The Tonga Mission trip was an exceptional experience for all. From when we landed until we flew home, there was so much for us to be involved with, people to minister to, and sights, tastes, and smells for us to experience.
The Tonga Mission team had the opportunity to minister in three local churches, to share at five discipleship groups and at a Youth Rally in the Nuku’alofa town square. Each student had time to share their testimony and encourage the people with their favourite scriptures. At some events, we were required to speak via an interpreter, which made things very interesting because we had to think carefully before leaping into the next phrase or sentence.
CLICK HERE for a short recording of an outreach play that the team performed to schools and groups.
At Vaiola Hospital and Alonga Centre, we prayed for the sick and those with disabilities. The team ministered at three schools; some of which had junior and secondary students. The team could pray for students at each school after their allocated ministry times. It was so special watching the team interacting with the children, with lovely connections being made at every school and discipleship group that we visited.
A highlight of the trip was the spent time in a local village doing door-to-door visitations. We shared the good news of the gospel and saw ten salvations that day while also praying for those we visited!
Our Servant leadership was tested when our students painted the fence of the new building at the Tonga Christian Radio station, which now looks very smart and inviting.
A huge highlight was when, in small groups, the team shared words of encouragement on the Tonga Christian Radio. These have since been broadcasted to the Kingdom of Tonga.
One of the reasons for us going to Tonga was to celebrate the Tonga Christian Radio station’s 30th year of broadcasting at a sunrise service. This was a lovely occasion where several dignitaries, including Lady Maasai the Princesses’ daughter-in-law, attended.
On a fascinating outing, we recorded a television broadcast that was presented live on the Doulos Broadcasting Network! CLICK HERE for the recording.
It wasn’t all work and no play, as we visited the Mapu’a Vaea Blowholes, experienced the delights of the beautiful beaches and made a wonderful discovery of stalactites and stalagmites and a beautiful pool inside the Anahulu caves.
We experienced the gastronomic delights of a traditional umu (food cooked underground) and were invited to join the feast at Tonga High School’s 70th celebration, where the tables groaned under the weight of the food on offer.
During our reflection time, the overwhelming response from the team was: “The people of Tonga are so warm and welcoming!”
We are so thankful for the time we spent in the Kingdom of Tonga and have come back with hearts and souls filled with the fullness of the experience.
Matthew 18:20 says: “For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with you.”
What a privilege it was to experience the blessing of meeting with fellow believers and sharing the good news with those who have not heard it!
We trust that the seeds that have been planted will bear much fruit in the time to come.
Thank you to Andrew Marriot from MotiVate for his outstanding planning for the mission trip and to Willy Florian from Tonga Christian Radio station, who was a brilliant host for the entirety of our trip. Thank you to Mr and Mrs Strydom, who accompanied us on the trip.
To our outstanding students: you outdid yourselves and radiated the love of Jesus to everyone you encountered. We pray this experience has blessed and enriched your lives.
Mrs Melanie Van Rooyen
Head of Learning Year 9 and accompanying teacher on the Tongan Mission Trip
