Not only flashing a gorgeous smile, she is also dancing in unison with a large group of men and women representing the unique culture of the Solomon Islands province of Makira at the 11^th Festival of Pacific Arts. Held once every four years and running these past two weeks in the Solomon Islands, this festival has brought together cultural groups from across the great Pacific – from Papua New Guinea to Easter Island. A dizzyingly colourful celebration of Pacific culture both traditional and contemporary, Wycliffe and its partner organizations have been participating by offering workshops and celebrating the languages of the Pacific. A Bible storytelling workshop demonstrated how the oral tradition of sharing stories can be used to share God’s story. An ethno-arts workshop encouraged Christian artists to redeem their traditional arts to use in worship. A large number of people have poured over the language maps and considered Bible translation for the first time as they encountered the ‘Languages of the Pacific’ booth. God made Pacific Islanders wonderfully and fearfully and this festival can’t help but flaunt it.

Photo & Words: Elyse Patten