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When is enough enough?

In the 1950s, Paddy Jansen saw the potential for development of “Church land” at South Santo, Vanuatu, to provide training in agriculture, and income for the Presbyterian Church. Navota Farm has been a darling New Zealand-Vanuatu project. Numerous work parties and individuals have given time, blood, sweat and tears. Experienced farmers, timber millers, soil specialists, mechanics and agricultural teachers have spent time at the farm to help carry forward a vision of land stewardship that would give glory to God. The Vanuatu church has adopted the vision and welcomed the willing volunteers and gifts of many thousands of dollars of money and resources.

The jungle has retreated; cattle, pigs and poultry have been reared and sold, local feasts have enjoyed the farm’s fine produce and some of the small income has helped to keep the bush from advancing. Groups of young ni-Vanuatu have learned what the land can produce, and have gone home with a pig and a fowl to help improve island stock.

Ni-Vanuatu management of Navota Farm has worked effectively for short periods. Currently Ia, from South Santo, is the manager. With the official confidence of the Church, he is giving solid support with his basic training and abilities. But current reports suggest that the dream of a viable training farm is really no nearer to being realised. After independence in 1980, the Vanuatu government considered funding Navota Farm as a national agriculture training unit. Nothing has come of this.

So now there are some big questions. Can money and commitment from New Zealand responsibly be given to this languishing project? Is it appropriate for us to keep on drip-feeding just because Navota is one of our Church’s traditional mission projects? The Global Mission Office is motivated to supportively establish indigenous ownership of projects that spring from faith and bear fruit. If this does not happen, perhaps the time comes to “brush the dust from our feet” (Luke 10.11) and move on to offer peace where it can take root.

Perhaps it is time to cut the strong “mission connection” with Navota; to allow space for a new indigenous vision for the land; one that they can realise and own for themselves. When that happens, we will stand by as neighbours and be there as servants, rather than motivators, masters, or even partners. These questions might well be asked of other traditional projects. The Global Mission Office will be glad to hear your response.

Neal and John Whimp