Solomon Islands District Newsletter (Volume 4, Issue 6)

Solomon Islands District

NEWSLETTER June 2021 Volume 4, Issue 6

World Vision National Church Conference (Report by Major Vanessa Evans)

Inside this issue:

Donation of Brass Instruments

2

Home League Teaching Life Skills

2

Inter-Church Sunday School Rally

2

‘Too Young to Marry’ 3 Webinar

This month, World Vision Solomon Islands held their National Churches Conference at the Rock Haven Conference room. Envoy Wency and myself were invited to attend the conference as representatives of The Salvation Army and one of World Visions partners along with other church leaders from Solomon Islands Christian Association (SICA) and Solomon Islands Full Gospel Association (SIFGA). The objective of the conference was - Sensitize Faith Leaders on Gender Issues and providing opportunities for active collaborations.

WHO estimates 35% of women worldwide have experienced physical or sexual experience, however, in the Solomon Islands an estimated 64% of women aged 14-49 years have experienced physical or sexual violence and 82% of those abused have never sought help or reported the abuse to the authorities.

Throughout the 3 days there were guest speakers from all different sectors. World Vision team members spoke about data pertaining to Gender Based Violence, Channels of Hope for Gender and we also took part in an exercise that looked at Scriptures that address gender issues. They also gave an overview of Disaster Risk Reduction through a World Vision lens. We had Sergeant Samantha Kikoni from the RSIPF who spent two sessions on the Family Protection Act and the Child and Family Welfare Act, which

was extremely informative.

We were also blessed to have Sister Doreen from the Malaita Christian Care Centre who spoke about her experience with those who are victims of gender based violence and what the Care Centre provides and how the churches can be involved. The other speaker was Dr Yogesh Choudhri, Ministry of Health Advisor, who spoke in length about COVID-19 and the vaccination process in the country. Dr Yogesh responded well to the array of questions that were asked.

Over the next few months WV SICA, SIFGA and WV Partners will be looking at action plans on how the churches and partners can work together to educate our congregations that we are all made in the image of God and that we need to reduce the number of cases of Gender based Violence in the Solomons.

Launch of Self-Denial Appeal

3

Malaita Area Meeting

3

Personal Reflection

4

Special points of interest:  Gift of Music  Skills Development  Investing in Children  Social Justice Advocacy  Sacrificial Giving  Investing in Leaders

Donation of Brass Instruments Thanks to the initiative of American expats Tim and Martha Matzke, while preparing to return to the Solomon Islands, the donation of two brass instruments were generously provided

by Clearwater Corps in Florida, USA Southern Territory. Martha’s close friend and Salvationist Lori organised the donation through her networks to support the brass band learners at Honiara Corps.

These instruments were transported by Solomon Islands Translation Advisory Group (SITAG) in a container of supplies they brought over to Solomon Islands

from the United States. The ‘Olds Ambassador’ trumpet and ‘Kings Silver Sonic’ cornet are in excellent condition, providing quality instruments for use by the growing group of Salvation Army brass learners.

The Salvation Army Solomon Islands is very grateful to Tim and Martha and all of those who coordinated this donation.

The continued support of wide networks established locally and internationally is a great encouragement that provides a strong base of support for the growing mission and ministry of The Salvation Army in the Solomon Islands.

Home League Teaching Life Skills Throughout the month of June, the Honiara Corps Home League conducted cooking and sewing classes with the women and girls of Burns Creek, teaching them transformational life skills.

the women and young girls were so interested in the techniques that were shown and really enjoyed eating the final product.

One of the big areas of concern in the Solomon Islands is the use of plastic and how it is littering the communities and oceans.

This month’s sewing class demonstrated how to make Tote Bags so the members could make their own for their use or to sell them. The members were all very keen to participate, as they understand the importance of looking after the environment and their communities in practical ways.

These classes were organised so the ladies within the community could earn extra money with the new skills that they gained. It was exciting for Major Vanessa to sit and watch the interaction between the Home League women and Junior Miss girls from both communities. The cooking class was lead by Envoy Fostina and Hilda, where they made Curry Chicken and Curry Fish. During the class

Inter-Church Sunday School Rally (Report by Elizabeth Tolilalo) It was a great joy and good experience for our children to attend the Inter Church Sunday School Rally that was organised by the Solomon Islands Child Evangelism Fellowship and hosted by the SSEC Central Sunday School. Ten Sunday Schools from other denominations, including The Salvation Army, with more than 400 children attended the rally! I have seen how much the rally has helped our children in building their morals, fellowship and relationship with other children as the body of Christ. Our children really enjoyed their time together, having fun, singing, reading,

Page 2

dancing and listening to the Bible lessons with other beautiful children. But most of important of all, is that they are saved and learned how to walk with God: Saved children—they learned how to walk with God by faith in obedience to His Word. Unsaved children—they learned, before they can walk with God, they must receive the Lord Jesus as their Saviour.

Genesis 1:27 says we are created in God’s image, therefore he wants us to walk with Him daily by knowing, loving and obeying Him. To God be the glory, great things He hath done.

Solomon Islands District

‘Too Young to Marry’ Webinar In the Solomon Islands the legal age to marry is 15 years old, with children as young as 11 participating in custom marriages in some remote villages. The issue of child marriage is identified as a major vulnerability for children in the Pacific region, prompting World Vision Asia Pacific to host a webinar entitled “Too Young To Marry” for faith-based organisations and young people to end child marriage.

Major Vanessa attended this webinar with 30 participants from other agencies and NGO’s at Heritage Park Conference Room in Honiara.

Guest speakers

included the National Director of Gusdurian Network Indonesia, Director General of SAIEVAC UN CRC Committee Member, Country Director Islamic Relief Bangladesh, Regional Leader World Vision East Asia, Regional Leader World Vision South Asia & Pacific, and National Director World Vision Nepal.

With the global statistic of 22 girls under the age of 18 being married every minute, this webinar provided a vital platform for key stakeholders to challenge customs, advocate for the protection of children and call for the legal age of marriage to be raised.

Launch of Self-Denial Appeal Islands to connect with the international Salvation Army.

Across the Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands Territory, the annual Self-Denial Appeal was launched this month to support the international mission of The Salvation Army. As a Territory that is heavily reliant upon mission support funds, this appeal is critical to resourcing local mission in the Pacific islands.

The theme for this year’s appeal is “Transform a Life - Transform the Future” with a focus on four transformative stories from The Salvation Army’s mission in Brazil, India, Ukraine and South Africa. Each of these stories share

how the funds received from previous Self-Denial Appeals have transformed vulnerable people and communities and enable Salvationists from the Solomon

After a successful launch at Honiara Corps, Major Robert introduced the Self -Denial Appeal to four congregation leaders from Salvation Army village churches in the Malaita Province.

These leaders were inspired by this year’s feature stories from around the world and were eager to share them with their congregations. Over the next six weeks Solomon Islanders will be invited to join with Salvationists from around the world through their sacrificial giving.

Malaita Area Meeting After the unexpected resignation of the Malaita Area Officer earlier this year, Major Robert was very keen to connect with Salvation Army village church leaders in Malaita upon his return from furlough. An Area Meeting was held in Auki, bringing together church leaders from Gateway Corps (North Malaita), Ngalifalisi New Opening (Fataleka), Ramah Fellowship and Rauai New Opening (West Kwara’ae). Envoy Wency accompanied Major Robert to support the meeting and provide a report on his attendance at the World Vision National Church Conference. Upon arrival at Auki

Volume 4, Issue 6

Port, the Area team was treated to lunch at Jopanara Kaibar at the market before checking into the Harbour View Lodge for a full afternoon and evening of meetings. The meetings commenced with the announcement of Hudson Kwale from Rauai New Opening being appointed as the new Area Leader, which was received very positively by all the Malaitan leaders present. This was followed by very engaging discussion about current and future mission projects, training and leadership needs, finances and statistics, Community Care Ministry and Self-Denial Appeal. Staying

at the hotel allowed the conversation to continue late into the night, which was appreciated by all. The leaders returned to their villages the next day with a renewed commitment to the mission of The Salvation Army in Malaita.

Page 3

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 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

Prayer Points:

Website: www.png.salvationarmy.org

 Sponsorship for construction of Officer Quarters  Land for Honiara Corps  Appointment of new Area Officer for Malaita Province  Leadership development for village churches  Preparations for 10th Anniversary & General’s visit

Personal Reflection… (Part 1of 2) One of the biblical themes interwoven throughout this semester of study for my Master of Transformational Development is the Hebrew idea of ‘shalom’ that depicts a state of holistic well-being. Studying the extent to which modern economic systems and structures contribute to a state of shalom has been a new challenge for me as I have reflected on the impact of our DME Coconut Oil Plant and the recent diplomatic switch from Taiwan to China in Solomon Islands. From the micro to the macro, it has been an interesting journey considering the impact of ‘development’ or lack of development on community well-being from within my cultural context.

The Salvation Army has a long history of alleviating human suffering by demonstrating the love of Jesus Christ in practical ways. It is this mission intent that drives our social enterprise at one of our remote village churches in an endeavour to raise the standard of living and generate a sustainable income to resource our mission

in the Solomon Islands. However, a quote from the reading “Reclaiming our Future: The Vision of Jubilee” has challenged the scope of my mission intentions to consider the space of shalom from another cultural perspective.

“Throughout the Torah and the economic teachings of Jesus, shalom is valued as more important to human happiness than a constantly rising standard of living” (Goudzwaard, p 183).

Remote villages have a unique rhythm of life that incorporates social and cultural values that are more centred upon maintaining a complex network of relationships than facilitating production and profitability. These relationships define daily routines, use of land and livelihood activities.

To an outsider, these relationships may appear to get in the way of development when significant social and cultural events take precedence over everything else. For a task and results orientated person like me, this is something I can easily misinterpret as a cultural

weakness when relationally driven disruptions compromise development initiatives. But are these ‘disruptions’ the actual point of development? Is development the servant or the master?

Who defines what development looks like and its ultimate purpose? How does development promote shalom in village life? These are just some of the questions I have been pondering this semester.

Read part 2 in next month’s newsletter

Major Robert Evans