Niki's Solomon Island Experience

Niki's Solomon Island Experience

by Niki Mistry-McNabb

Going to the Solomon Islands was like going to a new world. It was hot, muddy, wet and a little messy. You could drop a wrapper anywhere and no one would care.

The people were different in colour and personality. For example, in Honiara there was a Seventh-day Adventist Youth Conference that we went to on our first Sabbath there. As we were walking around, the locals would come and welcome us to the Solomon Islands even though they didn’t know us at all. The people there smiled a lot, unlike here where people are often frowning and look as if they are angry, disappointed or having a bad day.

When we arrived in Vovohe, this village where we were going to build the church, the people were nice, kind and helpful. The experience there was awesome! It was like a wake-up call for me and the rest of the team because even though the locals did not have nice beds to sleep on, a fancy kitchen or even a proper toilet, they were happier with their life than many of us are in NZ.

This trip brought me closer to God because the people were committed to God. For example, they had a program for Opening Sabbath on a Friday night, and then four programs on Saturday: Sabbath School, Church, Adventist Youth (AY’s) and Closing Sabbath. Carl’s testimony (Carl was the Coordinator of the trip) also brought me closer to God. It made me think that if God can show Carl that he is there for him and will look after him, then God can do the same for me.

The things that I will not forget are the hospitality, and the people. One of the ways that they showed their hospitality was in building a house and kitchen especially for us.

The things I will miss are playing soccer with the villagers, the food, the nice hot weather and spending time with the LAC Solomon’s Team.

I miss the Solomon Islands!!

Check out my photos here...