WHILE everyone in town vied going home this festive season, having to see relatives and move into celebrations, the Honiara District Federation of the SDA church steamed down on the December 15, 2016, to Bekabeka Community High School, Western Province to attend a mini congress both hosted by Gatokae Federation and Honiara District Federation.

About 500 people from Honiara boarded a steam-boat, MV Fair King, on a 12 hours journey to the beautiful island of Gatokae so that they would arrive in the morning to a scene of joys and whistling all across the bay, and a mighty crowd lined up along the school hilltop overlooking on from under coconut trees and on green grasses as well as stalls were prepared.

Not less than 5 minutes there was bloom of happiness as rhythm of bamboo music and familiar songs were heard presenting Western Province’s natural way of welcome.

In the tone of scene, women were frisked with head-dress greeted by each society with flowers and lavalavas leading them away to various stalls that were arranged for breakfast.

It is a great achievement for the two host federations to receive 141 Vanuatu Adventist women and men into Solomon Islands for this great congress as well as about 300 Dorcas members and Adventist men serving in Honiara Central District Federation being part of the contingents for Bekabeka programme.

According to Mr Joe Tjiobang, President of Efate District and leader of the Vanuatu delegates to this Mini Congress, the Vanuatu delegates were very excited, happy and proud to take part in the first time ever in the event outside of Vanuatu.

This was because of their relationship that was established last year 2015 when participants from Solomon Islands went to attend their first Efate District Congress of Adventist men and women in Port-Vila, Vanuatu.

Mrs Hellen Hilly, President of Honiara District Federation and Coordinator of this huge programme were a lady who usually put a bridle in a horse’s mouth.

She worked tremendously preparing so this congress is a successful one.

“Coming together can help us see the truth that loosely belted around our waist. When we come to listen to God’s word will tighten the belt that is being loosed. We can be ready to face the challenges that will come very soon,” said the President.

It was surprisingly to see the Vanuatu contingents after their arrival not less than an hour went straight for the boat to Bekabeka and vice versa after returning from the congress and was driven straight to the airport to catch their flight for Vanuatu.

However, Mrs Hilly would like to thank Vanuatu contingents, the Guest speaker, Facilitators and trainers, Pastors and Minsters, Honiara Central District Executives, all Societies and every single person who had made an effort to be part of the Congress.

Special thanks were sent to the Guest of Honour, Premier of the Western Province, Mr Wayne Maepio and Speaker of Provincial Assembly for providing Public Announcement System that furnished the programme that ended successfully, Honourable Douglas Ete for giving cash of $5,000, Nanette Tutua for providing fuel for the programme, Mr Sasabule (Fair West Shipping) for making avail his ship “MV Fair King” to accommodate Dorcas members to travel to Bekabeka.

Every night people were warmed and warned by the inspiration message from Pr Vince David who was a Guest speaker.

He emphasised on the theme: “Rekindle the truth, shine for Jesus.”

Everyone was blessed this week as the old biblical land mark of Adventism was rekindled.

This was so become relevant and imperative.

Sabbath School, Personnel Ministry and Community Service Director of SDA Mission, Pr Irving Vagha represented the Mission office in Honiara officiating at the opening programme on Sunday December 18, 2016.

Taking the devotion, he said people were coming to state were they were today because of the choice the pioneers had made 100 plus years ago.

They were coming to the congress to be encouraged, motivated, trained and equipped for God’s service and His Glory.

And lest be forgotten people were also coming to Re kindle the spirit of the pioneers.

President of the Eastern Gatokae Federation, Mrs Venisa Pitiri Nicely welcomed all the participants, especially Vanuatu Adventist men and women who made efforts to come to Bekabeka.

During this welcome, she said that the tiring days invested in this programme was truly not seen a failure, but was evidence of commitment for the betterment of children’s holistic life and lasting to prepare people for the Lord’s return.

However, she acknowledged and thanked the fact that her Federation Committee had worked endlessly, support and committed to the successfulness of this programme.

Every night there was health talk from Mrs Christina Manele based on family life that is important on every event that happened which related to Christian phenomena on journey for eternity.

Guest of Honour of this federation programme was the Honourable Premier of Western Province and also a ward member of the area the programme is held, Mr Wayne Maepio.

He drove the world’s biggest lagoon from Gizo to Bekabeka to attend the opening of the Mini Congress in time on Sunday December 18, 2016.

He made the speech in that pouring rain forbidding Adventist women and men to find shelter as they need to listen to what was being the importance.

“Our Provincial Government has just celebrated our 23rd anniversary of its second appointed day with the theme: ‘One people one nation.’ Truly our Province is diverse, diverse in culture, custom, islands, colours and religions, yet we are united as one people basically because of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and our Government that we served,” said the Premier.

The Premier commended the SDA Church for the contribution to his people since the establishment of their Church in the Solomon Islands some 100 years ago.

The church has practically biblically trying the principle that led people to God and to love and lived in harmony with each other.

Besides being he commended the church, the Premier challenges fellow Christian believers to do more in their challenge to serve God.

Dorcas Society members had made a March Past right in front of the stage where invited Guests stood in array to salute.

But before that, colourful march from Sombiro to Bekabeka Community High School saw Dorcas members marched with uniforms like regiments ready to harsh the enemies, clear the way for the pilgrims to march to the land of kindling light.

Workshops and trainings were facilitated for members who would afterward bring home skills acquired to create new things for their daily livelihood.

Both Dorcas members and public around Bekabeka had attended the training.

On Tuesday December 19, 2016 members of the Dorcas, including Vanuatu women and men visited villages outside to give clothes and pots for those in need.

There was a dramatically occurrence a boat carrying members on this bye ways and highways capsized on a high sea loosing few things, but fortunate there was no life lost.

The final message of the congress was launched by Elder John Maetia Kaliuae (OBE, CBE) who launched the message of the Holy Spirit the third person of the TRIUNE God that ruled the whole Universe.

Elder Maetia Kaliuae comforted the hundreds of Dorcas and Adventist men of Vanuatu and Solomon Islands with the message that the Holy Spirit is the representative of Christ to comfort when come to the end of this very important spiritual Congress.

“The Holy Spirit is the representative of Christ in us who will lead us and point us to make haste preparation for His soon coming,” Maetia said in his message.

The Mini Congress ended successfully on Wednesday December 21, 2016.

But one thing still lingers was the friendliness and fondness of messages people had breathed and inhaled at the Congress that the old biblical land marks of Adventism were rekindled they united shine out for Jesus before He returns.