Monthly Food Delivery

We had another wonderful afternoon delivering food to 5 families with our friends Elder and Sister Vaenuku. This is one of the most rewarding of our activities. We love the people. The Lord loves all his children. We are so privileged to be His hands in helping the poor and needy in Tonga.

There are many poor in Tonga. The houses where the people live are seen in some of these pictures. They are made of poor construction with whatever they can find. It is no wonder so many roofs were blown off and so many houses collapsed during Cyclone Gita.

Depending on size of family, we gave 1 or 2 or 3 boxes of food and watermelon.



We first stopped at the home of Mele (black blouse) and her mother Selia (not home) in Vaini.

Mele's sister, Fina  (green dress) lives right behind Mele. The home is about 6 x 8 feet, made of corrugated iron, no windows. The door is cloth over the opening. Outdoor cooking area and outhouse are shared by the two families.

It is so humbling to see the conditions many people live in. Yet, they are happy. They have each other and that is what is important.



Tevita and his 3 children live in a home with severe cyclone damage. The open windows are still boarded. Tarps from Australia Aid in this case remain on the roof, but leak when it rains.

They were most grateful for the boxes of food, toilet paper, soap, and diapers for the little one.

Mom and dad were not home at this house but the boys accepted the food boxes. The watermelon and cookies may have been partly eaten by the time the parents got home. The boys were hungry, but I know they will share. The families stick together. If one is hungry, they know the others are too. I do not worry that they ate all the goodies -- I am sure mom and dad got some too.

The last family we took food to was the Anou and Vaka Uta family. It is actually 2 families in the front house and 3 families in the back house. This extended family is very close and very loving. They share kitchen facilities (outdoor kitchen, umu, open fire). They all raise the cousins together.

The children really had their eyes on the watermelon. It was probably eaten before we pulled out of the driveway.

Before we left, one of the fathers asked to pray and say a few words. He expressed gratitude for the gift of food. He said they were sorry they could not give us something in return.

We told them they could -- a song. Smiles broke out on their faces. They sang several songs to us -- children's songs so the kids could sing too. What joy it brought to our hearts!! This was the best way to end our day of giving out food to the needy.



Mark 14:7: For ye have the poor with you always, and whensoever ye will ye may do them good.