Solomon Islands District - Easter Campaign (East Are'are & South Malaita)

Reports written by Major Vanessa Evans and Regina Akwasitaloa

Preparing for any trip comes with its challenges and our Easter Campaign was no different. Due to minimal ships going to East Are’are, we were dependent on going on the Pelican Express. This was a great plan until on the day before we were to leave they cancelled the trip due to the ship needing maintenance. We then went through the emotions of the trip not going ahead and then being on again when friends from another church mentioned they had organized with the Taimareho ship to do a short trip to Afio. We were pleased and excited that we would be able to continue with the trip and got word to our villages that we were on our way. Peter and the skipper of our OBM met us at Afio at 3:00 am on the Thursday morning and we then travelled two hours onto Moscom. Travelling through the early hours of the morning on the calm seas was amazing and it was beautiful to see the moon setting and the sun rising on the opposite sides of the boat. It is always a pleasure spending time at Moscom. I love the people, the location and we were extremely blessed by the hospitality of the leaders Peter and Susan and the Moscom congregation. Moscom is growing and God is doing great things within the community through the use of the OBM and church services and programs. Good Friday was an amazing time of fellowship and the feast, which consisted of fish, kasava pudding and veggies, after church was delicious. Each person of the church had a job to do and had fun in the process.

Saturday was another early start out on the water to Fouele with a 2 hour OBM ride. This was my first time at Fouele and it was just as amazing as all of the other villages that I have been blessed to travel to. When we arrived we went through the mangroves, which was like nothing else I have experienced before. We were warmly welcomed by Robinson and Lottie and their family who are the

church leaders, as well as by Chris, who is the chief and also our previous church leader. We were spoilt by having mud crab for lunch and then fish for the rest of our time there. On Saturday afternoon we were able to take a 10 minute ride in the boat to Fanalei Island to see the devastation that climate change has had on the island and the community that lives there. The opportunity to also lead both congregations through the Easter services, as well as taking them through the Gudfala Laef Sunday School material was amazing and to see Regina and Elizabeth rise to the occasion of training was awesome to see.

Like I mentioned earlier, our trips come with challenges. Our next challenge was finding out on the Monday that the boat that we hoped we would take home had been chartered overnight and wasn't going to be near us until Thursday which meant we had to travel on the Victory boat, which is one that Rob had travelled on when we first arrived in Honiara. Let’s just say his trip was not great, however, this trip was fine, other than being sunburnt as we were on the top deck with no shade. We had to sleep on the open deck and we were grateful that the seas were calm. Being able to spend time at Moscom and Fouele and share Easter with these congregations, as well as with our mission team, was just what my soul needed. To be out in the villages is like nothing else and I am privileged to be able to do this for God.

Major Vanessa Evans

During the Easter mission, I was so blessed both spiritually and physically, as I know that because of God I am able to travel into different places that I’ve never been to before. I really enjoyed the environment and how God showed me His goodness through the natural environments. I am so blessed and convicted by the Word of God that was preached by Major Vanessa Evans on Good Friday from the book of Philippians 2:5-8, that spoke about how we should have the same mind like Christ and our attitude should be the same as Christ Jesus. And we should be mindful that servanthood is very important for our Christian life. As well as Easter Sunday, the Word of God preached by Major Robert Evans from Romans 12:1-2, which reminds me as Christ shows His great mercy, we should offer ourselves as a living sacrifice to God. It recaptures my heart and mind to give a strong passion to our God by offering Him true worship: ‘Not to conform to the standards of this world, but transform us inwardly by a complete change of our mind’. I just give honour to our Daddy God in heaven for the great and marvelous things He has done. To God be the glory.

Regina Akwasitaloa

Solomon Islands District - Easter Campaign (West Kwara'ae)

Reports written by Festus Ganiomea and Nirit Taba'a

Our mission trip to Rauai in West Kwara’ae was a very successful one, with five of us who travelled down during the Easter weekend. Our trip began here at Honiara ports on Thursday, 6th April 2023, where we boarded MV Auki Express and departed at 8 am. The trip was very exciting because two of our mission teams boarded the same ship to Auki. We reached Auki and boarded a truck to where we headed to.

My team arrived at Rauai late in the afternoon and we took a little rest and later prepared for our first program in the evening. During that evening we had our first program, which was the film crusade about Hell and Heaven. There were more than 80 people who attended that film show during the night.

On Friday, 7th April, which was Good Friday, we had a morning service and elder Jackson took the opportunity to share from the Word of God to the people. His sermon was based on Philippians 2:5-8. After that sermon, he gave an appeal and 14 people responded to God’s Word. Out of that 14, only two couples accepted Christ for their first time and the others recommitted their lives back to Christ. In the evening, we showed the film the Passion of the Christ and 70 people attended that show. Next day, we just rested.

On Sunday, 9th April, for the Easter Sunday Service, Solomon and the youth at Rauai lead us powerfully into worship and Elder Jackson got another chance to share again to us from God’s word from Romans 12:1-2. His sermon was very powerful and after that sermon 5 people responded to God’s Word. Later that evening, we had to refilm the Passion and Hell movie as they requested.

On Monday, 10th April, the team returned back to Honiara safely on the Auki Express. These mission trips were truly a challenge for those of us who we left our comfort zone and stepped into the field where we encountered so many things. We just want to give all the glory back to our Lord Jesus Christ for His strength and guidance throughout the whole mission. To God be the glory, great things He has done.

Festus Ganiomea

This year’s Easter Campaign has been a joy and blessing for me. I have been challenged by the theme saving others and sacrificial living. I had experienced God’s blessing and God answered my prayer after this campaign and I thank God for that, as it motivates my faith and belief that He is the King of kings and Lord of lords who has risen from the dead so I may be saved.

I also want to express how God has been with me, as I can see what has been done at Rauai community throughout the weekend. We experienced the devil trying to disturb our program and families had been attacked by evil spirits but as Ephesians 6:12 says, ‘we are not fighting against flesh and blood enemies but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in the dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armour so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil.’

However, I’ve picked an object when reflecting back on my journey with the Lord. The object is a key to a lock. If there is a right key to a right lock, nothing can stop you to unlock that particular door that has been locked. Nothing is hard for the Lord to fight against the right enemy. And then I release that if I want to be sacrificially living for Jesus. I must have the right spirit in me, make right choices, with right armour to fight against evil, like a right key to a lock to unlock it so that I will be able to save others. I praise God for all He has done for me, to save me and accept me for who I am. To God be the glory, great things He has done.

Nirit Taba’a

Solomon Islands District - Easter Campaign (North Malaita)

Reports written by Webster Buakalo and Abraham Taba'a

Greetings in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus is risen indeed and lives forever! What a great time that God is at work. It was an exciting and challenging trip and there were 28 of us that travelled to Gateway. We boarded Auki Express to Auki and travelled by truck to Gateway, arriving at 5:30 pm.

There was a great experience of joy, peace, love and harmony between Gateway, Kafomauri and Honiara Corps sharing things in common. We shared our duties for cleaning up, morning and evening devotions. Spiritually and physically, we were filled by the power of God. There was something new, something great, something beautiful happening among us; something we never experienced before. God is at work because He has risen indeed and He is our King that reigns forever.

With the powerful theme ‘Sacrificial Living,’ the character demonstrated about itself as we saw all Christians and even the backsliders working together as one. The Friday session was led by Honiara worship team and the preacher was sister Elizabeth Tolilalo. There were people who gave their lives to Jesus. On Sunday, Gateway worship team led the worship and the preacher was Webster Buakalo and also people gave their lives to Jesus too.

We would like to acknowledge Solomon Islands District leadership for allowing us

to go on this mission trip. Let’s give glory, praise and honour back to our God for great things He has done. Amen.

Webster Buakalo

Easter is a significant holiday in the Christian faith and it is a time when believers reflect on the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. My reflection of our Easter program in Kwai Village includes:

The significance of Easter: This reflects on the meaning of Easter and how it impacts my life. Easter represents the hope of new beginnings and the promise of eternal life through faith in Jesus Christ.

The program's theme (Sacrificial living): This considers the theme of the Easter program in Kwai village and how it relates to the message of Easter. When I think about how the songs, readings, and

other elements of the program that contributed to the overall theme of the Easter campaign, it is very effective to my personal view as a young Christian.

The music: The music involved in the Easter program, reflecting on the songs that were sung considers the lyrics and how they relate to the Easter story. How the music impacted my emotions and helped me connect with the message is really meaningful to my spiritual life.

The message: Reflecting on the message that was shared during the Easter program in Kwai Village, it impacted my personal life and how it can be applied to my daily life as a Christian.

The community: When I think about the community of people in Kwai who attended the Easter program, I reflect on the fellowship and sense of belonging that comes from being a part of a community of believers in sharing the goodness of Christ.

Overall, the sacrificial living of Jesus Christ teaches us important lessons about selflessness, humility, love, obedience, and forgiveness. By following His example, we can live lives that are pleasing to God and impactful to others. Committing you and I as a living sacrifice for Jesus Christ is not a one-time event but a daily decision to follow Him and live according to His will.

Abraham Taba’a

Solomon Islands Ministries - Auki Mission

Over the past few weeks there has been some exciting movement around Auki in the Malaita Province concerning The Salvation Army, which does not yet have a presence in this town.  The movement I speak of is the activity of Holy Spirit who is stirring the hearts of some local pastors who are feeling restless, as they have been disconnected from any real denominational alliance for some time (that is a whole other discussion for another time and place).  Their restlessness led to a meeting with their spiritual mentor Joshua Henry who happens to be a Salvation Army soldier at Honiara Corps.  Joshua met recently with seven of these pastors to respond to their call to learn more about The Salvation Army because of their respect for his leadership and his strong witness.   

Throughout their time of worship and sharing together Joshua felt the Lord speak the following prophetic words for this group of pastors:

"As far as the Solomon Islands is concerned, The Salvation Army is the newest move of God in this country for NOW!"

"As far as The Salvation Army is concerned, everybody in the Solomon Islands who are Christians could all be citizens of the Kingdom of God already.  But to join the military of a nation there is a separate recruitment.  The Salvation Army is now that recruitment for a mission movement of God in the Solomon Islands."

"The Salvation Army is the fresh stream that is flowing into this country and out of this country."

As Joshua relayed these messages to me I felt both excited and terrified by the potential implications of such utterances!  Imagine if all seven pastors responded to Joshua's message by saying, 'sign us up!'  Well, we have dared to imagine such an outcome, despite not having the resources at this point in our journey to support an immediate burst of growth like this.  We dare to believe in a God who "is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine" (Ephesians 3:20) and who "will meet all [our] needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:19).

Alongside this prophetic word from Joshua we have proactively stepped into this mission space to pursue a couple of social enterprise opportunities to build a foundation for sustainable growth throughout the Malaita Province by developing a mission base in Auki.  We continue to look and listen for where the Spirit is at work so we can join in on His mission activity.  We continue to trust God to lead the development of His Army not only in Malaita but right across the Solomon Islands.  We continue to prioritise the development of future leaders and financial sustainability as we develop further ministries.