Vanuatu
Republic of Vanuatu
Pacific
Geography
Area: 12,190 sq km
Twelve larger and 70 smaller islands, southeast of the Solomon Islands in the southwest Pacific. Formerly New Hebrides.
Population: 245,786 Annual Growth: 2.58%
Capital: Vila
Urbanites: 25.6%
HDI Rank: 126 of 182 (UN Human Development Reports 2009)
Peoples
Official language: Bislama (Pidgin English), English, French Languages: 108 All languages
Religion
Largest Religion: Christian
Prayercast
Answer to Prayer
Thousands have turned to Christ, coming out of the John Frum cargo cults, despite these groups forbidding contact with Christians and the gospel. (These cults emerged from WWII and a belief that loads of supplies on ships and planes would come from John from America.) Recent work by Presbyterians, the JESUS film and WBT sees a new wave of over 7,000 positive responses to the good news.
Challenge for Prayer
Vanuatus motto is In God We Stand. Pray that leaders of this complex little nation may be examples in doing so. Committed Christians played a major role in attaining independence, and they continue to help lead the country - not least is the President himself.
For an additional 2 Challenges for Prayer see Operation World book, CD-ROM, or DVD-ROM.