Henderson international terminal was packed and buzzed with excitement yesterday with members of the Seventh Day Adventist (SDA) Church for the historic visit by the world leader and President of the church Pr Ted NC Wilson from the General Conference in United States.
He is currently on a pacific visit.
Pr. Ted Wilson was accompanied by his wife and Pr. Barry Oliver; president of the South Pacific Division of the SDA Church.
The visit is part of commemorating the arrival of the mission pioneered by Captain G.F. Jones in June 1914 who sailed into Viru Harbour, New Georgia, on his boat, Advent Herald, century ago.
The welcome ceremony was full of smiles, joy and colourful parade worth picturesque seeing the President being escorted past a guard of honour involving the pathfinders lining the terminal premises to the refreshment lounge.
He was briefed by Solomon Islands Mission (SIM) General Secretary Pr Samuel Panda before briefly meeting of the guests which includes the Honiara City Councillor Andrew Mua, a Member of Parliament and other church dignitaries.
The President visited Papua New Guinea (PNG) last week before traveling to Honiara.
This is his first visit to Solomon Islands.
The visit is part of celebrating 100 years since the arrival of the Adventist gospel in the country. The actual celebration will be staged in Viru, June this year.
After a light refreshment at the welcome hut outside the terminal, the President was presented with a song by the Niuleni choir before heading off to pay a courtesy call to the Governor General Sir Frank Kabui.
At 3pm yesterday President and his delegation travelled down to Kukudu, Kolombangara, Western province where they were meet by the Premier of the Western provincial government Robert Pye Kuve at Nusatupe before traveling over to Kukudu.
Last night he preached to the members of the church who have all converged into Kukudu since last week for a weeklong church meeting.
President Wilson is expected back in Honiara this morning where he will meet with Prime Minister Hon. Gordon Darcy Lilo.
At lunch hour the President Wilson will meet with government dignitaries, church leaders and other civil leaders during a luncheon function.
The President and his delegation will then visit the USA WWII Memorial at Skyline Drive and later the Betikama cemetery.
At Betikama the President will re-open the recently upgraded school chapel.
The President will also attend a ground breaking ceremony for the Wellness Centre at Burns Creek.
Later this evening a combine meeting for all the Adventist members in and around Honiara will be held at the Maranatha Centre, near Burns Creek, East Honiara.
A final combine meeting will be held at the Maranatha Hall on tomorrow morning at 8am before the President and his delegation leave for Fiji by lunch hour.
In Fiji he will unveil the newly established Fulton College which has been relocated from Tailevu to Nadi.
BY TEDDY KAFO
Journalism student
