In 2009, the Solomon Islands National Parliament unveiled a permanent Bible Display.  It houses a ceremonial canoe that was carved to hold the Pijin Bible when it was launched and the display includes all the New Testaments or full Bibles that have been completed since 1978 – the year of the country’s independence.

Today we were blessed to be able to hold a special program at Parliament to place the newly published Kwaio New Testament which will be dedicated on Easter weekend.  Parliament is ‘sitting’ at the moment, so the program was held during the lunch break.

The Speaker of Parliament joined us for the program as well as quite a number of Members of Parliament.  The history of the translation project was shared and Julie Pierce, the translation advisor read some verses from Titus in the Kwaio language and then told how those verses had touched the life of a Kwaio woman when she heard the them read to her in the own language.

One of Members of Parliament placed the Kwaio New Testament in the display case along side the other Bibles. An Anglican priest who is a Kwaio speaker participated in the program and prayed that the Kwaio New Testament would touch the lives of his people.  He said – the Kwiao people won’t have any excuse now not to obey God’s Word, because now they will really understand it!

We then enjoyed cake and coffee with the members of Parliament and the other staff.  It was a wonderful experience and once again we marvel at the amazing support for Bible translation in this country.

This week has brought rain and flooding to the Solomon Islands.  There are about 14 confirmed deaths and many more missing people.  Today Tim and I walked through town and took some photos. The Mataniko River has flooded and trees, houses, people, anything in its way was carried away.

It will take a long time for life to return to normal in this country.  Please pray for the Solomon Islands and those affected by this natural disaster.

In the flotsam and jetsam – pieces of people’s lives. I wonder if the owner of this shoe is still alive.

a piece of furniture in the flotsam and jetsam

This ship was driven into the cement wharf

People on the waterfront looking for firewood and anything they can use. On the far shore a body had just been found.

water soaked furniture and household goods

a man pulling himself across the river

the floor fell out of this house

the water ripped the walls of this house

stores along the river falling into the water

This is all that is left of one of the bridges across the Mataniko River. The bailey bridge that was here was built by the US Marines during WWII.