Tahiti Papeete Mission Updates

From President and Sister Banner, Mission President
Mission Post February 2021

This page (Facebook) was meant to be a page to share pictures of arrivals, departures and meetings so that families could share in the events of their loved ones.  As we were delayed, it took on more of a news report of what was happening in narrative form.  Now that we are here, pictures and mission events that we are involved in are being posted and we will not have much time to keep the narrative going.  With that said, here is a note about what we know is going on.  

Two weeks after our arrival, the Prime Minister of France decided to close the borders to France and all its territories to anyone not a part of the European Union.  This meant that all tourists in Tahiti had to leave within a matter of a few days.  This meant that the majority of international travel to and from Tahiti would cease in a few days.  This order was to last at least through the month of March.  Thankfully we had been here long enough to have a residency card so it did not apply to us.

The explanation given was that they wanted to protect the country from the spread of the newer, faster spreading variant of the Covid virus.  It had not yet arrived here but had in a few other places in the French Protectorate.  Fortunately for here, the number of new infected cases have been dropping for weeks.  A week ago the daily average was in the 20’s and last Friday was only five.  That is progress to be sure.

Although the numbers sound good in Tahiti, the bigger picture of Covid in France and the United States is dictating the long term visa policy restrictions.  With the exception of the recent Prime Minister’s closure, the borders for tourists had been open since July.  It appears that this stance may not change until new covid cases fall significantly and vaccinations have been common place.  We do not know how long that may take but hope it is sooner than later.  

The work of the Lord moves forward.  Keep your prayers and faith coming.

President and Sister Banner

Note from Rosario Hansen: Samuel has the French citizenship and does not need a visa to travel to Tahiti. However, the latest decision of the French Prime Minister do not allow citizens to go to Tahiti. There are French missionaries waiting to go also. When they are cleared to go to Tahiti, Samuel will probably also be cleared.