Solomon Islands District Newsletter (Volume 2, Issue 9)

Solomon Islands District

NEWSLETTER September 2019 Volume 2, Issue 9

Holy Land Pilgrimage Inside this issue:

Majors Robert and Vanessa Evans were given a unique opportunity by The Salvation Army Australia Territory to join a group of 25 other Officers on a study tour of the Holy Land this month.

This pilgrimage took them on a journey of discovery through Israel, the West Bank and Jordan, visiting biblical sites to follow in the ‘Footsteps of Jesus Christ’ and other notable people from the pages of Scripture.

Traveling through ancient sites, exploring significant landmarks and learning about the cultural, historical, religious and political context of this part of the Middle East was a life changing experience for the tour group.

Each pilgrim were invited to read a passage of Scripture related to the actual site where the story occurred throughout the journey. For Major Robert,

he read the story of Elijah battling the prophets of Baal from 1 Kings 18 on top of Mount Carmel. Major Vanessa was asked to read the story of the Last Supper from Luke 22 at the Garden Tomb, one of the possible burial places of Jesus.

Reading these stories where they happened was a powerful experience for all, bringing life to the text.

Other spiritually impacting experiences included sailing on the Sea of Galilee, walking around the Garden of Gethsemane, praying at the Western Wall (Wailing Wall), being baptized in the Jordan River, visiting the birthplace of Jesus, ascending the Mount of Temptation, staying with a Christian Palestinian family, among many, many others.

Historically and culturally, the time spent at Yad Vashem

Holocaust Museum in Jerusalem had a profound emotional impact on everyone in the group as they were confronted with the images and stories associated with the horrors of WW2.

From a geographic perspective, floating in the Dead Sea, driving across the Wadi Rum desert and walking through the Lost City of Petra were definitely highlights!

The stunning architecture, art and mosaics from the Roman, Byzantine and Crusader periods just added to the awe and wonder of the entire tour.

Majors Robert and Vanessa are very grateful to The Salvation Army Australia Territory for providing this opportunity, Majors Graeme & Helen McClimont and Guiding Star Tours for leading the tour, and for the friendships of those who shared the experience.

Nominees Daniel & Rachel Hagi

2

Archbishop Enthronement

2

SINU Fellowships

3

Biosecurity SAES Support

3

A Personal Note

4

Special points of interest:  Holy Land Highlights  Leadership Development  Ecumenical Service  University Outreach  Emergency Services

Nominees Daniel & Rachel Hagi The recruitment and development of future Officers in the Solomon Islands District remains a high priority to build a base of local leaders. Therefore, it brings much joy when local Salvationists respond to God’s calling on their lives.

Daniel and Rachel have been on a journey towards full-time ministry for about 18 months but recently completed their initial C1 Application Forms for Officership. This month they sat their C2 Entry Test at the District Quarters, which is a two hour test about their Personal History, Bible Knowledge, Salvation Army Knowledge and basic English and Maths

skills. Upon passing this test they officially be known as “Nominees” Officership, which then commences formal process towards training

will for the as

Salvation Army Officers. Daniel and Rachel now join Tony and Jennifer from Honiara Corps in this process, which is great news for the development and localisation of The Salvation Army in the Solomon Islands. Along with the six Envoys commissioned this month, great progress is being made to equip the growing number of congregations with qualified leadership. The demand for leaders is very high throughout The Salvation Army Papua New Guinea & Solomon Islands Territory because of the phenomenal growth being experienced across their respective provinces.

Archbishop Enthronement (Report Written by Envoy Joshua Henry) In the absence of The Solomon Islands District Leaders, Majors Robert and Vanessa Evans, who were on their study tour to The Holy Land, Envoys Edith & Joshua Aebata with Soldier Irene Aebata as photo journalist had the privilege to represent them at the Anglican Church of Melanesia Enthronement Service on Sunday, 15th September 2019.

We arrived at Saint Barnabas Cathedral at 07:00 am where we were given an escort to where the invited guests are seated. Among those invited were; the Chief Justice – Sir Albert & Lady Palmer, the Prime Minister – Hon. Manasseh Sogovare and the Governor General – Sir David & Lady Vunagi and many of the ministers of the crown including some international guests.

It was an atmosphere of warmth and anticipation as we waited for the service to start. The crowd which was estimated around a thousand plus people, all waited quietly in a prayerful mood as the Master of

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Ceremony welcome the people, as they continue to walk in like the tide, until there were no more seats left within the cathedral. So, people have to stand on the lawn and the hill on the southern side of the building to take part in the singing and prayer. The whole ceremony was printed in a booklet so everybody can participate. There were traditional decorations, dresses worn with dancing from time to time to escort the Archbishop elect to the sanctuary to be handed over for the installation by the Council of Bishops. The message, which was preached by the new Archbishop, was on Jesus and his disciples in a boat crossing the ocean, when a storm hit them while Jesus was asleep. It was a brief and moving message which highlighted the point; ‘Jesus Owns The Church’. After the church ceremony, The Council of Bishops led by the New Archbishop lined up outside the church building as the congregation shook hands with them. The new archbishop was the center of focus that time, so the only chance we had with him for a photo was when we shook hands and congratulated him followed by a long queue. Each bishop expressed their appreciation for The Salvation Army’s presence at this very meaningful event. The church

service finished at 11:30 am and people were instructed to move to their allocated spots for brunch. The invited guests were given the cathedral hall, which is the building at the eastern side of the cathedral.

Again, we were honourably escorted and seated close to the food table but still accessing stage view, where the instruction and entertainment is centered. The food was plenty and good. The venue was really decently colourful and orderly according to dignitary status. The three of us were reseated near the front, from the center of the building just before Grace was said. While we were having food, there were a number of traditional and church dancing groups performing on stage.

The whole event was well organized and we were happily received and our presence was acknowledged throughout that moment.

Envoy Joshua Henry Aebata Malaita Area Officer

Solomon Islands District

SINU Fellowships (Report Written by

Envoy Wency Ramo’oroa)

The Solomon Islands National University (SINU), through their wardens, invited The Salvation Army congregation from Honiara Corps for a fellowship at their Panatina and Kukum Campuses during their normal Sunday evening fellowships.

On the 15th September 2019, we were at Panatina Campus and the attendances were very good for both the students, staff and Honiara Corps Congregation members and the environment there was welcoming. We were well received by the staff and the students for that evening fellowship. Assistant Corps Sergeant Major Daniel Hagi led the worship and Envoy Wency Ramo’oroa preached. Envoy Wency preached under the theme “Be Men and Women of Godly character” reading from Genesis Chapter 39. The Total attendance was approximately about 100.

And also on the 22nd September 2019, we were at Kukum Campus where the attendances were very good for both the students, staff and the Honiara Corps Congregation members and the environment there was welcoming. We were well received by the Staff and the students for that evening fellowship.

David Aebata led the worship and Envoy Joshua Henry Aebata preached under the theme “The Power of the Word of God” with the Scripture reading from John Chapter 1.

Our outreach at the University has brought The Salvation Army to the attention of a lot of students and they are eager to know more about The Salvation Army and where we do have our Sunday Worship Services and other weekday activities. This was a very fruitful outreach. We were assured by the Students Association President that they will call us again to have a fellowship with them before this year ends. The attendance at Kukum was approximately about 130.

Envoy Wency Ramo’oroa Honiara Corps Officer

Biosecurity SAES Support With international attention focusing on the impact of climate change in the Pacific, a lesser spoken about and more immediate threat to the Solomon Islands is the infestation of the Rhinoceros Beetle that is destroying coconut palms at an alarming rate. In response to this threat to the coconut oil industry, the Biosecurity Emergency Coordination Centre (BECC) has been established to mitigate this threat. A part of BECC’s strategy is to clean-up the breeding grounds of the beetle. This undertaking begins with coordinating clean-up teams

Volume 2, Issue 9

over the next three months in Honiara.

To assist with this task, The Salvation Army Emergency Services (SAES) has been asked to support with catering by providing lunch daily for the clean-up teams. Not only does this request fit the mission mandate of the SAES it also indirectly supports the long term viability of the District’s newly established DME coconut oil plant at Gateway Corps in North Malaita. Weekly SAES teams will operate out of the District Headquarters to support the BECC operation over the next three months.

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Support Needs:  Mission Travel Budget You can support the follow-up of 13 mission requests for The Salvation Army to commence in other villages by contributing to travel costs between the Provinces.  Building Funds for Gateway Corps and Ramah Fellowship: You can support by donating funds to support the reconstruction of these village church buildings.

The Salvation Army Solomon Islands District Officers - Majors Robert & Vanessa Evans PO Box 323 Honiara, Solomon Islands Phone: (677) 30344 Fax: (677) 30344

 Additional School Fees Loan Funds: You can support by donating funds to distribute to parents applying for a loan to pay School Fees for next term.

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.

Mobile: (677) 749 4524 Email: solomon.islands@png.salvationarmy.org Website: www.png.salvationarmy.org

Prayer Points:  Larger venue for Honiara Corps for Sunday worship  Acquisition of land for Honiara Corps  Mission Trip to Port Adam, South Malaita  SAES support of BECC  Peace and stability after switch in diplomatic relations from Taiwan to China by the SI Government

A Personal Note...

Robert & I have just returned from a trip of a lifetime.

We were given the opportunity to take part in a 2 week Holy Land Pilgrimage. This trip was full of adventure and going to the sites that Jesus ministered at. Our first stop from Honiara was Brisbane, then onto Dubai and Amman then to Jerash, Tiberias, Cana, Nazareth, Mt Tabor, Sea of Galilee, Capernaum, Tabgha, Mount Beatitudes, Cesarea Philippi, Mount Arbel, Jordan River, Megiddo, Mt Carmel, Ceasarea, Jaffa, Jerusalem, Mt of Olives, Mt Zion, Yad Vashem (Holocost Memorial), The Western Wall, City of David, Garden Tomb, Bethlehem, Bethany, Shepherds Fields, Wadi Qelt, Jericho, Qumran, Masada, Dead Sea, Wadi Rum, Petra, Madaba and Mt Nebo.

At each of these places different emotions were evoked, from amazement

to disbelief. Amazement, as I realized that I was actually standing in places that Jesus stood. One of the songs that on the second day kept going through my head right throughout the 2 weeks was ‘Move Over Me, Spirit Move Over Me.’ This was something that right from the beginning that I had asked God to do, for Holy Spirit to fill me anew with His Spirit and to give me a new appreciation for the Bible and its impact on humanity.

There were many places that I would class as a highlight yet I think my favorites were the Garden Tomb and Petra. The Garden Tomb was a very peaceful and relaxing place where I could have spent the whole day. Petra was a complete contrast in the sense that the garden tomb was green and lush whereas Petra was desert and full of rock formations and caves, yet at the same time was peaceful and intriguing. This is

only a snapshot of the places we went to as I am still processing all the sights, sounds and emotions that I have experienced over the last 2 weeks, which I think will take a while. I am thankful to God and to The Salvation Army for the opportunity to go on this trip.

Major Vanessa Evans