Report from Munda Church

Western Circuit Report 2012.

 

I would like to bring you greetings in the Mighty Name of our Saviour and Lord Jesus Christ. This year 2012 is a challenging year for us as a Circuit. Sovereign Grace Nazarene at Munda is building their Church building that will be also use by the School. As you can see that the District NYI President Pastor Revelation Kalia and Jimmy Ata a youth from Honiara help with putting up the roof under the supervision of Mr. Rex Daga

 

 

Mr. Rex Daga and Jimmy Ata and one youth from Sovereign Grace on top of the church house nailing the roof. What a blessing to have and host the District NYI President Pastor Revelation and Jimmy Ata at Sovereign grace when they were here for a stop over to Petra Nazarene church for the Circuit NYI camp.

The building is now almost complete with only three more pieces of roofing Iron that is need to put up and the walls all half way. The building will be use by End of August 2012 for worship and School.

  

Pastor Revelation Kalia the District NYI President is help by Pastor Alick Hagi of Sovereign Grace putting up walls of the Church/School house.

 

After completing the Walling of the church building. The group went to attend the church of the living God opening program at Nuza Roviana. They invite Pastor of Sovereign Grace to their Opening ceremony. Pastor Revelation and Jimmy Ata accompany Pastor Alick Hagi to the Program at Nuza Roviana. They were having refreshment after the opening program in the tent with Pastor Dona Ellison Wate and Brother Collin Auasia.                                                                                                                                                                                    

  

 

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The opening night of the Western Circuit Camp at Petra Nazarene church Iriri pasapasa. Pastor Fred Mane of Petra Church gives a Welcome to all Delegates to the Circuit NYI. The Circuit Pastor Alick Hagi Officially declare the camp open.

 

The Vilorae youth sing their song at the first night and so as a youth from the united church at Vivia. They were excited to be part of the program. Their leader say it was a different to what they use to attend.

      

 

The youth group from vasa vasara presents their item and next is Marama Elaine wife of Pastor Fred Wane from Petra leading their youth in singing their item.

      

Below Lay Pastor Johnson Biara from Vilorae with his wife lead their youth sing their song then Sovereign Grace Nazarene church from Munda.

        

 

 

 

 

 

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District NYI President Pastor Revelation Kalia above giving his first remarks to the youth on the first day of the youth camp meeting at Petra church. He is assign to take the younger ones. Those below age 14 years.

 

Pastor Alick Hagi taking on youths and break them into three groups. They discuss three topic, group one Time, group two-Talents and group three Tithes

Pastor Alick Hagi.                                                              Group 2-Talents

Group 1.-Time                                                       Group 3-Tithes

 

Pastor Alick Hagi reinstates Lay Pastor Johnson Biara assist by Pastor Revelation Kalia and then they lead the worship.

 

 

Pastor Johnson Biara was put under discipline by Rev.Jimmy Kwaisui when he was assigned Pastor at Iri iri pasapasa. He is reinstate to lead the church at Vilorae that is been inactive for the past few years.

 

 

 

 

Jimmy Ata with Pastor Revelation Kalia and Pastor Alick Hagi singing their item. Pastor Gibson Pina preaching on Saturday night at Petra Nazarene Church.                             

 

Handing of Torch by Pastor Fred wane of Petra church to Pastor Johnson Biara from Vilorae as the next host for 2014.

 

 

 

 

Pastor Fred Wane ready to hand the Torch.

 

Petra Nazarene Church building that hosts the Circuit Camp. Seen is Pastor Fred wane and Clement standing beside the water tank of the school.

The School  has been boast with the 10 sheet of roofing Iron that Pastor Alick Hagi get from the Member of Parliament for the West New Georgia and Vona vona constituency. The School now has a proper water for the children.

 

 

The District NYI President Pastor Revelation Kalia Minister God word on Sunday 01^st July 2012 at the last service of the circuit youth camp at Petra Nazarene Church. The alter was open after the message and Pastor Alick Hagi lead the Pastors to pray for those who response to the altar.

Those response were divide into two group on the right are the one who rededicate their life and on the left is those for the first time.

Session	28th Jun 12	29th Jun 12	30th Jun 12	01st Jul 12
Morning Session			5  youths
Afternoon Session		6 youths
Evening Worship	19 youths	14 youth
Sunday Morning				12  Salvation   7  Recommitments

 

Feast time after the Sunday service and after the delegate leave for their respective homes.

The current school building and a structure of a new building one is seen here. At the back is the water  

The play ground for the children is set up next to the church house and at the back is the toilet for the children that is build and just completed.

After the Circuit camp meeting the Sovereign Grace is backing to Munda under the skipper of Pastor Gibson Pina. He is the circuit NYI President.

 

 

Good bye and see you at Vilorae in 2014.

 

Thank you.

 

 

George Miller, 

Solomon Islands -Church of the Nazarene

Bible College Class

This is a prayer update on the Bible College Class. 

We want to thank you for your prayers.  The class ended on June 7^th and you are probably wondering why it took so long to post.  I am too.  Our son Greg and wife Wendy along with 4 of our precious grandchildren arrived before the class ended.  We certainly enjoyed spending time with them.  Now that they have returned to the USA I am taking time to share some of the highlights of the Bible College class.

<![if !vml]><![endif]><![if !vml]><![endif]>During this block period I taught two courses: Spiritual Leadership [There were 16 students]; and Pentateuch [20 Students].  Nancy taught Gospel and Culture to 18 students.

These classes were exciting to me because these classes were the best ever as far as open classroom discussion and participation.

In Spiritual Leadership we looked at Jesus’ model of servant leadership.  This definitely involves a change of mind-set because when we, from a human standpoint, think of a leader we don’t think of a servant.  This concept evoked a lot of discussion.  The Solomon Island motto is, “To lead is to serve.”  But even though that is the motto and frequently quoted, it has not widen been put into practice.  But Jesus taught the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven was the least on this earth, to be first you had to be last, etc. etc.  God is moving in the SI and is raising up Godly leaders.  We need leaders of integrity.

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In the Gospel and Culture class, Nancy asked the class to identify cultural concerns, problems, and issues that they felt needed to be addressed by the church.  Then the students were assigned different topics and researched the scripture to see if and how these cultural issues were addressed in the word.  Then there was open discussion as they looked at their own Solomon Island/Melanesian culture and discovered how the Bible spoke to this culture.  This was primarily a class of discussion and searching the scriptures and then also using reason, experience, and Christian tradition to discover and identify the proper response.

The Pentateuch class can be described by one word, “awesome.”  This was the first time for me to teach this class and the first time it required a lot of preparation and prayer.  We primarily used the Bible as the text, but I also drew heavily from Victor Hamilton’s “Handbook on the Pentateuch”, and “Discovering the New Testament” edited by Alex Varughese.

What has been a blessing is the results after the class.  I have visited churches where one of the students is preaching and hear sermons that were taken from the material talked about during this class.  Every scripture class I have the students preach a sermon as part of their grade. 

By George Miller

Prayer Update 6 May 2012

Dear Prayer Supporters,

Thank you so much for your prayers.  We depend upon them. 

 

Events Coming up that we need lifted up in Prayer:

 

Bible College Classes:

We are beginning a 3-week intensive Bible College Block on May 15^th.  The first week May 15-22 I (George) will teach “Spiritual Leadership” class (6 hours/day).  Then 2^nd & 3^rd week 23 May-7 June we will be conducting two classes.  I will be teaching “Pentateuch” in the Morning and Nancy will teach “Gospel and Culture” in the Evening.  Here are some of the specific prayer needs.

·         Pray for strength for Nancy as she is also Principal of our K-12 school.  Currently the school does not have a grade 4 teacher so Nancy is also serving as classroom teacher.  She is for sure busy.

·         Pray for calm seas so the students can travel easily.   We need rain for water but without the storms.

·         Pray for Nancy and I as we prepare our lessons.

·         I have heard of a number of first time students who wish to enroll.

I am teaching evening classes in an attempt to have more pastoral candidates ready for ordination.  This is keeping me busy.

 

District Advisory Board:

Keep our DAB in your prayers: The elders on the DAB are Alick and Dolasi, the lay persons are Dickson and Mairy.  Our DAB will be meeting on Friday evening 11^th May.  As a Solomon Islands District we are moving and need local leadership at the top.  I have served as D.S. but hopefully soon this will change.  We need the Lord’s guidance and your prayers during this critical transition period.

 

Greg and Wendy’s Visit:

Pray for our son, Greg and his family as they visit the Solomon Islands during Greg’s summer break from teaching high school science.  This will be the first time they have visited the Solomon’s.  After Greg and Wendy’s visit, all of our children will have visited the Solomon’s.  It will be great having our grandchildren here too.  This grandpa doesn’t get near enough hugs and kisses from his grandchildren.  Pray that their preparation will go smoothly.

 

Youth Camp:

Pray for the Malaita Circuit Youth Camp to be held in Mage in mid June.  Pray that the presence of the Lord will be felt in a powerful way.  

 

Festival of the Arts:

In July this year our country is hosting the Pacific Festival of the Arts.  I think the last I heard there will be 28 pacific island countries participating.  Our country is completing the building of venues, repairing roads, water supply, cleaning up the rubbish, etc. etc. in preparation for this events.  Company is coming so we have to clean house and get ready.  This is billed to be the largest ever Pacific Arts Festival.  They are preparing several different venues around town as well as in other islands.  The prayer need is that our Christian community will be the salt and the light throughout this time.  Not every cultural practice is Christian and in fact much of it has non-Christian roots.  The tension is how do we as Christians interact and be a transforming influence in culture, without compromising our faith.  During this time will be excellent opportunities to witness for Jesus and His love.  Nancy’s Gospel and Culture class should have some interesting discussions.

 

Zion Christian Academy:

ZCA has their building permit now and are ready to begin the construction of their new classroom.  Pray for the school administration, school board, building committee, fund raising committee, parents, teachers, students, as they all work together in the construction of this much needed building.  ZCA will need a few miracles along the way, but our God is still a miracle worker.

 

Your Partners in His Harvest Field

 

George & Nancy Miller, 

prayer update 5 April 2012

Dear Prayer Partner,

Baru and Christina’s 20^th Anniversary

Baru, Christina, and Children (Jeninah, Edessa, Mclane, Stephanie, & Elijah)

We had a wonderful time celebrating with Baru and Christina.  We arrived and was picked up at the airport by Baru and family.  Baru was a student in the very first MLA (Medical Laboratory Assistant) class that I taught at Kudjip, Nazarene Hospital when we first came to PNG as missionaries.  Another lady who met us at the air port was Jenny John, another student in that first class.  Baru and Jenny were like our children as we mentored them.  Now Jenny is working in the X-ray department at Mt Hagen General Hospital and Baru is the Hospital Secretary for the PNG Nazarene Health Services.

Baru's House

After picking us up at the air port we went to Baru and Christina’s new and very lovely home near Banz.  The Lord provided a beautiful place for Baru and Christina to purchase and build a home.  Underneath the house is where the Cornerstone Church of the Nazarene meets.  This is the house church that Baru started with his family and is only one year old now.  Now they have around 150 in attendance, a pastor (Pastor Cecilia), and the church is fully organized. 

Baru and Pastor Cecilia

Christina teaching Adult/teen SS Class

House Church singing



Worshipping, Cornerstone Church.



Cornerstone Congregation

Friday night and Saturday morning, I was affected by Diarrhea and vomiting.  I prayed about this because we were to attend the anniversary on Saturday, stay at Baru’s house Saturday night, and preach on Sunday morning.  I certainly did not want anything to interfere with that.  My explosive watery diarrhea left me about 10 a.m. on Saturday morning.  It did however leave me weak but the Lord helped me during the celebration.  I did however fast my breakfast, not wanting to add fuel to my potential problem.  After the dedication of his home/house church and their anniversary ceremony, we ate the meal (feast) prepared.  I enjoyed the excellent food but only ate a reasonable amount, unlike normally when I really put the food away at one of these events.  My problem did not return.  I was able to preach on Sunday.  There were 18 first time visitors at church.

Other happenings during our visit:

·         We had a pizza night with the missionaries.  Dinner with Jim and Kathy Radcliffe family with their children Lydia and Josiah and a visiting doctor and wife.

·         I was invited the share with the TCF (Tertiary Christian Fellowship) group, and so was able to share my testimony.

New Hospital



Laboratory with Andy the Supervisor



·         I visited the lab, where only one employee is a remnant of my time with the lab.  It was interesting though to see some of the things still in the lab that we gave them.  In the lab still hung the clock in shape of open Bible with the picture of the cross, and the picture of the head of crucified Jesus (the image was made from darker & lighter printing of the entire text of the Gospel of John), both of these we purchased while on one of our home assignments.  Then the procedure manuals that I wrote or compiled for lab and x-ray were still in use.



Miriam and George (old photo)

 ·         I walked to the Kudjip community school to see and pray with one of my “daughters” Miriam Kurup who is a teacher.  From there walked to the road bung [road junction] where the Kudjip market is.  I wanted to meet and talk with old friends and people along the way who remember me.  I met Bebi, our house girl when we first became missionaries.



Jenny and Sons [Otto, Gregory Michael, and George Miller]

 ·         Jenny brought her three sons for a visit.  The first born named George Miller [Pictured on my left side] and second born named Gregory Michael [on my right  side], named after our eldest son.  George Miller is now 20 years old and he goes by the full name.  If anyone tries to shorten his name to just George, he immediately corrects them saying, “My name is George Miller”.

·         It was great seeing old friends and meeting new ones, as we visited the hospital, etc.

·         We had a routine physical examinations while in Kudjip, which requires further evaluation and probable surgery for George.  (See Below)

George’s Medical Concern:

It was discovered on lab tests, Ultrasound, and medical examination that George had a cystic mass that needs further evaluation and intervention.  So instead of returning to Honiara, Solomon Islands as planned we are now heading to Brisbane, Australia.  This is the holiday weekend so I do not yet know when I’ll see the doctor but will keep you advised.  We are part of a great big family and our brothers and sisters in Australia are so willing to facilitate and assist us in this unscheduled detour.  Thank you so much for your prayers.

George Miller, 

Solomon Islands -Church of the Nazarene

PO Box 712, Honiara, Solomon Islands

Office/Home: 677 25-109     Mobile: 677 74 68920

USA Contact:

c/o 4994 Highway 78 S

Nevada, TX   75173

email: george_nancy@reachone.com

Blog: http://georgeandnancymiller.blogspot.com   -   http://oceanianazarene.org

Responsibility - Developer - Positivity - Woo - Empathy

Prayer Letter 27 March 2012

Dear Prayer partner,

I can’t believe it, March is already over.  Recently I received a letter from a friend and Prayer partner asking if we had quit mailing out prayer letters.  I can’t believe it this is the first one this year.  I trust you are praying.  When the prayer letters are less frequent that means we need more prayer.  I want to thank those who are committed to pray for us.  We thrive and survive on your prayers.

Urgent Prayer Need:   Nancy’s Resident Permit.

We need an emergency, Nancy’s residency permit has expired.  The application for the new one was lodged in January, the work permit took a little time because our country does not like to have a foreigner as Principal of a school, but it was finally approved and submitted to immigration in February.    To make a long story short, we have a planned a trip to Papua New Guinea departing Thursday morning 29^th March, the immigration finally located the work permit, but could not find the application for her residency permit.  Without this document she cannot travel out of country [unless en-route to USA], and return to the Solomon.  To complicate this the permit section is now closed on Wednesday.  So we only have today to obtain everything since we need to be at the airport before they open on Thursday morning.

Trip to Papua New Guinea:

Thursday we are excited about a trip to PNG.  I and Nancy, after an immigration miracle, will travel to Kudjip.  We are going to attend the 20^th wedding anniversary of dear friends, Baru and Christina Dirye.  Baru is my son in the Lord and I have known him for a long time.  I taught him in the medical lab training while he was still single.  God has certainly led us to meet some wonderful people.  It was a joy seeing Baru, lead the PNG delegation to the General Assembly.  I will also preach in his house church on Sunday.  Last I heard they have 100 people, give or take, attending his services.  Pray for Baru, Christina, and their family as the celebrate this time.  Pray that Nancy will be joining me on this trip.

Zion Christian Academy (ZCA)

Last Week of School:  This is the last week of school this term.  Nancy will have a week break.

New Classroom Building: The Town Council has approved our new classroom building and the building permit obtained.  Please remember the school in prayer as they prepare for this new classroom building.

Greg and Wendy and family:

Greg and Wendy with their four children are planning a trip to the Solomon’s during their summer vacation.  We are excited and really looking forward to their visit.  Pray for them as they visit and experience some of the things their dad/mom and Grandpa/ma are experiencing.  During their time here will be the Pacific Festival of the Arts where a large number of nations in the pacific will come together.  (I think the last I heard was 28 nations are registered to attend.)

Bible College:

I am busy this year teaching Bible College.  In addition to the three 2-week block courses we hold each year, I am now holding evening classes, 2 days per week for 5 weeks each.  This is for those living in Honiara who work and miss out on some of our intensive classes.  Currently my evening class is Hermeneutics (Biblical Interpretation).

Our recent Bible College Class ending on 2 March was tremendous and here are some of the highlights:

·         The two courses taught were Christian Education taught by Nancy, and Pastoral Care and Counseling taught by George.  Nancy had 26 students attend her evening class and George had 17 attend his morning class.  This is the first Bible College Class that I can remember when we had adequate water supply.  There was a cyclone in the area before the students were to travel but the seas were fine for their travel, but we had a nice rain throughout.

·         Rodney, one of our new students, walked into the class the second day.  I knew there was a story here, because Rodney even though he was a son of our faithful church members I have never seen him in church.  He was expelled from our ZCA school for drinking or whatever.  He was a naughty boy.  Now at 23 years old he became ill and then recovered and through the encouragement of his father and another man, he wanted to turn to God.  We were conducting the Bible College Class and so he came.  In filling out the application where it asks about church history to which he inquired what do I write.  I said, “Just tell the truth.”  He was not a member of any church and at the time of his attending the Bible College Class had not attended any church service.  He was one of the drunk boys in our neighborhood and the source of many of his mother’s tears.  Most of her children attended church but here was this wayward son.    Pray for Rodney, he will soon be baptized and join the church.

·         Leonard, another new student, came to Honiara because his son was referred to our National Referral Hospital (NRH).  His son Kenneth has suffered from a mental illness for one year.  When it began he started acting crazy, but it progressed to where he could no longer walk and saliva would just come out of his mouth as he lay in bed, hopeless, and waiting to die.  A pastor came and prayed for his son and the Lord touched him and he began immediately to improve.  After he begin improving so he was no longer waiting to die, Kenneth was referred to Honiara to the NRH.  Leonard is the Uncle of Pastor Osborn, the pastor of our White River Church.  While in Honiara Leonard heard about our Bible College Classes and wanted to come.  He attended our Bible College, his son has made a complete recovery and they will soon return home to plant the church in their village.  During Easter, Kenneth will be joining the other youth from the White River Church as they go on a mission trip and attend the Malaita Circuit Youth Easter Camp, to be held at our Alisisiu Church.

·         David, another new student, is also Pastor Osborn’s uncle and he is a chief in Osborn’s home village.  He has been searching for God for a long time.  In his search for God he took Islam to their area.   As he was searching our evangelism team went to their village at Christmas time last year.   David was convicted and asked about attending Bible College.  Pastor Osborn returned and asked me for an application for the college.  Normally our first time students do average, because it takes them a while to get into the swing of things.  We have a lot of assignments and especially journaling.  Even though we grade liberally still it is tough for new students to make ‘A’s.  First there is a language barrier and it takes them a while to figure out what this “Okie” is trying to say.  That said David soaked in everything and made 100 in both of his courses.  He is a new man now and so on fire for the Lord.  He has been visiting his relatives in the White River area and ministering to them.  Pray for him as he returns to start his house church at their home village.



Phillip



Rollandy



Kendrick



Davidson

 ·         Four Students attended Bible College class from Vella la Vella.  A ministry team went to Vella la Vella during Christmas break.  They were met with a lot of opposition from the only other denomination in the village.  In fact during one service the house where they were meeting was stoned.  Every stone missed its target and no one was injured for which we were thankful.  The team called me 2 or 3 times that night reporting what was going on.  I stayed awake interceding for them that night.  The next day the chief of the area sent our team a letter, that he wanted to see them, because he was troubled during the night.  The chief developed physical problems during the night and needed them to not leave without straightening things out and praying with him.  Evidently he felt he was going to die.  Pray for the work on Vella la Vella island.  Rollandy, the pastor at Valapata one of our new churches, was saved through the ministry of his young son, who began attending Sunday School and took his papers home and his dad was convicted and repented.  Now for the past year Rollandy has been attending Bible College.

Easter Service:

Pray for the many Easter Services that will be held.

Malaita Circuit Camp to be held in Alisisiu.

Honiara, Zion Church of the Nazarene Camp.

Home Assignment Schedule 2013,

Here is our home assignment tour, if anyone would like to schedule a service on any available date just let us know.

2013 Tour Schedule   Mar. 16, 2013 -June 15, 2013

Carnegie Church of the Nazarene, March 24, 2013 - 

NE Indiana District April 7-14, 2013  - 

Spencerville, OH April 17, 2013 –

Indianapolis District   April 20-28, 2013 –

Upstate NY Convention   May 12-16, 2013 – 

Los Angeles District Tour May 19-26, 2013 –

General Assembly and Conventions, Indianapolis June 17 – 28

Return to the Solomon Islands July 7

Your partners in His Ministry,

George Miller, 

Solomon Islands -Church of the Nazarene

PO Box 712, Honiara, Solomon Islands

Office/Home: 677 25-109     Mobile: 677 74 68920

USA Contact:

c/o 4994 Highway 78 S

Nevada, TX   75173

email: george_nancy@reachone.com

Blog: http://georgeandnancymiller.blogspot.com   -   http://oceanianazarene.org

Responsibility - Developer - Positivity - Woo - Empathy

Prayer requeested for upcoming Bible College Class

 

We have Bible College Block courses scheduled to begin next week Wednesday 15^th.  Pray for the students and our Solomon Island weather.  We had Cyclone Jasmine brush by the Solomon Islands and we are still receiving heavy rainfall throughout the Solomon’s.  Shipping schedules have been upset with many cancelations.  Also due to the rains some students have lost their gardens due to flooding and they are not able to work cutting timber, gardening, etc.  They depend on this work to earn money for their ship fare, school fees, and to supply their family needs.   Also pray that the sea will calm down so the ships can travel and pray for their safe transport.

 

 

George Miller, 

Prayer update - 12 December 2011

Dear Friends and Family;

Here’s a long over-due update; 

Thank you for your prayers.  I will try to fill you in on what’s happening on our side of the world.

It has been busy and hectic we are.  I trust we have been remembered in prayer.  We arrived home from the regional mission conference to proceed immediately into the district assembly.  Following district assembly I went to a church opening, now we are into the school Christmas, graduation, and closing for the year.

Regional Missional Leadership Conference:  (October 26-30, 2011)

The missional leadership conference was attended by Nancy and I plus four other leaders from the Solomon Islands.   (Picture shows from L-R Mairy, Nancy, George, Jimmy, Jeremiah, and Gibson) Thank you for your prayers.  It was the day of our departure, about 2 hours before we needed to be at the air port before we picked up the last person’s Visa into Australia.  We were met with challenges and obstacles in getting our team there, but God met our needs.   It was a delight seeing many of our friends from across the Asia Pacific and meeting new friends too.  The sessions and workshops were really challenging.  We witnessed a lot of different

James and Della Du
(Seminary Students from PNG)

 scenarios of how people are making Christ-like disciples.  We are a missional church and want to passionately take the love of Jesus and the message of holiness and hope to people who are hurting and broken.  We witnessed how Christ is moving and reaching others in countries across the Asia Pacific and around the world.  As our team met together processing the information we thought of ways we can make a difference in the lives of people in the Solomon’s.

District  Assembly: (November 8-12, 2011)

Following regional missional conference we had a week to get ready for the District Assembly and meeting.  I intended to send out the prayer letter concerning the Missional Leadership conference during that week.  But I was not ready for the assembly and there were so many loose ends to tidy up.  November 8^th arrived even though I did not feel prepared.  It was good because we were fresh from the trip to Manila and the sessions and what we learned were fresh on our mind.  It was a chance to re-teach what we learned in Manila. 

We showed a 30% increase in church membership this year, bringing our total membership to 409.  The increase in membership is large due to  the new starts in White River area around Honiara and Vella la Vella, Western Province.  There are many Christians (95% or so) in the Solomon Islands, but many of these are Christians in name only.  Pray that the light of Jesus will shine so bright in the Solomon’s that people will be under such conviction and come into a serious relationship with Jesus, the glorious light.

Church Dedication at Kwailatutu: (November 26-27)

The Kwailatutu church completed their church building and had invited me to attend their dedication and official opening of their new church building.  The opening service was Friday night 25^th.  I wanted to get  there for the opening but the ship that travels daily to the area was being refitted and so was out of commission.  The airport in Auki is closed due to land owner dispute.  (This is a frequent problem with that air strip.)  I thought I would cancel the trip but the church there called and insisted that I attend, so I booked the Friday night ship and would have to delay until Tuesday my return to Honiara. 

I want to thank you for your prayers.  I’m not sure what happened to me, but we departed Honiara at 6 p.m. and arrived in Auki around midnight.  After we waited for transport and drove the 1 hour or so to Kwailatutu it was 3:30 am Saturday when we arrived at our destination.  I was probably exhausted but I went to sleep and got up at 8:00 a.m. washed up and got ready for the opening service.  After the dedication service (11 a.m.) I told Ezra that I was going to go and rest, but he should awake me when the meal was ready.  The meal was right outside the house where I was “resting” but the next thing I remember is 2:30 when the boys came into the house and I aroused and asked them, “Is is time to eat yet?”  I was told the meal was finished and I dosed back off to sleep.  At this point I didn’t have a mattress or even a mat on my bed.  I covered the boards with my towel and slept.  I slept until 9:00 a.m. or so the next morning.  I have never slept so soundly in my life before.  I didn’t experience many of the things that frequent my sleep, especially when sleeping on a boards.  For example, I didn’t dream about anything, don’t remember rolling over to change position and get more comfortable, my back did not hurt when I finally awoke, my arms or legs did not go to sleep, etc.  After I finally awoke on Sunday morning I was fine and felt great.  People told me that my Saturday Dedication sermon was powerful, but I haven’t a clue what I said.  God for sure preached that sermon as I must have been preaching in my sleep.  After the Sunday morning service, one lady felt sorry for me and brought me a 6 inch foam mattress to use.

The Kwailatutu church is a vibrant church.  They have some people attending this church who have really experienced God and his transforming power in an awesome way.  It is such a delight to be with these wonderful people.

Water Situation/Update:

Some have been asking about our water situation and about the Solar system we installed.  Right before we took off for Manila the solar pump went out.  I need to have the pump serviced but it may have to wait until after the new year now, as thing in the Solomon’s are beginning to slow down. 

Leadership direction for the Solomon Islands:

As missionary DS, I desire to turn over the DS responsibility to a local person.  When I first arrived in the Solomon’s I felt within the first (2 yr.) term we would have a local DS in place.  This past assembly I gave my 13^th annual report to the District Assembly.  We have some capable leaders in our church in the Solomon’s.  There are some challenges as we localize, but I feel there are more challenges and obstacles with a foreigner in the DS role.  Someone from this culture will definitely understand the people of the Solomon Islands better than a Western Missionary.  They can relate better.  Join me in prayer for this transition to a local DS.  I’m praying and believing God that by next assembly we will have one named.  In this transition period, I am putting more responsibility onto the District Advisory Board in the decision making process.  This is going to be a tough year for me, so pray for me and the development of the church in the Solomon’s.

Bible College Classes:

I will be conducting more Bible College Classes this next year in an attempt to prepare more pastors for ordination.   I would like to broaden the leadership base so we will have a greater selection of potential leaders.  I hope to have at least 5 pastors or so ready for ordination by next assembly.  Right now I am conducting a Monday and Thursday night class.  Now we have taken a break for the holidays and will resume classes after the New Year.  I plan to hold this class ongoing throughout this next year.  This will be mainly for students living around Honiara. 

Zion Christian Academy:

ZCA had their school closing last week.  Pray for the school as they need another classroom.  School is out but Nancy is still working as the grade 12 graduates need to finish up a little work for an ACE certificate.

Pray for Nancy as she will have a minor surgery on Wednesday 14^th to release a trigger finger (I never heard of this before now.) 

Home Assignment:

It seems we just returned to the field, but now looking at the calendar it is just a little over a year before it will be time for home assignment.  If you would like to have us for a district tour, Faith Promise Service,  Convention speaker, Children/youth or Caravan rally, or any other type of sharing, just let us know. 

Home Assignment Dates: March 16 – June 15, 2013

Scheduled services: (If you have scheduled a service and it does not appear below please notify us.)

Carnegie Oklahoma – March 24

NE Indiana District Tour – April 7-14

Indianapolis District Tour – April 20-28

(Note: Our Sunday’s fill up fast so our home churches and Districts who wish us to tour should book soon.)

3^rd Wave:

Pray for our two delegates to go to 3^rd wave.  It will take a miracle during this Christmas season for them to get their travel documents in order to be able to fly out by December 31^st.  We often wait until the last minute to get moving. This is one of the sicknesses we have in the Solomon’s.  The two don’t even have a Passport yet.  Fortunately in our small country where everyone knows everyone, it doesn’t require a long time to get things done when given to the right person (friend or relative).

Your partner in His Ministry,

George Miller,