TONGAN UPDATE SEP 10, 2008 WHALES, RAINBOWS, MIRACLES

Tongan Update, 10 Sep 2008, Whales, Rainbows, Miracles

About three months ago the senior missionaries decided to coordinate our schedules of church assignments and travel together to the island of ‘Eua.

It was also the time for whales to be migrating through the deep trench of waters between Tongatapu and ‘Eua. We thought we could all do our work plus have the opportunity to see the whales. Elder Thompson also had another reason to go to ‘Eua.

Ever since our previous trip there, he has had the promptings that he needed to talk to President Havea’s father. President Havea is the young, thirty-three year old Stake President of ‘Eua.

His family, his wife, and three small daughters

live with his parents for financial reasons created by the father.

The father is a “noble” in the Tongan Free Tongan Church and has always been anti-LDS. He smokes and is verbally abusive to his wife and family. For years the Havea son has been trying to teach the gospel to his father, but his father has been totally against it.

After many problems and conflicts, three senior couples finally boarded an eight-passenger plane and flew the seven minute flight to ‘Eua. We unpacked our bags at the rustic, quaint, little motel called the Hideaway

which has a walkway out across the coral reef

where you can get spectacular sightings of whales.

And we did! The whales were really putting on a show—spraying, diving with their tails flipping up out of the water, breaching (this was a new vocabulary word for me—meaning to jump right out of the water), and cruising along the ocean surface.

Our pictures do not show what we saw. The splashing whales appear of small splashes of water. What made it even more incredible was the rainbow which extended across the sky while these magnificent animals did “their thing.”

After enjoying the whales, it was time to get to work.

Elder Thompson and I had to conduct a District Meeting with the missionaries and inspect their houses.

After inspecting the houses we had a District Meeting. Sister Kinikini translated for us.

We both

gave lessons about making choices. I focused on choices and priorities.

Using a white board, John diagramed a chart that he has created showing what happens to a person as he makes choices.

In short, you move towards or away from Heavenly Father and the Savior based on your choices. Your movement is your expression of your love for Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.

Sister Kinikini and Sister Vuki went to work to train the Stake Family History people about the new Family History Computer Program,

and Elder and Sister Embley were there for an in-service with the teachers at the Church school.

(Brother and SisteEmbley are on the far right)

In the evening we all spoke at a Stake Open House for members and investigators. The chapel and overflow room were filled with people. We divided the first missionary discussion (Restoration) up, and each senior missionary gave a portion of the lesson. It was a rapid fire missionary presentation. Many came, we think, because they were curious and wanted to know what six “old” missionaries were doing on their island.

The next day was P-Day. We didn’t know that the Lord was about to put us onto a spiritual rollercoaster, and that we were in for the ride of our lives. We had experiences this weekend that really touched our hearts. We are still in awe that the Lord chose us to be his tool-----------.

President Havea was our tour guide this day.

All the senior missionaries crowded into his Toyota Land cruiser, and we started off to explore the island.

Several times during the day Elder Thompson asked the president, “When can we meet your father?” As we were traveling through the bush,

Elder Thompson mentioned again to President Havea that he would like to talk to his father. It was perfect timing because Havea senior was working in his fields in the bush close to where we were. Elder Embley (not knowing why) heartily agreed, “Let’s go!” So we bounced along on dirt roads until we came to the Havea’s farmlands. The father was sitting in his flatbed truck watching the field-hands (all cousins and nephews to the Havea’s) bending over the manoke plants, pulling them out to replant in other locations.

Elder T. grabbed Sister Kinikini as a translator and approached the open window of the truck. When he faced Mataleie Havea, he asked, “Do you know who I am?” Tears started to roll down senior Havea’s cheeks. We couldn’t all huddle around the window so I didn’t hear all that was said, but after the conversation with Mataleie, Sister Kinikini came over to me, held my arms, and said with tears in her eyes that she had just witnessed a miracle and how blessed she was to be part of it. She said that Elder Thompson’s second question was, “Do you know why I am here?” In answer to this question, Mataleie nodded his head and said, “Yes.” Elder T. then proceeded to challenge senior Havea to stop his negative behavior towards his family and the Church. He told him that he was to stop smoking that very day. He called him to repentance for his thoughtless behavior. As Elder T. expressed these firm, but direct words, he kept reminding Havea senior that the Lord loved him, and that the Lord had a work for him to do. Much more was said, but you get the message.

Then John asked the pivotal question: “Would you like to become a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and support your son in his calling?” And the miracle occurred…Mataleie Havea said, “Yes.”

“Good,” said Elder Thompson,” I will arrange to have the missionaries teach you every day, if necessary, and in two weeks we will be back to baptize you and your wife. Heavenly Father has a new work for you to do. You need to prepare yourself for this new work.” Elder Thompson then asked him to meet him for church services the next day, and…Brother Havea said he would attend.

There was a kind of a hush over the fields as this conversation was taking place. Even the men among the crops knew something special was happening, but they didn’t understand what.

The next day we went to Church. Priesthood Meeting was first, followed by Sunday School, then Fast and Testimony Meeting. While Elder T. and Elder Embley were nervously waiting for Priesthood Meeting to start and wondering if the father Havea would attend, President Havea’s wife came over and whispered into John’s ear, "He's here."

Feeling greatly relieved, Elder T. got up and went out to see Mataleie.

When they met, they embraced each other. Elder Thompson then escorted him into the chapel. From the moment the opening prayer was said in Priesthood Meeting, Havea senior was wiping tears from his eyes, and sometimes his whole body would shake. Elder T. sat right next to him, occasionally patting him on the back. Sometimes he just put his arm around him. For the next three hours, Havea senior’s tears continued to flow.

Elder Embley sat in the front of the chapel during Priesthood and Sunday School Meeting. Several people asked him why President Havea’s father was in church today. “He’s going to be baptized,” said Elder Embley. “When?” they disbelievingly asked. “In two weeks,” was the missionary’s reply. They just sat in disbelief with his statement.

I don’t know how to really describe that Fast and Testimony Meeting. The spirit was so amazingly strong. The testimonies were powerful, and every member that spoke seemed to bear witness to Havea of the truthfulness of the gospel.

Sister Kinikini, who translated for John, tearfully shared her thoughts about the miracle that happened in the bush.

One of the field hands expressed the changes he felt as the spirit was working on Brother Havea in that flatbed truck.

The missionaries, including me, shared their love of the gospel. My, the spirit of the Lord was so strong. Brother Havea was not the only one weeping…half of the members of the congregation were sniffling and wiping their eyes.

Near the end of the meeting, something happened that surprised everyone, especially the Tongans who know Mataleie, his leadership role in the Wesleyan Church, and his anti-Mormon thinking and behavior. Brother Havea, the father who had been challenged to become a member of the Church by Elder Thompson, walked slowly toward the pulpit. Eyes turned toward him as he made that laborious walk from the very back row. Sister Kinikini and I grabbed each other’s hands and wondered what he would say to the people.

He calmly told them that he had decided to accept the challenge to repent of his sins and be baptized. He confessed that he had felt for a long time that the church with which he affiliated was corrupt, and that he knew his son was involved in a great work. He further explained that he knew “someone” was going to come to him and ask him to change. (What a humbling and amazing thing to have that “someone” be Elder Thompson.) The spirit was over whelming as he expressed that he wanted to join the Church because of its truthfulness, not just because of his son who is the Stake President.

Next President Havea stood to share his testimony. Before doing so he called Elder T. to the stand. John wrapped his arm around the waist of the tall President and began to speak. He explained to the people that there was a reason for what was happening and that there was a work for Havea senior to do. He invited them to support him. Someday, if Mataleie holds firm to the teachings of Jesus Christ, he will stand at this pulpit with his son testifying of the truthfulness of the gospel. Then President Havea spoke. He also spoke about the miracle that was occurring with his father. He told how discouraged his wife and young family had become because of the negative actions of his father. As a couple, they had decided to no longer discuss religious issues with him. The President had the impression that someone else would come, talk to his father, and spark the Light of Christ within him.

For us to be a part of this whole experience has been totally humbling. The weekend really was a rollercoaster ride with our Savior in charge of the controls. Whales and rainbows are wonderful, but to see a family become united in the Church is what do you say…? I don’t know how to describe it.

And the story doesn’t end here...

‘Ofa ‘atu, John and Diane

TONGAN UPDATE 8 SEPTEMBER YAGOTTAWANNA

Tongan Update, 08 Sep 2008, Camp Yagottawanna

The young women in our branch just returned from a three day camp at the beach. Several of the girls shared their experiences and testimonies with the congregation at a Stake Fireside. As I listened to what they said, I decided “camp” had many similarities to a “mission.”

The girls described packing all their needed clothes and supples, then meeting at the Stake House where they sadly said “goodbye” to families and loved ones. They boarded buses and traveled the short distance of twenty miles to the “Heaven on Earth” beach resort owned by our stake president, President Nau. Thinking that they would stay with the girls in their own wards, the young women were surprised when they were separated from the friends and assigned to a “family” not of their own choice. Once taken out of their comfort zones, many said they felt a little lost and lonely, even homesick.

(All right, you return missionaries…does any of this sound somewhat familiar to you…the departures, uncertainties, changes, feelings?)

Somewhat reluctantly the campers set up their tents and nestled into their new homes. Once camp was set up the girls were involved with the inevitable activities of craft making, knot tying, hiking, eating, etc. In other words, they got involved with the work.

Many campers laughingly complained about the three mile hike that felt like five or seven or ten miles depending on who was talking.

TONGAN UPDATE 29 AUGUST 2008 SWEET EXPERIENCES

Tongan Update, 29 August 2008, “Sweet Experiences”

We had a couple of “sweet” experiences this week. The first was the dedication of a new missionary house here on Tongatapu.

Because the office couple is over the housing of the mission, we were invited to attend this dedication ceremony. We drove up to the site of the new house which sits on a corner lot of a fairly busy street and saw about twenty chairs set up under the coconut trees. We parked the truck. It didn’t take us long to tour through the three rooms of the small house which smelled of fresh paint. Elder Thompson mounted three different pictures on the inside walls—Christ, Joseph Smith, and the Nuku’alofa temple. The place looked terrific. Then we settled outside onto our folding chairs and waited for the ceremony to begin.

Not many guests arrived. There was President and Sister McMurray,

the contractor with his wife and son,

the owner of the lot and his family,

the APs (Elder Makaafi and Elder Kairi), Office Elders (Elder Karratti and Elder Pasi), and us. Oops…I can’t forget Sister Vaea and Sister Masima. We sang an opening hymn, and it was followed by a prayer. Then the contractor gave a little speech.

He said that he had tried to do his best work because he knew servants of the Lord would be living in this house. He also said that he had prayed on a regular basis that his work would be acceptable.

The owner of the lot lives on the same property as the missionary house. In fact, his plan was to build a clinic on the corner of the lot next to his own home, not a missionary house. He has two children who have just graduated from school, and they were planning on running the clinic. When members of the Church approached him with the idea of using that prime property for a missionary house, he didn’t even hesitate. He said, ‘Yes!”

The lot owner was the next guest speaker. He humbly explained that he loved the Lord and wanted to do his part to help the missionaries. He said he was honored to give the land to the Church.

John gave a talk that focused on the three pictures mounted in the house.

The picture of Christ is a reminder of He to whom we serve. The picture of the restoration (Joseph smith in the grove of trees talking to the Father and Son) reminds us of how the gospel was restored and who was the prophet called to organize the church. The picture of the temple is to remind us that baptism, and church membership all point to the temple where sacred ordinances are perform. Our goal is to get every new member to the temple.

President McMurray gave the final message and gave the prayer dedicating the house as a missionary house—a "House of Worship."

*********************************************************************************

The second experience was meeting a new missionary, Sister Lasalosi.

Elder Thompson and I watched her and her co-missionaries disembark from a plane arriving from the New Zealand MTC. After gathering her luggage, she rode with us to President McMurray’s home. As we were traveling, she told us about her decision to become a missionary. Sister Lasalosi has a younger brother. When he turned nineteen he wanted to go on a mission. Their father, who is a nonmember, was irate with his son for giving up a good job with TCC (a communication company) and leaving the family for two years. When Sister Lasalosi announced to her dad of her decision to go a mission also, he was beyond irate—he was furious. She was relinquishing her profitable job with a Prime Minister. (Both children were making a lot of money from their employments, and good jobs are hard to find in Tonga.) The father refused to talk to her and completely ignored her. Sister Lasalosi was torn between the love and wishes of her father and her desire to go on a mission. Well, you know her decision. She was on a spiritual high after leaving the MTC.

TONGAN UPDATE 23 AUGUST 2008 WE WERE JUST AS FRIENDS

Tongan Update, 23 August 2008, We were there just as Friends

We had only been in Tonga for a few weeks when the Christensen’s (previous Office Couple) told us about ‘a lady’ that the Evans (prior Office Couple) had mentioned to them. The Murdock’s (prior Office Couple to the Evans) had introduced ‘the lady’ to the Evans…so ‘Otuagu (spelling used on the Funeral Service Program) has had a long line of Mormon missionaries interested in her. They made comments like, “She will never join the Church, but she is a ‘nice lady’. She loves to have someone read to her.”

Elder Thompson and I decided we needed to meet ‘this lady’ so we called her on the phone, introduced ourselves, and invited her to lunch. She with her Australian accent said, “That would be delightful.” Therefore, we also had the opportunity to come to love this wonderful ninety-four year old woman. She reminded us so much of John’s mother—small framed, independent, intelligent, cute sense of humor, energetic, and just plain fun.

‘Otuagu is related to the royal family through her mother’s side, and is German on her father’s side. She spent most of her life in Australia, but after the death of her husband, she returned to her home in Tonga.

A few weeks ago she wasn’t feeling well. We went to visit her, read to her, and give her a blessing. She held onto our hands and didn’t want us to leave. “Please don’t leave me alone!” she said.

Her illness worsened, and she was taken to the hospital where she was diagnosed with cancer. The doctors gave her a week to live. When her family, all living in New Zealand or Australia, couldn’t obtain flights to Tonga because of the Coronation of the King, Elder Thompson and I tried to spend more time with her. As we sat in that small hospital room, ‘Otuagu with a raspy voice, told us about her life. Her World War II experiences were very similar to my own parents. Both were married as the war broke out. Both husbands fought against the Germans, and both ‘Otuagu and my mom had baby girls while their men were overseas. We prayed with her and for her. John, Elder Karratti, and Elder Pasi gave her another blessing to give her peace and comfort--no extension of life or healing, just comfort and peace.

‘Otuagu passed away last week. Five of her six children were at her bedside. A member of the family called us and invited us to attend the funeral services at the St. Paul’s Anglican Church.

We arrived early, were given a program at the door, and sat down on a bench about 6 rows behind the family. While sitting there, a young girl came and invited us to sit on a bench in the front and to the side of the chapel facing the casket (pine box). We told her that we were fine sitting where we were. She looked puzzled and motioned us to follow her. A woman on the row in front of us turned and said, “You need to move to the front.” Reluctantly, we got up and moved to the seats that had been assigned to us. We weren’t feeling very comfortable there. We felt pretty conspicuous, and John could actually see into a room where the priests were preparing for the meeting.

At three o’clock the church tower bell rang several times, and then three priests paraded down the center aisle from the back to the front of the chapel. Each of them were wearing long robes and carried a candle or a cross. The priests followed exactly the seventeen page program that was printed in a pamphlet and given to each of us. They followed the program word for word, song for song. Family members stood and read scriptures. Little was mentioned about ‘Otuagu, the person.

Towards the end of the program, the priest turned toward Elder Thompson and me and thanked us for coming and for caring about ‘Otuagu. We smiled and nodded to recognize his remarks. He looked at the family and said, “I’d like to depart from the program for a minute, if it is alright.” The family nodded approval. He then turned towards us, called us by name, and we “think” he chastised us. His words were veiled, and their meanings were hidden. A darkness settled over us. Individually, Elder and Thompson and I both thought, “What is going on here? Why is he doing this? We are here to honor ‘Otuagu.” “Regardless of your efforts,” the priest said, “‘Otuagu remained faithful to our church.” He continued on for about 5 minutes, but it was those words that made us realize he was rebuking us. What a strange thing to do during a funeral services.

After the services and after we had time to think about it, we believe the priest perceived us as “the enemy” trying to steal a member of his congregation, but we were just friends to ‘Otuagu. We were at the funereal at request of her family, and we were there because we wanted to represent several other missionaries who cared for and loved this ‘lady.’ The Murdocks and Evans had some wonderful things to say about ‘Otuagu. These kind of messages were never mentioned at the funeral:

Sister Murdock emailed, “I really would like to have seen ‘Otuagu’s face when she met with her family and now knows that there is a life hereafter. What a fun reunion for her.”

Sister Evan’s summed it up nicely when she emailed, “What a really sweet Christ-like person ‘Otuagu was and will always remain in our fondest memories.”

‘Ofa ‘atu, Elder and Sister Thompson

TONGAN UPDATE 15 AUGUST 2008 MY GUARDIAN ANGEL

Tongan Update, 15 August 2008, My Guardian Angel

Do you remember how “lucky” I was to get into the Weslayan church and see the actual coronation of the king? I thought I was at the “right place at the right time.” It turns out that I had a guardian angel instead--Papiloa.

While she was sitting patiently waiting for the coronation to begin, she saw me outside the church on the street. When she recognized me, she told the usher to “go out and get the lady with the white hair.” So thanks to Papiloa, Sister Kinikini and I were part of the official ceremony. (About eight years ago Papiloa’s husband passed away. He was a prestigious Tongan doctor. When the missionaries knocked on Papiloa’s door and taught her about the Plan of Salvation and about eternal families, it sparked her interest in the Church. After further study and prayer, she eventually joined the Church. Many of the Tongan people were surprised because she was a “big wig” working in parliament at the time of her conversion. She is an amazing woman. Because of her credentials, she has traveled the world representing Tonga and speaking to women groups. She is a great ambassador for Tonga and the Church.)

Just one more thing about the coronation…

Elder Thompson and I went to the Fua’amotu airport to see April McMurray off for her trip home. As we were in line at the gate talking to her, three “plangi” (white) ladies came up to me and mentioned that they had seen me slip into the church at the coronation. They said they had dressed up in their best clothes, hats and all, and had arrived at the Church of Tonga at five o’clock in the morning hoping that they would be able to attend “the real thing.” “You were so lucky to get in!” they exclaimed jealously. I told them, “I just happen to have a guardian angel.”

My guardian angel makes the scene again…Not long after the coronation, the senior missionaries attended the funeral of Sister Vuki’s sister, Ane Pale. (Sister Vuki is a fellow senior missionary who submitted her papers to her bishop in Sandy, Utah and received a mission call to Tonga which she was nice for her because she grew up in Tonga.) When going to a Tongan Weslayan funeral, it is the custom to take off your shoe at the door as you enter the chapel because the benches are removed from the building, and large woven mats are placed on the floor. Most people attending the funeral sit on the floor. So following the tradition of removing your shoes, we missionaries left our sandals at the door. Once again Popiloa was sitting waiting patiently, this time for the funeral to begin. When she saw me traipsing barefooted through the church, she grabbed me. “Go back and get you shoes,” she snorted, “before someone steals them!” I guess she didn’t think I could handle that assignment by myself because she flipped me around and went with me to retrieve all of the missionaries’ shoes. To my surprise Papiloa was one of the speakers at the funeral.

Another custom for a Tongan Weslayan funeral is for the funeral party to follow the casket, the mourners, and the band to the cemetery. So at the conclusion of the program, we dutiful little seniors arose to follow the procession. Here comes Papiloa stomping over to me again. “Don’t follow! It’s not safe!” I didn’t know what she was talking about. She led us to the veranda of the church and told us to sit on the benches there. It just so happened that the cemetery was located adjacent to the church so from the veranda we could watch the funeral procession. The danger Papiloa was worried about was the weather. The clouds opened up, and the rain poured down…and there we sat…safe and sound under the veranda. (Now isn’t she an angel…kind of a grumpy angel?)

Papiloa owns The Friendly Islander which consists of fales (little cottages) for rent and a restaurant. Every Friday night she serves a buffet dinner for her guests and anyone else who would like to come. The cost is 30 pa’anga a plate. Elder Thompson and I have a standing invitation to come any Friday…dinner free! Now, how about that?

She also sends over food delicacies that we mere peons can’t scrounge up on the island…like real lettuce instead of Chinese cabbage. My, she is good to us! She truly is an angel!

‘Ofa ‘atu, John and Diane

TONGAN UPDATE 8 AUGUST 2008 RECAP OF CORONATION

Tongan Update, 08 Aug 2008, Recap of Coronation

Thanks to all of you who have submitted your votes! All lines will be closed in 24 hours. The voting is close, and has all the Tongans on edge. The missionaries are nervous and filled with suspense. His Majesty King George Tupou V awaits the announcement of the final results and is preparing to knight the winner. What event will it be?

Now for a recap.

Prior to the coronation of His Majesty King George Tupou V, there were two weeks of festivities.

1. First we noticed the “doors” being assembled along the main road that passes through most of the villages of Tonga. “Doors” are bridges or arches that extend from one side of the road to the other.

Some were primitively made out of log poles; others were high-tech made of metal scaffolding.

Many of the “doors” were strung with lights, balloons, and palm branches. All of them had words of congratulations to the king: Happy Coronation, Long Live Your Majesty, In Celebration of Coronation of King George V, etc. There were about ten lighted “doors” erected in downtown Nuku’alofa. It felt like the Christmas holidays (at home) to us as we would drive under all these arches.

2. In town two stages were set up—one smaller for daily afternoon performances and a larger one with a huge sound system and back drop for the evening action.

Traditional dances and songs,

the hip hop competition, the Miss Heilala Beauty Contest,

band concerts, contemporary dances and action songs,

skits, and other forms of entertainment could be watched both day and night.

3. The Float Parade was fun. There were high school bands marching

and dancing down the street with mostly beauty queens on decorated flat-bed trucks intermixed between the bands.

The floats were made of items that were available to the Tongans. They were having a great time.

4. Australia, New Zealand, and the United States docked their military ships in the harbor. It was an impressive sight to see those big destroyers

out there acknowledging their country’s support for the new king.

5. The bands of all three countries plus the Tongan military band provided the music for the formal Tongan military parade.

When we arrived, we were escorted to a tent where dignitaries sat.

After sitting for a few minutes, we decided that we were out of place with all these people who were dressed for the festive occasion so we left and walked to the other end of the field. We sat with the commoners, but we had front row seats. The military men marched with exactness stopping to raise their guns to salute the king who was watching with the elite invited guests who were dressed in formal wear (Coat-tails and high hats for the men, and fancy dresses and hats for the women). The military band did a slow paced march that was so impressive.

With each step the leg stretched forward, the toe touched the ground first, then the body moved forward, then they did a fast-step march to the delight of all. The king then got in his open-air jeep and rode around the parade grounds inspecting the troops and saluting them.

6. We saw advertisements for the Royal Rumble Boxing matches and a comedy team called the Laughing Samoans, but did not attend these events.

7. They dropped truck-loads of sand onto an empty cement pad in downtown Nuku’alofa, set up a net, and various village teams challenged each other in volleyball.

8. One night, an area in the downtown Nuku’alofa was blocked off. It was called “Cultural Night,” and it was something like our New Year’s Eve First Night in the states. There were mini-villages set up representing Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Samoa, the Philippines, and Germany. They had displays, food, and entertainment at each village.

9. The Royal Luncheon and Royal Ball were attended by invitation only.

10. The royal parade, with bands from almost every school, provided a festive atmosphere, particularly when the King drove by.

Wow! What a couple of weeks! I’m sure there were a lot of other activities going on; this is a list of the main ones we heard about. Some we attended, and others we did not. During all these activities, we continued to do our missionary work in the office and did our marathon days with President McMurray in Vava’u by helping out with a missionary Zone Conference and Fireside, boat training, and house inspections.

LONG LIVE THE KING! LONG LIVE THE MISSIONARIES! ‘Ofa ‘atu, John and Diane