We received this encouraging testimony from Coxwain in The Solomon Islands, about an event that he attended celebrating International Mother Language Day, and how he had the opportunity to engage with people about The Word for Today, he also shared about one particular young man who got the devotion then immediately went t another part of the room and began reading it.
It’s indeed an interesting day to participate in such an event as it’s my first time to attend. In fact this has become an annual event in Solomon Islands. It is co-organised by the Ministry Of Education Human Resources Development (MEHRD), Solomon Islands National University (SINU), Solomon Islands Translation Advisory Group (SITAG) & COESI.
The programme was attended by the representatives of Ministry Of Education Human Resources Development including the Permanent Secretary, Solomon Islands National University staff, lecturers and students including the DEAN- faculty Of Education Human Studies, Australian High Commissioner official representatives, SITAG staff/Translators and family members, World Vision, Literacy Association Of Solomon Islands (LASI), Bible Society, Island Bible Ministries (IBM), Jesus Film Ministry, UCBSI and members of the public.
The official title given for the day is: “International Mother Language Day”
Theme: “Multilingual education is a pillar of intergenerational learning”
My participation was through Bible Society & Jesus Film …which has connection with the translation work of Bibles, Christian literatures & film into Mother Tongue. Our primary task was to introduce and explain our ministry strategies and plans and also to display the products and tools we have to our audience. We have from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm to do all this and especially for the audience to come around and visit our tables…asked questions, get information and see what we have. Some of us took advantage of this opportunity and thoroughly explain and promote our Ministries.
In fact, I set up my own table and interestingly manned 4 ministries… Bible Society, Jesus Film, UCBSI and Island Bible Ministries the same time on the same table.The official part of the programme started around 12:30 pm and ended around 2 pm and then it was open for the audience to visit the tables again, which was really valuable as people came around again and have further interaction.The young person pictured below could not wait but found a place at the Pavilion and started reading his devotional book.
From my perspective, it was indeed a fruitful and profitable time of interaction, aware and promotion. I was the second to the last group to leave the venue. May I thank you all for your continued prayer support to the UCBSI team in Solomon Islands.
Kind regards,
Coxwain
UCBSI