Solomon Islands District
NEWSLETTER February 2019 Volume 2, Issue 2
Cadets Welcome Majors Robert and Vanessa had the privilege of attending the Welcome to Cadets meeting in Port Moresby, PNG on Sunday, 17th February. This formal celebration brought together Salvationists from all over PNG to welcome 10 first year cadets
into the ‘Messengers of Grace’ session at the Officer Training College in Port Moresby. This new session joins 10 second year cadets, bringing a total of 20 cadets in training in Port Moresby. In addition to this number is a further 10 first year
cadets at the Kainantu campus of the Officer Training College in the Highlands. It is exciting to see such a response to God’s call to Officership throughout the Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands Territory!
Inside this issue:
City Women’s Hospital Visitation
2
National Disaster Management Office
2
Prayer for National General Election
2
Brass Band Learners
3
Vehicle Needs
3
SINU Talks: Challenge of Betel Nut in Honiara
3
A Personal Note
4
DC’s Orientation With District status declared last year, Majors Robert and Vanessa were invited to attend the DC’s Orientation alongside other Divisional Commanders and District Officers from 6 Divisions and 2 Districts in PNG, which now includes the Solomon Islands District. This gathering of Divisional and District leaders provided an opportunity to connect, share mission growth and challenges and be instructed in Territorial processes and procedures for Property, Finances & Budgets, IT, Candidates, Program and Mission, Health Services,
Human Resources & Personnel. These were informative and valuable sessions to ensure an alignment of procedure and purpose across the Territory. Structured into the program was an opportunity for each DC
and DO to share a segment called “Through the Window” to highlight their growth and challenges. These segments were an inspiring insight into the cultural and geographic contexts across the Territory.
Special points of interest: Kingdom Ministry Disaster Coordination United Prayer Band Learners Progress Transport Challenges Health, Social & Economic Challenges
City Women’s Connect Hospital Visitation The Honiara Corps Home League regularly engages with City Women’s Connect, which is an ecumenical gathering of women in Honiara. This month The Salvation Army supported City Women’s Connect with a donation of soaps to
contribute to 200 care packs that were put together by the ladies for patients at the National Referral Hospital. These packs were distributed during a hospital visitation by 11 ladies from City Women’s Connect, which included Elizabeth and Joyce from Honiara Corps. Elizabeth shared that a number of patients asked for specific prayers and an elderly man accepted Jesus as Lord for the first time!
months in hospital. It is wonderful to see the churches working together in this kingdom ministry, regardless what church affiliation patients may have. The Salvation Army is pleased to be able to minister in this context.
The conditions at the hospital are very poor and many patients have little access to food, water and personal hygiene items during their stay. This makes such visits and gifts a valuable ministry to sick people, many of whom spend many weeks and
National Disaster Management Office In the wake of Cyclone Mona and Cyclone Oma, which threatened Solomon Islands for most of January and early February, Major Robert Evans visited the NDMO to discuss The Salvation Army’s role alongside other agencies and NGO’s. Now that the SAES Trailer is in country and the SAES Team is ready to go, it was time to factor this valuable service and equipment into the National Disaster Management Plan. This visit was both timely and very much appreciated by the NDMO team who welcomed The Salvation Army’s involvement in future
disaster relief efforts. The NDMO works on a sector approach, assigning roles and responsibilities for response and recovery to organisations grouped into 6 Sectors: Health, Education, Protection, Livelihood, Infrastructure and Camp Management. After discussing the scope of services being offer it was mutually agreed that The Salvation Army would best fit the Camp Management Sector, providing emergency catering and psychosocial care at evacuation centres. This new role was received favourably with the cyclone season still active until the end of April.
Prayer for National General Election With the announcement of the National General Election (NGE) for the 3rd April, the country is in full election mode. There are 336 nominated candidates making up 15 registered political parties across 50 constituencies in the Solomon Islands. The registration and nomination process has not been without controversy, raising many concerns about the potential for civil unrest leading up to the NGE and following the outcome of the election. A small group of church leaders gathered together to pray for a peaceful and successful
Page 2
election, seeking God for the best outcome for the people of the Solomon Islands. Wency Ramo’oroa represented The Salvation Army at this prayer event while the District Officers were away in PNG. He had the opportunity to meet up with Pastor Drew Gormlie, a former colleague of Majors Robert and Vanessa in Cranbourne, who had travelled to Honiara to participate in this event with a Christian business associate. Please join with the Solomon Islands in prayer for stability and security during the NGE.
Solomon Islands District
Brass Band Learners of brass instruments in the Solomon Islands District to 13, helping to cater for the 20 learners. Such donations make this music program accessible to local musicians. It is hoped that with more instruments the learners program can expand to help address the growing issue of youth vulnerability in Honiara
The Brass Band Learners program that commence in November last year resumed this month in the RSIPF Band Hut at the Police Headquarters in Rove. The availability of this space for practice twice weekly is a huge blessing to the Honiara Corps and further strengthens the good relationship that has been established with the RSIPF Brass Band. Major Robert has continued on with the tuition of the learners after David’s music workshops and he is now supported by police band members. While visiting Port Moresby, two extra brass instruments were donated to the Honiara Corps Band Learners by Band
Master Marco Lopizic from the Koki Corps Band. The trumpet and trombone that were donated now bring the total number
The progress that has been made by the band learners so far this year is very pleasing and it won’t be too long before they are playing simple hymn tunes. Three new learners also joined the group this month and have very quickly caught up to the same level as those who started out in November.
Vehicle Needs The two vehicles owned by the Solomon Islands District are both 20 years old with a growing list of mechanical problems that are exacerbated by the poor road conditions in Honiara. Both of these vehicles broke down in the same week with collapsed wheel bearings in the Corps bus and a broken CV joint in the District Officer’s 4WD, leaving the District without transport for three days. The frequency of these type of repairs put a huge financial strain on a limited budget for a growing ministry. They also highlight long term financial and safety
concerns associated with aging vehicles. Therefore, the District needs to look at replacement vehicles sooner than later! The current vehicles needing replacement include a Nissan van and a Toyota Prado, which cater for mission and ministry in Honiara. The expanding mission presence in Malaita presents the need for a motorcycle for the Area Leader to commute between inland villages and two OBM boats for two congregations commuting between seaside villages. The District asks for your prayer support as it navigates these needs.
SINU Talks - Challenge of Betel Nut The Solomon Islands National University (SINU) periodically presents public talks of interest, featuring international and local experts on a variety of topics. This month Professor Stephen Pratt presented his research on the ’Challenge of Betel Nut in Honiara’. Given the prevalence of this issue and The Salvation Army’s Territorial position on chewing betel nut, the District Team felt this was an important issue to become better informed about. In Honiara a survey was conducted with 250 adults and 102
Volume 2, Issue 2
children, revealing that 82% chew on average 11.4 betel nuts per day at an average daily cost of $50.72. The impact
of this usage on health is self-evident with the sight of red-stained rotted teeth hard to miss. The social and economic impact presents a paradoxical challenge, as the selling of betel nut on the streets of Honiara has become the primary source of income for many people as well as a literal stain on those same streets. Is chewing betel nut a problem to be solved through education and/or regulation or is it a symptom of a deeper issue that needs further enquiry? This talk certainly raised more questions than it answered.
Page 3
The Salvation Army Solomon Islands District Officers - Majors Robert & Vanessa Evans PO Box 323 Honiara, Solomon Islands Phone: (677) 30344
Officially launched on the 4th November 2011, The Salvation Army Solomon Islands Ministries is a District of the Papua New Guinea & Solomon Islands 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: solomon.islands@png.salvationarmy.org Website: www.png.salvationarmy.org
Prayer Points: Pastor Charles Akwastoloa from Gateway Corps in hospital Soldiership Campaign at new openings in Malaita Installation of DME Equipment in March Launch of School Fees Loan Program and additional funds to increase availability of loans to parents
A Personal Note... On the 20th February 2019, the head of churches came together for a prayer meeting at Honiara Hotel. That prayer meeting was purposely to pray for the upcoming National General Election (NGE) for the Solomon Islands. On the day before, which was on the 19 th February 2019 Major Vanessa Evans asked me if I could represent The Salvation Army in that prayer meeting in their absence. Majors Robert and Vanessa Evans our District Officer were in Papua New Guinea on that date. Without hesitation I said yes I will. That program was well arranged but the turnout of leaders was very poor. Anyway even few of us were there, the number cannot hold us back from the program. This is my first time to be among other
Head of Churches to pray for the National Event like this coming National General Election. And also I have the privilege to meet the Chairman of the Solomon Islands Full Gospel Association (SIFGA) Pastor Ellison Bako and Pastor Drew Gormlie from Australia and Brother Vela from Malaysia. When I sat with other leaders the word come to me from psalm 133, and I quote “It is good and pleasant for brothers to live together in Unity”. It is good for the body of Christ which is the church to come together in unity before our God and seek Him at a time like this. Generally, the program is good. It is uniting us together as Churches to stand together and go before our God on our knees. Finally, I would like to thank our District Leaders for seeing it fit to allow me to
represent the Salvation Army in that prayer meeting. All glory and honour to our God for Who He is and what He is to us.
Wency Ramo’oroa