In 2015, Marine Reach leadership felt the Lord urge them to invest in discipling the nation of Vanuatu. In the years following, multiple outreach teams visited many of the inhabited islands, and the Family Care Centre outside of Port Vila was pioneered.
During that time, former Marine Reach staff, Armin Gieger, became the Youth Pastor for the International Christian Church in Port Vila.
Port Vila residents and ICC attendees, the Guillain family, sent their daughters to participate in youth group regularly, and through the influence of Armin, Marine Reach outreach teams coming through Efate and serving in the youth ministry, and other church members who had completed DTS’s, the idea of completing a DTS in New Zealand was planted.
In 2019 the eldest Guillain daughter, Emma, completed her DTS at Marine Reach. Now the second daughter, Joelle, has concluded her lecture phase and is currently on outreach with the Wild Heart stream.
For Joelle, DTS has provided the opportunity to build deep, rich friendships as well as growth in her relationship with God. Last month she was baptised in the Pacific Ocean as a declaration of her commitment to love and follow Jesus. Coming to Marine Reach, she had hoped to gain a deeper understanding and relationship with the Lord, as well as direction for her future. Although her five or ten year plan isn’t worked out yet, she is growing in her capacity to wait on the Lord and trust His leading in His timing.
For her outreach, she will spend several weeks in Brisbane followed by the final month in Port Vila. The Wild Heart stream will partner with the Family Care Centre and the International Christian Church to serve, teach, and disciple others, and Joelle will get to invest back into her own community as part of her outreach experience.
Reflecting on her time at Marine Reach, Joelle comments, “I definitely have enjoyed doing a DTS at Marine Reach. Throughout my time here, I’ve thought of many different individuals I wish I could bring here with me to learn what I’ve been learning.”
For more information about the DTS’s, please visit: www.marinereach.com