Solomon Islands District - Territorial Leaders Visit (Day 3)

District Review & Community Walk

Monday, 14th November 2022

One of the important tasks undertaken by the Territorial Leaders during their visit was the facilitation of a District Review to evaluate the mission and ministry impact of the Solomon Islands District. This is the first face-to-face review process for Solomon Islands since gaining District status, due to COVID-19 travel disruptions over the past few years. In preparation for the District Review, a detailed review document was completed by the District Officers in advance of the Territorial Leaders visit to present their Statistics, Programme (Children’s & Youth Ministry, Women’s & Men’s Ministry, Music Ministry, Social & Community Services), Personnel (Officers, Candidates/Nominees, Employees), Business Administration (Finance, Property, Projects, IT, Boards, Inventory). The District Team had a productive discussion with the Territorial Leaders, highlighting strengths and identifying areas for future growth. It was an encouraging process for all involved looking back on the past couple of years of growth and development of The Salvation Army in the Solomon Islands.

After a full day of sitting around a table discussing mission and ministry, it was time for some recreation. Armed with some foreknowledge that the Colonels’ “favourite pastime is walking/hiking and exploring new places,” Major Robert organised to take them for an evening walk with the Honiara Hash House Harriers group that he connects with most Mondays. This is a family friendly group of expat and local walkers and runners who meet weekly at various locations around Honiara for an organised walk/run. It is a great way to discover new places, see how people live in urban villages and meet people from all walks of life. Major Robert has been walking with this group for 18 months, which has become a valuable source of networking and fitness. The walk commenced at Lengakiki in the west side of Honiara and weaved around gravel roads and walking tracks, up and down hills for 4 kilometres. The Colonels were welcomed with the customary friendly smiles and warm greetings from Solomon Islanders who are always accepting of strangers walking through their neighbourhoods. What Honiara lacks in infrastructure is offset by a freedom of movement around a relatively safe and hospitable society. This is in direct contrast to walking conditions in Port Moresby, providing the Colonels an opportunity to explore new places in safety.

After the walk, there was a BBQ held at the home of one of the Hash members, whose work contract has finished in the Solomon Islands. This provided a great opportunity for the Territorial Leaders to socialise with one of Major Robert and Vanessa’s network of friends. One of the unique rituals at Hash is the ‘circle up’ after each walk where newbies are welcomed and weekly nominations are made for several fun categories, with nominees subjected to a raucous rendition of the Hash group jingle. Consequently, the Colonels were invited to join the other newbies for this ritual. Let’s just say the lyrics of the jingle would be more suited to a public bar than the THQ board room! If that wasn’t embarrassing enough, Major Robert was also included in an unexpected and slightly irreverent ‘naming ceremony’ where he was dubbed “Dog Handler” in response to his recent dog attack. Fortunately, all this frivolity was taken with good humour by the Territorial Leaders, who really enjoyed the time of recreation and social interaction with a terrific group of people.