Solomon Islands District Newsletter (Volume 5, Issue 12)

Solomon Islands District

NEWSLETTER December 2022 Volume 5, Issue 12

Research Trips - Fouele & Moscom Over the past three years, Major Robert has studied the Master of Transformational Development at Eastern College Australia under the leadership of Rev. Dr. Steve Bevis. This degree explores principles of integral mission and sustainable development practices as ways of improving community well-being and human flourishing through the following units of study: 1. Climate Change, Justice and Sustainability 2. Biblical Justice, Human Rights and Advocacy 3. Economics, Development and Human Flourishing 4. Doing Theology in the Context of Poverty and Injustice 5. Leadership & Organisational Development 6. Community Development As the final assessment for the Community Development unit, Major Robert is required to complete a research paper on a topic that is relevant to his

mission context in the Solomon Islands. The topic he chose is “Community development reimagined through the context of a Melanesian understanding and experience of ‘shalom’ at a grassroots village level.” In summary, the research aims to discover what ordinary Solomon Islanders consider to be shalom (‘Stap Gud’ in Pijin) in a village context and define their aspirations for community well-being and human flourishing.

The research will be conducted through focus groups at five Salvation Army village churches in five constituencies around Malaita Province and through

interviews with the ward MPA’s representing these locations and language groups.

The first two focus groups were conducted at Fouele in South Malaita and Moscom in East Are’are at the beginning of the Christmas travel season. This meant navigating crowded ships and inconsistent shipping schedules to find a passage to and from these remote areas.

The focus group at Fouele attracted 26 participants from around the Port Adam area, who were curious about the research. They divided into three discussion groups to explore the prepared questions in their Lau language.

At Moscom, 16 participants divided into two discussion groups to explore the same questions in their Are’are language. All the responses were then translated by the research assistants into English, ready for Major Robert to evaluate and collate into a report for his research paper.

Inside this issue:

Christmas Prison Feeding

2

Christmas Carolling Pikinini Party

2

Christmas Carolling Burns Creek

2

Christmas Carolling British High Commission

3

Christmas Carolling Christian Care Centre

3

Christmas Day Service & Lunch

3

Personal Reflection

4

Special points of interest:  Feeding the Hungry  Christmas Cheer

 Community Engagement  Networking  Community Care  Celebration

Christmas Prison Feeding In follow-up to last month’s return to prison visitation after COVID restrictions had been lifted, The Salvation Army was invited to join the roster of local churches in Honiara who provide a meal for the prisoners over the Christmas period. The Salvation Army was assigned the Remand Centre, which is the first time this section of Rove Correctional Centre has been included in the feeding program. Members of Honiara Corps worked together to prepare meals of fish, chicken, potatoes, cassava pudding, fruit, and ice cream to feed 37 inmates and 16 officers on their assigned day.

The team who delivered the meals had

the opportunity to interact with the prisoners and share a message of hope and encouragement while they enjoyed the food prepared for them. Auxiliary Captain Wency shared that the prison staff were very pleased with The Salvation Army for the way they not only cleaned up their own rubbish, but also took away the rubbish left behind by others who had visited before them.

This feedback is testimony to an organisational culture of ‘leaving things better than you found them’ being instilled in local Salvation Army members and volunteers, particularly through previous Salvation Army Emergency

Services (SAES) catering activities. This sort of community engagement is an important outworking of Christian faith that puts skin on the “Heart to God, Hand to Man” ethos that The Salvation Army is well known for worldwide.

Christmas Carolling - Pikinini Party The first Christmas Carolling engagement for the year by Honiara Corps Brass Band was at the annual Pikinini Party held by the Australian defence personnel for the children of the local staff who service the compound throughout the year. The invitation to play carols at this event came two weeks earlier than the planned starting date for carolling, so a special practice was organised to get the band ready, given the limited practice time leading up to the Christmas season. The band’s enthusiasm and hard work paid off, with the ensemble performing confidently a set of carols to the delight

and appreciation of the audience. In addition to the brass band playing, the boys performed two vocal items - Jingle Bells Rock and Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree. The band members

were treated to a delicious BBQ lunch and as much soft drink as they wanted during the program. It was a joy for The Salvation Army to support this network of friends with whom Majors Robert and Vanessa connect on a regular basis. The Australian Defence Force continue to provide essential support to the Solomon Islands in various advisory roles from maritime operations to WW2 explosives removal. The long-standing relationship between The Salvation Army and ADF is strong in the Solomon Islands providing mutual encouragement while serving far away from home.

Christmas Carolling - Burns Creek

Two weeks after the first carolling event, the brass band reformed as a trio, due to other competing interests at this time of year. This reduced capacity required Major Robert to alternate between

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playing the flugelhorn and tenor horn to cover key parts in the arrangements practiced. Nevertheless, the trio was well received by the people of Burns Creek, who enthusiastically gathered at Destiny, Saumodea and Highway communities to listen to familiar Christmas carols played from unfamiliar instruments. The sound of the brass band travelled far and wide, spreading the joy of Christmas throughout the surrounding communities. The Salvation Army has established strong relationships in Burns Creek over a number of years, primarily through the ministry and

leadership of Auxiliary Captains Wency and Fostina, who live at Saumodea community. They consistently live out the values and mission of The Salvation Army, which has earned them respect and trust from among their people, despite the diversity of churches in Burns Creek. In fact, the first stop for the carols at Destiny is an Assemblies of God community, who regularly invites The Salvation Army to engage in combined church activities. The pastor at Destiny was very excited to have the brass band back at his community to help spread the Christmas message through music.

Solomon Islands District

Christmas Carolling - British High Commission

The third caroling opportunity came about as the result of an invitation by the British High Commissioner Tom Coward to provide carols at a social event at his residence put on for networks he has worked with during the year. For Tom, and his wife Jill, the

invitation also had a personal dimension, as they have very fond memories of The Salvation Army playing Christmas carols back at home in England. Tom stated, “It isn’t Christmas without The Salvation Army band playing Christmas Carols.” The small gathering of expats received the band graciously and enjoyed the background music while they celebrated Christmas together. For the two Solomon Islanders in the band, this was quite a new experience being invited to a diplomat’s residence and being served hors d’oeuvres. The cultural significance of The Salvation Army in other parts of the world was also a new revelation in a culture where The Salvation Army has yet to establish such a ‘brand

heritage’. Another blessing during the evening was reconnecting with the Archbishop of the Catholic Church, who is a good friend of The Salvation Army.

Archbishop Chris Cardone regularly meets with Majors Robert and Vanessa and is a keen supporter of their ministry. The evening was a pleasant opportunity to engage socially with some of the networks that support the mission and ministry of The Salvation Army and to share some of this ministry through music with them at a significant time of year on the Christian calendar. The British High Commissioner was generous in expressing his gratitude for the presence of the brass band, which was a great encouragement to the players.

Christmas Carolling - Christian Care Centre The final carolling engagement for the year was a complete contrast to the High Commission with the brass band heading out east to the Christian Care Centre at Tenaru. The Christian Care Centre is a refuge for survivors of family violence, ran by the sisters of the Anglican Church (known as the Church of Melanesia in the Pacific). The sisters provide safe and secure accommodation and care for women and children who have escaped violent homes. Sadly, the facility was at capacity with 14 women and their children. It was Sister Anneth who invited The Salvation Army to play carols

during the recent 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence opening program. The trip out to the Christian Care Centre was long and muddy during heavy rain, with roads in very poor

condition, but the effort was well worth it. The women and children staying at the centre were excited by the carols and encouraged by the Christmas message that Major Vanessa shared at the end of the program. The sisters were grateful for the ministry of The Salvation Army and extended very kind words of appreciation. This was a great way to end the carolling by sharing a message of hope, love, joy and peace with vulnerable people who are separated from their family and friends at this time of year because of the actions of those who are meant to love and protect them.

Christmas Day Service & Lunch With Christmas Day falling on a Sunday this year, the decision was made to hold the Christmas Day Service at the District Quarters, followed by Christmas lunch for those who were not travelling back to their home village for the holidays. The change of location from the usual meeting place enabled plenty of time and space to celebrate together, without being pushed out by the next group who rent the same facility. The service was attended by 87 people from Honiara Corps, including an Australian expat friend who usually spends Christmas Day alone at home each year. The final

Volume 5, Issue 12

message in the Advent series - ‘A Story of New Beginnings’ - was preached by the Honiara Corps Officer, Auxiliary Captain Wency Ramo’oroa and worship was led

by Daniel Hagi, along with the worship team. Christmas lunch was an awesome feast of pork and local root vegetables cooked in a traditional motu, with a large pig purchased by the District and the vegetables provided by the congregation members. There was an abundance of food with enough left over for every family to take home a parcel of pork wrapped in foil for dinner. It was a very enjoyable morning of celebration and

fellowship that made Christmas Day special for all who attended, especially for Majors Robert and Vanessa who have not been able to be with family at Christmas for the third year in a row.

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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.

The Salvation Army Solomon Islands District Officers - Majors Robert & Vanessa Evans PO Box 323 Honiara, Solomon Islands

 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.

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

Prayer Points:

Website: www.png.salvationarmy.org

 Major Robert’s Research Project in Malaita Province  Preparation for the New Year program  Continued healing for Envoy Alick Hagi, who has been quite ill  Safe travelling between the provinces during holiday season

 Solution to funding transfer delays between PNG and SI

Personal Reflection…

Merry Christmas and Prosperous New year 2023 to you all and may you celebrate this festive season with many blessings.

Well, this year 2022 was not easy, as one may think. As a Corps Officer, Community Leader and a tribal leader, I have a lot of expectation from those whom I serve.

When the expectation is higher and the situation I went through was tough, which inhibits my ability to serve them well, it put a lot of pressure on my shoulders. The demand to deliver in these trying times was well above what a man can do. We went through lockdowns when the COVID-19 entered our shores. This lockdown was an unusual exercise we never knew of or went through in the past. It’s the first of its kind that we had experienced. I went through some administration hassles quite often which added another level of stress on me. I went through deaths in my family, My uncle and my mum were promoted to Glory this year. But in the midst of these problems and uncertainties I saw God’s hand. Most of our programs and plans had not taken effect because of what I just mentioned above. As Paul says in 1 Thessalonians 5:24, “the one who calls you is faithful and he will do it.” God has called

me to serve His people in a time such as this, even if it is not easy. But because God is faithful, I managed to get through to the end of this year. I didn’t do everything, but I did something that kept my Church and my Community moving. All these things have been done by His grace and His grace alone.

On the other hand, despite all the odds I went through, I have seen that God has done great things. Because this God can perform signs, wonders and miracles. We went to our Congress in Papua New Guinea.

Attending a Congress was a new experience for me. Having our Candidates and Officers retreat. In those gatherings God is at work.

God touches lives, changes lives and transforms lives. And also in the midst of those hassles we continue to enrol soldiers into the Army of God to launch out into the battle field to wage war against the enemy of our soul.

This year, Honiara Corps participated in a lot of other programs with the faith-based organizations, NGO’s and government ministries. Our participation with the other organizations shows that we are caring and we will be standing by their side to fight against any injustice and any other issues that affects the lives of the ordinary and vulnerable and to help the

silent majority as much as we can with the limited resources that we have.

During the month of December, our programs are scaling down as people start to plan their holidays out to their home provinces. Despite that, Honiara Corps Brass Learners continued with our carols.

We went and did our carols in a few places around Honiara. The feedback from some of the places was very positive, which is very encouraging to me. As we farewell 2022 and welcome 2023, let us look back and reflect on what the Lord has done for us. His faithfulness and His love remain the same. There are times that we fall short, there are times that we feel unworthy and there are times we think that we are too distant from God, but God is always faithful. Let us pose this question: What shall I do to make my walk with Jesus different from last year?

May the God of peace gives us peace as we crossover to 2023 and let us raise our voice and sing glory to the Righteous One. Amen.

Aux Capt Wency Ramo’oroa