Baptism - Tevita Finau

We have been visiting and bringing food to Tevita and his father Kristiani since November 3. They live in a broken-down bus near Lavengatonga (see prior post). The bus has large windows and from inside you get a gorgeous unobstructed view of the ocean. Nonetheless, it is a broken-down bus. Kristiani is a hardworker. He mows the whole property with a hand mower; it always looks nice when we stop in. They have planted root crops and other vegetables. They eat from the sea. Once when we stopped they were eating chicken dinner -- they had trapped and cooked it.

Tevita Finau, age 11 years

We have grown pretty close to these 2. They kept saying Tevita was going to get baptized when mom came to visit. But the time she was coming kept being pushed back. We were concerned she was not really going to come. Well, Tevita's mom (Kristiani's wife) came over from New Zealand this past week! And he has been finishing up the missionary discussions.

Tuesday about 2, we got a phone call that Tevita was being baptized at 7 o'clock. We said we would be there. We tried calling Huni all afternoon, but he was not answering. Finally at 5:30, he answered. He was working on his farm and had left the phone in the car. He said he was going home and would get ready. We left our house at 6 and picked him and Sister Huni up along the way.

Once at the chapel, we met Tevita's mother, Sara. She kept thanking us for all we have done for Tevita and Kristiani. She kept saying they always talk about us. She told us how happy she was we could come to the baptism...really? did she think we would miss it? Not a chance! Tevita gave me a hug and Kristiani shook hands. Once Tevita was in his white tupeno, we had him go outside for pictures. He was baptized by Elder Leakehe from Tooele, Utah.

Elder Thomson was asked to talk at the baptism, as well as Huni. Elder Thomson based his talk on the sacrament prayers. Huni said it was exactly what they needed to hear. Tevita was all smiles. I am so happy for him to have joined the fold of our Savior Jesus Christ. His confirmation will be Sunday, and we will be there. While eating light snacks (ha ha, Tongan full-meal deal - chicken, lu, yams, cooked bananas), Kristiani told us he will start the missionary discussions himself on Sunday!

The worth of souls is great in the sight of God     D&C18:10

Ha'alaufuli Water Project

Ha'alaufuli, Vava'u is a village of over 600 people who have suffered due to lack of clean water. This is a project started by Chris and Becky Waddoups before we arrived. We finally were able to get it finished. Multiple reasons why it took so long ... Projects in the outer islands just take longer, evaluation is harder as it is a plane ride away, supplies have to be shipped, trained people have to be flown in, etc., and the village changed their minds what they wanted done (solar versus electric, etc), the borehole digger broke down and awaiting parts from New Zealand. Finally, a decision was made and the project was completed just before Christmas.

Elder Greding, SLC Headquarter water specialist, visited Vava'u in 2015. He assessed 8-10 villages that had requested assistance in replacing or improving their water systems.  The quotes for assisting all of these villages was over $150,000 US. Since we cannot fulfill all of their requests, we asked the Noble of Vava'u, town officers, and stake presidents which village was in the greatest need of assistance.  The conclusion was that the village of Ha'alaufuli was most deserving.  Their only source of water was a borrowed diesel engine that barely runs and an inferior Japan Aid solar pump that has not run for over a year.  They were in dire need of a water system to provide for the 600 plus residents of this village. 

This project provided replacement of the failed system with installation of a 1200w solar water production unit including twin poles, solar arrays, submersible pump, cable and control box.

Testing to make sure there was good pressure

The solar water system was installed on a rainy and cloudy day in the middle of December and still functioned properly. On testing over the next few days of cloudy days, the system continued to work perfectly. 

The Haalaufuli water committee and some people from the community helped Palu Development and his team in the installation process and the project. 

The Haalaufuli water committee and some people from the community helped Palu Development and his team in the installation process and the project. 

Pictured at handover on 27 Dec 2018 from left to right are Silongo Samani (Country Welfare Manager), Sefita Fa (Ha'alaufuli Town Officer), Afu Ha'alaufuli (Nobel), Mapa Hafoka (District Officer), Rev Sione Kakal (Church of Tonga), North Stake President Kapiloni Savou). 

Thank you note from Stake President:

Thank you so much. The community is much appreciated of the donation as they now experience whole day water availability for their individual homes. Those who only received water at a particular time of the day now receive water all day long. We are now experiencing rainy seasons, water supply is still not affected due to the solar water pump received. Thank you once again.               President Kapilon L. Savou

And the Spirit and the bride say, ^"COME; And let him that heareth say, Come; And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.                                                                            Revelations 22:17

Christmas Day in Tonga 2018

Christmas morning we had presents to open! Dan and Tammy had brought us a few things...white shirts for Elder Thomson, a couple tops for Sister Thomson, Book of Mormon Journal Edition, Bundaberg, red pencils, and other necessary things for our mission.

Heiner, Murdoch, Sister Evans, Palmer, Thomsons

At 9:30, the senior missionaries packed into the van and headed to the beach! Bucket List Item. We had not gone to the beach last year, and it was a Christmas must before we went back to Canada. 

In Tonga, people do not wear swimsuits. They swim in their clothes. So yes, we are dressed for snorkeling.

We were happy to see clown fish this morning. I love seeing them swim in and out of the anemone.

Huni had invited us to his family Christmas gathering at 1. So we had to clean up quickly and go to Veitongo. Huni said it was an honor to have us and his brother Talasiu and his wife Kati with them for Christmas. Of course, we felt it was an honor for us to be there! 

Sister Huni, Penga, JJ, Paula, Loueni, Taina, Mana, Latu

We sang Christmas songs, in English and Tongan. Monte even brought the guitar, which the kids loved ... as well as Talasiu. He played a bit for us too. The kids loved singing, and wanted more more more. 

Mana entertained us with a traditional Tongan dance. She really did a good job. We love the dancing and costuming. Mana also danced at the wedding we attended when Dan and Tammy visited. She has agreed to come to our Family Home Evening next time we are in charge. We will try to get Penga and Latu to sing then too, but Hunis will be in Papau New Guinea so we will miss them.

Then it was time to EAT...Tongan style. Vili took his favorite part of the pig -- and ate the brains YUCK!

I, on the other, got LOBSTER dinner for the second birthday in a row!

Lobster, potato salad, clams, yams, pork skin, pork, lu, and kumala hawaii (purple sweet potato). Best Christmas dinner in Tonga.

This is our family! We love the Hunis. The kids jump and romp with Elder Thomson, and much more gentle with Sister Thomson. All the grownups are special to us. They all are so giving to others and are always helping their neighbors and friends. There is much to be learned from this family. They truly live the gospel of Jesus Christ. They emulate Him. They follow His instructions given in the parable of the Good Samaritan to "Go and do likewise."

This is Christmas. It is the day we celebrate the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. He did live on this earth. He taught the people as recorded in the Bible. He healed the sick and performed many miracles. Most importantly, Jesus Christ took upon Himself our sins that through His atonement we can be deemed free of sin and able to return to live with our families with Heavenly Father and Jesus. He is our Savior. We love Him. We pray that you will always remember Him and follow Him.

Matthew 1:21  And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for He shall save His people from their sins.

Christmas Caroling and Food Delivery

We organized the senior couples to go caroling and delivering food to 6 families. I presented the idea to the couples for 3 families, and they responded with enough $$ for 6! Peni Tonga and his daughter Dorothy brought their ukuleles, and Elder Thomson brought his guitar. The accompaniment added flavor to our singing.

We have fewer couples this year so we invited Semisi Finau and his 6 children. Also a visiting dentist arrived 10 minutes before we were leaving; they were excited to spread the cheer with us as well.

Our first visit was to a widow and her 4 children in Kahoua. She is in a wheelchair. Her boys carried the food into the house and thanked us for bringing them joy.







Our second home was another family in Kahoua. The children's eyes were big knowing they would be having more food for Christmas. They especially eyed the watermelon!

Bishop Sione Tu'avao expressed a teary thank you for including his ward in our singing and food distribution.

We got back on the bus and Peni drove us to Popua. Popua is one of the poorest areas on Tongatapu. Many homes here built of roofing tin or cast-off wood pieced together to form a shelter.

Sisters Tongi and Oseketa arranged 2 homes for us to visit. The first is a family of 7. These kids were excited when they saw the balls we included in the boxes!





The other home in Popua is home to I am not sure how many. This family was recently baptized. We laughed as the pigs wandered amongst us while we sang.


The children remembered seeing Elder and Sister Thomson at their school. We delivered desks, tables, and chairs. At the same time, Havelu Middle School students and the ward painted the buildings. It is fun when the kids remember seeing us.





As you can see in the picture to the right, our numbers were quite large. We filled the bus (30 people), and our voices rang out at the homes.

We next drove to sing to a family in Tofoa. Sister Tulloch and her husband lived in Tonga about 10 years ago when they were teachers. They knew Milika then, and Sister Tulloch was able to renew this friendship when she came for her mission a few months ago.

Milika and her 6 children joined us in singing and were fun as they laughed with us and then waved good bye.

The children wanted to show their appreciation here. They gave us all 5, and of course hugs were freely shared.

When Sister Evans and I were shopping for food, she asked if we could include Fuiva (a single mom) and her children in our activity. Fuiva is in our ward, and Sister Evans is working with her. I told her we would not have enough time to sing as we already had 5 families to visit before dark, but we would include them. Sister Evans contacted Fuiva and she stopped at our house on Christmas Eve morning.

This is what Christmas is all about --- Serving others and bringing JOY. Many of the senior missionaries do not get out in the communities with their assignments. They work at the high school with teachers and students or are dentists. They felt this activity made their Christmas in Tonga special. It truly is rewarding and is something we want to continue when we return home.

As we give, we find that sacrifice brings forth the blessings of heaven, and we learn that it was no sacrifice at all.                                                              President Spencer W Kimball