Solomon Islands

The unbridled heat emanating from the pacific sun within 2 hours after rising licks your skin like a rasp file tongue of a predator with acid being its saliva. The days start early for a reason here.

Attending the Burns Creek Church service held for us visitors from Australia, New Zealand and Fiji is filled with joy and at times a cool breeze passes through the church as to give the sense that there is a God, and God knows how much heat his people at worship can take this morning. The singing, preaching and community - the joy of the children, the openness of giving throughout shows those without many physical possessions possess a kind of appreciation that us visitors can’t seem to conceive. I see children with the footwear of compressed rubber shielding their feet from certain infection prone wounds, yet kick soccer balls given as gifts without concern.

After the service there was play, gifts given by the soldiers and silent conversations. Smiles and quick sneaky child antics left regulated only by the loving upbringing of the parents around. Smiles. Happiness. Lack of money. Abundance of love.