Solomon Islands District Newsletter (Volume 3, Issue 1)

Solomon Islands District

NEWSLETTER January 2020 Volume 3, Issue 1

New Year Celebration (written by Envoy Wency) Before the festive season, the Honiara Corps decided to have a fellowship on New Year’s Eve; which is a Christian customary practice in the Solomon Islands for Christmas and the New Year.

It was a time of thanksgiving and sharing of testimonies on what God had done over the last twelve months.

very powerfully and Envoy Wency Ramo’oroa shared from the Scripture on Hebrew 13:15 to encourage the congregation as we reflected back on what God had done for us over the last twelve months and as we prepared ourselves to cross over to 2020. After sharing from the Word of God an

On New Year’s Eve we picked up people to get to the District Quarters at Ngossi for our cross over fellowship. Approximately 30 people attended. CSM Daniel Hagi led the worship

opportunity was given for anyone to share a testimony or sing a song. As usual, people shared their testimonies, emotionally reflecting on God’s faithfulness and love. Right on 12:00 midnight we gave three happy cheers to God for His faithfulness and love, followed by light refreshments before we all dismissed to our various homes.

The importance of this cross over fellowship is recognizing what God has done and looking forward to what God is putting in place for us in 2020.

Inside this issue: Donation of Solar Lighting

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Malaita Area Officer’s Ministry Trips

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International Guests Visit to Burns Creek

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Men Catering for 3 Women’s Conference Australia Day Reception

Courtesy Visit to Acting 3 RSIPF Commissioner Personal Reflection

Australian Bushfire Dinner (written by Envoy Wency) The Government of Solomon Islands hosted a Corporate Dinner on the 16th January 2020 at Honiara Hotel with the purpose of raising funds to assist the Australian citizens who were affected by the bushfire. The Salvation Army was invited to that dinner through the Australian High Commissioner’s office in Honiara. The newly appointed Australian High Commissioner had invited The Salvation Army because of the good work that The Salvation Army has done over the last four months when they activated their emergency

service teams to the fires. In the absence of our District Leaders Majors Robert and Vanessa Evans I was given the opportunity to represent The Salvation Army. The important thing at the dinner was not about the food but about standing alongside a friend in a

time of disaster. I would like to thank the Australian High Commission’s office in Honiara for inviting The Salvation Army to this very important event as Solomon Islanders showed their support to Australian friends through that corporate dinner.

Finally, I would like to thank our District Leaders Majors Robert and Vanessa Evans for giving me the opportunity to represent The Salvation Army at this event. It is my prayer for the people of Australia that God will intervene and do what only He can do. Tagio Tumas.

God Bless!

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Special points of interest:  Generous Donation  Area Officer Support  Settlement Visitation  Breaking Cultural Norms  Community Networking  Program Development

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Donation of Solar Lighting While en route to the airport to commence a few weeks furlough, Major Robert stopped by a solar lighting shop in Honiara to price a solar system to provide lighting for The Salvation Army DME coconut oil plant. While the cost was way outside of available funds for this much needed item, there was a quiet confidence that somehow God would provide. Just before Christmas, a friend from a previous appointment sent a message stating that she wanted to donate $400 AUD for a project in the Solomon Islands. Seeing a potential answer to prayer, a quick calculation

revealed that this amount converted to $2,250 SBD, the exact cost of the solar system priced only a few weeks earlier!

Upon return to Honiara the DME Plant Manager happened to be in town, which provided the perfect opportunity to

hand over this generous donation immediately after purchase.

Such examples of generosity continues to provide much encouragement and blessing to local leaders, who are amazed at how people are so willing to support the mission of The Salvation Army. It is also much cause to give praise and honour to God who provides for His mission.

Well known 19th century missionary Hudson Taylor is quoted as saying, “God’s work done in God’s way will never lack God’s supplies.” The past two years in the Solomon Islands has given testimony to this reality.

Malaita Area Officer’s Ministry Trips (written by Envoy Joshua) This brief report covers my visit from DHQ in Honiara to Ramah Fellowship and Gateway Corps in Malaita. This ministry trip was made in order to: 1. Restart Ramah Fellowship after quite a long break due to family disagreements.

2. Pastoral visit to Envoy Charles who has been really sick at Gateway Corps.

3. Bring the Word of God shared during Advent at Honiara Corps on the theme, "Called by God".

On arrival, there were a few additional relatives present around the sick Envoy.

That evening there was encouragement

from the Word of God and prayer for Chàrles who had been suffering from constipation for three weeks. That night prayer was answered and Envoy Charles was delivered from his stubborn state when he was helped to the toilet. The next day he was up and about and his appetite restored.

On my way back to Honiara, I was stopped at Auki to return to Ramah for the second weekend to minister to a problem daughter who was believed to be cursed by the husband that had abandoned her. On the Sunday Grace was prayed for at Ramah and God

graciously delivered her. Her mum met me in Auki a few days later and testified about her daughter’s recovery.

I took the chance that week to point out to Ramah Fellowship how relevant the functional presence of The Salvation Army is in this world. God has entrusted to us the hope of the world. There could be many similar cases in other untouched communities that haven’t known any remedy as Grace has experienced. That week I made myself available in Auki and recall interacting with 4 men who were eager to listen attentively to all that was shared.

International Guests Visit to Burns Creek The Wednesday afternoon before the Women’s Bible Conference saw Major Vanessa, Pastor Norma and Pastor Joan visit the home of Envoys Wency and Fostina Ramo’oroa in the Burns Creek Settlement, East Honiara.

Burns Creek provided the visitors with a village-like setting on the fringe of the city to see how many Solomon Islanders live in a ‘settlement’ environment. This was a very exciting visit for Envoy’s Wency and Fostina as they are always proud to show others where they and their family live. As they sat under a huge tree talking with each other they

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were surrounded by children from around the community; some of them were playing with a ball, some slept in the arms of their mothers, while others were just happy to sit and listen to the ‘white ladies’ talk. Envoy Wency sat and talked about his community and how he and Fostina came to The Salvation Army, along with some of the challenges that they face in their community. He also shared about their calling that they have upon their lives to become Salvation Army Officers.

Director of YWAM, and learned about the mission and ministry of YWAM in the Solomon Islands.

Envoy Wency then took his visitors to the YWAM compound where they met Mark,

Solomon Islands District

Men Catering for Women’s Conference Last year during the inaugural Father & Son Weekend the ladies of Honiara Corps provided catering for this event. It was decided then that the men would return the favour by catering for the combined churches Women’s Bible Conference that was held at the CRC church in Henderson this month (see insert for a full report).

‘Camp Commander’ stood up at the Friday night program and expressed high praise for the meals, acknowledging with great enthusiasm how good it was for the men from The Salvation Army to serve them in such a way. In fact, she then went on to challenge the men of the CRC church to follow their lead.

This catering provided by the men was a break in cultural norms, as culturally it is the role of women to cook and clean in the Solomon Islands. The impact of this reversal of roles at a Women’s Conference cannot be overstated. The

The Salvation Army continues to promote gender equality in word and action in the Solomon Islands, not to disregard traditional roles, but to instill values of respect, dignity and equal opportunities across all genders.

Australia Day Reception The annual Australia Day Reception hosted at the residence of the Australian High Commissioner was an opportunity to meet the new High Commissioner for the Solomon Islands. His Excellency Dr Lachlan Strahan (pictured with Deputy Prime Minister Manasseh Maelanga), previously has served as First Assistant Secretary for South West Asia and as Deputy High Commissioner in New Delhi, India. His well-informed Australia Day speech acknowledged the enduring relationship between Solomon Islands and Australia, the current bushfire crisis in Australia, and many of the important

challenges and opportunities ahead for the Solomon Islands. He also sensitively spoke into some of the indigenous issues surrounding the date of Australia Day. As always, this event provided a very valuable opportunity to network with existing and new government, business, community and church leaders based in Honiara. A conversation with the newly appointed Archbishop of the Anglican Church of Melanesia opened the door to further dialogue about the ministry relationship between The Salvation Army and other long-established churches in the Solomon Islands.

Courtesy Visit to Acting RSIPF Commissioner

Volume 3, Issue 1

The relationship formed between The Salvation Army and Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) over the past two years has opened up some unique and important ministry opportunities.

With the change-over of leadership at the end of 2019, Major Robert took the opportunity to commence the new year by reaffirming The Salvation Army’s commitment to continue to serve the RSIPF with the new Acting Commissioner.

Corps Band Learners and for the ongoing pastoral care by The Salvation Army for police officers.

He also showed particular interest in the planned introduction of Celebrate Recovery to Solomon Islands to equip local Salvation Army Officers to address the serious drug and alcohol issues in this country.

This new program is seen as a valuable crime prevention initiative, especially for young people trapped in addiction.

During this courtesy visit the Acting Commissioner expressed strong support for the continued partnership with the RSIPF Brass Band to develop Honiara

Acting Commissioner Mostyn expressed his deep appreciation for the growing mission and ministry of The Salvation Army in the Solomon Islands.

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Support Needs:  Mission Travel Budget You can support the follow-up of 12 mission requests for The Salvation Army to commence in other villages by contributing to travel costs between the Provinces.  Building Funds for construction of Officer Quarters: You can support by donating funds to support the construction of 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

 Additional School Fees Loan Funds: You can support by donating funds to distribute to parents applying for a loan to pay School Fees for next year.

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 Website: www.png.salvationarmy.org

Prayer Points:  District 2020 Theme - “Salt & Light”  Acquisition of land for Honiara Corps  Preparations for the General’s visit in 2021  Development and training of Nominees/Candidates  Ministry Trips to village churches in February

Personal Reflection...

2019 certainly didn’t end the way that Rob and I anticipated. At the end of November we received a phone call that no parent wants to receive - ‘your daughter has been involved in a car accident’.

Bek was extremely fortunate and we give thanks to God that she only received a broken collarbone. With this in mind I left for Australia before Rob to spend some time with Bek and Adam before we took a short trip to Bali. Bali was an amazing time, we were blessed to spend time with our dear friends Majors Nyoman & Suni Timonuli at the Bali Boys Home. The highlight of the trip was seeing our former sponsor child, Putu Juli who is now an extraordinary 20 year old man. We are grateful in playing a small part in supporting his development.

When we returned home to Melbourne we spent a lot of time catching up with family and friends as well as spending

much family time with Bek & Adam.

During our time in Melbourne we drank lots of coffee, had great conversations and Adam got his license which was very exciting. The last night that we were in Melbourne we were instructed by our children to stay inside and dress warm and they would come and get us when they were ready. As we went outside our children had set up an outdoor cinema as a bit of a farewell with snacks, blankets and chairs. It was a really amazing time and definitely a great way to start 2020 in Australia.

After our holidays we returned home to Honiara where it was hit the road running.

We co-hosted our first Salvation Army District Women’s Bible Conference. This was a time of great teaching and the coming together of two denominations with one purpose and that was to encourage our women to ‘Walk in

Confidence’. I look forward to 2020 and all that it has in store, not only for our family but also for the CRC Gateway church and The Salvation Army Solomon Islands District.

Majors Vanessa Evans