Kirsten Bevin from Opoho Presbyterian Church in Dunedin reports on what she hopes to do while serving at Onesua College, Vanuatu in 2007.
Much as it is hard for me to believe, this time next year I will be in the middle of my year-long mission experience, teaching music in Vanuatu. There will be no more frosty mornings and definitely no days off work for snow! Life will be very different.
Since I was young my life has involved huge amounts of music at home, school and church. Music is now my main work. I spend most of my time teaching, learning or playing music professionally or for fun. I guess you could say music is my way of life. Going to Onesua College, Vanuatu is a really exciting opportunity for me to strengthen my faith in God and to follow His call for me to serve in Vanuatu.
I have always wanted to do things with my life that were useful and had a purpose, and while studying .flute at Otago University I often wondered how my playing could benefit anyone but myself. I guess I had not yet appreciated the joy that others got listening to me play even though I enjoyed listening to others! Now, in all the concerts in which I perform – from home family concerts to professional paid performances or rest home concerts at Christmas I can see the smiles and happy memories being created.
Music is a way to show joy, to celebrate life, to praise God, to make friendships and to have huge amounts of fun, most importantly with other people. I love it when people come up to me and say they remember a particular concert, not necessarily because it was good, but because they had fun.
Next year I am going to share my enthusiasm for music with the students at Onesua College. As music is not currently taught as part of the school curriculum I will teach it as an extra-curricular activity. I plan to teach the keyboard, guitar and recorder, and am currently fundraising to purchase instruments for the school as their resources are limited. I can’t imagine what I would have done at high school without all the musical opportunities I had and I would like students at Onesua to have a chance to develop their gifts in this area. However, I am sure I will learn as much from them as they will from me.
I feel blessed and excited that God has given me this opportunity to combine my loves of music, people and Him together in this useful way. I can’t wait to be in Vanuatu meeting people and learning how I will fit in, live and teach in another culture. I don’t think my music degree will provide me with the wisdom I need for this, but my upbringing in the Church and the prayers of all those supporting me will inspire me to put my faith in God and make the most of this experience.
I am already so encouraged by people who have approached me wanting to support this adventure. It is great to know people think you can do it and that they also think it is worth doing. This support will help me now, but even more next year when I remember everyone who is behind me. Thank you! I also want to acknowledge the generous donation of musical instruments for Onesua from KBB Music. I know the students will get so much enjoyment out of these instruments and your support is really encouraging. Thank you.