Personal Reflection…

Around this time six years ago, Vanessa and I were sitting in a meeting at THQ in Melbourne discussing our readiness to serve overseas. When we were asked to consider an appointment to the Solomon Islands, we could never have imagined then the journey that lay ahead of agreeing to this appointment. Within a very short time of arriving in Honiara, it was evident to us that this was going to be a much longer term than our initial two year commitment. Now that we are five years into this appointment, we still don’t feel our work here is complete. Our commitment to serving The Salvation Army mission in the Solomon Islands remains strong, but we acknowledge this commitment comes at a cost, both personally and to our family back at home. Leaving our children in Melbourne after their completion of year 12 was not easy and being away from them for much longer than we intended hasn’t got any easier, despite the fact that they are now well and truly independent young adults. During our time away, my father died of cancer, my mother was in intensive care with a critical illness, our daughter had two car accidents, our son got married, and Vanessa’s family have experienced their share of crisis and challenges. For us personally, Vanessa required a medevac to Brisbane for emergency surgery and I’ve broken bones as a result of a couple of bike accidents and required surgery locally after being attacked by five dogs. Additionally, we have lived and served in an environment that has been in a constant state of crisis, enduring cyclones, earthquakes, two riots, COVID lockdowns and curfews, and challenging everyday living conditions in a city that is grossly under-resourced. It is fair to say that our commitment to stay in the Solomon Islands has quite literally been bathed in ‘blood, sweat and tears’. Yet, despite it all, we have the firm support of our family, friends, Territorial and local leaders, along with a conviction that this is a God-ordained appointment. The cost of discipleship is far outweighed by the extraordinary privilege and blessing of being a part of the growth and development of The Salvation Army in theSolomonIslands. Wearesurrounded by beautiful people who have embraced us as a part of their ‘wantok’ and we are incarnating ourselves in a culture that is rich beyond the obvious deficits that challenge us daily. So, the official announcement this month from IHQ that our service has been extended for a third term comes with a deep sense of peace that is found being in the centre of God’s willandfulfillingHispurposes.