Week 14
Tonga Take-Aways
17 November 2024
This week we fell in love with Tonga and the Tongan people. What a kind, fun-loving, easy to laugh, friendly, family-strong, faithful people. These 2 girls are 16. They have one more year of high school. Today was high school graduation so it was one big party all over town. Students were in groups talking and eating in their darling uniforms. We learned that each school has a color. The school is painted that color and the students wear that color. Most girls have jumpers like these but we saw shirts and skirts also. Boys have shirts in their color with black pants. On Wednesday they can wear what they would like because it is wash day.:) Most everyone was friendly when we stopped to talk to them. I introduced ourselves and ask if they have heard about the Church of Jesus Christ and most of them said, we are member too. About half of Tongan are members of the Church, but...many, many are not active.
The fruit and vegetable market in the capital city of Nuku Alofa. (I remember that by saying nuk a loaf of bread) The vast majority of the food they eat is locally raised in family gardens. We couldn't drink the water ( though Launette brushed her teeth twice with it and got sick) in Tonga and it is one of the issue the church is trying to help. Clean water.
The main reason for our tip to Tonga was to thank the out-going national communication directors and then to orient the new nation CDs. This is Lou and Sioni Langi. They were just released as national communications directors for Tonga. They have served faithfully for almost 10 years and so we went to say thank you for their faithful service. Wonderful people and dedicated members of the church.
This is Supi and Edward Toi'moiana. They are the new national communication directors and we spent about 2.5 hours at dinner with them answering questions and doing some training. Again, wonderful people and dedicated members that inspire us to just be with them.
A part of our calling we didn't anticipate is the number of what we call "public affairs dinners" we do. Almost every night when we travel and many nights when we are in Auckland we are having dinner with someone to build relationships. (Talk about porking out!) Amazing how many wonderful dedicated members are doing all they can to "lift where they stand".
Side note: Kelly has always been great at social events but doesn't love them as much as I do. (exclamation mark) One of our mission miracles is that we can tag team the conversation and don't have to kick each other under the table.
It doesn't look like it with the clouds, but it was sooo hot. Is it OK if Kelly is wearing a Titleist hat?:)
Addition to the hospital.
This is the patient check-in at the largest hospital in Tonga. The picture above it is a construction job the Church has funded to expand part of the facility and upgrade the oxygen supply. Currently no orthopedic surgeries can be done in the hospital because the surgical rooms circulation isn't sufficient to avoid contamination. In February the Church is helping to re-do two surgical rooms so that can do orthopedic surgeries.
This is the director of an agency that helps blind people in Tonga. She was so grateful for our Church that supplied a van, some computers and office equipment for her agency. She runs it by herself with the help of some volunteers. She is not a member but her love of the Church was evident for the help they have given her. Look for a story on Church Newsroom about her. She was such an inspiring person that we will try to post something in the coming days about her work.
The Church joined with the government to built 15 houses. They are going to some of the most poor and needy in Tonga. The second picture is a typical home for those in poverty in Tonga. Actually we were surprised by the amount of poverty in Tonga. It is so hard for people who are raised in generational poverty to break the cycle. We have much to learn in America because the Tonga people are happy, kind, and generous.
Always great when you can fit in a temple session. We had some extra time on Friday morning to worship at the temple. It was in the Tongan language and so we used headphones which always provides a new perspective. Beautiful workers, beautiful feeling, beautiful temple.
We have traveled for the last 8 days and it is nice to be home and sleep in your own bed. But, we have learned so much about the people of the Cook Islands and Tonga. It is invaluable to be with them and learn of their culture. We love the people and we love their goodness. There are certainly sacrifices serving a senior mission but they are far outweighed by how we are blessed and inspired by the people we are with. We are better people because of them and what we have learned from them.
Launette: Something I learned in my scripture study this week is not to be afraid of work or avoid sacrifice. I was impressed by the amount of work and sacrifice the Brother of Jared exerted to prepare the stones for the Lord to work His miracle. The Lord didn't require it of him. It was a willing effort. That effort prepared the Brother of Jared to be in the presence of the Lord. Our efforts are not wasted. They help us to become.
We love you and miss you. We are missing Olivia's baptism this week. We are sad but we hope our sacrifice is not wasted. We love you Olivia. You are soon to be on the covenant path!!!!
Love,
Elder and Sister Shaw
Comments
Post a Comment