Solomon Islands Ministries Newsletter (Volume 1, Issue 5)

Solomon Islands Ministries

NEWSLETTER April 2018 Volume 1, Issue 5

Easter Weekend This year Easter presented the Honiara Corps with a series of powerful opportunities for worship and teaching around the theme ‘Fo Mekem Yufala Biliv’ (John 20:31). The Easter weekend commenced with a

Passover Service on Maundy Thursday where 35 members of the congregation gathered to share in the liturgy of the Passover at the Quarters in Ngossi Ridge. This group grew to 50 the following morning at

Baby Dedication One of the many privileges of ministry is to participate in family milestones as a fellowship of believers. The invitation to conduct the Dedication of a baby is one such occasion. Major Robert Evans was delighted to be asked to perform this role, as his first ceremony in Solomon Islands.

However, he was totally surprised to discover that it is a custom for many

Solomon Islanders to name their baby after the Pastor who performs this ceremony. So, meet Robert David, the three month old son of Alfred and Caroline, whose parents are members of the Honiara Corps.

This was a great day of celebration as Alfred and Caroline gave thanks to God for the gift of their son and promised to raise him in the ways of Christ.

the Good Friday service where many responded to the call to take a palm leaf cross to share with an unsaved friend ‘so that they might believe!’

Inside this issue: Red Shield Appeal Committee

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On Easter Sunday morning a few early birds gathered before the sunrise at the US War Memorial with a number of other churches from around Honiara to celebrate the resurrection. The Dawn Service was followed by the Easter Sunday Service with a packed house at The Salvation Army’s usual place of worship in the Rock Haven Inn. Once again, God moved in a powerful way bringing the Easter weekend to a joyful conclusion.

Kokonut Pacific DME

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Ending Violence Workshop

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Junior Soldiers Donation

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Emergency Services Team

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ANZAC Day

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A Personal Note

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Special points of interest:  Fundraising support  Social enterprises and partnerships  Ending violence against women and children  Raising an Army of Junior Soldiers  Disaster preparedness

Red Shield Appeal Committee

Last month Sergeant Darren McClelland was introduced as the new Red Shield Appeal Chairperson for the Solomon Islands. Within a month Darren has formed a team of his AFP colleagues serving in Honiara to begin immediate

work on organizing the first fundraising event for The Salvation Army. Together with Majors Robert and Vanessa, this team has met twice this month and they have already demonstrated the value of their expertise and enthusiasm with some major sponsors obtained for the fundraising dinner scheduled for July. These sponsors include a three day trip to a resort in the Western Province (including air fares) for auction on the night!

The RSA Committee has enthusiastically embraced the vision of The Salvation Army for the Solomon Islands and are working hard to help raise the funds necessary to turn this vision into a reality. One of the

major projects that will be supported by the first fundraising dinner is the purchase of DME (Direct Micro Expelling) equipment for installation as a coconut oil plant in North Malaita. This plant will provide the village with employment and a good return for the farmer’s coconuts.

It will also establish a sustainable source of income to build a strong operational budget and funds for future mission and ministry opportunities by The Salvation Army in Malaita.

The second fundraising event will be a Trivia Night in November, which will build on the supporter base currently being established by this team.

Kokonut Pacific DME Following a visit to Kokonut Pacific in January, The Salvation Army has been investigating the viability and suitability of establishing a coconut oil plant in places where they have a Corps/ Fellowship. One location that is showing strong interest in this social enterprise is Kwai, North Malaita. A follow-up visit to Kokonut Pacific to discuss in detail their DME (Direct Micro Expelling) system has progressed this initial idea to a plan of action to establish the first Salvation Army operated DME plant.

platform for community development in the local village. It will also provide a strong source of income for The Salvation Army to resource its mission growth and expansion in Malaita. Just within the past three months, The Salvation Army has a new Fellowship ready to commence in Capernaum near Kwai, with another mission further up the Kwai River and a mission in Auki.

The DME system provides an exciting opportunity for both The Salvation Army and local villages where a partnership will be established.

As stated above, a DME plant will provide employment opportunities and a

Ending Violence Workshop The ‘Ending Violence Against Women, Girls & Children National Campaign Workshop’ was a great opportunity for Major Vanessa Evans to network with other agencies that are wanting to see a decrease in violence against women in the Solomon Islands. The workshop was facilitated by Bethan from Oxfam International.

Over the two day workshop participants took part in small group discussions and working groups to come up with an aim for the campaign,

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as well as three objectives, which will now go into a manifesto that will be presented to Parliament and other sections of government, along with the local Solomon Islands community. The manifesto will look in detail at a prevention, protection and response to violence. There were also working groups that looked at how the group can facilitate ongoing activities to educate the community throughout the year under the three objectives of the manifesto.

The Salvation Army is

committed to this journey towards ending violence against women in the Solomon Islands!

Solomon Islands Ministries

Junior Soldiers Donation Earlier this year, during the mission trip to Kwai in North Malaita, 7 Junior Soldiers were enrolled and a further 3 Junior Soldiers were later enrolled during a follow-up trip last month by Wency. In recent weeks, Junior Soldier preparation classes have now commenced with 12 children from Honiara Corps. Junior Soldiers is an interactive discipleship program for children to become active participants in the mission of The Salvation Army.

The Junior Soldier program has been enthusiastically embraced by two congregations so far in the Solomon Islands with the potential for dozens

more children to become Junior Soldiers.

In response to this new ministry, a request was made to the Territorial Children’s Ministries department in Melbourne for support through the donation of Salvation Army branded T-shirts to give to the children who are enrolled as Junior Soldiers. Majors Robert and Vanessa were very grateful to receive 38 brand new t-shirts in response to their request! On behalf of the Solomon Islands Ministries they wish to express their sincere appreciation to Captain Sonia Jeffrey and Vanessa Orchard for their generous support.

You will note in the Personal Reflection on

the back page of this month’s newsletter

by Webster Buakalo her joy about the introduction of Junior Soldiers to the Solomon Islands. Our children are not only the ‘Army’ of tomorrow, but they are a vital part of God’s ‘Army’ today to advance the mission of The Salvation Army Solomon Islands Ministries.

Emergency Services Team up with a training day next month to teach some basic principles of disaster relief and safe practices for emergency catering as an introduction.

A recent call-out to the Honiara Corps for expressions of interest to form a new Salvation Army Emergency Services team in the Solomon Islands received an immediate and positive response, with 28 people signing up! This enthusiasm was harnessed by Major Robert Evans who conducted an Information Session at the Honiara Integrated Primary School to introduce the mission and ministry of SAES from an Australian and international perspective and to explore what it might look like from a Solomon Islands perspective.

The formation of an SAES team comes with a very generous commitment from the SAES Victorian Sate Coordinator of a decommissioned trailer with associated equipment to the Solomon Islands. This donation is supported by the Australian Eastern Territory counterparts who will supply some uniforms.

This level of support for the newly formed SAES team will greatly assist in finding it’s place alongside other relief agencies in Honiara.

This Information Session will be followed-

ANZAC Day Majors Robert and Vanessa took the opportunity on ANZAC Day to attend the

Volume 1, Issue 5

Dawn Service organized by the NZ High Commission and conducted by Lt. Comm. Phil Rowe from the Royal NZ Navy. The service was supported by the acting Prime Minister, Honiara Mayor, both NZ and Australian High Commissioners with representation by other embassy officials, government ministers, RSIPF and AFP personnel.

Having attended and participated in ANZAC services for many years in Australia, both Robert and Vanessa

found this year a unique experience attending a familiar cultural event in an unfamiliar environment. It was also an enriching experience hearing the ANZAC story told through a New Zealand lens, learning about their contribution and losses.

Standing alongside other expats on ANZAC Day was a very special connection with home.

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Solomon Islands Ministries Officers in Charge - Majors Robert & Vanessa Evans PO Box 323 Honiara Phone: (677) 30344

Officially launched on the 4th November 2011, The Salvation Army Solomon Islands Ministries is a mission outreach of the Papua New Guinea Territory.

With an established presence in the capital Honiara in Guadalcanal and an expanding presence in Malaita, the Holy Spirit is opening up new ministry opportunities for The Salvation Army throughout the Solomon Islands.

Building upon the vision of the pioneering Officers and subsequent leaders, we intend to fully explore these new opportunities and will raise up indigenous leaders to advance the kingdom of God in the Solomon Islands.

Fax: (677) 30344 Mobile: (677) 749 4524 Email: sarmy.solomons@gmail.com Website: www.png.salvationarmy.org

Prayer Points:  New Junior Soldier recruits  Successful Red Shield Appeal fundraising event  Establishment of DME equipment in North Malaita  Development of SAES team  Corps status application for North Malaita Fellowship

A Personal Note...

Thank God for His faithfulness, His mercy

Thank God, our God is a great God.

inspiring teaching in equipping me and

and grace on our lives everyday. God is

The Bible says, “train up a child in the way

teacher Martha Hakolo in our Junior

at work. As I journey with the children’s

he should go and when he is old he will not

Soldier class.

ministries for the past two years, it

depart from it” (Proverbs 22:6).

Thank God for this wonderful ministries!

challenges me and I keep on praying and

doesn’t mean when you set your kids on

Yours in Christ,

God is doing great things during our

the right path, they’ll never leave it. No,

Junior Soldiers class.

salvation is the work of God. So pray for

Webster Buakalo

It’s amazing to see the children enjoy

God’s help in recognizing our children’s

praying, singing, praising God and most

strength and giftedness and aim them in

of all to know God, our Creator of all

the way he/she should go. So strive to

things and He has a wonderful plan and

understand, appreciate and channel our

purpose for our life (Jeremiah 29:11).

child’s uniqueness.

This week is lesson one class and we

I always thank God for His faithfulness and

have 12 children from 6-14 years old.

for Major Vanessa for encouraging and

This