Aussie flavour as zonal leaders taken on tour of Solomon Islands
BY SIMONE WORTHING
Commissioners Robyn and Wayne Maxwell, leaders of the South Pacific and East Asia Zone (SPEA), visited the Solomon Islands District last week, which is part of the Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands Territory.
After a very wet, but very warm welcome to the capital, Honiara, the Australian officers began a busy schedule around the district.
Fellow Australians Majors Robert and Vanessa Evans, district leaders, took the Maxwells on a Social Enterprise tour to learn about Kokonut Pacific and how The Salvation Army Solomon Islands has established a DME (direct micro expelling) coconut oil plant at Gateway Corps in North Malaita to fund local mission and ministry.
“We also got to see their expansion into cocoa and how this could open another social enterprise opportunity for our village churches,” said Robert.
The Commissioners also met with Solomon Islander leaders and candidates, spending time together over a meal. “We were blessed by their testimonies and also that they had travelled so far to meet with us!” said Robyn.
On the Sunday, more than 180 Salvationists gathered at Honiara Corps to welcome the international guests and worship together. The timbrel brigade and dancers gave a vibrant cultural welcome to the Commissioners, who enrolled nine junior soldiers and nine senior soldiers, commissioned three local officers and conducted the Self-Denial altar service. A fellowship lunch followed.
The Maxwells also participated in the Burns Creek Outpost’s service. Wayne dedicated the container shelter constructed with Mission Support Project funds and community support to accommodate the Learning Space and Outpost. Robyn shared a word of encouragement with the community and Salvationist Elizabeth Tolilalo led a Jolly Phonics lesson and action song with the Learning Space children from Burns Creek for the international guests.
Robert and Vanessa escorted the Commissioners on a ‘Social Justice Tour - Hope Trust and World Vision to connect with “two significant mission networks that have a memorandum of understanding with The Salvation Army Solomon Islands,” explained Robert.
“We are so privileged to visit the Solomon Islands and share in worship with the Honiara Corps and Burns Creek Outpost, as well as spend time with the church leaders and candidates, and significant mission networks,” shared Robyn. “We received a beautiful cultural welcome. Our hearts were enriched by the ministries, the joyous worship and the beautiful people who captured our hearts.
“Thank you, Majors Robert and Vanessa Evans and Aux-Captains Ramo’oroa Wency and Fostina, for your wonderful welcome and the hospitality shown to us, and for the Kingdom difference you are making in the Solomon Islands. Rejoicing with you over all that the Lord is doing in and through you and your precious people!”
For more photos, click on the slideshow below.
