The Vanuatu Connection

In August 2013, Ian and Marion Dooley, with Lucy Powis and Tweed Heads Salvation Army officer Major Darren Elsley, and his father Kevin Elsley from the Lismore Salvation Army, conducted an evangelical mission to Vanuatu that took them into Tagabe village, the market place, and a prison.

They also took basic essentials for needy villagers, including clothing, footwear and copies of the Bible. The Salvation Army in Tweed Heads had fundraised to build a basic worship centre for the village to use, and locals constructed it, under Ian’s supervision, in front of the home where Lillyrose and William Sarilobani live. Lillyrose and William began Salvation Army soldiership classes, and Marion led Salvation Army junior soldier preparation classes.

From that small beginning, big things grew and Vanuatu is now an official outpost of the Tweed Heads Salvation Army.

The photo on the right shows Ian and Marion Dooley with Lillyrose and William and six newly enrolled Salvation Army junior soldiers. We never anticipated this – we are just ordinary people going to help other ordinary people who have less than we have, and are hungry for God, says Ian.

Earlier this year, Major Darren Elsley was part of The Salvation Army’s international emergency relief response after Cyclone Pam devastated many villages in Vanuatu. He now has the added responsibility of overseeing ministry in the country.