HE never thought that one day he would become a missionary to serve God in the mission field because of his bad behaviours during his prime young days.
As a youth who spends time drinking alcohol and produced home-brew, his life made a sudden change after spending time in jail.
After being released from Rove Correctional Centre in Honiara, he eventually went on become a Minister of the Gospel now serving the Seventh Day Adventist (SDA) Church in the Western Province.
Meet Minister Rodson Sipili, 39, who is part Ranoggah and Vella.
I caught up with him lately during a church camp out program on an island off Gizo where he decided to share his story.
Coming from a family of six, he did his primary education at Vonunu primary and later went on to do his high school at the then Vonunu provincial high school.
In 2007 he managed to travel to Honiara where he worked and lived with his uncle.
But in April that year, the earthquake followed by the tsunami struck Gizo and parts of Western province.
His family was affected by the disaster and decided to return to his village of Barakoma to visit and support them.
As a city lad returning to the village from Honiara, some of the village boys requested him to mix the homebrew (illegal beer) to celebrate his return.
Having acquired enough knowledge to make the mix, he did it without hesitation.
He then led four boys from the village into the jungle and secretly mixed the ingredients.
After the mix was fermented, they wasted no time in consuming the homebrew.
They were already drunk by the time they reached the village.
Because they were drunk there was confrontation with some of the villagers and a brawl broke out causing disturbance to the villagers who were still traumatized from impact of the disaster.
The incident was immediately reported by village elders to Gizo police and the next day, police arrived at Barakoma.
Three of them were arrested brought to Gizo where they were charged and remanded at the Gizo Correctional Centre.
After fronting the courts, they were found guilty.
Rodson was sentenced to 14 months but was reduced to 9 months.
His other two friends were sentenced to six months but were released after four months.
Because Gizo Correctional Centre was partly damaged from the impacts of tsunami, the trio were transported to Honiara from Gizo via Express Pelican at that time.
Minister Rodson recalled that while inside the cell, he realised his mistake and regretted his actions.
One evening while inside the cell, he said, “I saw a shadow which resembles the face of Christ.”
That incident triggered him to consider turning away from his past bad habits.
Soon after being released from Rove, he decided to return to his village.
Back at Barakoma, he started attending church. His involvement in church programs and activities has been recognised by the church members.
Because of that, he was asked to attend Honda Theological School at Kukudu on Kolombangara to take up ministerial study.
He spent a year at Honda in 2009 studying theology.
After completing his study, he returned to his village and served the village church from 2010.
His contribution to the church has been recognised by the Solomon Islands Mission (SIM)
Because of this he was assigned to look after the Adventist community at Kongulavata on Gizo Island for the past four years.
Under his leadership, the Adventist congregation were able to organise a number of church programs for the community and evangelist meetings.
The church members also conducted visits to other villagers to share about God’s love with them.
Bible studies were also conducted and some of those who have completed their studies have undergone through the water of baptism.
Looking back, Minister Rodson said, he had seen the leading hands of God in his life.
He also enjoyed the mission work by meeting new people and spreading the word of God to others in the community.
He added, dealing with a large number of people and congregation can be challenging because of different views and opinions of certain aspects that can help to carry out church work and programs.
With the support of his three children and wife, he was able to conduct his work without much difficulties.
He also makes sure to balance work and make time for his family.
Minister Rodson said, despite limited financial benefits to work for the church, the blessings that comes with it supersedes the financial gains
“I have seen the blessing of working for the Lord,” he confidently said.
Although he may face limited financial resource, there are people who always fend money and food to the family.
“I see this as a blessing to be in the ministry. Blessing is aways there for us,” he said.
Currently his pay is being supported by an Australian-based sponsor.
And this enabled him to continue serving the mission work.
This year he will serve at another location on Gizo Island to look after a number of churches.
He also encourages young people who are involved in drugs and alcohol that these substances do not bring any good to their lives and health except sadness and problems.
Minister Rodson also urges young people to get involved in church activities so that they can enjoy life and help spread the gospel.
Seventeen years on and he never regrets having to serve the church and share God’s love to others.
By MOFFAT MAMU
