Solomon Islands District Newsletter (Volume 4, Issue 3)

Solomon Islands District

NEWSLETTER March 2021 Volume 4, Issue 3

You Were Always On Our Mind!

Inside this issue:

Written by Garth R. Hentzschel – Australian Salvationist and Executive Editor of The Australasian Journal of Salvation Army History Most countries in The Salvation Army family have a pre-history; signs that God’s Holy Spirit worked in the minds of Salvationists to prepare for the future official commencement of the Army. The Army’s holiness teacher, Commissioner Samuel Logan Brengle called this “God as Strategist”, slowly working through history until His work was revealed. On the tenth anniversary of The Salvation Army in the Solomon Islands, it is interesting to look back at similar pre-history connected with the islands.

Territorial Commanders of the Australasian Territory, Commissioner Thomas B. Coombs (1894) and later Commandant Herbert Booth (1896) looked to commence the Army in places such as the Solomon Islands.

They requested information and prayer in considering such a move. Later, in 1920, General Bramwell Booth let it be known that International Headquarters was receiving requests for the Army to commence its work in

the Solomon Islands. These requests were from local people who had become Salvationists while working in Queensland.

There are three interesting points in this story. Firstly, it is great to know that the Solomon Islands were on the mind of early Salvationists. Secondly, with Salvationists living in the area it is amazing to think that The Salvation Army had some influence in the islands as early as 1894. Thirdly, why did it take so long for The Salvation Army to officially arrive in the Solomon Islands? There may be a few reasons for the lengthy delay. Firstly, the early

growth of the Army meant that human resources were often stretched. Secondly, world events, such as two world wars and major economic crises occurred during the interim.

Thirdly, some missionary societies were concerned that the Army may impact the work they were doing, and the Army did not want to upset other Christian groups.

Whatever the case, The Salvation Army arrived in the Solomon Island at God’s appointed time. The future is up to us. We can all become a part of His-story by playing our part in extending the Army in the Pacific region.

10th Anniversary Fundraising Event

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International Women’s Day Parade

2

Papua New Guinea Haus Krai

2

World Mission Fellowship Presentations

3

Home League in Burns Creek

3

RSIPF Tutoring Band Learners

3

Personal Reflection

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Special points of interest:  Raising Money  Recognising Women  Cultural Solidarity  Promoting Mission  Teaching New Skills  Partnership in Music

10th Anniversary Fundraising Event The 10th Anniversary Celebrations scheduled for November is an enormous undertaking for the Solomon Islands District. With the planned visit by the General of The Salvation Army (subject to COVID-19 conditions) and the coming together of Salvationists from eight Salvation Army churches from across three provinces, it is shaping up to be a big event!

To raise funds for this significant event, the organizing committee has scheduled three fundraising activities throughout the year. The first activity held in March is a simple and common approach used

by churches in the Solomon Islands. It involves issuing a number of envelopes per leader in the church to distribute among their friends and networks to request donations. The return of the envelopes has been slow but so far $2,000 SBD has been raised, with the promise of more to come.

While on furlough, Majors Robert and Vanessa were very grateful to receive a donation of $6,000 SBD from their networks as a contribution towards the 10th Anniversary Weekend.

Other fundraising activities will be planned for May and August.

International Women’s Day Parade through the city from the Honiara City Council to the National Auditorium.

Envoy Fostina Ramo’oroa proudly carried the Solomon Islands District flag to represent The Salvation Army in the parade and at the official program.

On March 8th, International Women’s Day was celebrated all around the world, with rallies and gatherings in a variety of cultural contexts to celebrate women’s achievements, raise awareness against bias, and take action for equality. The 2021 theme “Choose to Challenge” resonated strongly in the Solomon Islands with inequality and family violence still a major issue facing women in this nation.

The Salvation Army is committed both locally and internationally to support women in fully realizing and utilizing their gifts and abilities and to challenge all forms of gender inequality. The opportunities provided for women in leadership and ministry sets The Salvation Army apart from other churches in the Solomon Islands.

A small contingent of soldiers from Honiara Corps assembled with other churches, civil societies, government and non-government organisations to march

Papua New Guinea Haus Krai Honiara Corps was given the opportunity to lead a fellowship service at the Papua New Guinea Chancery Office in Honiara to pay respects to the late Sir Michael Thomas Somare, who was the first Prime Minister and Grand Chief of PNG. Honiara Corps Officer Envoy Wency Ramo’oroa was accompanied by 38 Corps members and had the honor of speaking at the Haus Krai (House Cry) on the theme ‘Leaving a Godly Legacy’.

This Haus Krai conducted in Solomon Islands for a high profile leader of PNG demonstrates the strong cultural links across the large expanse of Melanesian

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islands.

The participation of Honiara Corps also demonstrates the mutual mission and ministry of The Salvation Army in these the two nations that make up the Papua New Guinea & Solomon Islands Territory.

For one member of Honiara Corps, a PNG national from Hohola Corps in the South Central Division around Port Moresby, the participation of his church away from home had special significance. Latty Idau is a proud Salvationist who has married into the Solomon Islands but remains deeply connected to his cultural roots in Papua New Guinea.

Solomon Islands District

World Mission Fellowship Presentations The Solomon Islands District was represented at the Queensland and Victorian Chapters of The Salvation Army World Mission Fellowship by Colonels Kelvin & Julie Alley (QLD) and Majors

Robert & Vanessa Evans (VIC) this month.

The World Mission Fellowship provides practical and prayerful support for Australian Salvation Army Officers serving in overseas appointments. Within an hour of being released from quarantine in Brisbane, Majors Robert and Vanessa had the unexpected opportunity to accompany Colonels Kelvin and Julie for their presentation at Brisbane City Temple Corps. Then, a week after commencing their homeland furlough in Melbourne, Majors Robert and Vanessa gave their own presentation at the Eva Burrows Training College in Ringwood.

Home League in Burns Creek Honiara Corps continues to expand its ministry impact in Burns Creek with the commencement of Home League and Junior Miss at this Outpost. These programs offer a variety of activities for women and girls that promotes integral mission through faith, fellowship, service and education.

From the youngest girl to the oldest woman, the impact of learning how to use a sewing machine for the first time cannot be overstated. These women now have the ability to generate an income to help support their families. In

coming weeks, the Home League and Junior Miss program will include a health talk, the RSIPF family violence unit, cooking classes, jewellery making and Bible studies; giving the women of Burns Creek much to look forward to!

This month, the Honiara Corps Home League members taught 16 women and 12 girls how to sew and dye lavalavas.

Since this session, the ladies of Burns Creek immediately put their new skills to work by producing their own lavalavas to sell at roadside markets in East Honiara.

RSIPF Tutoring Band Learners Since the visit of David Hedges in 2018 to establish the first Salvation Army Brass Band in the Solomon Islands., the original group of learners has undergone some player changes with the few remaining original players being joined by a new group of enthusiastic young musicians.

There is now a stable group of 12 learners who have been playing together for about a year under the tuition of Major Robert. The current brass band is now preparing for the 10th Anniversary celebrations in November with a new selection of music to support the theme “Greater Things” introduced in February.

Volume 4, Issue 3

In response to the District Officers end of term furlough of 10 weeks (including quarantine time), Major Robert was keen to ensure the learners did not miss out on ongoing tuition during his absence.

The relationship developed over the past

two years with the RSIPF Brass Band provided an opportunity to engage one of their players to step into this space.

The RSIPF Band Director was very accommodating by assigning one of his players to lead the brass band learners, providing uninterrupted tuition for them.

He was also enthusiastic about the RSIPF Brass Band joining with The Salvation Army Brass Band in the 10th Anniversary Celebrations later this year. This will include a march of witness, followed by a brass band concert on the Saturday of the program. The Salvation Army is very grateful for this partnership and support.

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Support Needs:  Seed Funding for Micro Enterprises You can support by donating funds to purchase equipment required to establish income generating initiatives 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 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.

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

Prayer Points:

Website: www.png.salvationarmy.org

 Local sponsorship for construction of Officer Quarters  Land for Honiara Corps  Progression of Nominees/Candidates towards training for full-time ministry in The Salvation Army  Approval of project proposals submitted to supporters  Preparations for 10th Anniversary & General’s visit

Personal Reflection...

This month for me is not a lot of fun. It has been very difficult and demanding in doing my ministerial responsibilities.

Starting off at the beginning I was very much excited but when the time goes on, the situation seems to get tough. I have some extra duty because of the absence of my District Officers who have been on furlough since the beginning of this month. I am not carrying the full responsibility that they normally do, but I only do what I can do to keep the District floating while waiting for their return.

I also encountered a leadership challenge which left a big gap for the District. This happened when our District Officers are on furlough which left me with another huge task to keep track with our normal routine communication with our other

congregations in the provinces. I cannot cope up with these situations in my own strength, however, I am forever grateful to God for His unfailing love and His continuous strength that keeps me moving. One of the very helpful scripture that encourages me a lot during these tough times was found in Philippians 4:13 - “I can do everything through him who gives me strength.” Despite whatever circumstance I went through I will be carried through because my strength comes from Christ the giver and the source of all strength.

Serving God is not easy, there are ups and downs along the journey, there are leadership challenges, but there is always a joy and a way that can keep us smiling and moving forward as a leader and as a

Christian. With that being said, I am so thankful to God for his faithfulness and goodness and His assurance that the one who call me is faithful and He will do it.

Amen.

Envoy Wency Ramo’oroa