When he is sought after for his signature on a document to help a total stranger, and he pauses to sign the letter without any question as if it were part of the meeting he is addressing, then you know that he is someone special.

Or if someone finds it difficult to convey a message to the Prime Minister and he hears if it and answers, “Let me ask him his view and I will tell you”. Just like that. Then you know that this man has to have charisma and the network.

Do you know that he also charters a plane to fly his grandchildren to that place he calls ‘home sweet home’ – his home island, to reconnect with where he grew up, to take the kids for a swim and fun then return them to Port Vila?

Not only that but how many grandfathers have the generosity and commitment to; come what may – sun or rain, care to drive to the homes of all their grandchildren to deliver bread for their breakfast seven days a week?

As for me, if there was a man who seemed to know what I wanted him to say in answer to my questions even before I asked them then it would be none other than the same person — Presbyterian Church Pastor and Chairman of the Vanuatu Christian Council as well as Chairman of the Vanuatu Free West Papua Association, Pastor Allen Nafuki.

I am writing about him in the present tense because though he passed on only last week (may his soul rest in peace), he has left behind a unique legacy which lives on in the mind of countless colleagues, individuals and their churches, charitable organisations at home and beyond — in particular; the Pacific Council of Churches, Council of Churches of West Papua and the Melanesians of West Papua and across the globe.

As far as I I know, the son of Erromango is a workaholic — a dedicated ni Vanuatu because even if he is not well, nothing much can stop him from driving his white car or getting on a bus to go to work in his Office opposite the Paton Memorial Church (PMC) at Independence Park in Port Vila.

I have taken quite a number of pictures of him at different locations where he prays for the country to celebrate July 30 Anniversary with joy and peace, or to bless newly appointed diplomats before they depart to occupy their diplomatic posts abroad or a newly appointed Government Cabinet.

Professionally Pastor Nafuki is a man who does not mince his words. If he has something to tell you, he will not beat about the bush but literally tell you.

One day I ‘crashed-landed’ at his office and was told he was on leave. On his return, he shared a most impressive report of his journey. He charted a plane to fly his grandkids to his island for a swim! How about that?

How many other granddads, would be so generous to charter a plane to fly their grandchildren to their home island on a holiday then fly them back to Port Vila again?

Sometimes I would wait for him to drive to the mango tree opposite the canteen outside his Office. He would apologise for being late and say something about having to take bread to his grandkids. This confirms what I have just said.

At his grave site, a woman spilled the real beans on the ‘good Samaritan’s’ great love for his grandchildren by saying, “I am shedding tears also for the broken-hearted kids who are weeping for their grandfather because they have lost someone so precious to them”.

Here is the challenge: how many other grandparents are doing what he was doing to prove a grandfather’s love for his grandchildren?

Or how about chartering a plane to take your grandchildren to your home island to spend ‘total love and devotion’ with them?

I tell you, there is just one man – a grandfather and he is no more but his memory lives on. He is Pastor Allen Nafuki. May his soul rest in peace.

By Len Garae< Vanuatu Daily Post