Pacific Oceania
Canvas
Pacific Oceania is an area comprising twenty-four distinctly different island nations, each with their own cultures, languages, and people groups. It is spread out over 65 million square miles of water. The vastness of the Pacific presents the challenges of long hours of travel time to reach the main locations and remote islands and creates extreme isolation and loneliness. Hidden deep in these seemingly endless ocean waters are groups of people unreached by the message of God's love
The area consists of three unmistakable groups: Micronesians, Melanesians and Polynesians. While each group has unique characteristics there are commonalities as their daily routines are centered on Island life. In general, life in the Islands goes at a more relaxed pace than what you would expect. They deal constantly with natural issues such as heat, humid, rainy seasons, typhoons and surprisingly, drinking water shortages in many locations. They also enjoy the benefits of the ocean as they fish, play, and live in tropical locations. However, below the surface of the typical tourist's image of a Pacific paradise are cultural issues that demand a Christ-centered response.
Culture
There are cultural issues in Pacific Oceania that cause injustices and impact every Islander. Often, strong regional nationalism and cultural pride take priority for the Islanders instead of seeking a life-changing commitment to Jesus Christ.
In Polynesia, men and women cling proudly to nominal Christianity as they go through the motions of religion but do not have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Meanwhile, their societies are ripped apart by drug use, alcoholism, escalating sexual and physical abuse, high unemployment, depression and alarming suicide rates.
In Micronesia it is common for people, especially those 20 somethings in age, to wander aimlessly without direction because their society offers no jobs or a lifestyle that brings fulfillment. They are trapped in a mindset where you live only for today and without thought of consequences for tomorrow or for eternity. They long for Truth that will bring meaning to their lives and are crying out for anything that will make them feel alive.
In Melanesia, Islanders are locked in the chains of tradition and local customs. They are bound by rules and regulations that not only lack guidance for personal growth but often are directly against the Truth. As a result, they are trapped by deep personal shame when they fail and false pride when they obey the rules. They are caught in a game of deception that yields no peace.
Cause
The Answer for Pacific Oceania is Jesus Christ. Jesus' death on the cross triumphed over the consequences of sin and death and brings meaning for life and hope for eternity. It is because the love of Christ compels me that I Can't Be Silent. It is because there are Islanders who are trapped by consequences of sin and are destined to an eternity without Christ that I Can't Be Silent.
I Can't Be Silent because there are babies in Fiji who are abandoned and discarded like yesterday's garbage because they were mentally or physically challenged or because of the Mother's inability to provide basic care.
I Can't Be Silent because there are Island boys and girls who grow up without knowing the identity of their fathers and who are being abused physically and mentally.
I Can't Be Silent because there is a generation of young Islanders who are wandering aimlessly through life seeking meaningful and fulfillment. They try to fill their emptiness with the "pleasures" of life such as alcohol, sex, and drugs but are never satisfied.
I Can't Be Silent there are villagers hidden in the vastness of the Pacific whose lives are being ravaged by HIV/AIDS and the results of a sexually promiscuous society.
I Can't Be Silent because the Islanders are dying due to a lack of proper medical care.
I Can't Be Silent because there are children who cannot read or write simply because there are no teachers.
Will you be the voice of your generation and join us in our cause? It's time that you get involved, that you take these needs personally, and determine, "I Can't Be Silent!"