A Day of Exhaustion and Quiet Purpose

By Ivory waki / Solvoice
Today was one of those days that leaves you physically drained, yet deeply fulfilled in a way that words can barely capture. We had a retreat with ACOM PHQ at TNK—a place of quiet beauty, owned by the sisters of the Anglican Church of Melanesia. The setting itself felt like a gentle invitation to pause, reflect, and realign. Even though the retreat came on short notice, it carried a clear purpose: to review ACOM’s workplace conduct. What could have been just another formal discussion turned into something more meaningful. There was a sense of sincerity in the conversations, and by the end of it, the outcome felt both successful and necessary. Looking back, the past few weeks have been full. We hosted visitors from New Zealand—members of ACOM’s management board—which added another layer of responsibility and expectation. I had submitted a report from my division and quietly assumed that would be enough, that perhaps my role in that space was minimal. But today reminded me that sometimes...
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Christmas Journey Home to Auki

By Ivory waki / Solvoice
It’s Christmas time, and like many Solomon Islanders, people travel back to their home islands for the holidays. With our scattered islands, ships remain the main means of transportation.

This year, I boarded Pelican, one of the Chinese-owned shipping vessels. As always during this season, the wharf was crowded and busy. Traveling by ship during Christmas means long hours and patience.

I went to the wharf around 11:00 pm, boarded the ship at 3:00 am, departed Honiara at 5:00 am, and finally arrived in Auki, Malaita Province, at 8:00 am.

Arriving home felt wonderful. Auki welcomed me with that familiar feeling — the sense of belonging that only home can give.

The next day, I went to Fiu River to collect gravel for a small personal project at home. Building a house in the Solomon Islands is not always easy. Although we are surrounded by natural resources, cash limitations often make construction slow and challenging.

To continue my work, I hired a vehicle and collected two loads of gravel from Fiu River. This was to complete the slab for the ground floor of our home in Auki.

Financially, it hasn’t been easy. Progress comes bit by bit. This stage marks the final portion of work on the slab, and once completed, I will focus next on laying the bricks for the walls.

This journey reminds me that building a home is not just about materials — it is about perseverance, patience, and faith.

If you like reading this also read Five Hours before midnight https://solvoice.blogspot.com/2025/12/five-hours-before-midnight.html?m=1

💬Let me know your thoughts in the comment section below.👇

Christmas journey back home
Journey home Auki Malaita 



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