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...
Post a Comment

Dying hours before the New Year.

By Ivory waki / Solvoice

Every time we go home, it is our time to be with our parents. I have three sisters, with one adopted, making us five daughters. It has always been our tradition that our father leads us in prayer before midnight.

This New Year was the same. We gathered and talked as a family. My firstborn sister could not join us as she is very ill with cancer, and as a family we are going through one of the toughest seasons of our lives.

We grew up with simple farmer parents. Today, we are fortunate to live right in the heart of Auki Town in Malaita, on a piece of land acquired through their hard work. Yet the setting still feels like village life—something very special. I am deeply grateful to my parents for keeping us grounded. It gives us the feeling that we are still in the village where we grew up—carefree, close to gardens and rivers.

Though we miss many things about village life, my parents have managed to carry that way of living with us to where we are now.

As usual, we gathered to discuss our plans for 2026, the challenges we face as a family living in Solomon Islands, to confess, forgive, and pray together. I believe this is one of the most sacred and blessed practices, and I am grateful to my father and to God for it.


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Clash Between Tradition and Mordern Life: A reality for women in Malaita.

By Ivory waki / Solvoice
Image
When Culture and Modern Life Collide: The Women of Malaita In Malaita Province , women continue to walk a fine line between modern expectations and traditional customs . While modern life brings education, independence, and the freedom to choose, culture still defines how a woman should behave, speak, and live. This ongoing clash leaves many women caught in between — struggling to find balance and a sense of identity in a fast-changing world. The Traditional Role of Women Traditionally, Malaitan women have been the heart of the home. They cook, care for children, and support their husbands in gardens and communities. A good woman is expected to be humble, respectful, and quiet. In many areas, men make the major decisions, and women’s opinions are often left unheard. These customs have shaped communities for generations and remain strong today. The Arrival of Modern Influence Modernism has slowly entered Malaita through education, religion, and technology. Young women are now attend...
Read more

A Night of Pure Island Joy

By Ivory waki / Solvoice
Image
It was such a moment for me to see my baby sister glowing, bright like the early morning sunrise. My heart slowed with tears of joy as I turned on my phone and watched the photos and videos she sent from their island night at Onepusu Theological College. As her older sister, I have walked through moments of hardship in my earlier years, doing my best to support her financially so she could reach her true destiny. And now, I believe she has — and will be — graduating next week with a Diploma in Theology from Onepusu Theological College, a South Sea Evangelical Church (SSEC) institution located in West Areare, in the western part of Malaita Province, Solomon Islands. Baby sister in Yellow dress She told me, “Ivory, last night was the most enjoyable night ever.” The Year 3 students ( That's Us) hosted the event as our final gathering with the staff, families, and students before graduating and leaving the school. It is a tradition here — a night to sit together, laugh, celebrate, and ...
Read more