TERRY and TAMI MORSE
WBF Missionaries to
FRENCH POLYNESIA

June 17, 2009

Dear Friends,

      It is time for an update from us.  We are slowly settling in here in French Polynesia.  In the month that we have been here, by God’s grace we have been able to accomplish many things necessary to live here.  We have nearly finished the registration for the boat, and are just waiting for the final piece, called a “Green Passport” for the boat.  With it, we can do as we wish, with the only restriction being that if we leave the territory, we must inform the authorities.  Other than that, we can sail among the islands, and move about as we see the need.  If we are inspected, we just give them the “green passport” and all should be ok. 

      We found out that we cannot license the boat here, as we are citizens of American and not French Polynesia.  So I do have to re-license the boat with the coast guard, but I believe that it is fairly simple to do.

      We have two cell phones, as we need to be able to communicate when I am on land and Tami or Tobijah on the boat.  We take the dinghy to shore and thus when one of us is on shore and needs to return, we call.  Otherwise we swim.  Or try to find someone to take us to the boat in their dinghy.  Anyway, the numbers are 20.08.33 and 23.00.96.  To call from the States, you must dial 011.689 and then the number.  But it is expensive to do so. 

      The Lord has provided a “salle” to meet in, at the capital city of Papeete.  I thought that we would try to find one near André, the Tahitian that wants us to start the work here.  He lives about 60 kilometers from Papeete on the mountain.  But he works here in Papeete, and sells his produce at the Marché Sunday mornings, so he is already in town.  He starts at 1 AM and finishes at 9AM.  We will have this first service at 10:30, without a Sunday School.  We have several couples who have said them would come, so we will see.  We will pay about $60 a time to use the salle, or about $240 a month.  We just have it for Sunday morning at this point.  It will seat about 25 people.

      I am amazed how many people believe in God here.  Almost the opposite of France.  But the majority would not be saved, as they go to the Mormon church,  the JW’s, the Sanitos, etc.  Even the people that attend the Protestant Churches (from England’s Anglican church) do not know the Lord in my view.  Of course, I am not the judge, but even considering all the people that attend these churches, that leaves a very large percent of the population that do not go.  I would say it is similar to American as far a church attendance.  But we have only been hear a short time, and still have a lot to observe and learn about these people.

     Our biggest difficulty at this point it finding the means to have an address.   It is rather complicated here, and I cannot use, at this point, the salle that we rent.  It is rather unofficial and done on trust and we just pay each time we use it.  But we need a P.O. Box to be able to receive correspondence, especially from those people that will need to take the courses by mail on the islands after we have meetings, such as at Raiatea and Tahaa this September.

     So once again we ask for your prayers.  The Lord is opening the doors so far, we are having more and more contact with the people, thus have been able to share the gospel more and more.  I must say that the people here that we have given tracts to and have spoken to generally think that they are ok in relation to God.  But it is all a works salvation and they need to see that only by Christ can they be saved.  (I "debated" with a fellow at the Marché early Sunday morning for a long time, but he is trusting in his works.  He is Seventh Day Adventist and so very closed to the truth.)  Please pray for the souls here, that God would do a great work in saving many of them.  Please pray for the financial means necessary as well, as we are now aware that this is one of the most expensive places in the world to live. 

     Thank you all for your faithfulness toward the Lord and toward us.  We sure do appreciate you all!

In Christ,

Terry, Tami and Tobijah Morse

Missionaries to French Polynesia