It’s a weekday in Port Vila, Vanuatu, and a carpentry project is underway on the front veranda at the Geiger home.
Armin Geiger and Colson Huntington, two Marine Reach staff alumni, are in the thick of the project, coaching how to run the saw, showing how to smooth rough edges, and talking through the process of turning the sketched out vision on paper into a 3D reality, which turns out to be a real-life mathematical exercise.
Armin and his wife, Chelsea, and Colson founded Impact Ministry Vanuatu in 2022 in an effort to reach the younger generation of men in and around Port Vila. They offer training in mechanics and woodworking, as well as reading, math, and English. This year, 11 young men are training with them everyday, with the goal that these participants will be godly employees, skilled labourers, Kingdom-oriented businessmen, and reliable husbands and fathers down the road.
Armin, who has called Vanuatu “home” since 2016 when he was on staff with Marine Reach helping to prepare for DTS outreach teams, explains, “I wanted to invest my time into an effective form of ministry to NiVan young men. Several years ago I found a group of quality, solid NiVan men between the ages of 30 and 40, and I started looking into what was the factor that led to their character and maturity. Apparently, almost 20 years ago, a missionary in this area had an open door policy, and if the young men needed a place on the weekends or full time, he provided a home for them. The godly influence of that man welcoming young NiVan men into his life and discipling them is still evident today.”
Armin and Chelsea decided to follow that example. In addition to training these young men, six of the program’s participants live with them full time.
Chelsea shares, “It’s not the programs that are going to be the effective discipleship, it’s the everyday 24/7 commitment that shows the young men what it really looks like to serve the Lord, live in a family, and work hard to provide for the people that rely on you.”
For more information about how you can be involved, please visit: www.impactministryvanuatu.org