SUNDAY - 100 YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF THE TONGAN MISSION

Today was our last Sunday with the Tongan people.  This summer has been an amazing time with the Tongans and with our family.  They have the spirit of Christ in their eyes, in their actions, and in their lives.  We have really developed a love for these people that is incredible.  We will miss them dearly!

The picture up above is of President Shumway on the right talking with his wife and Sister Tupou and the one on the left is President Tupou (the mission President that just got released).  There are a lot of visitors that are coming in for the celebration.  It's really neat to see!

This coming week, the Kingdom of Tonga will be celebrating the 100th Anniversary of the Tongan mission.  It's going to be a huge celebration where the King and his family will be a part of it.  We are sad to miss the festivities, but have been amazed at the preparations, glad to be a part of the preparations, and excited for them to celebrate the past, present, and future.  What an exciting time!

  

Today, at church, I met some of the pioneers that helped with the Liahona school, the Missions over the years (President Shumway and his wife), and am amazed at the miracles and blessings that have happened on this island of Tonga.  Today, in church, we learned that the 1st set of LDS missionaries came to Tonga in 1896, and the Tongan mission wasn't established until (1916 - of course - that's why they're celebrating 100 years).  The interesting thing they talked about in Priesthood was that we need to understand the roots before the mission was even established.  The 1st missionaries that came in 1896 paved the way and planted the seed for others to come.  They may have thought and felt that they were small and insignificant, but they really created the way for the Lord to move forward to help make a huge difference for all of Tonga.  One of my favorite scriptures is found in Alma 37:6 where it says, "...by small and simple things are great things brought to pass....."  It is the simple things that make the big difference.  If you always ask yourself what difference can I make and then go to work and let the Lord guide and direct you, he will use you to help his children.  We have seen that happen while here in Tonga.  Through the good Tongan people, we have seen them give when there is nothing to give.  We have seen a level of faith and humility that we have not seen before.  We have felt love and friendship the minute we arrive here.  We now know why these islands are called the "friendly islands".  There are many lessons we will bring back with us.  Now, it's time to put those lessons learned into action.  Like Elder Oaks says, "It is not enough to know and to feel, we must do and become."  Become like Jesus Christ.  We are leaving with our hearts and spirits full.

Stories of Faith 

The first story was told by a  Brother in Sacrament.  This Brother blessed his granddaughter in Sacrament today.  It was Fast Sunday, and he was asked to give his granddaughter a blessing today.  He said that this gospel is a gospel of living, not of the dead.  I think he means - because of Jesus Christ, we will all live again.  He told of his daughter when she was young.  He said that when she was 3 months old, the Dr.'s said she was going to die.  She had some sort of illness and didn't have very long to live.  They prayed, fasted, and pleaded with God to spare their daughter's life.  She was spared and she has lived a good life.  It was her daughter that this Grandfather blessed today.  This granddaughter is almost 3 months old.  It was humbling to see this Grandfather reflect on his own daughter and the miracle of her making it through her illness to then have a daughter of her own and be blessed by this good faithful Brother.  This is how the Tongan people are.  They have incredible faith and love for Jesus Christ and this restored Gospel.  They are not just "Sunday goers".  They live, breath, and do the gospel.  That story really touched us today.  We thought we would share.

The 2nd story - Story of Lavaka - This Brother was a simple farmer in one of the northern islands of Tonga, but he had a huge impact for Brother Vamahi.  He would show up on Sunday and say, "it's time to go to church today."  Brother Vamahi's parents were not LDS, and they were not happy about him joining, but they allowed him to practice his convictions.  It was because of this good Brother that helped Brother Vamahi as a young man.  It was the simple things and the simple people that made a huge difference.  Sometimes, it really is the most simple things that in the long run make a huge impact and difference for people.  Invitation - What small thing can you do for someone else this week to make a difference?  Listen to the Spirit, and it will guide you to what you should do.

This is the family that are trying to build a home.  I posted about them a while ago.  We are helping to build them a new home.  The conditions they are living in right now is worse than a barn for farm animals.  They deserve much better.  This good Sister wrote us a beautiful thank you note and said, "we don't have anything to give you.  All we have to give us our love and thanks."  That is more than enough.  There is such a huge need for more help and assistance.  We hope that this gift helps this family with their new home and the cycle continues with them helping someone else.

Braden got his certificate for Baptism from the Bishop and his Counselor.  He is officially a member of the Liahona 1st Ward in Tonga.  Pretty neat!

Logan went on "splits" with the missionaries today.  

It was raining all day today.  The kids were having fun out in the rain.