Tongan Mission Trip

Mālō e lelei!
During the Term 2 school holidays, an energetic team of three KingsWay staff members and ten students shared the Good News on a mission trip to the Kingdom of Tonga. This was graciously facilitated because of a long-standing partnership with Andrew Marriott of MotiVate NZ, and Willy Florian from Tonga Christian Radio Station. Our trip was filled with village visitations, amazing worship with primary school children, opportunities to pray for senior school students, hospital visitations where we got to pray for the sick, visitations to a centre for people with disabilities, and fellowship with numerous churches and discipleship groups. Throughout our time in Tonga, God truly revealed the power of His joy. We were able to draw on this joy in challenging situations, such as sharing the Good News on television or performing on a stage right in the middle of the town. We had opportunities to see how meaningful community is to the people of Tonga and experience the love and generosity they expressed towards us and each other. It really impacted our outlook on the world around us and influenced what we wanted to implement in our own lives once back in Aotearoa. Joy is such a large part of the Tongan culture, and it shaped our relationship as a team, allowing us to create a tight-knit bond with one another. We were able to bless so many people, and in return, we had the privilege to be blessed by everyone. It was such a fulfilling experience to be able to love and serve their community, and seeing the impact God has made through us and to us has been truly remarkable.

Written by Connor Thompson and Mackenzie Sharplin

Mission Team Highlights/God Moments

Grace Bridge:

One of the things that resonated with me during the trip is the pure joy and generosity that all the Tongan people have. Everywhere we went there was food provided for us and a smile to greet us. I will never forget the immense joy the people of Tonga had and how, despite their circumstances, they continually shared the little they had. We could truly see how Jesus’ love had impacted their lives and inspired them to share that same love.

Andrew Morrison:

One of my many highlights while in Tonga was doing community visitation around the island. Whether it was going to more rural villages or visiting the local hospital and disability centre, it was so amazing to see how open they were to hear our stories and how much our visit had positively impacted them. Initially, I was a bit nervous as I had not done any community visitation before, but it was so fulfilling and a highlight of the trip.

Connor Thompson:

Testimonies have impact and I believe the Tonga team learned this even though we’re young. God works through our triumphs and sorrows. We were incredibly blessed to share these experiences with the people of Tonga, and have this same vulnerability reciprocated to glorify the Lord.

Christy Strydom:

My highlight was an impromptu visit to a home for the disabled; they were called the forgotten people. We were able to pray for them, and listened to a beautiful Tongan hymn, that they sang with all their might. I was truly impacted by the fact that our being there for under ten minutes was able to leave such an impression on them. 2 Corinthians 12:9 sums up what I felt leaving the home.

Mackenzie Sharplin

One of my most impactful moments was seeing their joyful culture and the light they all radiated. Even those with so little had such a strong faith that God would provide for them and were so content. It reflected in their worship and hospitality and opened my eyes to how you can feel God’s love and joy even in simplicity. I am so thankful to have had the opportunity to go to Tonga alongside such incredible people. It will always be one of the most treasured things I have experienced.

Gabriella Wiggett

The mission's trip to Tonga is a part of my life I will never forget, I have so many memories, highlights, and God moments I don’t know where to begin! Firstly, a massive blessing on this trip was going with such an incredibly supportive, judgement-free group of people. One of my biggest God moments on the trip was the strength God gave me to speak in public. Around halfway through the trip we performed and shared in the middle of the town square, so there were hundreds of people around listening and watching, and during this performance, I went up and shared about God to all these people. Something I would have never imagined myself doing! My favourite overall memory of Tonga was the children - bonding and talking to the little children filled my heart. Overall, I would say that being able to go to Tonga was the best thing that has ever happened to me.

Ruth Jones:

I loved visiting the primary schools, and seeing how excited the children were to sing songs of praise with this team. The Tonga Team made several friends with those we met which was incredible. It was such a blessing to see how God is working in the lives of these school students.

Esther Kimlee:

I remember many times throughout the trip where we engaged in worship with the community. It was really one of the most beautiful and touching moments I have experienced. Their purity and passion made me want to dance, cry, and sing. Fakafeta’i kia sihova!!

Mikayla Alden:

I absolutely loved the food.... And witnessing a guy tear off a whole pig's leg (cooked!) with his bare hands and eat it down to the bones. Honestly the whole trip was a highlight, it was so amazing to see everyone interact and the impact we had on each other.

Arahina Kirifi:

My highlight was going to the local hospital and praying for patients as well as giving toys out to the kids. I was so impacted by their emotional and spiritual reactions to us doing something as simple as praying for them.

Mr Wayne Strydom:

The confidence that our students showed when speaking to the Tongan people was a highlight for me. From shrinking violets in our first meeting at school to fearless leaders in the field. Without fail, they all shone in their own way!

Mrs Yolind Strydom:

What a huge privilege to be part of this mission’s team! We experienced so much inspirational generosity that we will never be the same. Watching our students grow in leaps and bounds was incredible.

Mrs Melanie van Rooyen:

My highlight was seeing the students in the team grow in their confidence daily! I loved watching them give fully to whatever the day held – whether it was sharing at a school, praying for the sick or painting a fence – it was all was done with a willing heart and grateful attitude.