Wise Words With.

The Joy of Service: Reflections on Our Solomon Islands Mission Trip

Towards the end of Term 2, it was a joy to visit the community of Betivatu in the Solomon Islands. Accompanied by Mrs Flippance, Mr Mutton, six of our students, and a sizable team from Maitland Christian College, we embarked on the school's first mission trip in well over a decade. While our students will share their personal reflections in a future edition of this newsletter, I would like to take a moment to reflect on the broader concept of service.

Recent data from the ABS General Social Survey indicates that Australian participation in formal volunteering has declined significantly, dropping from 30% in 2019 to 23% in 2025. Alongside this decline in volunteering, the overall happiness of Australians has also been trending downwards. This raises an important consideration: the direct pursuit of our own happiness is often a selfish endeavour that fails to deliver true fulfillment. When we prioritise our own interests over the needs of others, we become increasingly self-centred; conversely, when we put others first, we become less selfish.

In Acts 20:35, Jesus is quoted as saying, "It is more blessed to give than receive". This powerful truth reflects the reality that we were created for relationship. Just as God demonstrated His desire for relationship by sending His Son, Jesus, to serve and reconcile us to Him through the cross, we too are made in His image with a deep, foundational need for connection.

This beautiful reality was clear during our time in the Solomon Islands. Did the trip require acts of service and sacrifice? Absolutely. As Australians, we had to forgo our usual daily comforts—such as familiar beds, hot showers, standard toilets, and our typical downtime— and push through fatigue to authentically engage with new people. Yet, these sacrifices felt incredibly minor compared to the immense reward of the friendships we forged with the Solomon Islanders. In our debriefing sessions, it was inspiring to hear that every single student who attended expressed a strong desire to return and reengage with the experience of serving overseas communities.

This mission trip represents an exciting first step in deepening our school's commitment to service. While our students already participate in various service activities, it is our vision to expand these opportunities moving forward. Through serving others, we hope our students will continue to build strong character, foster meaningful relationships, and discover the joy of serving others.