Vanuatu. It is planned that teams three and four will go there in 2007. If a fifth team can be arranged for November they also will work in TORBA. For teams one and two PYM is approaching the Vanuatu Health Department about providing work in a second province.

With a number of yachts willing to assist this year, it is hoped that they will be able to provide the teams with close support. This will leave ‘Windango’ and crew to provide logistical support, and to explore other areas of need including outside of Vanuatu. The Solomon Islands lie to the north of Vanuatu and many areas have similar needs as Vanuatu communities. 2008 may see PYM having teams working in two countries. PYM is willing and is praying that God will provide the resources.

This article published 29/06/2006

It has been quiet on the news front during the summer though things behind the scenes have been working.

Over several months volunteers have been selected and organized into four teams for the 2006 season. Since April much work has been done preparing the way for the teams. Stephenie has laid the ground work in Vanuatu, while Geoff and helpers purchased the medical and dental supplies. These went out on the aircraft with Steph on June 20. Now all is as ready as possible for the first team’s arrival.

[b]Please pray:[/b]

[b]1[/b] for the health and safety of team members
[b]2[/b] for good weather to allow them to do their work in the best conditions
[b]3[/b] that team members will be able to work efficiently under circumstances much more difficult than most of them are used to
[b]4[/b] that God will bless their efforts for this year’s work to be a resounding success

Considering that Pacific Yact Ministries was yachtless 2006 was quite a successful year. Three teams provided Vanuatu communities with quality assistance. The fourth team, scheduled for October, had to be terminated at close to departure time because of circumstances beyond PYM’s control. One member of that team had already departed when the effort was cancelled. She was a great ambassador at Santo Hospital for the two weeks. Two more dental volunteers flew into Vanuatu in November and worked with local staff for two weeks on the island of Santo.

Volunteers of 2006 - we salute you! Thank you for making the year a success.  We praise God for willing volunteers.

PYM management has for sometime felt that its website needed to be different. Many had indicated difficulty finding information and navigating their way around the site. We hope that you will find the site very user friendly, and its contents refreshing and uplifting.

Along with the new look is a new webmaster. The website’s former webmaster, and his assistant, had growing business commitments. These  made it impossible to spend the time needed on the website. PYM management has really appreciated the huge amount of effort put into getting the website up and running, and its maintenance over the last four years. 

They are also grateful to the new webmaster for volunteering to take over the restructure and management of the site. Without the willing support of volunteers and supporters working quietly behind the scenes, the work of PYM could not go on. Management takes this opportunity to thank publicly all PYM’s supporters and volunteers.

This article published 04/09/2006

Team Two members completed their Tour of Duty on Friday, August 11. It had been planned that they would work on the island of Ureparapara. The lack of a yacht meant a change of plans. You can read a report of their adventures on the islands of Malo, Aore and Santo by clicking on this link:
(Newsletter July 2006)

They had a great time and accomplished lots!

This article published 29/06/2006

PYM’s first team for the 2006 season is due to arrive in the work area on Friday, June 30. It is planned that they will work on the island of Gaua. However latest reports from Vanuatu have indicated that the weather could upset these plans. The south-east trade winds are at the strongest at this time of the year. Apparently they are blowing extra hard just now.

PYM makes allowances for these difficulties and alternative work sites are in place should the team not be able to make the first choice destination. We will keep you posted with what eventuates.

This article published 25/07/2006

Team One members completed their Tour of Duty on Friday, July 21. They worked on the island of Gaua in the Banks group of islands of Northern Vanuatu. You can read a report of their adventures and accomplishments by clicking on this link: (Newsletter July 2006)

This article published 19/10/2006

I’m sorry that it has taken a while to post this report. It has been a very busy time for this volunteer. That’s life though. Team 3 completed its tour of duty on September 8. There were a few hiccups because of last minute team member replacements and weather causing a change in venue plans for this team. However they had a successful time. Read about their work by clicking this link:
(Newsletter October 2006)