Solomon Islands District Tok Stori (Volume 6, Issue 4)

Tok Stori

Solomon Islands District

APRIL 2023 Volume 6, Issue 4

District Easter Campaign

In the lead up to Easter this year, the District Team decided on the theme ‘Sacrificial Living’ to call Salvationists across the District to a lifestyle that is regenerated by the Holy Spirit. The theme was developed at the Preaching Workshop last month, where the campaign teams participated in writing the messages for Good Friday and Easter Sunday. The Easter campaign also provided an opportunity for the rollout of the ‘Gudfala Laef Blong Evri Gele & Evri Boe curriculum to all The Salvation Armyvillagechurches.

Inthedaysandweeksfollowing the campaign, exciting stories emerged of amazing ministry experiences resulting in lives being transformed, new

Inside this issue: Special points of interest:

4 mission opportunities and the village church and community leaders being encouraged by the visiting teams. On the Sunday after all the teams returned from the provinces, the entire service was dedicated to allowing the campaign teams to share their stories. It was a powerfulthree hour time of testimonies and

A Special Report has been prepared this month, featuring some of these stories through the reflections of team leaders and team members from each location. The stories will inspire and testify to the growth and development of The Salvation Army across the Solomon t want to miss

 Mission Travel

 Community Service

 Community Care

 Community Networking

 Cultural Celebration

 Social Justice

Moscom Community Service

Last year, the Solomon Islands District purchased a ray boat and outboard motor (OBM) from Mission Support Project funds to equip a fishing social enterprise at Moscom Fellowship in East Are’are. This boat has also improved

accessibility to this remote area of Malaita Province, which was particularly helpful during the recent District Easter Campaign, enabling the District Officers to travel from the last stop for the only available public sea transport to the east coast of Malaita. It also provided a passagefromMoscomtoFoueleinSouth Malaita. DuringtheEastercampaign,the District Officers were delighted to learn that the Moscom church leaders have responded to a number of calls for assistance from their community, using the boat to repatriate a deceased person from Afio back to their village, transport sick people from the highlands to a rural

Honiara Soldiership Classes

Following averysuccessfulDistrictEaster Campaign that involved a large number of young adults from Honiara Corps, an opportunity was given for those interest to complete Soldiership Classes. On Saturday, 22nd April, Aux Capt Wency and Envoy Alick took twelve enthusiastic recruits through the classes at the District Quarters. The lessons explore ‘What is Soldiership?’, ‘Who is The Salvation Army’ (Mission, History, Structure, Language), ‘What we believe’ (Doctrines), ‘How we behave’ (Covenant & Sacraments), ‘Why wearehere’ (SavedtoSave). Attheend

of the lessons, all twelve recruits signed their of their desire to be enrolled as Soldiers of The Salvation Army. Once uniforms have been sourced, an enrolment ceremony will be conducted at Honiara Corps. Keeping up with the interest in Soldiership across the District is a truly wonderful challenge to navigate, as distance and access to uniforms often leaves new recruits waiting some time to beenrolled. Therearenow18 recruitsin Western Province awaiting enrolment and a number of new recruits in East Are’arewaitingfortheirclasses.

Honiara Prison Ministry

The Salvation Army is on the Rove Correctional Services prison ministry roster, along with other churches in Honiara, to regularly visit and provide encouragement to the inmates from the

Word of God. It is very powerful ministeringtotheinmatesand aprivilege to minister in such a place like this. We were well received by the prison staff and the inmates were very excited to receive us. The service that we provided there will be remembered for so long, as it has a great impact on the inmates' lives.

After signing in, we were given a welcome by the inmates team leader, which was acknowledged by our team, who were then introduced to the inmates. We commenced with united prayer and the inmates led worship and

clinic at nearby Manawai and rescue fishermen from a capsized canoe in Maru’upaina Bay. Having the capacity to serve their community in such a way has increased the mission impact of their church in this remote area by living out the “Heart to God Hand to man” mission of The Salvation Army. This desire to engage in community service was taken a step further with Moscom leader Peter asking if he could set aside a titheofthe fishthey catch fortheir social enterprise to distribute to those in need around their village. Stories like this of self-initiated Salvation Army mission in thevillagesisagreatencouragement. their team leader preached. The Salvation Army was then given space for any of our team members to share a word of encouragement. This time of sharing was then followed by further united prayer. A final song was sung and we then had the opportunity to shake hands with the inmates before words of thanks from both the inmates and the visitingteamwereexchanged.

During April, The Salvation Army visited the prison twice with two teams of three soldiers. A third and final visit for this rostered round will be made this week beforeanotherchurchhastheirturn.

Farewell to NZ Police Advisors

Majors Robert and Vanessa have had the privilege of networking with a variety of organisationsoverthepastfiveyearsand have formed some strong friendships along the way. However, attending farewell events goes with the territory serving in a foreign country. The most recent farewell, was to a group of New Zealand Police Advisors who worked alongsidetheRoyalSolomonPoliceForce (RSIPF) in the community policing space. These advisors connected immediately with The Salvation Army, recognizing the importance of forming partnerships with other organisations to strengthen crime preventioninitiatives. Theircommitment

to developing these relationships has been a strength of the NZ approach to their support and capacity building role in the Solomon Islands. Sergeant Alex, Sergeant James and Detective Sergeant Leanne have worked in the Solomon Islands Police Support Program (SIPSP) for the past two years running family violence courses, launching the crime prevention strategy and facilitating other learning and development opportunities with the National Community Policing Department across the provinces. Sergeant Alex became a regular walking partner of Major Robert, enjoying many adventure walks around the outskirts of

ANZAC Day Dawn Service

Since COVID-19 changed the world in 2020, there has not been a public ANZAC Day Dawn Service in Honiara. So, this year’s service was of special significance for Australian and New Zealand expats living and working in the Solomon Islands. Majors Robert and Vanessa were very proud to stand alongside current ADF personnel posted to Solomon Islands to honour their service and commemorate the service and sacrifice of past ANZAC’s and defense personnel. A large crowd gathered at the cenotaph out front of the RSIPF Central Station for the Dawn Service,

MSHT Training (Report by Major Vanessa Evans)

Over the last two years I have had the opportunity to be a part of the Papua New Guinea & Solomon Islands Territory Modern Slavery & Human Trafficking Response Committee (PNGSI MSHTRC), which has had the task of putting together our MSHTR Strategy, Policy and Training Manual. During this month, I have had the privilege of taking 12 members of Honiara Corps through the training. Topics covered over the one day workshop included an Introduction to PNGSI Vision, Mission, & International Position, Modern Slavery, Human Trafficking, Strategy & Policy, Case

Management, Self Care and the Trafficking In Persons Report. Some of the interesting facts that many of those who attended the training learned throughout the day was that some of them identified that they may have been victims of modern slavery. Wantok and other cultural practices can have an effect on how people may respond to reporting cases. Another interesting fact that was shared was how little knowledge there is in the churches and communityregardingMSHTandwhoand how they were to report suspected cases within their families and communities.

newmembersjoiningtheirteam.

which was led by Lieutenant Colonel Justin Bywater. Addresses were given by the Australian and New Zealand High Commissioners and a senior military representative from Australia. The Last Post was played by a bugler who was flown in for the occasion. The Salvation Army laid a wreath on behalf of the District, which was beautifully arranged by a member of Honiara Corps. The service concluded with the national anthems from Solomon Islands, New Zealand and Australia, before the public were invited to Mendana Hotel for a traditionalgunfirebreakfast.

One of the goals that I have for MSHT this year is that we will be able to hold awareness programs with other partners throughout the Pacific Games which will beheldinNovember.

Honiara, which were joined by other NZP personnel recently. The Salvation Army is grateful to the New Zealand Police for their support and look forward to a continued working relationship with the

The Salvation Army Solomon Islands

District Officers - Majors Robert & Vanessa Evans

PO Box 323 Honiara,Solomon Islands

Phone: (677)30344

Fax: (677)30344

Mobile: (677)7494524

Email: solomon.islands@png.salvationarmy.org

Website: www.png.salvationarmy.org

Support Needs:

 Building funds for new Officer Quarters: You can support by donating funds to contribute to the construction of Officer Quarters at our village churches in the provinces.

 Purchase of furnishings for Officer Quarters: You can support by donating funds to purchase furniture and appliances for Quarters at each of our village churches.

 Purchase of Toyota Hilux for SAES: You can support by donating funds to purchase a suitable vehicle to tow our Emergency Services trailer.

Please contact Major Robert Evans at robert.evans@png.salvationarmy.org for more information if you are able to help with any of these needs.

Prayer Points:

 Construction of Container Shelter at Burns Creek Settlement

 New Mission in Western Province Bonosi Village

 New Mission in South Malaita Sute Village

 New Mission in West Are’are Kiu Village

 Establishment of a District Emergency Relief Fund

Personal Reflection…

In February 2020, I commenced the first unit of the Master of Transformational Development (MTD) with Eastern College Australia. After three years of studying while serving in the Solomon Islands, I submitted my final paper at the end of April. The MTD runs for six semesters, covering subjects pertinent to international aid and development from a faith-based perspective:

1. ClimateChange,Justice&Sustainability

2. BiblicalJustice,Human Rightsand Advocacy

3. Economics,Development and Human Flourishing

4. Doing Theology in the Contextof Poverty&Injustice

5. Leadership and Organisational Development

6. Community Development

Each unit is structured with an eight week reading period, during which you engage with an online reading cohort, a one week face-to-face intensive, and three assessment tasks take home exam, minor essay and major essay (totalling 10,000

words). The major essay (6,000 words) each semester allows the student to choose a topic within the subject matter that relates specifically to their vocational context. Similarly, the final unit requires a research paper (10,000 words) addressing a key issue relating to their situation.

Throughout this course of study, I have had the privilege of studying alongside some extraordinary practitioners from a variety of sectors from around Australia, Malaysia, and Thailand, who have significantly contributed to my learning experience. The relevanceofeachsubject matter toaPacific context is self-evident and the Solomon Islands has provided the perfect learning environment to apply this knowledge. This has been especially true in our context of leading the growth and development of The Salvation Army in this region, with every unit beingtimely,relevant andinsightful.

The lecturers from Eastern College Australia contributed a wealth of knowledge and expertise and were very supportive throughout the journey. I am particularly grateful toSteveBradburywhocommenced

me on this journey and to Steve Bevis who took over the coordination of the MTD midwaytoseemethroughtocompletion.

I would also like to express my sincere gratitude to The Salvation Army Papua New Guinea & Solomon Islands Territory for endorsing my study application and to The Salvation Army Australia Territory for approving and funding this course of study. Their investment in me studying the MTD has been an investment in the expanding mission and ministry of The Salvation Army in the Solomon Islands. Finally, I want to acknowledge Ness for her unwavering support, encouragement and patience through countless hours of study and our District Team who have carried an extra load while I’ve been hidden away completing assessment tasks. In the words of Paul to the church in Philippi, “I always praywithjoybecauseofyourpartnershipin the gospel from the first day until now” (Philippians1:4-5).

Major Robert Evans