The circuit and district overseers were due to arrive in three weeks to hold the very first circuit assembly in the Santa Cruz Islands. However, there was one big problem; they had no assembly site. Immediate efforts were made to obtain a piece of land for a Kingdom Hall. But where? Although there were many interested ones in Nemba, there was strong opposition from the Anglican Church. Unfortunately, the traditional landowners were all members of the church and very much against having any Kingdom Hall constructed in their vicinity. So the decision was made to build in John Mealue’s home village, on the island of Malo, a three-hour canoe ride from Nemba.

When the pioneers approached John with this suggestion, he replied: “This is exactly what I have wanted for a long time.” So that very same day, construction started at a frantic pace. Partway through the construction, the circuit overseer arrived for his regular visit to the congregation, and he too joined in the building work. Right on time, a neat, well-constructed leaf hall, with a roof, a platform, and three open sides, stood ready to house the crowd expected for the assembly program.

Recently, at a circuit assembly at Belamna, close to 200 persons attended. Future growth looks promising.