Solomon Islands District Tok Stori (Volume 6, Issue 1)

Tok Stori

Solomon Islands District

Newsletter Rebranded

It’s been five years since the first publication of the Solomon Islands District (formerly Ministries) Newsletter, which succeeded the earlier editorial ‘Honiara Happenings’ (20152017) under the leadership of Majors Malcolm and Laurel Herring, Both newsletters sought to share with the world stories of the extraordinary growth and development of The Salvation Army in the Solomon Islands. After 61 issues and 11 special reports, it’s time for a rebrand of this medium of communication to integrate the cultural practice of story-telling into its title using the Pijin term ‘Tok Stori’. In Solomon Islands and broader Melanesian culture, telling stories create and maintain relationships through shared narrativesthathelpmakesense of life. According to Kabini Sanga, “When we story, we embody our social self and deepen our connections in a dialogical universe. We know we are in a safe space.” So, in continuity with this style of communication by Solomon Islanders, the incorporation of the term ‘Tok Stori’ is intended to deepen the relational connections throughout the international Salvation Army and with wider community networks who support this missionandministry.

Through these stories gathered and published each month from around the District, ‘Tok Stori’ invites you to engage with this dialogical relationship through your interest, shared values, prayer, words of encouragement and any other formofsupportthatmighthelp advance the mission and

ministry of The Salvation Army to serve the people of the Solomon Islands. The District team looks forward to sharing with you more exciting stories that testify to God’s amazing grace and His transforming power that is changing lives in up-coming issues of ‘Tok Stori’ throughout2023.

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Research Focus Groups & Interviews

The second research trip by Major Robert to North Malaita, Fataleka and West Kwara’ae in Malaita Province was cancelled due to unrest between two tribes over a killing incident, resulting in road blocks along the planned route of travel. As the situation was escalated by a retaliation killing, the decision was made to conduct the remaining focus groups and interviews in Honiara with representatives from the target language groupslivinginthecapital. The Kwara’ae focus group was conducted at Envoy Alick and Esther’s home in Gilbert Camp, the Fataleka focus group at Adrian and Webster’s home in Green Valley and the

North Malaita focus group (Mbaelelea & Baegu languages)atAuxCapt Wencyand Fostina’s home in Burns Creek. Concurrent political unrest in Malaita within the Provincial Assembly also meant a change of plan for the proposed interviews, resulting in a diverse source of information being obtained from key leaders in the education, political, public service and business sectors. With all focus groups and interviews completed, Major Robert now has the task of collating and analyzing all the insightful information he has gathered and reviewing existing literature already writtenabouthisresearchtopic.

Rauai Home League Sewing Project

During the District Officer’s & Candidates Retreat in November last year, four of the village-based Home Leagues received a hand-cranked sewing machine and starterkitofmaterialandcottontoequip the women in the village to make and sell clothing. The Rauai Fellowship Home League in West Kwara’ae, Malaita were very excited to receive their sewing machine and put it to work during the Christmas holiday period. The older women in the village taught sewing skills to the young girls in the Junior Miss program and, together, they made shirts andskirts,whichtheysoldintheirvillage,

making $233 from the materials that wereprovided. TheRauaichurchleaders reported that eleven women directly benefittedfromtheirfirstsewingproject. The money raised will be used to replenish the materials they used and any funds left over will contribute to other Home League activities. The dual benefit of skills development and income generation will empower these women and girls to serve their community and support their families. Major Vanessa will visit Rauai this year with women from the Honiara Corps to teach new skillsandexploreotherprojectideas.

Fouele New Opening Fuel Depot

Another social enterprise established at the end of last year was a fuel depot at Fouele New Opening so the church could provide mixed fuel to OBM (outboard motor) users around Port Adam. The churchleadersawanopportunityforThe Salvation Army to provide lower cost fuel to their community who depend on sea travel to commute between villages, to schoolsandhealthoutposts. Whileother local providers are selling mixed fuel at $150/gallon, The Salvation Army is selling at $120/gallon as a community service and is still making a healthy profit to financially support local mission and

ministry initiatives in Fouele village. The church leaders are now working towards using initialprofits to purchase additional drums of fuel to expand their capacity and reach, which in turn will increase their income potential. This simple community-driven social enterprise is a game-changer for this small, but growing congregation. While visiting Fouele during his research trip, Major Robert was excited to witness the impact of this initiative and receive from the leaders a large amount of cash from the profits to replenish their stock of fuel upon his returntoHoniara.

Learning Spaces Testimony

One of the great joys about mission and ministry is when your vision for a program to change lives becomes a reality through actual real life transformation! This is what is happening through the Learning Space being run out of Burns Creek with a weekly attendance of 40 vulnerable people. Burns Creek is a settlement in East Honiara that has a number of social challenges, including a high level of illiteracy among women and children. As Major Vanessa reflected on the progress of this literacy program, she enthusiastically stated, “I am so excited and proud of those who have been teaching the program, as well as the participants. One such participant is Rose. When Rose first started coming to English classes she could

Australia Day Reception

After the cancellation of last year’s Australia Day event due to COVID-19, it was a great time of celebration to gather together with other Australian expats and Solomon Islanders at the Australian High Commissioner’s residence for this year’s Australia Day Reception. This year’s event was significant, as it marked the change-over of Australian High Commissioners to the Solomon Islands. The outgoing Head of Mission Dr Lachlan Strahan gave a powerful and timely address acknowledging the challenges associated with the current date of Australia Day, while highlighting

World Vision Team Devotions

The Salvation Army and World Vision have a mutual partnership here in the Solomon Islands. This relationship is one that is nurtured through participating in training opportunities, as well as leading their staff devotions, which is a time to strengthen the Christian identity of each staff member. Recently, staff from the Honiara and Temotu Area Program Offices joined together, both in person and via Zoom, to hear Major Vanessa Abiding and Soaking in the from Psalm 139:7 –Where shall I go from Your spirit, or where shall I flee from your presence?”

not read and would never speak out loud. When someone spoke to her, she would look downcast and quietly answer, never looking you in the eye. Now Rose is getting up to publicly testify in church with such confidence, looking people in the eye, as well as greeting people with a smile and a handshake. This confidence and change in Rose is a direct result of our Learning Spaces.” Rose is one of many women who have participated in The Salvation Army Learning Spaces who have literally been transformed by this program. Their newly acquired ability to read and write and to speak confidently in public has opened up to them new opportunities they previously could never have imagined.

Australia’s contribution to Solomon Islands. The evening was enriched by a cultural fusion of music by performances from an Australian indigenous artist and indigenous artist from Malaita Province. Major Robert was granted the privilege of opening the evening in prayer, representing, not only The Salvation Army, but the other churches in Honaira. As always, such an evening provides excellent network opportunities, which resulted in a meaningful connection with a Fijian man working for FFA who has a strong interest in The Salvation Army’s workagainsthumantrafficking.

Major Vanessa reminded the staff that God is omnipresent and that they are never alone. She reminded them to have a consistent alone time in prayer, to read God’s word daily and to talk with God during the mundane tasks of every day life. She affirmed that as they practiced these spiritual disciplines they would know the presence of God in their lives and they would be able to share their experience of God with those they worked with through World Vision and through their personal witness. This devotion was well-received and deeply appreciatedbytheWorldVisionstaff.

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) 749 4524

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:

 Finding the right property for Honiara Corps

 Preparation of Candidates for Officer Training College

 Follow-up of three New Opening opportunities in Malaita

 Employment of a District Social Enterprises Manager

 Solution to funding transfer delays between PNG and SI

Personal Reflection…

Attending church as a regular church member every Sunday service is what everyone usually does, but when you have a leadership role it costs you everything from spiritual to physical strength.

First, I would like to thank God for His abundant love and wisdom for me and my family, as He has promised in Deuteronomy 31:8: “The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”

Over the past weeks of taking care of Honiara Corps Salvation Army church, I have encountered some tough challenges throughout the weeks of my leadership. There are many things I’ve

learned during my caretaker as an assistant church pastor:

 Confidence in looking after the congregation

 Though I have the habit of talking, but presenting a sermon built up my confidence really well.

I also get encouraged when seeing other church members taking part together in the church program. As a caretaker, I was very excited to see the growth of The Salvation Army church here in Honiara. The passion as a leader for this church is, I want the church of God to go down in prayer and fasting, with these I believe that God will raise its standard among us. Therefore, all I can say is to God be the glory, great things He has done.

Godbless.

[Editorial Note: Festus is the Corps Sergeant Major at Honiara Corps and looked after the church program during January while the Corps Officers were onfurlough]

CSM Festus Ganiomea