Solomon Islands District Special Report - District Renewal Campaign

District Renewal Campaign

Honiara & North Malaita Campaign

(Report by Auxiliary Captain Wency Ramo’oroa)

In the month of August 2022 the Solomon Islands District focused on its renewal campaign throughout the District. This renewal campaign is very crucial for the District in order to maintain and uphold the values, practices and culture of The Salvation Army as a church, considering the level of growth in our District. Furthermore, for the current Soldiers to reflecton their covenant and renewit.

Before we went out for the renewal campaign we went through a spiritual warfare with sickness and delay of some essential resources for the program, which caused us to delay the renewal campaign trip until almost the end of the month. Auxiliary Captain Fostina and I went out to North Malaita covering Gateway and Kafomauri congregations.

We travelled on the 25th of August 2022 and arrived at Gateway evening the same day and were well received by the congregations.

I opened our session on Friday morning with a sermon about living a life of Holiness to set the tone for the weekend from 2 Peter 1:3 4. We structured our campaign into four sessions: The first session on Friday morning, second session Friday afternoon, third session Friday evening and the fourth session Saturday morning. We took the congregations through “Called to be a Soldier” thoroughly to make sure they understood the message clearly. During the sessions it was very emotional for others as this message challenge them deeply. There were some who wrestled with this teaching trying to figure out a way forward for their lives. But in the midst of the deep emotional feeling they were wrestling with, God was at work and I saw the evidence of it on Sunday morning during our Holiness meeting when the Soldiers willingly signed their renewal cards. It was clearly expressed during and throughout the sessions that this is the

message that they were waiting for. This teaching was very timely for them as they are approaching an unprecedented time where some of them almost abandoned their covenant. One of the Soldiers speaking in tears said that he regretted that his family did not come with him to attend the program. He said that for those who have their partners and their children with them for the program are so fortunateto hearthistimelyteachings.

During the session we had good times of asking and answering of questions to clear the doubts of others especially about our behaviours and practices. It is clear that a consistency of teachings about our behaviours and practices is mostly needed in our newly established congregations so that they will uphold and protect the integrity of our newly emerging church. This teaching helped them to understand the importance of the covenant that they have signed and the level of commitment needed from each soldier in upholding what they have committed to. After the completion of the “Called to be a Soldier” teaching in the afternoon of Saturday we prepared for the Sunday holiness meeting. The period after the teaching and before the signing of the renewal cards, I asked the congregations to prayerful think about the message we heard during the teaching while they prepare themselves for renewing their covenant during the Holiness meeting. I preached from Luke 9:57 62 on the theme encouraging the congregations to make a serious decision that they will never regret. This message was very fitting as we concludedourrenewal campaign.

After the Holiness meeting I had the privilege to dedicate the outboard motor with the boat that was given to Kafomauri as part of resourcing them to advance the mission of The Salvation Army in North Malaita. That OBM was made possible

through the Mission Project Support funds from International Headquarters. We finished our Program with a time of celebration and feasting. Both churches were very happy and thankful to God for such a program. Kafomauri congregation then returned home after feasting on Sundayevening.

We left Gateway on Monday morning for Auki, hoping to catch a boat in the afternoon the same day to Honiara. That plan didn’t work out because the boats were all busy with the US Navy Mercy Ship visiting Solomon Islands. We spent a day and night at Auki and boarded the ferry the nextdayto Honiara.

The renewal campaign for Honiara Corps will be happening very shortly. I have decided to do it in two ways. Firstly, we will do the renewal campaign in our weekday neighbourhood fellowship groups. Secondly, I am looking at doing another round of renewal campaign at HIPS school for those who can’t attend our neighbourhood fellowships. I have decided to do it this way so that all our Soldiers will have an opportunity to attend the renewal campaign program.

West Kwara’ae & Fataleka Campaign

(Report by Envoy Alick Hagi)

As the District geared up for the ‘Called to be a Soldier’ renewal campaign there were lots of disrupting factors. The first being the delay in receiving our grant for travelling and second the delay of ‘Called to bea Soldier’ books arrivingontime.

My trip to Rauai had two purposes; first to respond to a leadership crisis in the congregation and the second to conduct the renewal campaign. Given the importance of this trip, I had to travel despite the delay of the books and recommitment cards. So, as soon as the grant hit our account, I was the first to take off to Malaita Province and up to Rauai. I arrived in Auki on 15th August 2022, but the truck that travel to Rauai was overloaded so I was not able to board. I slept overnight at Kwainaketo with one of our youth from Honiara Corps who was in Malaita. The very next day we came back to Auki by taxi to catch the vehicle that travels to Rauai. We got there early so we could get a proper seat. We got off at Anokelo village and some youth from Rauai were there to meet us. They wore their Salvation Army blue t shirt and carried our bags and goods up to Rauai. It was almost an hour walk from Anokelo to Rauai.

In the evening of Tuesday 16th August 2022, I got all the Rauai congregation in the common meeting hall and confirmed the congregations’ commitment to remain a part of The Salvation Army, due to some recentunrest inthe village. Their response was we are The Salvation Army church! Then on Wednesday, 17th August 2022, before I walk to Ngalifalisi with elder Kemuel, John Misitana, Pastor Clifton Siau and my wife Esther; Alban Oba came and asked if I could wait for another day. I said no, I want us to go and check the soldiers at Ngalifalisi. It was almost 5 km of walking. We got to Ngalifalisi at Seth Misitana’s house where they use to have worship. I went through the soldiers list and found that only five soldiers remained, with all others having moved out elsewhere and some to Honiara. I asked Seth’s son who keeps the housebecausehis father went to Honiara. He is not a soldier but I wanted to find what his thoughts were concerning The Salvation Army. He was very supportive

hisdaughterGrimaKosiis theonly faithful soldier that can walk to Rauai every Sunday to attend worship. I asked his Father what if her daughter does the fellowship for them? He said it is ok and I encouragedhimto supporthisdaughter.

On Sunday, 21st August 2022 we had a reconciliation service between the church leaders and the congregation. It was an emotional time as they now feel delivered from the bondage that held them captive. This event happened after I had discussions and did the ‘Called to be a Soldier’ session, where I stressed The Salvation Army’s practice, attitude and behavior. The session helped them understand what it means to be a Soldier in The Salvation Army. The service concluded and we all went to have lunch and then came back to the church and continued with our sessions 8,9 & 10. We started our after lunch session and I had the privilege to enroll four Junior Soldiers. Then after the enrollment, I divided the church into two groups for discussion and presentation of what they learned from thesessions.

After completing the Rauai ‘Called to be a Soldier’, I left Rauai for Ramah on Wednesday, 24th August 2022 on a north road public transport. I waited for Auxiliary Captain Wency to arrive on Thursday, 25th August before going down to Ramah to collect the commitment cards. Upon arriving at Ramah, I was met by the community elder Martin Lagwai and told him that we would have our sessions in the evenings. Our first session

& 4. This was Thursday, 25th August 2022 in the evening. On Friday, 26th August 2022 I did another four chapters 5, 6, 7 & 8 and Saturday Evening I completed the final chapters 9, 10, 11 & 12. I was very excited that I completed the ‘Called to be a Soldier’ for Ramah in only three days and presented their commitment cards. There were only ten that received the commitment cards.

On Monday I went up to my father in law place and had a rest while waiting to get back to Rauai on the weekend of 3rd September 2022 for the certificate presentation. I spent 5 days waiting to return back to Rauai on 3rd September 2022 just to present their commitment cards. It was a great time of celebration because two weeks ago there was a reconciliation and now I am back to present them their commitment cards. Grima Kosi, the only faithful Soldier from Ngalifalisi, always walks 4 km to Rauai for Sunday worship. She came with her younger brother who is interested to become a Junior Soldier. She receive her card from congregation leader Pastor Clifton Siau. I encouraged Grima Kosi to do house fellowship with the family. Her Father is very supportive of The Salvation Army and so her first Sunday, 28th August 2022, shehad seven inattendance.

I presented the recommitment cards to the Soldiers who attended the 12 sessions of ‘Called to be a Soldier’. Rauai had a total of 53 soldiers, but only 28 in total received their recommitment card, as the othershad goneto Honiara.

The Salvation Army Rauai Church

The Salvation Army Ngalifalisi Church

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Called to be a Soldier’ Sessions Gateway Corps & Kafomauri New Opening

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Called to be a Soldier’ Sessions Rauai Fellowship

‘Called to be a Soldier’ Sessions Ramah Fellowship

Solomon Islands District

Signing of ‘Called to be a Soldier’ Renewal Cards Ramah Fellowship

Signing of ‘Called to be a Soldier’ Renewal Cards Rauai Fellowship & Ngalifalisi New Opening

Dedication of Mission Support Project

Gateway Corps & Kafomauri New Opening

Dedication of Children

Gateway Corps & Kafomauri New Opening

Solomon Islands District

On Monday, 29th August after we had breakfast, Michael and I went over to check on the Solar Freezer Project and reinstalled the faulty device that was first installed and was damaged. We checked to see that everything is functioning well again. After the work, we just rested for the whole day and prepared for travelling onthenext day.

Tuesday morning of 30th August, at about 10:00am, Michael and I, accompanied by other men and women from Moscom church, travelled to Fouele. We hired somebody from another community to be our skipper due to the rough sea. It took us four hours to travel from Moscom to Fouele, arriving around 2:00pm in the afternoon. In the evening, Michael and I joinedthe evening devotionand we called itanight.

On Wednesday, 31st August our next campaign session was held at Fouele congregation. We began our service at 10:00am and I had the opportunity to

we showed a film to the congregation about heaven and hell, which really attracted other surrounding churches to attend the film. After the film, two brothers from the Anglican Church surrendered their lives to accept Christ for the first time, which was a great impact of our mission to this community inSouthMalaita.

Thursday,1st September at about 8:00am in the morning, Michael and I travelled back to Moscom with other members of Moscom church who accompanied us. The weather during the day was not really fine, so wehad topatiently face theheavy rain and rough sea until we reached Moscom at 2:00pm. Later that evening, we showed the heaven and hell film to the congregation at Moscom until late thatnight.

On Friday, 2nd September, Michael and I boarded a ship and headed back to Honiara. We left Moscom around 10:00am and arrived in Honiara on

we managed to arrive safely home. Some of the challenges we faced during the mission included our physical strength, as we were sometimes so tired and weary, yet we managed to complete the mission. Duringour stay at Moscom and Fouele we had to meet our own meals without depending on the community. Also, fuel shortageled tohigh price of fuel.

The mission to Moscom and Fouele broughtareally great impact to these two places. The feedback received mentioned that after the campaign church leaders and members began to live according to the standards and way of a Salvation Army Soldier. It showed that the campaign brought back the life that we shouldbelike Jesus inour Christian life.

Michael and I saw the mission as miracles, because both of us were sick during the time we were ready to leave but the moment we stepped into the field we were healed. All we have to say is ‘to God betheglory, great things Hehasdone!’