Report on Trip to Vella la Vella Island (Aug19/08)

 Thank you for your prayers for this trip.

Dear Prayer Partners,

 Trip to the Western Province:

We took a Express Pelican ship to the Western Province, leaving Sunday Morning, August 10 at 7 a.m.  The trip down was uneventful and the sea was calm.  When traveling in the Solomon Sea, anything can happen and having a smooth voyage is in itself an answer to prayer.  The ship was really fully booked [Over booked by Western standard, in that many passengers did not have a seat.] and we only arrived 30 minute before departure and found two of the remaining few seats.  I certainly don't like to sit down on the deck with all the cigarette smokers.  The Pelican is a passenger ship and travels relatively fast.  Our trip to Gizo took 13 hours or so with 5 stops.

 Once in Gizo, we walked to the house of Hudson's (Caleb's) aunt and uncle [Kathryn and Samson].  They graciously extended hospitality to these two travelers.  It was Kathryn's outboard motor boat that we were going to hire for our weeklong trip to Vella la vella.  Kathryn is the sister of Rolland, Hudson's dad, and Kendrick (Joshua), the one who drove the boat.  Caleb and Joshua are two of our Bible College Students.  They gave us a good price of only SI $600 (US $80) for the week to hire their boat.  Travel in the Solomon's is expensive with the fuel price, and their help was so appreciated.

 It was good having the night and morning devotions and fellowship with this family too.  Kathryn has a house at Barakoma village where Joshua and his family are staying and she was thrilled that we would be using her house for our services while there.  Then on Monday morning when we walked to town we found Joshua who had just arrived with the boat from Vella la vella, and did some last shopping for petrol (gas), kerosene, and other supplies.  We were on our way by 10 a.m. 

 Fishing:

As we were leaving the reef we begin unrolling our fishing lines.  I'm primarily fishing for men, but I feel it is a good trip when I catch both kinds of fish.  It's just like God to humble a man.  I was anticipating catching some fish.  I gave Caleb one of the lures, a plain shiny silver one, that I didn't feel would catch as many as the "high-dollar" lure I purchased especially for this trip.  I wanted to be the first to use this lure and catch the first fish.  The lure looks like a fish and makes a little noise in the water.  We were only 5 minutes into the trip when Caleb hooked a nice size fish.  It was not long until he had landed 2 more.  So then

I said let me see that line, and a traded with him.  Then we caught nothing for a long while and finally Caleb had his fourth fish.  Then I did finally catch one.   Anyway we had fish to eat.

  [Holding two of the fish caught is Caleb and Sanette, the highschool daughter of Samson and Kathryn.  We took her back to HS on Vella la vella.  She had been home for a week sick.]

  

Malasova:          

Malasova is the first village we went.  This is where

Caleb's parents live.  His mother was from this village, but father is from Barakoma.  Caleb was miraculously saved.  He was a criminal and in his own testimony he says that he was worse than any of his family.  Due to his radical transformation his family member's who are unsaved are hungry, or at least curious.  They see such a difference in his life.  We held two services per day, morning and evening.  I preached and taught the holiness message, twice a day.  I was not sure why they wanted the Nazarene Church but I wanted to let them know what it would mean to totally commit their life to Christ.  Caleb's dad has the theology in his head, as he was a trained pastor in his church.  Many people who attended are what they refer to here as "backsliders".  That word typically means someone who was raised in the church or a "Christian" village, but many have never had a personal relationship with Christ.  Anyway most of the people attending our services were  pre-Christians or not truly born again.

 

While in Malasova I was feeling like we weren't getting through. They were listening and talking with us about the church and messages but they were not responding to the spiritual leading.  Then the last night there, Wednesday night, Caleb was sharing his testimony and he began to cry.  He explained his tears were for his lost family.  He said, "When I look out and see you and know that I was worse than any of you I just can't help crying for you."  Then as he began to sing a song, a strange thing happened.  We viewed this as a sign from God.  It began to pour rain on the house.  What was unusual about this rain is the sky was starry and clear.  Also when a rain comes you hear it approaching with the sound of falling rain in the surrounding Coconut and bananas before it gets to where you are.  With this rain it came from nowhere and just started over the house where we were meeting, and it really cut loose for 2 minutes or so and just stopped as abruptly and mysteriously as it came.  It was like God saying to us, "I too am shedding tears for this place."  Then the following morning as we were having our final message before our departure, the Holy Spirit descended upon the place in a very special way.  One man and woman began to weep uncontrollably.  Three came forward for prayer.  Then one family, as a family unit came forward for prayer and to commit their family to the Lord.  This began a chain reaction as every family came forward one family at a time and knelt at the front for Caleb and I to pray with them.  Fathers and mothers gathered up all their children in the service and brought them forward for us to bless them and to commit their family to the Lord.  The presence of the Spirit was so powerfully felt that I didn't quite know how to close the service and no one was in a hurry to leave.

 Land for Church Site:

After this service we went to an area where Caleb wanted to show me his land where he plans to build the church.  I can't go into detail about this but we met a lot of really stiff opposition there with the people, his cousins, who are currently living there.  I'm confident that he will have to find another place to build a church unless the Lord performs a miracle and these people are converted.  Pray for this need.

 Facilities:

The house where we stayed was on the mountain and the necessary facility was down the mountain.  Local people go for a swim in the sea to use the restroom.  I try to culturally fit in and tried that but the coral was sharp and I didn't do well at all with that and so found a really nice pit toilet that was no longer being used.  There was no door on it and it opened up facing a house, but my rain poncho serves as an excellent temporary door.  It worked good.  Anyway the hike down the mountain was good exercise every morning.  The problem was the mountain was steep and I needed help climbing down which kept me from wiping out.  The trail and stones are slick in the morning after the heavy nightly dew.  It didn't rain on us while there other than that two-minute rain I mentioned earlier.  Also I have always been directionally challenged and it is worse when there are no road signs on these trails and houses "look the same".  So for sure if it is dark I need someone to go with me so I can find my way back to the house.

 Barakoma: 

Thursday we travelled to Barakoma village.  The fishing was not good on the way.  In Barakoma, Caleb and I stayed in a small house that was built for their new school.  This is the village where Kendrick (Joshua) lives.  We held our services on the large veranda of Kathryn's home where Joshua and Ruth and their family are living.  When we arrived, word came that Kathryn, the lady in whose house we stayed at Gizo, had sent word that we were not allowed to use her home for worship services.  We knew that to be incorrect information because when we left Gizo she bid us good-bye at the wharf and blessed us with the assurance that we could use her home.

 School:

Grace and Rollingson, began a Nazarene Christian school in

the community.  I was surprised, because Grace came to our school at Zion in Honiara for 11 months, working as a volunteer, and for training (OJT) so she could begin a school in their village.  She then returned to Barakoma village and immediately began a school.  This is their first year of operation.  She told me that when she began there were less than 20

students, but soon they began to read and now she has 66 enrolled in her Kindy (equivalent to USA preschool) and ABC (equivalent to USA Kindergarden).  [The day a took this photo there were only 56 students present and there was no way I could fit them all in.  I'm not sure where the other 10 students would fit if they all attended the same day.  She says all the students crow

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onto this 6 x 12 ft. veranda for assembly.]  Then they conduct an afternoon tutorial reading class for students in primary school who can not read.  They have 13 students in this after school class.  Their school house I stepped it off and guess it to be roughly 12 x 14 ft.  The veranda of the house (6 x12 ft) is used for the Kindy class and then they have two ABC classes.  One class uses the room (8×12 ft) in the "school house" and the other class meets in Rollingson's front room.  The school is becoming very popular and people are really pleased with this school.  They plan to start fund raising in September so they can build a school.  Many parents are requesting that they continue with grade one.  Grace only has a grade 6 formal education, but the principal of the local primary school, noticing the difference she is making in teaching reading, has asked her about teaching for them.  Grace said that she wants to get the school going for her mission.  Many Solomon Island students do not know how to read even after completing Grade 3. All of our students learn to read before starting grade 1.  That is really a good advertising point.

   Victories at Barakoma:

At Barakoma as in Malasova, most of those who came to the service are backsliders, especially the men.  Some of their wives attend the local church faithfully.  Some were opposing their husbands going to this 'new church' while others were supportive and just grateful for the change in their husband.  Joshua is the lay pastor at Barakoma and he too was a backslidden man before recently being saved.  He has attended a couple of Bible College classes and has already paid his school fees for the September Classes.

Chris was a backslidden man and came to church.  He really found spiritual help during the time we were there.  He was one whose wife really opposed his decision to attend this new church.  His wife attended with him the last Sunday morning service, and she is now committed to supporting her husband.  Chris has grown children from a previous marriage and when his first wife died he married his second wife and has some younger children from this marriage.  Pray for this family as Chris is hungry to learn about God and plans to attend our Bible College block courses in September.

 J____ is living in the village.  She came to the altar for prayer and said she has had a couple of dreams.  She says that every night when she lays down in her bed she has very severe pain in her right leg.  It is so severe that she is unable to sleep at night.  She said that she dreamed that a snake bit her and ever since then whenever she lays down, in her bed, this pain comes.  I felt it to be a demonic attack.  I prayed with her and then helped her understand how to do spiritual warfare.  We remained in the village for two nights after that and she testified to having no more trouble.

 The women in Barakoma are very happy that their husbands have found Christ.

 Stanley walked to Barakoma from Sambora village and he was a backslidden man.  He now wants to begin a preaching point  in his village, about 1 hour walk from Barakoma.  He plans to attend the Bible College Class in September

 Other Activities at Barakoma:

I took my snorkel gear with me and went with Caleb out on the reef.  He had a homemade spear gun and was spearing the reef fish.  I was snorkeling around, watching him.  He only shot 3 small fish in the 1 hour or so we were out.  Caleb announced that he was ready to go in, and I said, "Before we go in I'd like to try that thing."  In about 5 minutes I saw a fish.  I'm not sure why, but I really struggle to go under water when swimming in the ocean.  I tried unsuccessfully to dive down and get a closer shot of the fish.  I finally gave up and just took aim from the surface and hit the fish.  I then turned to one of the young boys with us and asked him to dive down and retrieve my spear and get the fish.  He thought I was joking and laughed.  They were surprised when Caleb returned with my spear and a fish on it.  Then I quit for I didn't want to break my 100% average.  They said, "You are a sharp shooter."

 Saturday the men organized a fishing trip.  I wanted to go but it wasn't a tough choice because I had some souls on land to fish for.  There was a family that asked me if I would talk with their three daughters (teens

and one 22 years old).  The girls agreed to talk with me.  The 22 yo is married with one child and having trouble.   According to mom and dad they are "naughty girls".  I visited with this family and had prayer with them.  One daughter disappeared and wasn't around for the meeting but the two daughters that came, opened up and listened to me.  I trust my counsel and prayers made a difference.  I really am concerned for the young people in the Solomon's.  I know I can't be a Grandpa or Uncle to the whole world but I want to make a difference in as many lives as possible.Anyway the men's fishing trip was very successful as they speared and brought home a number of reef fish. On their return trip to the village they caught a large King Fish (nearly 5 ft long).  Saturday night after a long service, we enjoyed a time of fellowship, eating the fish and wonderful food they prepared.  It made for a long day as we retired at 1:30 a.m. Sunday morning.  I still woke up at about 4:30 a.m.  That's usual time for me when I get to bed by 11 p.m. but on this night I don't know why I woke up at that time but it sure is quiet that time of the morning for prayer and a time in the Word.  Other than the occasional crowing of a rooster and the rhythmic sounds from the ocean waves everything was very quiet and peaceful.

   Sunday Service:Sunday School and Adult discipleship classes began at 9:00. 

It was about 11 a.m. before the worship service began and it went until 2:30 p.m.  I want you to know the length of the services wasn't due to my long sermons, but rather people testified, sang songs, and we had times of prayer for those who wanted to pray.  Monday morning when Joshua took the boat to Gizo, he reported that in the afternoon after I left the village to return to Gizo, the church folks went around to different homes for sharing and fellowship.  He said they plan to have a house prayer meeting and fellowship every Friday evening in a different home every week.

  Trip back to Gizo:

Soon after boarding the boat bound for Gizo, I pulled out my fishing line and we had a conversation that went something like this:

Caleb said, "This is Sunday, we can't fish on Sunday." 

 George, "I'm not fishing, I'm just going to drag my lure behind the boat."

 "That is fishing."

 "We're not going to chase birds or fish or go out of our way, but straight home, maybe God wants to bless us and we will miss that blessing."

 "What if someone's faith is weak, we'll make them sin?"  [We had a couple passengers with us.]

 "Are you serious? I certainly don't want to do something to make someone stumble.  I don't even like to travel on Sunday unless I have to, but since I'm travelling I'd like to drag the lure.  Let's just drag the line for twenty minutes and then we'll pull it in and go home, besides Jesus told his disciples to gather corn on the Sabbath.  I told Kathryn to get ready to cook fish when we return, and I don't want to return and tell her that we didn't even try to catch a fish.  At least I want to give the Lord a chance to bless us."

We then had prayer asking the Lord to bless our trip, and then I concluded the prayer with something like, "If You bless us with one nice sized fish, I'd be grateful, but if not that's OK too."  I said amen and then laid back to take my usual Sunday afternoon nap.  There was about 5 minutes left of our 20 minute I'd allowed for fishing when I roused up and noticed the line wasn't following the boat real well.  I checked and we'd hooked a fish.  I had let out way too much line so it seemed like it took us forever (probably 2 minutes) to land this fish.  Once in the boat it was a nice one, around 1 meter or so long.  There's our supper.  Then I was ready to take off but now they wanted to fish some more, so we put in for another 5 minutes, then I said, "OK, now it's time to quit and pulled in and we sped on to Gizo.

 You have to realize we do not use pole, reels, and such.  We just tie a lure and swivel, etc. to the end of a fishing line (200 pound test).  Then we hold the line with our hand and can easily tell when a fish takes it.  This Sunday not wanting to appear to be fishing, I just firmly tied the line to an oar that I stood up in one of the holders attached to the boat. 

Here is the picture of the fish we caught.  George is pictured with Kathryn and some of her children.  They were happy to see the fish.

In Gizo:

Sunday night I wanted to go and visit the Wesleyan Methodist Church [Wesleyan Church in the USA].  This denomination has a small church in Gizo, and I had made contact with them during the Tsunami, but had never visited them.  So once we arrived at the home of Kathryn and Samson and left them the fish to prepare and sorted out our things, we walked to the church.  I wanted to find out their service time, and then attend.  When we arrived at 5:15 the service was in progress because they started at 5 p.m.  We had a nice visit with their church.  I talked with their Superintendent about pastoral training and maybe working together as it is expensive for our students from Western Province to travel to Honiara for Bible College classes.   Also the Wesleyan Methodists have just begun work in the Honiara area too and could take advantage of our Bible College too.

 After Service, I commented that I didn't hear the engine of the Pelican ship arriving at the wharf.  I had purchased tickets to return on the Pelican leaving Monday at 6:30 a.m. The ship should arrive in Gizo by at least 8 p.m.  Then finally after an excellent fish supper, we called someone who lives near the wharf to find out if the ship came and we were told the trip was cancelled.  Praise the Lord for the Satellite phone so I contacted Nancy and the next morning she had booked me a flight for Monday afternoon on the Solomon Airlines flight. 

 Monday I went to town and saw some people who arrived from Barakoma and they were happy to see me again.  Joshua, Caleb, and I went into a restaurant where it was quiet and we could visit until lunch and then we could eat our lunch.  It was good to have a little time of reflection.  Actually most of this letter is from things they recalled as being significant to report to you our prayer partners.  We had a nice visit together.  I would have missed this time if it had worked out so I could leave as originally scheduled.

 In the afternoon I went to the SolAir office and 3 p.m. we took our boat ride across the bay to the small island that has the airport on it.  Nothing else is on this island but an airport.  We got checked in and then the news came that the plane on the way had engine trouble and returned to Honiara.  They said they would change planes and fly to Gizo but they will be arriving in Gizo too late for us to return on Monday night.  The plane spend the night in Gizo and we got on it Tuesday morning.   Anyway I got a good night sleep Monday night and arrived in Honiara yesterday morning physically tired but spiritually renewed.

 JuniKo, a girl from Barakoma who spent a few weeks staying in our home before the youth camp, gave me a 20 kg bag of cooking bananas and sweet potatoes as a present to take and give to Aunt Nancy.  Since I was flying instead of sailing, I had to leave most of these back in Gizo with our gracious host and put some in a plastic bag that I could carry on the plane.  I was maxed out on weight anyway.

 Prayer Requests:

1.     Joshua and Caleb, both recent converts as they lead and pastor their own people. (Joshua 1 year in the Lord, and Caleb 2 years.)

2.     Land for the church and school in both these villages.

3.     Grace and Rollingson as they lead the school in Barakoma, and Agnes in Malasova.

4.     New worshippers that they will get strong in the Lord.  Many of these have been backslidden and out of the church for so many years.

5.     New Bible College Students preparing to attend Bible College.

6.     They are facing much opposition.

Malasova School:

Here is a picture of Agnes.  Agnes plans to begin her school this week.  She also came to Zion for the 11 months.  She is younger than Grace and didn't know how to begin.  Hudson is going to help her get things going.  Remember her in your prayers.

 

 

Thank you for your Prayers,

George Miller 

PO Box 712 Honiara, Solomon Islands phone: (677) 25 109

george_nancy@reachone.com

(Aug6/08)

Dear Prayer Partner,

Pray for me as I leave Sunday Morning by ship to travel to the island of Vella la Vella in the Western Province.  I have a lot of loose end to get ready.  Hudson (Caleb is his baptized name) Vovikana, a recent convert from Vella will be my

traveling companion.  We will leave the 10^th and I will return by myself the 18^th as Hudson will remain behind to help strengthen the new church there.  Currently we have two new starts there, that as far as I know are still meeting in homes.   I do not know what I'll find when I get there.  This is the first time I've visited this island.  Pray also for Kendrick (Joshua, Baptized name) as he is the lay pastor of one of the new starts.  Kendrick is enrolled in our Bible College.  Pray for Kendrick and Hudson because travel to and from Bible College is expensive.

 

Bathe this trip in prayer because there is a lot of spiritual warfare that needs to be done on this island as they still practice sorcery to obtain healing, etc.  As with most of the Solomon Islanders they have become "Christian" as far as they have and attend a church.  There are many who refer to themselves as backsliders.  In many ways they combine and mix their worship with God with their traditional spirits.  So we have Joshua and Caleb there now, as they try to conquer their island for Christ.  We are thrilled that the Nazarene Church can be a part of this hopefully "New awakening".  Pray for a revival here so that those who claim to be Christian will truly develop a relationship with JESUS.  The transformation in Caleb's life has been so dramatic that his family are interested in what he has.  Everywhere in the Solomon's there are denominational barriers.  Our church is working to break those down so that the lost and backsliders will come to faith in Christ and have a dynamic relationship with HIM.  

 

During this trip we will be visiting two communities.  Our schedule roughly is: 7 a.m. Sunday 10^th depart Honiara for Gizo by ship,  7 p.m. Sunday, Arrive in Gizo,  Sunday night or early Monday we travel by outboard motor boat to the village of Malasova,  on Vella la Vella Island, Monday through Wed morning we have classes and evening messages.  The last message Wednesday evening we're planning for an evangelistic message.  Thursday 14^th we travel by outboard motor to the other side of the island, to the second village of Barakoma and will have the same program concluding Sunday afternoon.  Then following this program we will travel back to Gizo awaiting the Monday morning ship back to Honiara.   Pray for this program as I do not know what we will confront or what to expect on this trip.

 

Caleb recently attended a workshop with me put on by SITAG (Solomon Islands Translation Advisory Group-Wycliffe).  Pray for him as he returns and puts what he learned into practice.  Pray for us as we teach and preach at Vella.  I want most of all to build HIS Kingdom.

 

One of the New Ministry Tools that has arrived in our country is the "Proclaimer".  The Proclaimer is a box about the size of a radio and it contains a chip inside that contains the dramatized audio recording of the New Testament in the Pijin language.  The Proclaimer has multiple power sources {conventional electric current, and battery which can either be charged by electricity, solar, or hand crank}.  It is ideal for the bush where they do not have electricity.  Pray for this new avenue of ministry.  The Proclaimer was developed by a group known as FCBH (Faith Comes By Hearing).  If you want more information on their work I'm sure you can Google Search for them and find out what you need.  Our Nazarene Harvest Partners and Jesus Film works closely with FCBH too.  I just heard from our Harvest Partners that our church in the Solomons will receive 10 units.  That will get us started.  The plan of course is for everyone to hear the word of God in their own language.  Later we pray these will be available in the vernacular languages.  It takes 40 sessions of 20 min/session to listen to the entire New Testament.  This will mean that if done daily it could be accomplished in a little over one month, but say twice weekly it could be done within 6 months.  The idea is the villagers to meet together to listen to the word and then discuss it together and make applications.

 

I hesitate sharing the following testimony because I have those on my mailing list from various denominations and once it's in cyberspace you never know who will read it.  But here goes, no offense intended.

 

Sunday we had a visitor in our church, who was also from Vella.  This man is a well educated Bible Scholar, and was a head pastor in his denomination.  He even served as missionary to Papua New Guinea.   He shared his testimony with our church on Sunday and it really challenged and blessed our people.  His particular denomination emphasizes the importance of the Levitical law with particular emphases on the correct day of worship.  He was grateful to his denomination because it was through that denomination he found Jesus.  He was born and raised in this denomination and went through their Bible College training and was taught their beliefs.  He was taught how to argue for their faith and the right things to say and believe.  However, as he begin to diligently study the scriptures he began to question the beliefs he had been taught.  He shared with the church his spiritual journey and how he was led out of this denomination.  He said in 2006 he finally left his position with this denomination and renounced their belief.  Anyway, he has since been searching for a church that believed like him.  When I shook hands with him before the service, he told me, that he believed like John Wesley.  I don't think I've ever been told that by a first time visitor in my entire life before.  Pray for this man, but it is refreshing to me to see someone that visit our church because of our theology.  By the way Hudson had met him and was the contact that invited him to check us out.  He is currently living on the island of Rendova, his wife's place.  Many people in the Solomon Islands come and join a new church thinking they will get something. 

 

Your Partner in His Ministry,

George Miller

PO Box 712

Honiara, Solomon Islands

phone: (677) 25 109

george_nancy@reachone.com

Update on Geoffrey and Churie (Jul15/08)

I sent the following to our prayer partners by email but failed to get it on the Blog.

Dear Prayer Supporter,

Churie had another ultrasound and everything looks normal.  The doctor told them that if this would have been the first sonogram he would have not been concerned as it now looks like a normal pregnancy.

 

Maybe it was just God's will for them to delay their coming to the Solomon Islands until after the birth.  They were trying to decide what to do and then that first U/S helped in their decision to wait.  It is probably for the best.  That way they will be here for the fill school year (Jan – Dec in our part of the world).  Also they will be here to look after things while we are away to General Assembly.

Prayer Update 15 July 2008 (Jul15/08)

Dear Prayer Partner,

Things are still pretty hectic, but I want to get out this update so you will know what has been happening.  I thank you for your prayers.  For photos you can check out our Blog.

 

Youth Camp:

 

Youth Camp was well attended.  We had 140 registered for this youth camp with some of our evening services topping 300 in attendance.  It was awesome to witness the outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon our youth. 

 

 

Photo on Left: Our youth ministering at the Trade Show.

The Church of the Nazarene was responsible for one morning's programming at the Trade Show.  Our entire youth camp went and ministered through choir, action songs, testimonies, and devotional.   After the close of the camp a virus swept through Honiara and many of our campers as well as many others in Honiara contracted this respiratory flu.  Many are still recovering from this sickness.  Some of our youth were quite seriously ill.  Please remember them in prayer.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

Sunday 18 people  were baptized in the Lungga River.  This baptism class has become a tradition with our youth camp, but this was the largest class.

 

 

Pictured here is Mary Esther, the Vice President of the Honiara youth, passing the torch to Paul Maopo and the Nukukaisi church who will host the youth camp next year.

 

Trade Show:

At the trade show this year, our Jesus Film team, was responsible for showing a movie every night.  This year (2008) has been declared "The Year of the Bible" by the Solomon Island Government.  So at the trade show there was a section designated for the Para-church Organizations and a stage was there for Religious Activities.  It was there that our Jesus Film Team led by the director, Jimmy Kwaisui, set up for the nightly movie.  He showed the "Jesus Film", "Mary Magdalene", "Dramatized Book of Acts" [parts 1 & 2 over 2 nights], "Dramatized Gospel of John", and "The End of the Spear". 

 

We also had a booth at the trade show.  That was providential too.  We didn't have a confirmed space, but we had some discipleship materials printed off and we just went to the trade show grounds the opening day and found a space where one religious group did not show up and our understanding was they would come the second day, but we set up and used that space for the entire time.  This booth was manned by Jimmy Kwaisui, and John Kwate.  They would go down to the trade show by 9 a.m. and stay at the booth throughout the day and not return until after the night showing which was frequently 10 p.m. before they arrive home.  Jimmy had some opportunities to counsel with and pray with people.  Time will tell the impact of this

 

Pidgin Bible Dedication:

The Pidgin Bible [Pijin Baebol] was dedicated and launched on the 6^th July.  It was a great time.  The Bible was carried into the St. Barnabas Cathedral on a carved canoe by some traditionally dressed dancers.  Now for the first time the entire Bible is printed in Solomon Pijin.  Pray for the literacy training so that people will read the Bible.  Unlike Papua New Guinea where there are many Books written in tok Pisin [Pidgin of PNG], in the Solomon Islands about the only thing written in Pijin is the Bible. 

 

SALT [Scripture Application-Leadership Training] Course:

I took two young men, Barnabas and Hudson (Caleb), with me to attend this SALT course from July 8 – 12.  This course is offered by the Wycliffe Translation group, known in the SI by the acronym SITAG [Solomon Islands Translation Advisory Group].  This is a course that trains how to teach scriptural concepts through dramatization, pictures, etc.

 

Nancy's Trip:

Nancy returned safely and it is very good to have her back.  She brought back some school packs, books, and a solar panel which was all donated by Christians in Australia.  She was not charged any extra freight for these donated items for our church work.  We rejoice in that since she was 50 kg over weight limit and the normal excess charge is Au$11 per kg.

 

Strike:

The Telecom staff are back to work.  Our banking system is again working so we can once again bring money over.

 

Your partners in His Ministry,

George and Nancy Miller

PO Box 712

Honiara, Solomon Islands

677 25 109

george_nancy@reachone.com

 

Prayer letter 22 June 2008(Jun22/08)

 Dear Prayer Partner,

 As I'm sitting here on Sunday morning having my quiet time and prayer, I am so thankful for a prayer partner like you who partner with us in HIS ministry through prayer.  We serve a great big God who unites us into HIS family.  Thank you again.

 Bible College:

Thank you for your prayers for Bible College class.  We had 20 different students attend one or both of the Bible College courses taught during the past two weeks.  It was a wonderful success but very tiring.  We will be holding Bible College Board meeting tomorrow (Monday).

 Geoff and Churie:

Thank you for your prayers for Geoff and Churie.  We have received many letters assuring us of your prayers.  I will keep you informed from time to time.   They have found a house to live in, since they close on their house on the first of July.  They will be living by the SNU (Southern Nazarene University) campus.  It is actually an SNU rent house.  Most of Geoffrey's work as a paint contractor is in the Bethany area and with the rising price of fuel it is a blessing to have a house close to his work. 

 They are still planning on coming to the Solomon Islands, but will have to delay until after their baby is born, due to the U/S indicating a problem with their baby girl.  We are praying for a miracle and that the next U/S will be AOK.  Continue to remember them in prayer.

 Youth Camp:

Our Solomon Islands district youth camp officially begins next Sunday 29^th June and goes through 6^th July.  Youth have already begun arriving for this camp, because ship schedules and transportation is a problem.  Last night I picked up 13 people at the wharf who traveled from E. Kwaio.  It took them nearly 5 days in traveling to get here.  They live in the mountain, so they had to go to the seaside to await a ship.  They left their home on Tuesday early morning and arrived late last night (Saturday).  They spent two days on the beach and the rest of the time walking down the mountain and aboard ship.  Pray for the rest of the youth as they travel from across the district.  Nancy fixed breakfast this morning for 20.  She fixed pancakes and it was the first time most had tasted pancakes as well as the first time many had been in a "European" home. 

 Trade Show/Year of the Bible:

Our Government has declared this year 2008 as "The Year of the Bible".  Pray for the activities planned for this year.  There is a trade show planned for July 1-11.  Please remember this in your prayers.  Our own Nazarene Member, Cornelius Donga, now works for the Government and the trade show falls under his area of responsibility.  Pray for Cornelius and has team as they prepare for this magnificent event.  During the trade show there will be a stage dedicated to "The year of the Bible".  The churches will take turns and work together to provide programming for this.  Pray for this time that God will bring a great revival to the Solomon's.   Our time to have the morning devotion is Thursday 3^rd July.  Also are denomination is responsible for the evening service on July 3^rd too.  As you see from the above the timing coincides with our youth camp, and so pray for us as we find transportation and facilitate taking our youth to the trade show for this program.  Our Jesus Film Team is responsible for the Christian movie that will be shown every night, following the evening service.

 Thursday 3^rd during the day the Church of the Nazarene will be working with the United Church and others to provide programming. 

 There are many other activities planned and this will be a busy time.  I do not have time to mention everything but on Sunday the 6^th July will be the launching and dedication of the Pijin Bible.  Pray for this.  We are so grateful to have the whole Bible in Pijin.  Pray for the shipping schedule as the Pijin Bibles are scheduled to arrive at the wharf on July 3^rd.  Pray that there will be fine weather so the ship is not delayed.

 Prices, strikes, and the like:

I filled up with diesel yesterday and almost swallowed my tongue when the price was $12.38/liter.  (US $1.64/litre or around US $6.50/US Gal.)  Of course with the drastic rise in fuel prices everything is going up.  I don't know how people are going to pay for their food.  The government has raised minimum wage from $2/hour to $5/hour (US $0.66).  Bus fare has doubled in price.  Pray for people around the world who are really being squeezed during these crises.

 Telekom (the sole telecommunication provider) went on strike.  Soon after their strike began Westpac Bank (our bank) lost their telephones and their computer is down.  Our funding comes over through the telecommunication system.  Pray that this can be resolved.

 The Public Servants a couple of days ago gave the Government 14 days to address their grievances primarily due to this rapid inflation or else they will go on strike.  If that happens that will include all the air port workers, health workers, teachers, etc. etc.

 Nancy planned trip to Australia:

Nancy is planning a trip to Brisbane and will be gone from 7^th to 14^th of July.  She is going to attend an ACE (Accelerated Christian Education) conference.  Pray for our Christian school (Zion Christian Academy) and the Zion Church of the Nazarene.

 Your Partner in His Ministry,

George Miller

PO Box 712

Honiara, Solomon Islands

677 25 109

george_nancy@reachone.com

 

 

Solar Clothes Drier (Jun16/08)

For Mother's Day this year I purchased Nancy a new solar clothes drier.  Previously our clothes drier consisted of a rope stretched from the house to a fence post.  It worked and was inexpensive but it really filled up especially during Bible College Classes.  This new one has a diameter of 6 meters (19.5 ft or so) and has 6 lines and it will hold a lot of clothes.  It is also fitted with a crank to raise and lower the lines.  It can be cranked down for loading and then cranked up to get more wind and so dogs, etc will not bother the clothes.  We still have a rope stretched under the house for rainy or inclement weather not conducive to solar drying.

This may not be what many women would want for Mother's Day but Nancy was overjoyed.  It's a great improvement.

   

For those on my mailing list from Australia, Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea, etc I know you are quite familiar with the "Hill's hoist".  I am equally confident that people in the USA, unless they have traveled abroad, have never seen this type of clothes line before. 

In fact many people these days in the USA have never hung clothes on a

line in their entire life.

Thank you for making this possible as this was paid for from our deputation account.

Your Partners in HIS Ministry,

George and Nancy Miller

email us at george_nancy@reachone.com

 

Report of CBHC trip to Western Province by Salome Karibule (May20/08)

The following is an evaluation written by Salome Karibule about our trip to the western province.  Salome and her young son Marvella joined us for this trip.  Salome has a masters degree in education and is currently a high school teacher in Gizo.  She was very instrumental in the establishment of our Nazarene school, Zion Christian Academy, and served as principal for a number of years. 

Impressions on the Lagoon trip.

This trip for me was an opportunity to tell of this great transforming God we serve. It was also an opportunity to meet up with my grand –dad's people (mother's side of the family) and to put name to person and further strengthen family ties. In a culture where relationships are of immense value, my purpose of being there meant more than my position.

I can well remember hearing stories from my grand-dad as a little girl about this place called Vilorae and that it was a place where whirlwinds occur frequently. It was a place of uncertainty and family were reluctant to actually move over to live there. How uncle Zoti and his family moved there and found Christ through the Church of the Nazarene can only be through the transforming power of the Christ we serve.

More so, I thought of my own whirlwinds in life, the shattered dreams and hopes, the broken pieces, the pain and realize that this trip is all about this Great God we serve and his transforming power in us. It is nothing about us but all about this Great God who in his love and mercy can take our shattered dreams and hopes, our brokenness and pain and transform them into something beautiful again specifically for his Glory. Yes instruments for his Glory!

The ride to Iriripasapasa was like riding through glassy waters. Whilst the "well " there still tastes salty or bitter as the locals describe it "springs of fresh water" have also been dug in the place .Yes family there through their bitter experiences have found this Great God who is the source of this "spring of living water" and I find great joy in knowing that they will never thirst again. Talking to my own people they have expressed that having the "Nazarene team" come to visit and the messages shared has encouraged and helped to strengthen their faith in this great God they serve. Listening to Becky's talks has helped them realize that God is interested in their physical lives and whole-being too. That when God transforms the inner man, the home and environment changes too.

To sum up the trip I can only boast about the transforming power of this Great God that we serve. That through his love and mercy he has enabled me to be a little flame, a change -agent maybe in a tiny way amongst my very own people of the Lagoons.

In him Salome.