Solomon Islands District Newsletter (Volume 3, Issue 6)

Solomon Islands District

NEWSLETTER June 2020 Volume 3, Issue 6

SAES Coordination Meeting The introduction of a Salvation Army Emergency Services (SAES) team in the Solomon Islands at the beginning of last year has opened the door to a number of significant mission opportunities to serve this nation over the past 18 months. For this important ministry to be sustainable into the future, the District Officers have set-up an organizational structure to develop local leaders in key organizing roles.

To this end, a coordination meeting was convened to begin this process by appointing retired RSIPF officer and

current soldier of Honiara Corps Festus Ganiomea as the District SAES Coordinator.

Festus brings to the role useful experience in logistics, planning and project management from his previous employment with

the RSIPF. As a part of his training in this role, the new District SAES Coordinator will shadow the District Officers in the planning of all future emergency services activities, coordinating them while supporting Corps SAES Team Leaders. This new structure will empower local Salvationists as SAES volunteers and expand the SAES service throughout the Solomon Islands.

Read about the SAES response to Cyclone Harold in the ‘Special Report’ insert in this months newsletter.

Inside this issue: Territorial Call to Prayer

Visit to New 2 Congregation Leaders New Markets for Coconut Oil

2

Village Churches Signage

3

Honiara Corps Youth Camp

3

Women’s Ministries Planning

3

Personal Reflection

4

Self Denial Appeal Launch This year the launch of the Self Denial Appeal extended beyond Honiara Corps into the Malaita Province, with village churches invited to participate for the first time. The theme ‘Love Beyond’ has been featured weekly in the preaching at each congregation to engage local Salvationists in this act of love through their sacrificial giving.

As recipients of mission support funds, the opportunity for Solomon Islands Salvationists to become contributors to the Self Denial Appeal connects the Solomon Islands District with the internationalism of The Salvation Army. The weekly videos provided in this year’s

campaign featuring the countries of eSwatini, Papua New Guinea, Myanmar and Greenland have aided this connection with an insight into

a variety of Salvation Army ministries around the world.

When these videos were played to village leaders of new

congregations in Malaita, the sense of excitement that came from their realization that they are now a part of this worldwide Salvation Army was quite inspiring.

At Honiara Corps the weekly videos were introduced by local leaders who then preached on the theme ‘Love Beyond’. The depth and scope of these messages demonstrated a commitment to the Self Denial Appeal that resulted in an appropriate challenge to the congregation to participate in the appeal.

Beyond the dollars raised, this appeal has also inspired the local mission of The Salvation Army in the Solomon Islands.

2

Special points of interest:  United in Prayer  New Openings  Sustainable Income  Youth on the move  Life Skills Classes

Territorial Call to Prayer Territorial leadership called all Divisions and Districts in Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands to prayer at the beginning of the month for the Territory.

The PNGSI Territory is a unique and dynamic mission space that experiences an interesting paradox of prolific growth in extreme circumstances. Social and political unrest is common, resources are scarce and travel takes you into remote and rugged areas; yet, there is a depth of spirituality and cultural beauty that encompasses a growing Army.

In response to this call to prayer, Nominee (Candidate) Tony Kinikoroa was tasked

with organizing a time of prayer for Honiara Corps.

Armed with The Salvation Army Year Book as a prayer guide, Tony led a powerful time of prayer at the District Quarters. Major

Robert passed on the call to prayer to Malaita Area Officer Joshua Henry, who invited congregation leaders in Malaita to organize a time of prayer in their villages. It is a privilege for the new congregations in Solomon Islands to join with the Territory in such a way, as it enables them to feel united to a larger expression of The Salvation Army in a common Melanesian culture with their PNG brothers and sisters. It is also an important reminder that God is the source of power and provision in all the activity The Salvation Army is engaged in across the PNGSI Territory.

Visit to New Congregation Leaders With the establishment of two new congregations in Malaita this year, it was time for Majors Robert and Vanessa to pay another visit to the Area Officers to meet the new leaders from Rauai Village and Ngalifalisi Village. Envoy Joshua

gathered these leaders, along with two local officers from Gateway Corps for a meeting with the District Officers in Auki.

This meeting provided an opportunity for a number of mission matters to be discussed that connected these new leaders with the broader mission of The Salvation Army. They were particularly excited hearing about the recent disaster relief provided by the SAES team to Cyclone Harold victims in Burns Creek and they were captivated by the Self Denial videos.

After a morning of productive discussion, the leaders were treated to lunch at the Auki Market

before making the journey back to their villages. This brief visit was a real encouragement to these leaders who are now looking forward to the District Officers visiting their villages to meet the new Soldiers of these congregations.

New Markets for Coconut Oil The organic-certified virgin coconut oil produced at The Salvation Army DME (Direct Micro Expelling) Plant in North Malaita is sold back to Kokonut Pacific, providing a valuable income to support the growing mission of The Salvation Army. In addition to this market, the District has started bottling non-certified oil produced at their plant for direct sale to Salvationists across all congregations and at local village markets.

This alternative market provides a higher profit margin to support the mission and a valuable local promotion of this micro enterprise through The Salvation Army.

Page 2

While visiting the new congregation leaders in Malaita, Major Robert gave each of these new leaders a sample of the oil while telling them the story behind the DME Plant to cast a vision of

the mission potential for such a plant in their villages. Their response was one of great enthusiasm as they imagined the mission and employment possibilities for their communities and local churches.

The response from Honiara Corps was also quite enthusiastic as they purchased and sampled the product that The Salvation Army Solomon Islands is producing. There is still much work to be done to develop this micro enterprise to its full potential but the past few months of operating the plant have been a positive start for all involved in running the DME Plant.

Solomon Islands District

Village Churches Signage The growth of The Salvation Army in the villages has led to the establishment of four new congregations this year! Each of these congregations are at different stages of their ‘New Opening’ application status, but they each now have active worshipping communities. One of the unique things about starting a congregation in the Solomon Islands is that the community inviting The Salvation Army to commence will sign over land and construct a simple church out of bush materials in readiness for the new mission. To help identify these new churches as Salvation Army buildings,

Major Robert is making Red Shields to mount on these village structures. The cost of professionally made signs in Honiara is very expensive and inhibitive on a limited budget. So, these home

made signs are an attempt to provide a quality sign at a fraction of the price.

They are being made out of fibro cement sheeting for durability in a very humid tropical environment. The lettering will be projected onto the painted surface and traced out before being painted in like a colouring sheet. This is a relatively simple technique that should produce a good result. Transporting these signs across rugged terrain so they arrive intact presents another challenge, but where there’s a will, there’s a way! Keep watch for upcoming photos when the finished products are unveiled.

Honiara Corps Youth Camp

The Honiara Corps Youth Group have been meeting at the Honiara Integrated Primary School for the past couple of months for their weekly activities. This new venue has provided a more accessible space that has led to the

Youth Group doubling in number, with senior students from the school now attending. With the support of YPSM Webster Buakalo, a Youth Camp was held at the school last week with 48 youth in attendance. Majors Robert and Vanessa visited their Friday night program and were impressed by the quality of the program and the leadership of the youth team. After a powerful time of worship, the youth were divided into teams and rostered to pray throughout the night, which was followed by small group studies on the Saturday morning. God is clearly at work among the youth of The

Salvation Army, which is manifesting through their life choices and service in the community. It is exciting to watch this numeric and spiritual growth that is transforming young lives in the Solomon Islands District.

Women’s Ministries Planning On the 18th June Major Vanessa met with Honiara Corps Officer Envoy Fostina Ramo’oroa, Home League Secretary Elizabeth Tolilalo, Home League Treasurer Joyce Maeatua and Junior Miss Leader Jennifer Kinikoroa to discuss the next six months of the Women’s Ministries Program at Honiara Corps.

After a short time of not meeting together in the first half of this year, the women of Honiara Corps are eager to gather again and learn new skills. The group discussed a number of program ideas that included classes for flower arranging that will be led by Major

Volume 3, Issue 6

Vanessa. These classes will give the women and girls new skills that will enhance special celebrations like birthdays, weddings and Christmas. The other skill the ladies want to develop is

sewing, which they are keen to learn as this will give them the opportunity to make and sell clothing at market stalls in Honiara. Some of these ladies already have this skill, so they can teach others.

As a planning committee they prayed that God will increase their numbers and that the Junior Miss participants will come along and be mentored and encouraged by the Home League members.

They also prayed that through the learning of life skills, health talks and Bible study that God would be glorified and the women empowered to pursue His purpose for their lives.

Page 3

Support Needs:  Mission Travel Budget You can support the follow-up of increasing mission requests for The Salvation Army to commence in other villages by contributing to travel costs between the Provinces.  Building Funds for construction of Officer Quarters: You can support by donating funds to support the construction of Quarters at each of our village churches.

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

 Purchase of additional equipment for SAES: You can support by donating funds to purchase a deep freezer to store food for Emergency Services and Disaster Relief.

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.

Fax: (677) 30344 Mobile: (677) 749 4524 Email: solomon.islands@png.salvationarmy.org Website: www.png.salvationarmy.org

Prayer Points:  Solomon Islands to remain COVID-19 free  Land for Honiara Corps  Nominees (Candidates) preparation for College  New Opening applications in Malaita and Western Province  Vehicles for Malaita Area Officers and SAES Trailer

Personal Reflection...

The Salvation Army Honiara Corps Youth Ministry was so blessed during our Youth Camp, which we held at the HIPS School on 26th—27th June. The Youth Camp brought a great impact to most of our youth who struggle with their life as a teenager.

In our Youth Camp we had four sessions.

The theme for our Youth Camp was “You are God’s Masterpiece” and it was introduced to the youth by our guest speaker Alick Hagi during our first session on Friday evening. His message on Psalm 139:13-16 was plain and clear that helped the youth to open their spiritual eyes and see their worthiness in the eyes of God. After our first session ended at 9:30 pm, our next session began at 10:00 pm which was an all night prayer chain. In this session the youth had established a great and powerful connection with the

Holy Spirit and led them deeper into God’s presence, which they experienced what it felt like to be part of something greater and mighty, something that no one can explain. This prayer chain was divided into three groups, the juniors, intermediates and the senior ones. Each groups had its own time to pray, which continued until 6:00 am in the morning.

The third session began at 9:30 am, which involved the youth in worship and the Word of God was given by our preacher Alick Hagi and everyone turned up for the alter call and a prayer was given out for the youth. This session ended at 10:30 am and we resumed for our last session at 11:00 am with group discussion and presentation.

Everyone took part in sharing and the presentation and also individuals gave their songs and testimonies. Everyone was so blessed

from the youth’s testimonies of how they experienced God’s intervention in their lives during the 20 hours of Youth Camp.

God has done great and mighty things in the lives of the individuals who attended the camp.

Gideon Sency