Finally back at the schools
When the Keep Safe Message Becomes Personal
It has been a long time since our last update, and it is well overdue to share some of what has been happening here in Vanuatu. Despite a very different start to 2026 than we had planned, we are finally back in schools with the Keep Safe program.
The past few months have been focused on discipling and training local staff. Recently, one of our local team members shared how the Keep Safe message has become deeply personal for her. She never imagined that she would one day be teaching about such a difficult topic as sexual abuse in Vanuatu.
When she first heard about Keep Safe, she asked God for a simple answer about whether she should join the work or not. The answer she felt she received was a clear "yes." Although she was shy and uncertain, she chose to take that step of faith.
Today, she says that the work has changed her life. Through teaching children about their value and their rights, she has also gained a deeper understanding of her own worth in God's eyes.
The Keep Safe message has become a personal journey for her. As she has taught about boundaries, personal value, and speaking up when something is not right, she has also made important decisions in her own life.
"This is not an easy topic to talk about in Vanuatu," she says. "But I have experienced how truth can break silence, and how I can find the courage to use my voice. That is why I believe this work is so important."
Over the past three weeks, we have been on outreach to the Shepherd Islands, a group of islands located off the coast of Efate. It was three intense but wonderful weeks filled with boat trips, long drives, jungle trails, and school visits.
Twelve Boat Trips in Three Weeks
Some of them lasted up to fifteen hours across the open ocean, while others took only thirty minutes between neighbouring islands. Regardless of the distance, every journey had the same purpose: reaching children in remote communities with the Keep Safe program and the message of hope found in Jesus.
Travel in Vanuatu is rarely easy. Much of our transportation takes place in small wooden boats, often called "banana boats." We sit closely together as the boat bounces across the waves, saltwater spraying over us as we travel from island to island.
Once we reach land, the journey continues. On the larger islands we drive along rough dirt roads, through mud, across rivers, and up steep hills. Other times we jump straight into the water from the boat, carry our bags ashore, and begin hiking through the jungle to schools far from the nearest road.
It is hot. It is sweaty. And sometimes it is exhausting.
But every time we arrive at a school and are greeted by smiling children eager to learn, every challenge is quickly forgotten.
Reaching More Than 2,000 Children
During these three weeks we visited:
7 islands
More than 30 schools
Over 2,000 children
120 teachers
Through our lessons, we shared the Gospel, talked about children's value, personal boundaries, how to seek help when something feels unsafe, and about Jesus as our safe place.
Our goal is not simply to provide information. We want children to have language for what they experience, to understand their value, and to know where they can turn for help if they ever need it.
"This Is Something We Do Not Talk About in Our Culture"
One of the most encouraging parts of this outreach was the feedback we received from teachers and principals.
Many told us that sexual abuse is a real challenge in their communities, yet it remains a difficult subject to talk about. Several said that the training gave both students and teachers tools they had never had before.
One teacher shared:
"The topic you came to teach today is something we do not talk about in our culture. People do not talk about it at home, and we as teachers do not talk about it at school. This gave the children a chance to learn so much. Many children play with other children's private parts and think it is just a harmless game. Now they know it is wrong, and that it needs to stop."
Another teacher, who is also a parent, said:
"I have never talked with my own children about keeping their private parts safe or about telling a trusted adult if someone does something inappropriate to them. I believe this was the first time many of the children at this school had heard these important messages."
We also heard stories about children who have experienced abuse without ever telling anyone.
"Some of the children have been victims of this. They do not tell anyone, and it keeps happening. But now they know they need to report it immediately. Thank you."
Comments like these remind us why this work matters. We cannot be present in every school all the time, but we can equip teachers to continue the conversations long after we have left.
Hope for the Future
Although the challenges are significant, we are seeing small signs of change.
Conversations that were once difficult to start are now taking place. Children are learning that they have value. Teachers are becoming more confident addressing topics that were previously considered taboo.
Thank you to everyone who stands with us through prayer, support, and encouragement. Because of your partnership, we can continue travelling to these schools and reaching children with a message of hope, safety, and God's love.
We look forward to sharing more stories from the ministry in the months ahead 🤍 🌴