When NewLife Uniting Church in Robina QLD appealed for funds for Helena Goldie Hospital in the Solomon Islands they were thrilled when their target of $30,000 was exceeded with $70,000 given at fi nal tally. These funds will enable the construction of a house on hospital grounds that will be used for training hospital and community health staff.

Lead Minister at NewLife, Stuart Cameron said “The great gift to me in our partnership with the United Church in the Solomon Islands is to be inspired by people who are so resource poor by comparison with us but so rich in God in the way they live out their faith 24/7.”

“Our relationship with the Church in the Solomon Islands has developed around relationships, around connections and around conversation. We have been involved in a couple of trips to the Solomon Islands and also hosted visitors from the Solomon Islands to our congregation. We’ve been involved in each others worship services, met in small groups, had meals together and talked about different challenges we face in proclaiming the gospel in our countries.

“We have laughed together. We have cried together. We have sung together. We have prayed together. We have done life together and that is what partnership is about. And as we have done that we begin to learn from one another.”