Solomon Islands District Newsletter (Volume 2, Issue 6)

Solomon Islands District

NEWSLETTER June 2019 Volume 2, Issue 6

Ecumenical Pentecost Service Earlier this year, during a social gathering by the British High Commission, Major Robert Evans and Catholic Archbishop Christopher Cardone met for the first time. The Archbishop showed particular interest in The Salvation Army establishing a Brass Band in the Solomon Islands and extended an invitation for the band to play in a combined service at the Holy Cross Cathedral. Major

Robert didn’t take long to embrace such an invitation and wrote to the Archbishop with a proposal for the Catholic Church and Salvation Army to come together for a Pentecost Service.

The Archbishop’s enthusiastic response and warm hospitality demonstrated a true spirit of ecumenism that made the members of Honiara Corps feel very welcome at the Holy Cross Cathedral on

Pentecost Sunday. This was an historic moment for the two churches, worshipping together for the very first time in the Solomon Islands, while they celebrated the birthday of the Christian Church in unity. The Brass Band Learners played the hymn ‘Breathe on Me, Breath of God’, which was very fitting for the occasion. The sound of brass echoing in the captivating cathedral was truly a sacred moment for worshippers from

Inside this issue:

both congregations. The Holy Cross Choir also filled the Cathedral with God-glorifying worship from their beautiful island voices.

Salvation Army and Catholic representatives shared in various roles during the service, with Archbishop Cardone delivering an inspiring message. A strong foundation of Christian unity has been laid through this ecumenical service and both leaders look forward to coming together again.

One Army Congress “Called into Being”

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One Army Congress “Called to Be”

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One Army Congress “Called to Do”

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One Army Congress “Called to Go”

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One Army Congress “Called to Follow”

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One Army Congress ”Called to Belong”

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A Personal Note

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Special points of interest:  Unity in worship  Market outreach  New Soldiers enrolled  Recognition of new congregation  Cultural performances  Mission presentation

One Army Congress Following the success of the first ‘Salvation Army Convention’ in North Malaita last year, it was decided by the District team that an annual gathering of Salvationists from around Solomon Islands is an important unifying event to bring together the emerging new congregations. The theme “One Army” was chosen to introduce the international teaching resource being used at Honiara Corps to the rest of the District.

The presence of the USA Mission Team provided international guests for the Congress, which created a real sense of excitement and anticipation among those attending. This year the gathering of Salvationists from the four congregations in the Solomon Islands was hosted by the newest congregation, Ramah Fellowship.

Ramah is situated on the Fiu River in West Kwara’ae, Malaita. Travelling to Ramah from Honiara required a 5 hour trip on the Fair Lady Ship, a short public bus ride from Auki and a half hour trek through tropical forest. For Gateway Corps in North Malaita, they travelled 6 hours down the North Road on the back of a public truck and for Moscom Fellowship in East Areare, a 3 hour trip up the east coast of Malaita in a banana boat and a 6 hour drive along the East Road was required. Each congregation engaged in fundraising activities to raise their fares to attend. It is always inspiring to see the effort made by local Salvationists to come together from remote places.

Upon arrival in Auki, the Honiara Corps travelers conducted an open air meeting at the Auki Market, which attracted a very large crowd of curious spectators. The Brass Band Learners played a March called “Daniel’s Band” that proved a hit with the crowd. The USA Mission Team performed a powerful dance/mime and shared challenging testimonies. Major Robert introduced The Salvation Army to the market crowd and gave a brief message from Scripture. The Salvation Army’s presence certainly made an impression that morning, which is still being spoken about by the locals.

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Each travelling congregation was warmly greeted by members of the Ramah Fellowship who assembled along a floral and bamboo lined track to welcome their visitors. The positive interaction between each congregation is a testimony to the rich fellowship shared by Salvationists, no matter where they come from. For most of the visitors, this is the first time they had seen each other since last year, given their remoteness. Once everybody had arrived, a bamboo panpipe band escorted the visiting congregation into a leaf roofed worship area especially constructed for the Congress.

The opening session set the tone for the weekend with amazing worship led by Ramah Fellowship that had everybody lifting their hands and hearts to God. Major Robert commenced the series of teaching with a challenging message “Called into Being”, which was followed by a mighty moving of the Spirit across the gathered congregation. One of the visitors from a neighbouring Pentecostal church was heard saying, “If this is what the opening night is like, I can’t wait to see what happens next!”

The sessions that followed didn’t disappoint with each congregation taking turns leading the worship. The teaching theme continued with Mission Team members Derek Twinney preaching on “Called to Be” and Liz Ramirez “Called to Do”. Malaita Area Leader Joshua Henry spoke on “Called to Go” during the Celebration of Mission where each congregation presented an item. The Sunday morning service featured inspiring worship led by a combined worship team, followed by the enrollment of new Senior and Junior Soldiers. One of the many highlights of the service was the formal recognition of Ramah Fellowship by the District Officers on behalf of the Territorial Commander. A certificate and flag were presented to Fellowship leaders Martin and Beverly Lagwai. Once again, there was a powerful response to the message “Called to Follow.” God was clearly at work as people lined up for prayer.

Solomon Islands District

One Army Congress The final session was a Celebration of Culture where each group presented an item that reflected their cultural backgrounds. This included dances in traditional outfits and songs in local languages. Major Vanessa delivered the final message on “Called to Belong� celebrating the cultural diversity of The Salvation Army in the Solomon Islands.

Unfortunately, this inspiring night was disrupted by torrential rain that penetrated the leaf roof and leaked all over the instruments and sound equipment.

Nevertheless, everybody had a great night while it lasted.

Outside of the formal sessions there was plenty of time for fellowship and recreation. Swimming in the Fiu River was definitely a favourite activity, especially with the Mission Team, who welcomed the opportunity to escape the heat and humidity. The soccer balls and nets provided by the Mission Team were enjoyed by young and old as a number of games broke out all over the village. The sound of fun and laughter was evidence of the joy experienced by renewed and newly formed friendships.

On Sunday afternoon, Ramah Fellowship organised an unexpected cultural display by two groups of local dancers and another panpipe band. A huge crowd gathered from surrounding villages to join in with The Salvation Army for the show.

The involvement of young children in the cultural dancing alongside their elders, dressed in traditional costumes, was a spectacular sight. The passing on of customs in these villages is an important preservation of cultural practices that are being gradually lost by young people moving away from the villages to Honiara and further abroad.

There was clearly a sense of pride by local onlookers who enthusiastically cheered on their wantoks. This cultural display was the perfect prelude to the Celebration of Culture planned for the final evening session and preemptive compensation for the washed-out evening that followed.

Volume 2, Issue 6

The effort the Ramah Community put into preparing for and hosting this event was simply amazing. Despite a number of early set-backs due to the entire village being flooded in January and a coconut tree falling and crushing the community kitchen a month out from the event, they soldiered on and got the job done. They invested a large amount of personal time and money into this kingdom cause, demonstrating their strong commitment to the establishment of The Salvation Army in their community. Appropriate words of mutual gratitude were exchanged by Village Leader Martin Lagwai and District Officer Major Robert Evans at the conclusion of the Congress.

The journey back to Auki took an alternative route along an overgrown jungle track along the river on foot, while equipment and luggage was transported by wooden canoe to a river crossing.

There a truck met the travelers, which was loaded beyond capacity for the drive back to Auki. The Moscom crew had already left very early in the morning to ensure a safe passage back to East Areare.

At Auki, the Gateway crew were seen onto another truck for the 6 hour drive home. Once all the luggage bound for Honiara was secured, the District Team and Mission Team attended an appointment with the Provincial Police Commander to make a presentation about The Salvation Army. The purpose of this visit was to open doors for the pastoral counseling conducted with the RSIPF in Honiara to expand to Malaita.

This proposal was received very enthusiastically, with an invitation to a neighbouring village to introduce The Salvation Army there as well.

The following morning the group of tired but inspired travelers boarded the Taimareho Ship for a bumpy ride home on some pretty rough waters. Despite the conditions, the mood on the ship continued to reflect the rich fellowship enjoyed at the village. God blessed this time away abundantly with the impact of the Congress is sure to last until next year.

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Support Needs:  The cost of printing is very expensive in the Solomon Islands: You can support by printing and posting copies of our Soldiership Training Manuals from the original PDF file.  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

 New signage needed or our DME Plant & Vilij Kaleko Project: You can support by donating funds for us to have signage and banners printed locally in Honiara.

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:  Expansion of ministry to RSIPF into Malaita  Processing of Candidates and Envoy applications  First ‘Father & Son’ Weekend for Solomon Islands  Larger venue for Honiara Corps for Sunday worship  Acquisition of land for Honiara Corps

A Personal Note...

To God be the Glory great things He has done! I was so fortunate to attend the one Army Congress at Ramah Fellowship from 14th to 18th June 2019.

It was so encouraging to be with other fellow Salvationists and other godly men and women of God from other Churches who were invited to be part the Congress.

During the Congress we had the godly men and women of God like Major Robert and Major Vanessa Evans, Pastor Joshua Henry Aebata and the USA Mission Team who led the sessions during the day and night with very powerful messages that touched and changed lives. During the sessions God has done something different in my life.

The experience that I have during the

Congress was far beyond what I expected. However, it reminds me of the God that we served is the God that can do things beyond what we can imagine - “Praise The Lord”.

The USA mission team also did a great job during the Congress; their interaction has impacted many lives especially the young people.

The location of the venue was very fitting. It was under the forest alongside the Fiu River and when the Word of God was spoken in the natural environment I can feel that God was walking in the midst of us. This reminds me of what had happen in the book of Genesis in the Garden of Eden.

I was returned home with much joy in my life. The joy that I never experienced

before, the joy that lifts me up and the joy that gives me hope to the future.

Amen.

Wency Ramo’oroa