Imprint - September 2018

The team from left Raymon Paletua, Graham Sinclair, Phil Hampton, Kolo Kofeloa, Joe Paletua,
Toa Kofeloa, Brendan Hampton, Brenton Hore
We were able to complete the trusses, install the roof sheets,
build the internal walls, install a new septic system, install the
window louvres, front and back doors, electrical wiring and
some wall and ceiling linings.
The local church members, couldn’t believe that a team of
volunteers from Australia would be willing to help their little
church, and build a new house for their pastor. Their gratitude
was evident through the many conversations the team
had with the local people, and through their generous hospitality,
warmth and love. (Pastor Mike, it wasn’t by chance
that you were in this beautiful place and discovered the need
for this new house, it was somewhat disheartening to see the
condition of the house that the minister and his family lived
in, but it was the driving force to see this project completed.)
We were very blessed to have a local builder, Kolo Kofeloa,
whose son Toa was part of the team from Australia. Kolo, a
Mormon carpenter, was in the middle of building a church
for the Assembly of God in Vava’u. Kolo put his building
commitments on hold for 2 weeks, to support his son Toa
and the team with the building project. Upon the team’s
arrival back in Australia, Kolo spent an additional 2 weeks to
complete the home, which the local pastor, Pr Mafi Kinemoa,
and his family now enjoy.
We had the privilege of being accommodated at Mizpah
High School, which is our church school in Vava’u. Mizpah
is a real witness in the community as 75% of the students
are non-Adventist children. Mizpah High School cannot
accommodate students in Forms 5 and 6, due to the lack of
staff and finances. But Mizpah has a remarkable reputation
for the quality of its staff and teachers. In Vava’u, high school
students wishing to transfer from one high school
to another, are expected to sit an entrance exam.
However, Mizpah High School, is the only school where
its students are exempt from sitting the entrance exam.
This is testament to the quality of the teachers we have in
Mizpah, and the great influence the school has in Vava’u in
attracting and educating young people.
From the start we all knew that we were meant to go and help
the people in Tonga. There were many obstacles that we faced.
Not only did Cyclone Gita cause major damage to the capital
in February this year, but she also caused delays and the
lack of building supplies to Vava’u. Our shipping container
with some of our tools, and materials were also delayed and
arrived several days after the team’s arrival. However, in spite
of the many obstacles, God kept providing the solution to
each problem.
Through the good times and the hard, nothing is harder
than having to say good bye to these beautiful people.
We waved good bye, knowing that we had achieved what
we had set out to do, and that it was truly appreciated not
only what we as the team had done but everyone from our
conference with their prayers and donations.
All the team was touched by the local people and made a
commitment to each other and the local church community
to go back next year with a date set for the July school holidays
2019. Please support this worthwhile project.
Finally, as the organiser of the team, let me say thanks for the
comradery, good times and memories that you have left me
with and look forward to round 2 next year.
September 2018 | IMPRINTmagazine 11