Naked and carefree the warm waters of the Solomon Islands are the local kids’ favourite playground. These young boys and girls are all too happy to pose for my camera while playing in the river that runs through the capital city, Honiara. Friendly and accepting, many Solomon Island communities readily received the Gospel when it arrived on their shores in the middle of the 19th century. The Cheke Holo people attend up to 19 church services per week, but, until their New Testament was published in 1994, many passages of the Bible were still unclear. After hearing Philippians read in his language one church leader commented, “I’ve been in church all my life, hearing the Bible in English, but I never understood what the apostle Paul was talking about until now.” Pray for Pastor Andrew Piaso, an 80 year old translator, who is leading a team to finish the translation of the Old Testament during the next three years.

Photo: Elyse Patten