Tongan Update, 21 Sep 2008, ‘Eua, Maamangia
Two weeks ago we were on the miracle rollercoaster. Today we disembarked at ‘Eua again, but it certainly is not the end of the ride.
Back on Tongatapu, we boarded an 8 passenger airplane.
After we all got into the plane they asked all the passengers to get back out. A half hour later we re-boarded the small plane that took President and Sister Shumway (Temple President and Matron), Elder Thompson and me to ‘Eua.
The rainy weather and strong wind caused the delays. Before take-off the pilot said, “If it is too windy or rainy in “Eua, we will simply turn around and come back. Finally, we zipped over the ocean in our "flying mosquito" and landed seven or eight minutes later. We were returning to ‘Eua for the baptism of Mataleie Havea.
Before I explain the events of this weekend, let me tell you about the Shumways.
Brother Shumway was a young missionary in Tonga. He later became the Mission President of Tonga and is now the Nuku’alofa Temple President. He has been the President of BYU Hawaii and the author of several books, mostly about Tonga. He wrote a 760 page book entitled “Intensive Course in Tongan” which every palangi missionary has in their possession (including us.) Needless to say, he speaks Tongan better than the Tongans at all levels of the language from the common, to the noble, to the king’s language. Not only are his credentials incredible, Elder and Sister Shumway are strong people in the gospel. What an example they were for us as they did their scripture study each day, fasted and prayed, and prepared themselves spiritually for whatever work the Lord had in mind for them. It was intimidating when they asked us to join them in scripture study and asked John to lead the discussion.
President Shumway traveled with us because he felt that Brother Havea could use additional support for the conflicts that might surround him due to his baptism and his position on the island. President McMurray didn’t want all the senior missionaries to return to ‘Eua, so we were grateful that President Shumway could come, translate, speak, host a fireside, and help in any other ways. What a support team!
We were invited to Brother Havea’s home before the baptism,
and we were advised not to talk to Havea’s wife. “She’s not interested in the Church, and she is shy.” We were told these things by the young President Havea’s wife. But as President Shumway was discussing principles of the gospel in perfect Tongan with the family, the wife with a frown on her face silently slipped onto a chair to listen.
Later, she actually attended the baptismal services with her husband wearing the leis that the Shumways had provided for them.
It was a tribute to the Haveas to have about 200 people at the baptism.
Brother Havea and his wife sat on the front row surrounded by friends from the Free Tongan Church including the Prime Minister of ‘Eua.
One couple was in Australia when they heard that Brother Havea was going to be baptized. They said they had to see it to believe it, so they hopped on the next available plane to Tongatapu only to be disappointed to hear that all the flights from Tongatapu to ‘Eua were full. The only way they could get to ‘Eua in time for the baptism was to charter the plane…so that’s what they did. (They weren’t even family members, but they felt that Havea senior is such a dominate man on the island that the Church will really grow in ‘Eua, and this good couple wanted to support him by being at his side for his baptism.)
The program began with primary songs being sung by President Havea’s 4 year old daughter. She is a doll.
Elder Thompson spoke about baptism. Because there where so many investigators he tried to be specific with his remarks making sure that people were reminded that baptism is a commandment, preceded by faith and repentance, and is accepted by Heavenly Father when done with the proper authority and in the proper manner.
The elder Havea was baptized by his son, the Stake President. What a wonderful thing to witness, a 33 year old Stake President baptizing his repentant father. Immediately after the baptism the two assigned witnesses quickly shut the folding doors. After most of the people had vacated the room, the doors parted slightly. We could see that the father and son were lingering in the font. They were visibly shaken with emotions (crying).
The program continued with wonderful Tongan singing, and then President Shumway spoke.
He has a way to mesmerize the people with his Tongan. The meeting was summed up with President Havea’s four year old daughter dressed in her white missionary outfit singing “I Love to See the Temple.”
We have learned to love these people. John just hugs the three little girls whenever he sees them.
It is like squeezing Meg or Summer (our granddaughters), he says. It was interesting to watch most of the people congratulate Mataleie. It was like a wedding line for several minutes.
The occasion was concluded by having the inevitable Tongan feast in the High Council room. It was there, before his non-member friends, that Mataleie bore his testimony which was translated to us by President Shumway:
“I am courageous! My courage has come from the covenants I made with God out in my plantation. I have thought about the Church and knew about the Church. But there was no maamangia (light) until Elder Thompson talked to me in the bush. It was maamangia—I was filled with light. Since the love of God fell on me, I made a covenant not to smoke, and I have not smoked since Elder Thompson asked me to stop. I used to sleep out on the veranda so I would not bring the smell of smoke into the house. Now I can sleep inside with my family.
By being baptized, I am a witness of God’s love. No matter what anyone says, family or friends, I want to be a witness.
You know, some rides are so thrilling that you don’t want them to end. This has been a spiritually thrilling ride for us, and we have been so blessed that the Lord has allowed us to be a part of this wonderful conversion.
‘Ofa ‘atu, John and Diane
No comments:
Post a Comment