Season is a time

Ole, Pro. Kim, Peter & Emman

Spring is a season God designed to take place right after the winter. For countries with the 4 common seasons, springtime is a period when trees will blossom and beautify the environment with rainbow-colored flowers. White, yellow, pink, red and orange flowers blooming everywhere, making the scene so amazing and alive after the winter. Everything was just magnificent. So wonderful. 

During springtime, people love to take pictures of flowers, taking photos in the park and along the gardens. While others, they enjoy the sunlight by laying along the beaches, the lawns, and parks. Yesterday (March 27), at our campus, Handong Global University, the temperature was just right for the students to gather along the aisle to get pictures around the campus. All the students really enjoyed the cherry blossoms.

When I saw the beauty, I thought to myself, God is Great. He made the seasons. When I read about the creation in the Bible, I did not even think about the 4 seasons, not even spring or winter. It never came to mind. But when I realized how appealing the springtime was, it reminds me of God's greatness and His wisdom. He made the seasons and sets a time for them.       

Peter, Emman & Ole at Handong Global University campus

In the city of Busan, South Korea, my friends from Africa and I, attended a workshop in the second largest city in South Korea. I have heard of the city - Busan but have never visited. This is my second time to visit this beautiful country, the first visit was way back in 2016 and the second was two years later in 2018. The first visitation was short -only for a period of 28 days during the month of May, basically, to attend a KOICA funded workshop. The second visitation was a bit longer, 17 months, again the trip was funded by KOICA. This time around it’s not for workshop but study.

This is where I meet my friends from Africa (Ghana, Rwanda and Nigeria), they are so kind and friendly. Everywhere they go, I always follow them, to enjoy the great company they offer. It was really a great friends of people to be with. The good thing I like about them was, all of them are Christians, and this makes me blend in well with them.

Every Sunday morning, at 9:00 am, I always receive a knock on my door or sometimes, entries into my room to wake me up. That was the usual role of our leader, to makes sure, we prepare early for the Sunday services at Jongbu church. The church was great because it's only us with few Koreans who can speak English.   

Life was good. I have my friends who can make me smile and we laugh a lot. Several occasions, Korean students were disappointed for the noise was too loud. But one of my friends said, if he cannot talk for a day, he will die. He gets used to talking, laughing and giggling but the Koreans prefer silence. They like to be with their phones on their palms and smile. That’s all they do. It’s different. A new experience but we manage to sort things out and become friends.  

National General Election 2019: Ring the Bell

In the Solomon Islands, the National General Election was held after every four years to elect the members of the parliament. Across the country, registered voters will queue up to the respected polling station to willingly cast their ballots in favor of their selected candidates. According to the constitution, the polling station will open at 8:00 am and close at 5:30 pm just before the dawn, under the guidance of the polling agent, assistance and of course a watchful police officer.

Every year during the election period, people are reminded and strictly reassured with the same old phrase, vote wisely, your vote is your voice. But is this statement real or is it just an illusion or another year to just ring the bell?

The context of an election for Solomon Islanders is viewed differently from the western world with different perception and attitudes. For many, the election is another opportunity to elect a new, energetic, and visionary leader as their representative in the parliament. To others, it’s their privilege to simply sell their vote for an income as a reward for their ballot paper. For some community leaders, the election is a season for a bribe, begging, and requesting for assistance towards the community as a whole or for themselves in the name of the community. All these are the reactions of many Solomon Islanders towards the intending candidates who contest the national election.

This year the bell will ring hopefully during the month of April. The governor general will make the declaration of the exact date soon. May this election bear fruit of genuine leaders who have the burning desire to serve faithfully and loyal to the nation of Solomon Islands.

God bless the Solomon Islands.