Keep Safe – A New Chapter Ahead

Hi everyone!

It's been a while since my last update, so here are a few signs of life from Vanuatu. The past few months have been full, and it's good to pause for a moment and share a little of what's been happening here.

Since my last newsletter, I've had the joy of welcoming one of my best friends from Norway, Øydis, for a three-week visit. It was so special to share everyday life, ministry, and life here in Vanuatu with her. There's something really special about having a good friend from home step into a part of your life that can otherwise feel so far away. We also got to explore a little of Vanuatu together, and I'm very grateful for the three weeks we had.

Life here is otherwise a good mix of the big and the small. We celebrated Vanuatu's Independence Day, had a cultural day at church, and represented Norway with cinnamon buns and waffles—which clearly went down well, because there wasn't a single crumb left! 🇳🇴 Meanwhile, the battle against the termites continues, as they seem to have decided that my sofa is their new home. We also followed the Norway–Brazil football match on our way up to a volcano, only finding out the result when we reached the top—quite a unique way to follow a football game!

At the YWAM base, we finally got solar panels, which has been a huge help with the high cost of electricity here. We also had a medical outreach at a local school, where we provided health education and treated both teachers and children for worms.

In the middle of all this, most of my time has continued to go into Keep Safe, which is constantly developing. We've had meetings with government representatives and are continuing to build partnerships with different organisations and stakeholders. It's exciting to see how God is opening doors and giving us opportunities to build on what has already been started. 

Keep Safe – Phase 2

It has now been just over a year and a half since we started Keep Safe. Back then, we had an idea, a lot of faith in what God could do, and limited experience. Since then, we have visited more than 60 schools across 13 different islands, trained teachers, and met thousands of children.

It has been a huge privilege to see Keep Safe grow and to see how God has opened doors into schools. At the same time, these experiences have taught us a lot about what is needed to strengthen children's safety in the long term.

The feedback from teachers and school leaders has been very positive. Many have seen children gain a greater understanding of their value, their rights, and their boundaries. At the same time, teachers themselves have been asking for more practical knowledge: What do you do when a child discloses abuse? Who should you contact? And how can you follow up in a safe and appropriate way?

This has made one thing very clear:

It's not enough to equip the children. We also need to equip the adults around them.

That's why Keep Safe is now entering Phase 2. We are taking what we have learned from the first phase and developing the program further, with a greater focus on teachers, school leaders, and the systems surrounding children. 

We are currently in dialogue with the government about how these topics can be better integrated into the school curriculum, and how teachers can be given the tools they need to handle these conversations and situations in a safe and appropriate way. 

The goal is for Keep Safe to become more than something an organisation comes in and teaches about. We want to see schools equipped to carry the message forward themselves.

One step further

When we started, we had no idea where this journey would lead. We simply had a small "yes" to God and took the next step in front of us. Today, we look back on more than 60 schools and 13 islands, and ahead of us is a new phase that we still don't have the full picture of.

But we know who we are following.

I'm so grateful to be part of this, and for all of you who make it possible through your prayers, support, and encouragement. Thank you for standing with me. ❤️

Prayer requests

• That God would give us wisdom and clear direction as we develop Phase 2.
• For good partnerships with the government and other organisations, and that the right doors would open.
• For teachers and school leaders, that they would feel confident and well equipped to protect children.
• For the children we meet—that they would know their value, know that they are loved, and receive help when they need it.
• That the Gospel would continue to go out through Keep Safe, and that more people would have the opportunity to meet Jesus.

Warm greetings from Vanuatu 🇻🇺

Marte