Our flight from Port Vila to Tanna was short and comfortable. While at the airport in PV we met Anthony Deamer, our good friend, Bryn’s brother. Another is a long term pioneer and owner/operator of Unity Airline. Harrison, working for Vanuatu airlines came by and introduced us to other friends. So awesome to have the care of our Bahá’í wherever we go!!

As soon as we reached our accommodation we got on a small local bus- that picked us up at the resort- and headed for the ONLY reason we were in Tanna, to see and pray at the FIRST, local Baha’i House of Worship in the Pacific.

As soon as we saw the temple Richard & I looked at each other and said: Are we really here, in this majestic spot?

We had the opportunity to spend several hours walking the grounds and praying inside the temple (for all our dear friends, family, unity, and peace on earth.)

The simplicity, local design and the material used to build this House of Worship is breathtakingly beautiful. The tightly woven bamboo, the pine and the beautiful crown of the Greatest name is a sight that no photo can properly capture.

As always, an Angel came to our aid. This time her name was Daisy, her two children and several junior youths showed up to pray as we were heading out. Daisy is a member of the Baha’i Local Spiritual Assembly. She called a cousin with taxi who drove us all back to our respective destinations. Without Daisy we would have been in a difficult situation. It was dark and we really didn’t know how to get a ride back to the resort.

We were lucky to be able to see Daisy, her children Kian and Kira, and one of the junior youths, where we were staying, the next day. We had snacks, kids swam in the pool and then we said lots of prayers for mankind, unity, and peace. Precious Daisy works and raises the children alone. There is not much work, so her husband a skilled builder joon, like so many others on these islands, is away, in New Zealand or Australia, several months a year, for work.

YES, they work hard and have very little, but they live, serve & give as though they have everything.

A member of the National Spiritual Assembly, kindly responded to our inquiries and informed us that we were the first Baha’is from the United States to visit the temple. We were surprised to hear that but pleased to have been able to make it to this blessed island and to be among so many wonderful and kind people who are doing an enormous amount of work towards community development.

The project called “Preparation for Social Action” – PSA, engages the Junior youth and youth to get involved with activities that benefit their families and the community. 

https://www.bahai.org.vu/social-action

We wished we could have spent more time in Tanna.  God willing, we can come back again.  

BTW, Richard will be putting together a guide for those of you that are longing to visit the HOW in Tanna.  Please don’t hesitate to contact him at richardmartin9@gmail.org, or leave a message here on our travel blog.

Our flight back to Port Vila on Air Vanuatu was on time and perfect in all ways, including the views.

Here is a link to more photos and other useful links:

photos.app.goo.gl/vTPRrmHC9EAasoZ37

photos.app.goo.gl/LL5dJpYiMi5i6TwA9 N

House of Worship – Baha’is of Vanuatu:

https://www.bahai.org.vu/house-of-worship

Inauguration of the Temple in 2021: 

https://news.bahai.org/story/1550/

Tanna:

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tanna_(island) \

Melanesia:

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melanesia