Vanuatu can learn from the humility, service, respect, honour and Christian values shown by late Paul Chongue.

Those were the words of Founding Father of Independence, Sethy Regenvanu as he paid tribute to late Paul Chongue and recognised his service through the Bible bookstore in Port Vila.

Mr Regenvanu said Mr Chongue was a respected figure who carried genuine respect for leaders and people across the country.

“He had great respect, and his respect was genuine and honourable. It was not political. He was an elder with values that Vanuatu can learn from for the good of our country,” Mr Regenvanu said.

Mr Regenvanu said late Mr Chongue had strong respect for national leaders, Heads of State, Ministers and Members of Parliament regardless of political affiliation and had also received a national medal in recognition of his service.

“Paul carried a kind of respect that you do not often find in many people. It was something unique about him. Whenever he was invited to State House, he regarded it with great honour and respect,” he said.

He recalled how Mr Chongue proudly displayed photographs taken with different national leaders and officials whenever visitors came to his shop.

“He always showed me the photos he had taken with different Heads of State, Ministers and leaders, and he was very proud of them,” Mr Regenvanu said.

Mr Regenvanu described him as a humble, sincere and deeply committed Christian.

“From the first time I met him, I was impressed by him as a Christian person. I became friendly with him and admired the service he provided through his religious bookstore, where you could find many religious books that were difficult to find elsewhere in Port Vila at that time,” he said.

He added that even the Bible Society did not have the same collection of religious materials available through Mr Chongue’s shop.

Mr Regenvanu also shared that one week ago was the last time he spoke with Mr Chongue while trying to find a Bible for his church.

“On the 26th of April, I was preaching at Paton Memorial Presbyterian Church (PMC) and one elder asked for a large Bible to replace the old one we had. I called late Paul, but he did not realise who was calling. I could hear from his voice that he was unwell, so I simply wished him well,” he said.

“I am very saddened to hear of his passing.”

Mr Regenvanu said Mr Chongue also had a deep interest in supporting the church and helping bring people together in worship.

“He worked hard to create a place of worship with others. Many times he organised pastors who could preach in both English and Chinese so those who did not understand Bislama could still follow the service,” he said.

“He was very instrumental in helping establish the congregation.”

Late Paul Chongue arrived in Vanuatu in June 1973 and later became well known through his religious bookstore in Port Vila.

He leaves behind his adopted son Clement Nasse and extended family connected to Yapkapen in South Tanna.

His business was damaged during the earthquake, and the family has not yet been able to fully reopen operations due to his illness.

His funeral is scheduled to be held tomorrow (Wednesday) at the New Cemetery in Eratap.

Photo supplied.