Tongan Update, 06 May 2008, Update Correction
When a reporter makes an error in his writings, you’ll find a tiny, little correction article buried in the fourth page of the newspaper. We have made a huge error, but we’re going to announce it on the front page.
You’ve heard us talk about the Tongan feasts with large amounts of food. Some of the food has been new to us and we have not been sure as to what to eat. We have been able to hide our concerns, but internally, we have turned up our noses at the different and unusual Tongan delicacies. We have wondered why it has been necessary to have these feast after a meeting and why so often?
Recently, Elder Karratti gave us some insight into the significance of “the feast.” He was with us when we attended one of the feasts in Ha’apai a few weeks ago. There were also about sixty other people.
Elder Karratti said, “Did you count the pigs?”
“No,” was our answer. Why would we count the dead, sizzled pigs that were laid out on the various tables?
“There were twelve of them,” was his reply. “Twelve! For a village that small, offering up twelve pigs is a tremendous burden. The people are so poor. It’s a sign of their great respect and love for President McMurray. The Tongan people show their love through sharing their food, and there isn’t always that much food to share.”
Oh crumb, these people were giving their all, like the Widow’s mite, and we were pooh-poohing it.
Elder Karratti told us that members of the Church from the neighboring villages had brought food for this occasion as well. After the feast Elder Karratti went to each individual member and thanked them personally for their contribution.
Man, are there lessons to be learned here? During these visits to thank the members for the feast, Elder Karratti learned a lesson as well. The feast not only honored President McMurray. The feast was a grand feast to honor him (Elder Karratti). The extra pigs, lobster, and crab were brought to honor him. He was one of the guests of honor. The people were honoring him because he was the elder that stood up to other elders who were doing wrong. He took a lot of abuse for standing up to these elders. Some elders were sent home and other put on probation as a result of his action. The people in his area knew what he suffered so they wanted to honor him for doing right. What a tribute to a young man who stood for something.
An amazing thing has happened since Karratti stood tall. He has since been transferred to Tongatapu. His current companion is one the elders that was disciplined. It is an upbeat ending to repentance and forgiveness.
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