White River Church before flood

Honiara, Solomon Islands:  After torrential rainfall struck the Solomon Islands, a series of flash floods over April 3rd and 4th left thousands homeless and at least 19 dead.

Washed out bridge on road to Macedonia Church

In the midst of this natural disaster in the Pacific, the Solomon Islands District Church of the Nazarene in partnership with Nazarene Compassionate Ministries is responding!  Following are photos and an update of the Nazarene response, submitted by our missionaries, George and Nancy Miller.

April 6th: 

Washed out bridge to Macedonia Church

• Movement has been difficult due to the fact that two of the main bridges in town were destroyed.  The Capitol Honiara, in Guadalcanal Province, has been declared a disaster area.
• The Zion Church board held a meeting to determine the current needs of two neighboring Nazarene churches (White River and Macedonia).  Later that day the Zion Church assisted 16 families from White River with bags of rice, tuna, purified water, noodles , sugar and tea.

April 7th: 

• Zion church provided similar relief assistance to the Macedonia Church of the Nazarene located in west Guadalcanal.

April 10th:

• 

  White River building platform for water tank

  Nazarene Compassionate Ministries responded with $2,000 to be used in followup relief and the provision of clean water to effected churches.  Two 1,000 liter water tanks were purchased for the White River and Macedonia Churches, along with necessary gutters, tank fittings, and carpentry tools.

• The arrival of the first tank to the White River Church of the Nazarene attracted a huge crowd as they thought that it was from their Member of Parliament.  Just in time, after the tank was installed, a deluge of rain came through and in 30 minutes the 1,000 liter tank was filled with fresh clean water.

April 11th:

• 

  Relief supplies delivered to Macedonia Church

  Zion Church delivered a second wave of food relief to the White River Church and to the family of one of our pastors who was seeking shelter in a government care center.

• A second water tank was delivered to Macedonia Church along with basic carpentry and gardening tools, in addition to relief food.

April 14th:

• Assistance was given to one of our senior pastors (Jeremian Akoeasi) and his family,  who lost most of their clothes and household utensils.
• Volunteers were sent to the Macedonia Church to assist in setting the foundation for the church water tank.  Further food and water relief was also provided.

Government evacuation center

Thank you to the Zion Nazarene Church, to Nazarene Compassionate Ministries, and to all of you who have continued to pray for and partner with this disaster response.  Together we are making a great impact in the Solomon Islands, serving as the tangible hands and feet of Christ!