Locals and tourists walking the streets of Vanuatu’s capital Port Vila will likely come across a local disabled man singing happily assisted by a microphone attached to a small amplifier.
“I believe all people need to be part of the gospel commission in Matthew 28:19,20, and this is my way of doing it,” says Peter Dick.
“We know that as Christians we need to let our light shine out to other people who are still in darkness.”
Mr Dick started busking in October 2016 with the aim of singing songs “to bless people’s hearts”.
“I come from one of Efate’s outer islands, which is Nguna, and I was born on July 15, 1976,” he says.
“I am the second born out of nine siblings in the family but two died.” [pullquote]
Mr Dick is a member of the Seventh-day Adventist church at Udapua village in Nguna.
“I came from a Presbyterian family and when I was 11 years old I recognised this Sabbath truth through a Bible study and so I gave my life to Jesus,” he says.
“But it wasn’t as good as I thought; I ended up no longer going to church anymore and my life was a mess with all the temptations of this world.
“I started attending [another ministry] but my behaviour just got worse.
“So in 2009 I took the stand to be re-baptised back into the church and recommitted my life to the Lord after a big meeting at Saralana [Park] in Port Vila.”
Mr Dick says he only sings religious songs and has a warm smile for all passers-by, whether they offer any money or not.
“I am a disabled person and I can’t do any work, so I wanted to be involved in singing for Jesus because I feel blessed by doing that and also it helps me by getting income,” he says.
“I don’t force people to walk by and give their offerings. It’s just up to them and I’d like to thank them for having such generous hearts.
“We know that someday there will be a judgement day so the Lord will judge you and me on what we have been doing in this world, so do something for Him.
“Time is running out and may God bless you all.”
Mr Dick has used the offerings that people donate to help the villagers on Epi Island pay for two sound speakers and some uniforms for the Pathfinder club.
“I also helped some poor people who are in need,” he says.
Mr Dick did some part-time work for some newspaper offices in Port Vila before deciding to use his God-given talent to sing.
Brenda Daniel is a Seventh-day Adventist journalist in Vanuatu.
