“Hi, my name is Alexander. I am from the Solomon Islands. Many people might not know about the country I am from, but it is located north west of Australia and east of Papua New Guinea, in the Pacific Ocean. In 2021, my contract with the Solomon Islands National University (SINU) was not renewed. Under the restructuring process, some 200 staff were retrenched. The restructuring also displaced and demoted staff regardless of their years of experience when measured against their qualification. Coincidentally, early in 2022, I sent a prayer request and was invited by God’s Heart TV to join the Interactive Prayer Service with Brother Chris. Two things I experienced in that year which I thank God for – I was offered consultancy work on two projects and I built my own house from my savings. Due to this, I did not really feel the impact of being unemployed and not receiving a steady income. Throughout that period, I never went hungry and my children attended school. In fact, had my contract been renewed, I would not have built a house for my family. I will always give thanks to God for that seeming disappointment because it gave me the urge and determination to build a house.
“Yes, there were challenges, but I saw those challenges as a blessing in disguise! In early 2023, the same university offered me a two weeks consultancy to write for a funding proposal. I willingly accepted the challenge as was without a job. This was the beginning of my engagement with the university, on various short-term consultancies until in April 2024, the university offered me a full-time position that is beyond my CV! I have been given the role of Research Project Manager, on a 5-year contract. This exciting new job has led me to meet, sit and rub shoulders with people of higher academic standings. I have had many overseas travels, and even travel on business class! God has been so good and I wish to return to Him all the praise, honour and glory. Friends and people of God, be advised – when I attended the Interactive Prayer Services, I did not experience vomiting or shaking like I saw happening to others. I remained calm throughout, but in my heart, I felt the joy and hope that breakthrough was about to happen.”