An Apostle's Visit - Feb 2014

In February 2014 Elder Neil L. Andersen and his wife, Kathy, along with South Pacific Area President James Humula and his wife, visited our little island of Tongatapu. As always, when general authorities visit, they are kept very busy. While in Tonga Elder Andersen attended a stake conference, met with perspective missionaries, taught stake leaders, and met with  all the missionaries serving on Tongatapu in the Navu Stake Center for several hours of instruction.

Some of the highlights of that missionary training were:
* After Elder Andersen shook hands with each Missionary, Elder Hamula remarked that shaking hands with a Apostle is a renewing of the charge to share to Gospel in all the world.

* Elder Andersen taught that we are the Lord's hands on earth and that mostly we are called to teach.

* Much of his instruction was on the Doctrine of Christ - Faith, repentance, ordinances, and enduring to the end. He also taught that commandments understood in the context of doctrine are more easily understood.

* Elder Andersen taught that desire to share the Gospel increases as we understand the Atonement.

* He concluded by leading a discussion about what to keep from your past experiences and culture and what you learn on your Mission and what to leave in the past.....what to discard from the Tongan culture and what to keep, as well as what to discard from our own culture, and what to share with our Tongan friends.

Elder Makasini, John, Elijah and Elder
Valikoula - Tongan temple

 At the time of Elder Andersen's visit we were helping two great missionaries, Elder Andrew Makasini and Elder Esafe Valikoula, teach the Gospel to two wonderful men from Fiji, John and Elijah. We were able to take John and Elijah to the Nuku'alofa Tonga North Stake Conference. A seat had been reserved for us near the front, just behind the primary children's choir. The children were all dressed in white and sang so beautifully. At the conclusion of the stake conference Elder Andersen desired to shake the hands of all those who were in attendance - approximately 800 people.

We talked with John and Elijah about their feelings of being able to hear an apostle of the Lord speak, and of being able to shake his hand. They felt Elder Andersen's spirit, and had the Holy Ghost witness to them that he was indeed a disciple and apostle of the Lord. Both John and Elijah were later baptized, and are both working on going to the temple. But, their's is another story for another day.

John and Elijah at the doors of the
Tongan temple

One of the stories from Elder Andersen's visit that I loved was the story he told of a man and his son whom he had met in South America. The son, age four or five, came to his father one day wanting to earn some money. After giving it some thought, his father told him that he could wash the family car. After working very hard at completing the task, the young boy once again presented himself to his father and asked for his payment. The father, a little perturbed and thinking that his son was too focused on acquiring money, told him he would give him everything he had in his pocket. He felt inside his pocket and found only one penny. He began to feel a little guilty that he had spoken rashly, and had only one penny to give his son for all his hard work. When he handed the penny over to his son, he expected to hear many complaints about receiving just one cent. However, the words that came out of the mouth of that young boy taught his father a great lesson. After looking at the penny for a minute or two, the young son looked up at his father curiously, and asked, "Dad. How much tithing do I pay on one penny?" His father later learned that this young boy had wanted to pay tithing so much, but he didn't have any money. So, he decided he would ask his father for a job, so he could earn some money....and then he would be able to pay his tithing. I LOVE that story. The lessons we learn from young children. I need to be more like this little boy.

A wonderful cultural event was also prepared for Elder and Sister Andersen where over 3000 youth from 14 stakes (all on Tongatapu) performed. The Prime Minster of Tonga, Siale'ataongo Tu'ivakano, also attended, and his son performed in some of the dances.

The stadium was very full. Many of the parents of the dancers could not attend because there was no room. And being February, it was also very hot and humid!! Several fans were placed on the stand where Elder and Sister Anderson and the rest of the dignitaries sat, and all the doors were open. But, with that many bodies in one closed room, we were pretty well drenched by the time the evening was over. But the youth danced with so much spirit. They practiced for weeks and weeks before the event, and were honored to dance before an apostle. 

Here are some of my favorite pictures from that night.

Three of my favorite people: Dad, Sister Mitchell and Sister Aland

  

                        

 

Keeping the singers cool

Jesse Tupou - just left of center, wearing glasses.

Jesse Tupou - Pres/Sister Tupou's son

Senior missionaries - R to L: Garth, Thomas Tupou, Edward's, Johnson's
(back row) Sister Dassler, Elder Maile, Webb's
(very back row) relatives of Maile's, Sister Maile
(standing) _______, Elder Dassler

More senior missionaries: R to L (standing) Sister Funaki
(sitting) Tongan visitor, Meyers, Aland's, Sister Mitchell, Dad
(standing far left) official photographer for the area

And even MORE senior missionaries - L to R: wife of the official photographer, Dad, Sister Mitchell, Aland's, Meyer's, not sure, and Sister Funaki standing

Youth of the Liahona stake dancing the Haka

Captain of the Liahona youth

Listening to Elder Andersen

The official photographer "blending in" with the dancers

The Prime Minister's son sitting among some beautiful girls

The podium - notice all the fans?

Dancing the stick dance

Tongan Prime Minister

The "TV" screen - the kids loved watching themselves during the "pre-show," and laughed whenever they recognized someone.....or themselves!

Christmas 2014

Our last Christmas in Tonga.

This was a much different Christmas than last Christmas, which was spent being sick on our three-day voyage from Niuatoputapu on the 'Otuanga'ofa. Thank goodness! I don't really like being sick. However, it was a price well paid for a visit to such a beautiful place. Niuatoputapu and her people hold a special place in my heart.

This year we got to be involved in all the Christmas-y stuff going on in Liahona, and around the island.

The first thing we did was form a senior choir. We learned five Christmas songs - "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing," "Gentle Mary, Tender Mary," "Guard Him, Joseph," "O Holy Night," and "Silent Night." We even learned the last verse of Silent Night in Tongan! And our Tongan didn't sound half bad. Well....it helped that we had three Tongan couples helping us out.

Every Monday evening on the Tongan radio station the LDS Church broadcasts a message. The mission president, or one of his counselors, takes a turn. Last Christmas the Tupou's, Garth and I helped out by recording some Christmas songs that were broadcast not only on Monday nights, but throughout the month of December. This year our little senior missionary choir recorded our five songs (on camera!), and those were broadcast through the month of December...by radio AND TV all over the entire Kingdom of Tonga! The radio station gave us a copy of the recording.

For those interested, you can contact Garth Hamblin, our manager, and you can receive ALL FIVE SONGS on your very own CD for just $9.99 (USD), plus shipping. What a bargain! A true one-of-a-kind keepsake you will want to pass on for generations to come.

Well....probably not.

The recording was an experience all on its own!! You get a couple of minutes to warm up while they're setting up the cameras. They do a quick sound check. And then you're off. One chance to get it right and then on to the next song. No editing here. We're a volunteer choir, so there were a few bumpy spots. But, we sure had fun.

Our little senior choir also did a couple of firesides...one at the Nuku'alofa 6th ward in Fasi (downtown Nuku'alofa), and one in the gym at Liahona, where the youth (and some not so youthful) from our ward (Nuku'alofa 10th ward), and I think one of the Havelu wards, formed a choir, learned some beautiful pieces, and we got together and sang for each other. That was so fun.

I should mention that at those firesides Garth and I sang a duet of Russell Thomas' song, "Where Is Jesus?" and Elder Funaki (one of my most favorite senior missionaries!!) read Gaye Willis' story, "Will the Christ Child Come?"...which he translated into Tongan for the Nuku'alofa 6th ward fireside (Gaye....you've been translated!! Well, translated in the sense that you're writing has been translated into another language. But, you're one of the few people I know who is close to being translated for real!), and then in English at the fireside at Liahona. EVERYONE cried. I love that story. Many people commented on how it helped bring the true meaning of Christmas to their hearts.

So, that's what our little choir did for the holidays.

On a Monday evening close to Christmas the entire village of Matangiake (which is the village across the street from Liahona) came to our family home evening and caroled to us. That was a treat. There was one little girl and little boy right in front, who were too young to read. But, they both had their papers with the words on them, and they were part of the choir!  The little boy mostly just held the paper. But, the little girl knew all the words to every carol. They sang some in Tongan, and some in English, and she knew them all.

The Nuku'alofa 10th ward had a very fun Christmas activity. They went to the beach! And Santa came! One of the senior missionaries, Elder Wood, got roped into playing Santa at the last minute.That was a riot. He used to teach middle school, and is great with the kids. But, the suit was a little too big for him, and he nearly lost his pants a time or two. The beard had no mouth, so he had to talk through the beard. A skinny Santa in sandals! Not something you see every day.

Opening their gift bags

What's a Christmas party without karaoke? And not only Christmas songs....Tongans come prepared to sing just about anything. We had songs from the 60's to the present day.

My favorite - Garth singing "Can You Feel The Love Tonight"

Elder Wood taking a turn

And, of course, we went tide pooling. The Bishop's son, Andrew, was out snorkeling with Eldel Wood, just coming his fingers through some of the seaweed growing on the rocks, when he found an 'anga'anga shell (I think that's how you spell it). An 'anga'anga shell is a spider conch shell. This one was HUGE! About 12" from side to side. It was beautiful. Of course, it had the critter still in it. Generally, the Tongans will just break the shell to get the critter. But, since we palangi's LOVE shells (and not so much the critters inside), Sister Wood had investigated ways of getting out the critters without breaking the shell, and also keeping the critter edible. She was going to freeze the shell whole, thereby killing the critter, AND keeping it edible, so someone else could enjoy a meal.

No Tongan party is complete without an 'umu. The ward cooked chicken while everyone else brought salads and desserts. It was yummy.

Then, of course, on Christmas day we got together with Dad, had our traditional breakfast casserole, and opened gifts that Jacque brought for us when she and Jeff visited in November. That was so much fun. And the day after Christmas (which, of course, was Christmas Day in the US) we Skyped with our kids and Brielle, and watched them open their gifts. That was so much fun. And, we showed them what they were getting from us for Christmas. They won't get their Christmas presents until we get home because we decided we wanted to get them something Tongan...something from Pres. Steven Fehoko who is a world-renowned Tongan master carver. He is also a counselor in the mission presidency. He is so generous to the missionaries.

When our kids were here in July we took them to Pres. Fehoko's and tried to pay attention to what they were drawn to. Then we had Pres. Fehoko make their presents. Tyler got a carved 4-foot war club that is just awesome. The entire club is carved. Ashley and Sarah each got whales out of whale bone - Ashley's is coming up out of the water, like it's breaching, and Sarah's is a mama whale with a little baby on its back. Joanna got a necklaced of round red coral beads. The beads are huge - about 3/4-inch in diameter. The red coral grows very deep, and is difficult to get to. The piece of coral these beads came from must have been massive. Brielle's Christmas present (which Pres. Fehoko is just beginning to work on) is going to be a spiral shell with a hermit crab coming out of it. She LOVED the hermit crabs. She was always picking them up, finding safe places for them, or finding friends so they wouldn't be alone.

Later in the day several of the senior missionaries gathered together and went to the beach. The beach on Christmas!! Warm weather, warm water...ahhhh! But, not everyone gets to enjoy the laziness of a day off on Christmas. We met a couple of fishermen just finishing hauling in their nets. After all that hard work, they, of course, took a little swim to cool off.

Well, that was our Christmas. Hope yours was a wonderful as ours was. Next year we'll be home, opening our presents, and enjoying holiday traditions with family and friends. But, we will NEVER forget our Christmases we spent in Tonga.

Christmas Day 2014 - Navutoka Beach

The Rest of the Story.......Behind the Liahona/Ensign article

I love Paul Harvey's "The Rest of the Story." You learn the most amazing things.

About a year ago I posted a blog, "Once Upon a Time.." Here's The Rest of the Story....Page 2

A few months after I posted about the 'Akau'ola family, Garth contacted a  man he knew who worked for Church Magazines. He asked him if he was coming to Tonga soon...that we had a wonderful family we wanted him to meet, and they had a story that we felt everyone should hear. Unfortunately, there was no budget for him to come to Tonga. So, Garth forwarded him the story from the blog, which was then forwarded on to those who get to make decisions about what gets published in church magazines...and they wanted more!!! They wanted to focus more on the 'Akau'ola's journey to the temple.

So, I went to Liu and Siope and asked them re-read my blog post, add a few things, and make sure I had everything correct. Then we submitted that to Church Magazines. They liked it. Jump seven months into the future, and.......

Picture thanks to my Aunt Melanee Berger

But, I'm rushing ahead.

Months before the article was published, we got a phone call from the artist who was going to do the art work for the article, James Johnson. He had been sent a computer-generated image of a man looking through the louvered windows of a church in Tonga. James wasn't sure how to paint the louvered windows, since he had never seen any in real life. So, he contacted us.....which is a little unorthodox....and asked if we could take some pictures of a man looking through a church window, and email them to him.

Well...our old brains started turning, and.......we came up with a BRILLIANT idea.

We looked at some of the churches, including the Havelu chapel which is where Siope's story of looking into the church window actually took place. But, the lighting just wasn't right. So, we decided since we love 'Utulau and consider it our Tongan home, we would check out the lighting there. And....it was PERFECT.

We then asked Siope, Lui, and their family....and our "family" from 'Utulau..... if we could borrow them. We had Siope pose as himself! And his family posed as part of the congregation. All the other people in the congregation are members of the 'Utulau ward.

In fact, if you look closely, the tall, dark-haired woman in the middle of the picture, is Liu. Her children, biological and adopted, are surrounding her. Siope is looking in at his own family.

Think about that!! Lots of symbolism there!

Well, that's not the end to this amazing story.

We were in close contact with James, the artist, and after he had finished the painting and submitted it for publication, he asked if we would like the original. Giving away his paintings is not something he normally does. But, for the cost of shipping, he was willing to give us his original art work. Generous man!!

We asked if we could pay him to have a copy made, which he did, and then he sent the copy to us here in Tonga, which we then gave to the 'Akau'ola family the day after Christmas. One of their adopted daughters, who is working on submitting her papers so she can go on a mission (one of FOUR who are currently either waiting for a call, or are in the process of completing their papers, and they have a fifth adopted son who left last week to serve a mission in the London South mission) read the story from the Liahona aloud. None of the family had been able to read the story yet. It wasn't until just before Christmas that we were able to download the story here.

Of course, we all got very emotional, and a lot of crying ensued. But, such a spirit permeated the walls of that home as we listened to their story and felt their unwavering faith, even amidst many trials. I came away, not for the first time after spending time with this wonderful family, determined to be a better person, a better disciple of Christ, to be more faithful and trust in my Heavenly Father....even when life is hard...ESPECIALLY when is hard.

Here are the pictures of that experience.

Reading the story in the Liahona from Garth's iPad.