Table of contents

Supporting Workers in Mission – SWIM NEWS – Third Quarter 2024

 

MINISTRY MOMENTUM

Kaleidoscopic Overview of SWIM Ministry – Third Quarter 2024

In this News Bulletin

 

  • Welcoming Pr.Michael Light – New Assistant Pastor
  • Pastors Janet and Michael Light – Profile Story
  • SWIM Ministries
  • June,July August Bookings – Busy Months for SWIM
  • KATOVA High School team
  • Farewelling Staff – Cutting Cakes! – Eddie & Daughter, John Mara and Pr Michael and Janet Light
  • Gifts Given to Hospital School & Maternity Ward
  • Prime Ministers Office & Governor Generals visitation- Andrew Fanasia & Unity Fanasia, Pr. Michael Light & Janet Light.

Introduction:

SWIM, Solomon Islands is once again happy to be able to showcase another wonderful three months journey as we pass the half-way point in the year. While ministry is not always measured in ceaseless and frenetic activity it has sure been and busy quarter. As you prayerfully read through this bulletin, we would like you to intentionally reflect in your own life the values that SWIM stands for. Our prayer as SWIM leaders, is that all our readers do what they can to make a mark for God’s kingdom.

S-Supporting W-Work I-In M-Mission

Ephesians 2:8-10

For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

  • Welcoming Pr. Micheal Light – New Assistant Pastor

  • Pastors Janet and Michael Light – Profile Story

SWIM base welcomes our new Assistant Pastor Michael.

Pr. Michael Light is from the Malaita Province and hailing from the Village of Uka’ai, North Malaita. Pr Michael is married to Janet Light. They have only one daughter and 2 grandkids.

“I am very excited to be part of a mission base; with a great vision, a great working team and with an even greater mission to achieve. I look forward to be working to expand and grow our SWIM mission in the Solomon Islands.”

Our story and our Journey

We are passionate about mission! Mission was part of our life, when covid hit. With travelling restrictions, and mandatory vaccinations in 2019, our foreign mission field was affected.

At the time, we were serving with Hope Mission in Fiji, and so we had no choice but to return home to the Solomons.

Almost five years on, and now we have found ourselves at SWIM Solomon Islands. We both believe that is where God has placed us.

Our journey to the SWIM base is one that we want to give honour to Almighty God for.

This is how it began. We were planning for weekend out from home at the end of February 2024, and we chose SWIM base as a place to stay. We came on Saturday and left on Monday, and as we drove out, we met up with Pastor Andrew Fanasia, and asked if we could apply for the Assistant Pastor’s role. I submitted the application and was called up for interview. I then had a phone call from the SWIM base that I was through to the short list. We are so glad that we have joined the SWIM team, as a mission community of Christ-centred people. It was God’s timing and God’s appointment. The rest is history!

We are not alone, there are a variety of ministries in the body of Christ, which means we can be in partnership with each other in fulfilling the great commission.

We believe God has more for us in the near future, and also more to offer to the people in our communities, and so here we are at SWIM – with compassion we will CONTINUE provide EFFECTIVE and PRACTICAL BIBLICAL VALUES, SPIRITUAL GROWTH, GODLY LEADERSHIP, EQUIPPING MINISTRIES, to established self-reliant communities in our beautiful country.

  • SWIM Ministries

Children, Youth & Women’s Ministries

Our Ministries have continued to grow in numbers week by week. Weekly devotions are always part of each program.

Children are offered a variety activities: arts & crafts, face painting, drawing, and chorus/singing time;

The Women’s ministry continues with: Bible sharing, life skill activities, cooking, baking, knitting, patching and tie dyeing.

Young men’s ministry focuses on soccer skills and games.

Children pictured above involved in Art and Craft and also Bible Story Time

Women pictured above in Bible Study and showing the knitted tea towels they have made

  • June,July August Bookings – Busy Months for SWIM

SWIM experienced a busy time for the months of June, July and August;

Accommodating seminars, workshops and also stopovers for teams before they went on to outer provinces to be involved Iin their own outreaches and workshops. Local Youth, Fellowship Ministries and Government Ministries were accommodated as well.

Accommodating seminars, workshops and also stopovers for teams before they went on to outer provinces to be involved Iin their own outreaches and workshops. Local Youth, Fellowship Ministries and Government Ministries were accommodated as well.

University Group Stays at SWIM

  • Katova High School Team and Project

Katova High School boat and engine was purchased from the Y.Sato Marine -Point Cruz for the school use in Samasodu. The boat and engine were delivered to the SWIM base where our team did touch up on the boat, putting in seats and attaching the High School logo. The boat and engine were then tested out and then Dudley and team motored off to Samasodu – Isabel in the boat which will be used for school transportation.

Katova High School Boat & Engine Testing on the Lunga river.

The Advance Team for the Katova High School Project arrived at SWIM prior to the others. They came to prepare for the Samasodu trip which included arrangements of Ship, Containers, Machinery, and Fuel needed for Katova. Machi was the first to arrive followed by Jack, John and Trent. The three gentlemen arrived on the 1st of July. Machi came a week earlier to conduct the workshop for the KYB programs at the All-saints Hall.

Machi also had the time to also visit the Prison Service, and met up with the program officer to start the Prison Services Lessons to inmates.

Advance team meeting with Eddie & Pamela

*Left; Machi with Prison Program officer *Right ; KYB attendees

Katova High School Team arrived on the 7th July 2024. The team were volunteers helping out on the school site in Samasodu. The team led by Rod Peet, were greeted by the advance team, Pastor Andrew, Eddie and Samasodu at the SI International airport. The team briefly rested for light refreshments at the SWIM base for an hour and then boarded LC Zaraly bound for Isabel.

They arrived back from Samasodu on the 20th July via MV Ortega and experienced a rough sea on their return journey. However, in spite of this, everyone managed to arrive safely in Honiara.

They stayed for only one night at the SWIM base, then flew back to Brisbane on the 21st July.

There was much accomplished including the completion of classrooms, toilets, staff houses and dormitory houses.

EXCITING: The school should open hopefully anytime soon!!

*2024 Katova High School Project Team at Brisbane airport. Copyright Katova High School Page – Fb

Katova Team briefing at SWIM

Medical Checkup for the villagers Katova Project Overview

Team Photo Movie Night

Class Rooms and Ablution Blocks

Katova Team and Locals Work on Roof Trusses

As is a usual practice in the Solomons Farewells and Welcomes are the occasion for cake cutting and a feast of course!

SWIM base and management farewelled two of the staff and families that were employed by SWIM base. SWIM management wished them both the best in their future careers. A small farewell gathering was hosted at the SWIM leaf hut conference house, followed by speeches and a small token of appreciation from the SWIM management. In a separate gathering a welcome was held for Pr Michael and Janet Light.

Eddie and Daughter, John Mara & Michael and Janet Light

  • Gifts Given to Hospital School & Maternity Ward

On last quarters news bulletin we acknowledged the arrival of the container with donations and materials for the SWIM base. Also inside the container were 2 bags of Knitted bonnets for babies, some sterile aprons and school exercise books that were being donated to the Hospital. Pastor Andrew and Maria visited the school and delivered the donations to the school and handed out the sets of knitted bonnets and socks to new born babies at the maternity ward. The nurse in charge acknowledged the donations and wished everyone that donated a very blessed life.

Newborn Baby with Lovingly Knitted Bonnet and Socks

  • Prime Ministers Office & Governor Generals visitation- Pr. Andrew & Unity Fanasia, Pr. Michael & Janet Light.

Pr Andrew, Unity and Maria visited the Prime Ministers Office and delivered a very powerful and meaningful message to the PMO team and afterwards gifted PM Manele with a leadership bible. And also Pr Andrew & Unity, Pr Michael & Janet visited the GG’s house and prayed for the Governor General and his wife then gifted them with the leadership Bible.

Pr Andrew, Unity & Pr Light with Governor General Rev David Tiva Kapu and his wife

Pr Andrew & Unity with The Hon Jeremiah Manele (PM)

Visiting the newly Governor General Reverend David Tiva Kapu and Madam Salome Kapu at the Governor’s office, 21st August was a special moment for us. Sir David was so humble, he listened to our conversation and freely shared his heart with us, asking us to pray for Gods wisdom and guidance, so he could lead with fairness, honesty and exercise his duties in the righteousness of Almighty God so that the nation would be blessed.

  • Praise Points

1) Big thanks to the Almighty for his continuous guidance, love and protection for us all as we journey to the last months of 2024.

2) Praise God for the increasing numbers in the local SWIM ministry endeavours.

3) Praise God for our new assistant Pastor Michael Light and family as he takes on the role of Word Ministry.

  • Prayer Points

1) Continue to pray for our SI National government, Prime Ministers Office and staff, the Governor General and family to lead the nation in righteousness.

2) Pray for the SWIM staff who have moved on to other employment that God would continue to lead their steps as they follow him.

3) Pray for God’s blessing on the Katova School Project, the opening of the school, and it’s influence in Isabel province and beyond.

SWIM Solomon Islands is a Mission of the Christian Reformed Churches of Australia

It is Registered as a Charitable Trust in Solomon Islands, and is an Associate Member of Solomon Islands Christian Association