More than 100 men, women, youth, and children from all walks of life gathered in Lowainasasa village to witness the event. A procession began from Lolobivunge village further uphill where the translation office was located. It was led by the Anglican Church clergies together with the Rev. Dr John Harris, one who has been heavily involved in this project both as a translation consultant and in facilitating the funding of its printing.

The new Bible translation for Vanuatu descends dramatically as part of the celebrations.

The procession stopped briefly at the late Fr Charles Tari’s grave beside his home to acknowledge his involvement as the first Havai translator. Then, on a site nearby, a pulley system with a rope tied from the rooftop of Fr Tari’s house to an opposite tree above our heads made it possible for the Havai Bible, placed in a traditional basket, to slide down the rope. The Word of God did come down from above.

The Bible was carried by the traditional elders (men) of the village in an ark and moved down with dancing motions of joy to the church at Lowainasasa. Then the elders passed on the ark to the young people who carried the ark into the church for the dedication service. The passing of the Bible from the elders to the youth signified the importance of God’s Word to all – old and young alike, and that the Bible is primarily for the future generation.

Representatives from various churches and groups gave their speeches – with the beating of the traditional drum (tomtom) to mark the beginning of each speech. What followed was the unveiling of the plaque of the late Rev. Charles Christopher Godden, the missionary who became a martyr in Lowainasasa. This marked the official launching of the Havai Bible.

It was unveiled by Rev. Dr John Harris, Chief Joseph Mala, Francis Tari, the only daughter of the late Fr Charles Tari, and the translation manager from Fiji, a representative of Bible Society in the South Pacific. Straight afterwards was the cutting of a huge Bible-shaped birthday cake also formed part of the celebrations. A great feasting of food, sharing of gifts, display of traditional dances, a special item from Rotuma and one from Fiji all contributed to a fitting closure of the day. Celebration continued right into the evening as children, the youth, the adults, as well as the elderly danced freely on the village ground in jubilation.

The Havai NiuTestamen Encyclopedia Edition (In Memory of Charles Christopher Godden) includes a 228-page, full colour Concise Bible Encyclopedia at the front and then the New Testament.