Spiritual Formation Journal - Chapter 2

Master of Transformational Development

Biblical Justice, Human Rights & Advocacy

At the beginning of this year, The Salvation Army began operating a DME (Direct Micro Expelling) Coconut Oil Plant at one of our churches in North Malaita to provide local jobs in the surrounding villages and generate a sustainable income to fund our mission in the Solomon Islands. While setting up this project, I encountered a number of challenges along the way with the ‘here and now’ mindset of local opportunists attempting to exploit money out of The Salvation Army during the construction of the plant. After months of perseverance and strong leadership, we were up and running. Then in July, I received a phone call to say that our generator had been stolen from the plant by some disgruntled workers who felt they weren’t being paid enough money for their work. While trying to retrieve our generator from the known thieves, they extorted $2,500 SBD from the plant manager for its return. Dealing with this matter at the beginning of the semester was an interesting alignment of circumstances, given the subject matter I was studying at the same time as responding to this situation.

My indignation at the initial theft and subsequent extortion evoked a reaction that leant more towards a form of ‘retributive justice’ than ‘restorative justice’ with little tolerance shown for the cultural thinking driving this behaviour. I was determined to ‘lay down the law’ (so to speak) about what was acceptable behaviour at the plant, which included an uncompromising declaration that the boys responsible would never work for The Salvation Army again, even if the money they took was repaid. The motive behind this hard-line was intended to challenge cultural thinking that has a long history of sabotaging development in North Malaita and to prevent similar attitudes from disrupting the operation of our social enterprise and mission in the future. However, during my follow-up visit to the plant in October my position on handling this matter began to soften after all the reading I had being doing about biblical justice. In particular, during the long journey to North Malaita, I began reading “Compassionate Justice” by Christopher D Marshall, which deeply challenged me with a vision of restorative justice. Marshall’s brilliant exposition of the parable of the Good Samaritan exposed a legalistic spirit within me and caused me to examine who really is my neighbour in the context of this situation. His lens of compassion broadened my expectations of restoration to be more than the recovery of stolen money and the resumption of production, but also a pathway of restoration for those who had wronged the community.

Marshall wrote, “If it is to flourish, then, restorative justice must be anchored in alternative “communities of value,” that is, in communities of people who accord the highest importance to the values of mutual care and accountability, honesty and compassion, confession and forgiveness, and peacemaking” (Marshall 2012, loc. 283). The values highlighted in this statement, which are at the heart of the ethos and mission of The Salvation Army, are better achieved when we “administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another” (Zechariah 5:9). This change of posture and pathway of restoration led to a powerful moment on my final night in the village when the boys responsible for the theft approached me one by one to apologise for their actions, after making a commitment to repay the money they stole from the plant.

This situation was not only a significant leadership challenge but a confronting spiritual challenge for me as my investigation and handling of the theft had turned inward to self-examination of my own sense of justice and righteousness. Initially, my compassion and desire for justice centred on those who had been wronged by having their source of income disrupted, which included both the village and The Salvation Army. By extending to the offenders the same compassion and restorative justice my response was reorientated more towards grace than legalism. My reorientated response also had an impact on the local church leaders, who were caught in the tension between their feelings of anger and shame towards the behaviour of the boys and their sense of responsibility for them as members of their community. Culturally, retributive justice is normal with ‘compensation’ being the Solomon Islands way to right wrongs. Community reconciliation only ever occurs after the payment of compensation, which can include cash, shell money, fresh produce and pigs. While seeking compensation beyond the return of what was stolen was never a consideration in my dealing with this matter, the offer of restoration with no demand for compensation was a powerful counter-cultural experience for this church. Who knows, maybe my personal transformation in this space may cast a vision for community transformation in North Malaita?

Solomon Islands District - Cyclone Harold Disaster Relief

On the 1st April 2020, a tropical low formed off the east coast of PNG and was classified as a tropical cyclone over Solomon Islands waters the next day. As tropical Cyclone Harold passed by Gaudalcanal Province it caused significant damage along the coastline to low-lying communities. In Honiara, strong winds damaged properties along the seafront and heavy rain flooded food crops planted along riverbanks.

One of the communities impacted by Cyclone Harold was Burns Creek, a Settlement in East Honiara where the Honiara Corps Officers reside. Burns Creek is a very vulnerable community with a history of social unrest and is a known hot spot for crime. When the community leaders from Burns Creek approached The Salvation Army for assistance, there was a feeling of helplessness and desperation driving their request. The community leaders were deeply concerned about food security and the potential for illegal activity to emerge out of concern for how their people were going to feed their families. This concern was exacerbated by the impact of the COVID-19 State of Public Emergency that shut down satellite markets around Honiara.

At the time of receiving this request, I was contacted by a colleague in Tasmania who was approached by a humanitarian organization called ‘The Obed Centre’ that had raised some money for Cyclone Harold victims. While discussing the potential allocation of these funds with The Salvation Army International Emergency Services (IES), I was made aware of the Rapid Response Grant that could also help with this request for assistance. After navigating the application process we were able to offer a substantial amount of relief to the Burns Creek leaders, which would support 790 families across 16 communities. Given the social concerns surrounding this crisis in Burns Creek, I approached the RSIPF National Crime Prevention Department (NCPD) and invited them to partner with us in the distribution of our disaster relief. This partnership provided very generous support with transportation through the use of two 3 tonne trucks and the opportunity for the RSIPF to conduct crime prevention talks alongside our SAES personnel.

Through the donation received from ‘The Obed Centre’, we were able to purchase 3,500 cassava stems from local farmers to help replace lost food crops. The funds from the IES Rapid Response Grant enabled us to purchase enough rice and tuna to feed the 790 families for three weeks while they replanted their gardens, with the generous support of Soltuna who donated 100 cartons of tuna and Solrice who donated two pallets of rice towards our relief strategy. Starting on Tuesday, 16th June, our SAES team, together with the NCPD, distributed a weekly allocation of rice and tuna to each community in Burns Creek for the three week period. The community response was quite overwhelming, with a number of very kind expressions of appreciation received by our team from grateful community leaders. The opportunity to work alongside the NCPD was a real blessing that built on the relationship we established with the RSIPF during the National General Election last year. This partnership had a real impact on those who normally see the police as the enemy in their law enforcement role. Instead, they saw them working alongside a church in a community service role that genuinely cared for their well-being.

This disaster relief program provided our SAES volunteers with another opportunity to demonstrate a practical expression of Christ’s love at a time of need. Our volunteers worked hard and enthusiastically engaged with this community in a way that has laid the foundation for future mission and ministry opportunities. In fact, during our last week of distribution, one community leader pointed out a section of his land saying he would like to build a church for The Salvation Army to commence services alongside his home. This practical expression of faith had a powerful impact on each community and church we visited in Burns Creek, as our assistance was given without discrimination or expectation of anything in return. We were simply happy to bless these people regardless of their church affiliation. Any future ministry that emerges will do so naturally and will be pursued in relationship with the other churches already active in Burns Creek.

We are very grateful to the IES for their funding, The Obed Centre for their donation, Solrice and Soltuna for their generous support and to the RSIPF for their partnership. I also want to acknowledge Envoy Wency Ramo’oroa for his liaison and coordination role with community leaders.

Spiritual Formation Journal - Chapter 1

Master of Transformational Development

Climate Change, Justice & Sustainability

Since December 2017, together with my wife Vanessa, we have been serving in the Solomon Islands as the District Officers in charge of The Salvation Army. During this time I have been on a journey of learning and discovery that has challenged my cultural values, strengthened my faith and opened extraordinary opportunities for mission.

The Solomon Islands is a country consisting of over 900 islands and a population of around 650,000 people with 92% professing a Christian faith. Christian values are clearly evident in every area of life with prayer and worship being central activities, not only in the churches but also in the public and political arenas. Every public meeting or event I attend, secular and sacred, is opened in prayer. Every village has a church that is central to community life and pastors hold more influence among indigenous people than politicians. In this context, being a Christian leader with responsibilities in both ecclesial and community work has a very different feel to Australia. As a Salvation Army Officer in Australia, when networking among secular organisations I encounter polarised responses to my ministry as a church pastor and my mission as a community welfare worker. Government, business and community leaders are more than happy to support our community work, but shy away from anything related to the church. This is a challenging space when your social and spiritual mission is integrated. However, Solomon Islands offers a very different space that enables me to freely interact with indigenous leaders who see Christian faith as an integral part of life without the dualism imposed by Australian secular culture. In fact, I have found that the integration of the spiritual and social mission of The Salvation Army, often expressed as ‘heart to God, hand to man’, resonates strongly with many Solomon Islanders who want the church to be more than a worshipping community. While I have never been shy in sharing my faith, there is a freedom of expression here that is liberating when interacting with people of influence and seeking their support for our ‘whole’ mission.

Yet, underneath this hyper-spiritual environment that projects a façade of Christendom, is a deeply entrenched culture of corruption, along with multi-layers of social evils that strains the credibility of this Christian nation in the eyes of international observers. Whether it is domestic violence, gender injustice or environmental degradation, the lack of alignment between faith and life gives false witness to the Christ this nation serves. Therefore, networking beyond religious indigenous leaders with secular expats and international NGO’s presents a number of faith challenges. On one hand there is a growing recognition that working with churches is essential to effective program implementation, on the other hand they look upon Christianity as ineffective, superstitious and even destructive. I get a sense from a number of external agencies that churches are tolerated as a means to an ends rather than an actual vehicle of community transformation. I have always held to the view that “the local church is the hope of the world” (Bill Hybels), in so far as it is the manifestation of Christ’s mission today. Regrettably, external observers do not see this manifestation of Christ in ways that brings hope and healing to a nation crippled by its own form of dualism that contradicts any aspiration of integrated mission. As I interact socially with High Commission, NGO, AFP, and ADF personnel, I am confronted with scepticism and resistance because of the stark incongruity of belief and behaviour. Fortunately, their respect for The Salvation Army allows me to engage in dialogue that ventures into this contentious faith space. I was recently introduced to the new Defence Advisor for South West Pacific, whose opening greeting to me was, “I’m not interested in your religion. As long as you understand that, we’ll get along fine.” I discovered that his rejection of anything ‘religious’ comes from years of military service where he has seen horrendous things done by people who profess faith in God or Allah. This includes having previously served in the Solomon Islands during the ‘Tensions’ where civil and ethnic unrest brought down the government and led to a period of total lawlessness in this Christian nation.

I see my challenge and role in this space including discipling indigenous Salvation Army leaders in Holiness so that their faith and life intersect in a way that transforms their worship from singing nice songs on Sunday, to living Christlike on Monday. And casting a transforming vision of Christianity to external networks that demonstrates how integrating faith into community life can bring belief and behaviour into alignment so that kingdom values transcend cultural values. This begins with an honest and humble acknowledgment of the current state of faith and culture by local Christian leaders and a call to lament and repentance for what has previously been done in Christ’s name. The Salvation Army is a relatively new church movement in this country with an international reputation that uniquely places us to respond to these faith challenges.

Solomon Islands District - Climate Change

Master of Transformation Presentation 

"Climate Change in the Solomon Islands"

Presented by Major Robert Evans at Eastern College Australia

OVERVIEW

According to the Tourism Solomons website…

"The Solomon Islands are an archipelago of 992 tropical islands and atolls, scattered in a gentle curve. They comprise two major parallel island chains extending some 1800 kilometres from the Shortland Islands in the west to Tikopia and Anuta in the east. Situated in the South Pacific between Papua New Guinea and Vanuatu, the population of about 550,000 is predominantly Melanesian but includes other smaller groups. Exotic local customs and traditions remain a very important part of life for Solomon Islanders. The islands and waters are still a little-known pristine paradise. They are particularly special for their remarkable biodiversity, containing thousands of different plant and animal species, especially the marine life. Many species are known only to the Solomons."

Entrenched within this “pristine paradise” is a sub-culture of environmental degradation that confronts visitors to the Solomon Islands the moment they enter the capital Honiara, whether by air or by sea. The plastic waste that spews out of open storm water drains outside the Rove Bulkshop, the blood-red betel nut spit that stain the walls of the underpass near Honiara Central Market, the disposable nappies and empty tuna tins that spoil the underwater view for snorkelers at Mbonege Beach, the rusted broken down logging equipment that lines the banks of the Poha River, the rubbish that is indiscriminately thrown overboard the Fair Lady into the Iron Bottom Sound by local travellers throughout the five hour voyage to Auki, and the unregulated logging tracks that are carved into the rolling hills of West Guadalcanal, are some of the evidence that environmental awareness and creation care is far from the consciousness of the average Solomon Islander. Such disregard for the environment by the indigenous population seriously compromises the “remarkable biodiversity” that has sustained the Melanesian “exotic local customs and traditions” for generations. In addition to this internal lack of environmental concern is the unsustainable pillaging of natural resources by foreign investors that goes largely unchecked by government authorities who seem to show little regard for long-term environmental impact.

Against this background of self-inflicted environmental degradation, the vulnerability of this “archipelago of 992 tropical islands and atolls” is compounded by ‘Climate change’, leaving the Solomon Islands ill-prepared to effectively mitigate or adapt to the increasing effects of this global crisis. Saltwater intrusion along Fanalei Island, intensifying tropical storms across Temotu and Renbell provinces, invasion of Coconut Rhinoceros Beetles around Guadalcanal, coastal erosion along the North Road in Malaita, are among the many climatic challenges confronting the Solomon Islands.

While living in Honiara and leading the growth and development of The Salvation Army throughout the Solomon Islands for the past two years I have had the opportunity to observe first-hand the issues outlined above and to speak with people from all walks of life about ‘climate change’ and the impact it is having on everyday life. From farmers and fishermen in remote villages to the Permanent Secretary for Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management & Meteorology, their stories from lived experience are much the same, despite gaps between their knowledge about the science and scope of ‘climate change’. Using the CEDRA Strategic Process as a template, this brief report will highlight some of these stories, discuss what The Salvation Army is currently doing in this space and reflect upon how churches may be more proactive in embracing ‘Creation Care’ as an integral part of their mission activity in the Solomon Islands.

STEP 1 - MAPPING

STEP 2 - SCIENCE

1.  Tsunami 2007

“On 3rd April 2007 at approximately 07:40 local time, an earthquake measuring 8.2 on the Richter Scale occurred in the Western Province of the Solomon Islands, just off the coast of the main island of Gizo.  Fifteen minutes later, an additional eight earthquakes of slightly smaller magnitude triggered a localised tsunami.  Several islands in the Solomon’s chain suffered both quake and tsunami damage (in particular to low-lying seaside areas).  In Gizo town, the provincial capital, the local Solomon Islands Red Cross said that at least 13 people had been reported dead in Gizo.  Around 2,000 people (about 10% of the population) were made homeless, and there had been widespread damage to infrastructure.  Initial reports indicate similar, or worse, levels of damage in other areas.” (https://reliefweb.int/report/solomon-islands/solomons-islands-tsunami-2007, Solomon Islands Tsunami 2007, Australian Red Cross, published 3rd April 2007)

2.  Tropical Depressions

According to Dr Melchior Mataki, Permanent Secretary for Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management & Meteorology in the Solomon Island, the historic location for severe tropical storms has extended beyond Renbell, Temotu and Makira Provinces across all provinces in the Solomon Islands over the past 10 years.  The data is indicating that tropical depressions are now behaving like tropical cyclones with intensified and unpredictable wind and rain causing the most damage, as these tropical low pressure systems linger over the islands for longer periods of time and with greater intensity (before being classified as a cyclone).  This results in widespread flooding and destructive winds in areas previously untouched by cyclones. (Interview conducted by Major Robert Evans with Dr Melchior Mataki on Friday, 28th February 2020)

3.  Rising Sea Levels

“Marie Schlenker a PhD student within the Energy and Climate Change Research Group at the University of Southampton is researching the impact of climate change and coastal hazards on the Solomon Islands.  Her research focuses on the analysis of physical data to gain insights into climate change impacts in the Solomon Islands. She uses satellite images, aerial photographs and beach surveys to understand how shorelines of small islands have changed in the past and how they might evolve in a changing climate. However, Marie also added a significant social science component to her work. During her two-months long fieldtrip to the Solomon Islands, she conducted interviews and participatory workshops with local people to learn more about their perceptions of climate change and its impacts on coastal areas in the country.”

“Many coastal communities in the Solomon Islands are already experiencing adverse impacts of environmental change, including severe shoreline erosion and increased flooding frequency. The villages of Walande and Fanalei in South Malaita are two examples that show how coastal change might result in community relocations, associated with severe social implications. Low cash income, strong dependence on natural resources and disputes over land ownership have complicated relocation for the communities of Walande and Fanalei. One finding of Marie’s research is that climate change impacts in the Solomon Islands can only be understood within the unique cultural context, encompassing tribal land tenure, traditional customs and the wantok system.” (https://www.southampton.ac.uk/oes/news/2019/12/13-solomon-islands-study.page, Ocean and Earth Science, National Oceanography Centre Southhampton, Solomon Islands study: how local communities are being impacted by climate change and coastal hazards, published 13th December 2019)

4.  Logging

“Globally, remaining tropical forests are being rapidly cleared, particularly in countries like the Solomon Islands where commercial logging accounts for about 18 percent of government revenue, and at least 60 percent of exports while providing the largest number of formal sector jobs.  However, the loss of native forests has huge ecological and social consequences, many of which are poorly documented.  A team of researchers from The University of Queensland (UQ), Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), and other groups have found that increasing land clearing for logging in Solomon Islands – even with best management strategies in place -- will lead to unsustainable levels of soil erosion and significant impacts to downstream water quality.  Combined, these impacts will compromise the integrity of the land for future agricultural uses, interrupt access to clean drinking water and degrade important downstream ecosystems.” (https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/04/180416142448.htm, Logging in tropical forests jeopardizing drinking water, Wildlife Conservation Society, published 16th April 2018)

5.  Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle

“The coconut rhinoceros beetle (CRB), Oryctes rhinoceros, was discovered in Honiara in January 2015. A delimiting survey was carried out and plans made for the introduction of the fungus Metarhizium anisoplae and Baculovirus oryctes. The outbreak is focussed in residential areas of Honiara but symptoms have been reported in palms several kilometres east and west of Honiara. To date there are no confirmed reports of the beetle on any other island in the country.  CRB is a serious pest of palms elsewhere. Coconuts are a significant crop for Solomon Islands both for food and export, oil palm is also a significant export revenue earner. Uncontrolled attacks by O. rhinoceros will have important effects on both these industries.  CRB adults damage palms by boring into the centre of the crown, where they injure the young, growing tissues and feed on the exuded sap. As they bore into the crown, they cut through the developing leaves. When the leaves grow out and unfold, the damage appears as V-shaped cuts in the fronds or holes through the midrib.” (http://www.biosecurity.gov.sb/News-Resources/coconut-rhinoceros-beetle, published 18th April 2016)

STEP 3 - COMMUNITY

Story from Western Province

In response to the 2007 earthquake and tsunami in the Western Province, The Salvation Army Papua New Guinea Territory donated and delivered a recovery housing project with 15 new houses, constructed by Pacific Builders, to Paeloge tsunami victims in 2009, at a cost of SB$1.3 million.  Recent conversations with local Salvation Army members who have wantok in Gizo reveal that many of these houses that were constructed on higher ground have since been disassembled and rebuilt back on traditional coastal land.  The relocation for many of these families caused an unintended economic impact for the village due to fiscal displacement.  Many of them rely on fishing for their livelihood and the risk of being closer to the shoreline is more preferable than a long daily walk to catch and store fish. 

Visit to North Malaita

To visit our congregation on Suafa Bay in North Malaita, I frequently embark on the long and unconfortable six hour drive up the North Road from Auki on the back of a three tonne public truck.  About two hours out from my destination the North Road hugs the coastline, which shows clear evidence of coastal erosion where waves lap up against the edge of the gravel road.  Along this journey there are also a number of precarious river crossings.  Many of the bridges are in a dangerous state of disrepair, causing truck drivers to divert through rivers when the water is low at some crossings.  As recently as two weeks ago, the Taba River bridge (two river crossings before our church) collapsed as a result of flood waters, leaving people in North Malaita cut-off from the main port in Auki.  This impacts access to the main market, affecting our ability to transport the coconut oil we are producing at our DME Coconut Oil Plant.

Visit to South Malaita

While visiting a new mission opportunity in Fouele Village in South Malaita last year, I witnessed first-hand the well-documented reality of rising sea levels on Fanalei Island across the bay.  As our ship docked on the Fanalei beach, we were confronted with a long row of large steel containers full of rocks positioned to hold back the high tide from the remaining village homes.  Village leader Chris Sukufatu was the first family to migrate across to Fouele from Fanalei around 30 years ago as the sea began washing away community buildings in the village.  I asked Chris how local people understood or interpreted what was happening before they heard the language of ‘climate change’.  He said they used the term “Bio” [bee-oh], which means in their Lau language – “beyond normal current of water”, which brought the expectation that something bigger was coming.  Before Christianity came to the island locals believed this was an ‘act of the spirits’ who were not happy with them because they defied natural laws or committed some sin.

Living in Honiara

Among the many environmental issues associated with logging in West Guadalcanal is the perpetual impact it is having on the water supply for the 65,000+ residents living in Honiara.  Every time it rains in the catchment areas, debris from the logging camps flows down the rivers causing a high level of ‘turbidity’ that clogs the pipes and damages the pumps.  As a consequence, Solomon Water turn off the vulnerable pumps after rainfall to protect the infrastructure, which leaves large portions of the city without mains water for up to two days at a time.  These shut-downs occur at least twice a week during the wet season, leaving residents who don’t have water tanks (which are generally only installed in expat homes) without access to clean water.  Major services like the National Referral Hospital and the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force Headquarters are frequently impacted and are left without water when their tanks run out.

Spread of Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle (CRB)

The data presented in the previous section from a 2015 report suggested there was no evidence of the CRB in other provinces at that time.  Today, the damage to coconut palms caused by the CRB can be seen clearly along the North Road while travelling through West Kwara’ae in the Malaita Province.  The tops of once fruitful coconut palms have been reduced to a few straggly palm fronds, which has effectively destroyed the productivity of these plantations.  In East Guadalcanal, experts from New Zealand have identified significant breeding grounds for the CRB larve among rotting logs, saw dust, and compost, especially within the Guadalcanal Palm Oil plantations where a lot of organic waste lies after harvesting.  The Biosecurity Emergency Coordination Centre has mobilised clean-up teams throughout Guadalcanal to destroy known breeding areas and are facilitating public education campaigns in Honiara and surrounding villages.

STEP 4 - RISK

Risk assessment and management is not a natural way of thinking in the Solomon Islands.  A ‘here and now’ mindset tends to focus on the needs of today with very little regard or thought for tomorrow.  This adds another layer of vulnerability for individuals and community leaders who are often exploited in this space by quick fix promises or offers of cash that diverts concern about managing risk associated with climate change or environmental degradation away from long-term mitigation or adaptation projects.  For example:

• Asian logging companies will offer landowners in the outer villages timber to build their house in exchange for permission to log their land.  The allure of a more permanent home than a leaf hut overshadows any potential degradation of the land that produces their food or the river that supplies their water and washes their children.  It also blinds them to the possibility of landslides or flooding that inevitably follows the mass clearing of vegetation.  During the tropical depression over Guadalcanal two weeks ago, a landslide below one of these logging camps destroyed a local village, killing eight Solomon Islanders!
• The promise to pay school fees or provide roofing iron by MP’s contesting the National General Election last year enticed thousands of voters from rural constituencies to register to vote in Honiara.  This diverted Rural Constituency Development Funds into election campaigns instead of necessary community development projects in the constituencies where they are most needed.  It also left unfulfilled promises to repair essential infrastructure like schools and bridges in the rural areas.
• The current construction of a large shopping plaza on a bend along the Lunga River in East Honiara, immediately adjacent to the bridge, is an example of promised economic benefits superseding a sound risk assessment of a site that was devastated by the 2014 flash floods in Honiara.  This massive structure is literally right on the river edge where the river rose up to its ground floor during the most recent tropical disturbance.  There is ‘suggested’ evidence that normal planning approvals were bypassed, and a risk assessment of the river conducted by the National Disaster Management Office after the flash floods in 2014 was ignored.  This is literally a disaster waiting to happen!

With these examples in mind, it is hard to image remote communities that are living day to day with very little access to external resources or support giving much time or consideration to a risk assessment of the long-term effects of climate change on their villages and livelihoods until it is too late.  There seems to be more of a reactive than proactive approach in the Solomon Islands that depends upon being rescued rather than being prepared.

The current global outbreak of Coronavirus has external agencies and authorities working diligently to try and manage the risk of the virus hitting our shores.  While there is cooperation by the appropriate internal government departments, external pressure from the recent diplomatic partnership with China is compromising the safety of local citizens by the emergency safety measures being overridden by key business and diplomatic leaders who are driven by the needs of the ‘here and now’.

STEP 5 - ADAPTATION

What is The Salvation Army doing in The Solomon Islands to adapt to the changing environment?

1.  Partnership with Kokonut Pacific Solomon Islands (KPSI)

The Salvation Army Solomon Islands District has partnered with KPSI to construct and manage a Direct Micro Expelling (DME) coconut oil plant in North Malaita as a part of the mission of Gateway Corps.  This plant provides an alternative process to produce organic virgin coconut oil at a village level, which is then sold back to KPSI to produce their products that are sold locally and internationally.  This social enterprise model enables us to purchase coconuts at a price that gives the farmers a higher return than if they produced copra, it provides jobs for people in the surrounding villages and generates a sustainable income to help fund the mission of The Salvation Army in the Solomon Islands.  In an industry where there has been a slump in the international market for copra (traditional method for producing oil) this partnership is helping to keep coconut plantations profitable.  Our manager captured the broader impact of our plant well while addressing our staff recently: “This plant not only provides our families an income but grants us the privilege of contributing to our national economy by processing a natural product in our village.”

2.  Support of Biosecurity Emergency Coordination Centre (BECC)

After seeing the Salvation Army Emergency Services (SAES) team in action at the National General Election last year while we were serving meals to the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF), a program coordinator from the BECC invited The Salvation Army to provide daily catering for their clean-up teams in Honiara.  Our assessment of this request determined that it fitted the mandate of our SAES team to provide support in times of crisis, as the infestation of this beetle is very much an ecological and economic crisis that affects the long-term income for vulnerable people.  Therefore, during October and December last year and February and March this year our SAES team has been cooking lunches daily for a crew of 16 workers involved in this clean-up project.  In addition to this catering support, our DME plant will become a staging area for the BECC training teams in North Malaita, to help educate coconut farmers how to reduce the infestation of the CRB by proper management of their plantations.

STEP 6 - REPORT

On Friday, 28th February 2020 I interviewed Dr Melchior Mataki, Permanent Secretary for Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management & Meteorology…

Primary Impact of Climate Change in Solomon Islands

• Low lying atolls (including artificial islands) are subject to rising sea levels
• Intensity of extreme weather (cyclones, low pressure systems) is increasing across whole country.
• 10 years ago the impact of tropical depressions was limited to Renbell, Temotu and Makira Provinces, now across all provinces.
• Tropical depressions are now behaving like tropical cyclones, lingering longer and causing more damage.
• Tropical storms are much more unpredictable.
• Upward trend of temperature since 1950’s – less of a difference between daytime and nighttime temperatures (hotter nights).
• Saltwater intrusion in low lying atolls is affecting drinking water and crops.
• Saltwater intruding sub-soil fresh water supplies, which in turn affects food supplies.
• Seasons for fruiting (mangoes etc) are changing – earlier or later harvests are impacting food supply and access to markets.
• Insects/pests unpredictable and ever-present (microclimate).
• Some traditional plants are no longer available in some provinces, which impacts traditional cooking methods.
• People are experiencing shock relating to these rapid changes.
• Coastal erosion, while a natural process, is accelerated by extreme weather.  There is a loss of 20-30 metres of land on some islands since 1980’s.  Human activities and development is also contributing to loss of land.

Other Climate Change Issues

• Relocation is easier said than done!  80-90% of land is customarily owned.  Relocation creates conflict over ownership, stirs up social issues, impacts population growth and presents challenges in cross-cultural integration.  Other issues of land and marine resources, access and security need to be considered when considering relocation.
• Relocation as an adaptation response is not new – people have been moving across the islands for centuries.  It’s not just about relocating the people, there is culture, heritage, fiscal assets, skills, mindset that need to be considered in relocation.
• Need to see climate change in relation to other social and cultural issues
• Other development needs MUST be considered alongside climate change issues, instead of isolating climate change from other development issues.
• Role of Solomon Islands Government in Climate Change Mitigation/Adaptation 
• Ministry portfolio established in 2011, bringing together related areas of responsibility.  Still finding his way in this role.
• Policy and actions need to be evidence-based
• Solomon Islands Government (SIG) policies and legislation have not kept pace with mitigation and adaptation issues.  
• Other development needs hinder SIG response to climate change.
• Language of climate change has been opportunistically used to apportion blame. 
• SIG approach to climate change: 
• Easing the pressure on the islands
• Work with urban centres to allocate sub divisions for houses and reestablishment
• Using economic engine of urban areas to access available services and resources
• Prevent customary land clashes, provide respite while resolving other complicated issues

Existing/Potential Partnerships with NGO’s, Civil Societies, Churches

• Doesn’t want people to rely entirely on SIG for mitigation and adaptation (costly exercise).
• Self-regulated adaptation is more successful.
• Role of churches – pastors are more influential than politicians.
• Hasn’t really considered how the churches might be involved in this space.

STEP 7 - NEXT STEPS

Questions for further discussion and action…

• How do we overcome a ‘here and now’ mindset that inhibits a long-term vision for mitigation and adaptation?
• How might we shift communities from ‘waiting to be rescued’ to becoming ‘proactively prepared’?
• What other opportunities might there be for The Salvation Army to engage in the Climate Change space in the Solomon Islands?
• How can we effectively encourage other churches to integrate “Creation Care” into their mission and ministry?
• What role could the churches have working alongside NGO’s and SIG?

Solomon Islands District - Women's Bible Conference

Special Report written by Major Vanessa Evans, District Director Women's Ministries... 

"I can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens me." (Philippians 4:13)

This was the scripture for the first Salvation Army District Women’s Bible Conference that was held on the 23rd - 26th January 2020.

In 2019 while talking with Mary Vasula, the local CRC pastor, we came up with the idea of having a combined conference with the aim of building up the women in our congregations. As we spoke together we realized that most of our women lacked confidence in themselves and their abilities. Many had grown up with the label of ‘pencil break’ (referring to those whose education has been broken) which is used in a derogatory way. Both Mary and I wanted to encourage our women and give them practical ways of knowing their confidence in Christ.

   

Our special guests for the weekend were Pastor Norma Cayzer, Turning Point CRC Senior Minister, and Pastor Joan Gordon. These ladies spoke throughout the conference and challenged the ladies to ‘Walk In Confidence’. The opening night was fantastic! The CRC youth opened the event with an amazing dance which incorporated the Solomon Islands flag. It was also where 200 women came together from all the different provinces to hear from the Word of God. Pastor Norma encouraged us to take a look at David and to ‘Press into God’ and that when we have troubles not to place our trust in people but in God.

Friday and Saturday mornings saw most of the campers up at 5:00 am for dawn prayer and then it was onto more teaching from Pastor Norma, Pastor Joan & myself. Topics covered included ‘Letting Go – Joseph’, ‘Intimidation – the Enemy of Confidence’, ‘The Names of the Lord’ and ‘Meditating on the Word of God’. Lunch was provided by The Salvation Army Emergency Services men which everyone enjoyed. After lunch there were electives that the women could attend which included ‘Children’s Ministries’, ‘Leading with Confidence’, ‘The World Needs You’, ‘Literacy’, ‘Reusable Sanitary Kits’, ‘Disaster Preparation’ provided by NDC, as well as the RSIPF representative Elizabeth Tavake providing an elective on ‘Family Violence’, which was one of the most well attended electives. I am aware that some women came forward and told Elizabeth that they were experiencing family violence and were needing help. Each of the campers came away from the electives chatting about what they had learned and how they could apply what they had learned to their everyday lives. This was exciting to hear as this was one of our desires, that women would learn different things that they would then apply.

The night sessions were amazing. The messages were ‘Stepping Up – Esther’ and ‘Being a Woman of Confidence’. After each message a group of ladies from the different churches represented put on items that ranged from dancing, singing and drama. It was fantastic not only to see the women come alive and step up in confidence but also to see the men from churches within Honiara that came to support their wives and daughters at the conference.

On Sunday morning as The Salvation Army Honiara Corps and Gateway CRC Church Henderson came together in worship with the campers, God was glorified. The singing was led by Francis which was God glorifying and extremely energetic with heaps of dancing. Pastor Norma spoke on ‘Rising Up – Deborah’.

Lunch was a ‘Motu’ (this is where food is placed on hot stones and are covered with banana leaves and left to cook) that was provided by the CRC Gateway ladies and youth. This was amazing and over 300 people enjoyed the food and the fellowship together. Yet, this was not the end. Sunday night was amazing. First, we spent time praising God and again hearing from His Word, which is where I challenged the ladies to not give up and reminded them of the Scripture that had been the basis of our weekend — “I can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens me”. After this it was definitely party time, where each group danced and sang and again the CRC youth and women closed the program with more amazing dancing.

The coming together of women from different parts of the Solomon Islands and from Australia was a true blessing and I am truly blessed to be part of the organizing committee that made this event come to fruition. I want to thank Mary and her team at CRC, Pastor Norma & Pastor Joan and The Salvation Army Emergency Services for their amazing contribution to the weekend.