Dear
friends,
"The
First canoe of missionaries from our Islands here was a small group of
chiefs who were just converted to the Jesus two years before. Following
was another group of chiefs and another group of chiefs each of them
from different village and it continue although today in a small
amount. But they did it because they were our leaders so that we would
follow them. We need to re kindle this cause today. Whenever a Nation
stops sending missionaries they are a dying Nation. Missions
should be
the foundation of every Nation and government. Today I am excited to
see this start again and we trust that God will continue to send more
missionaries from our islands. I am so glad that there are still
Samoan
warriors who are continuing the legacy of our for fathers. May God
bless you".
Left: 33 of the 40+ Samoan
Missionaries finally commissioned by the church
Those
were the words of the Prime Minister of Samoa as he opened the Samoa
For Missions conference for Upolu today. We have just arrived
from the
biggest island of Samoa (Savai'I) after running workshops and
gatherings of a few hundred people at nights to stir up the
missions
call in our islands and amongst our peoples.. Many stood to answer the
call to "Go and make disciples of all nations" We had a powerful three
days.
Last
night as the warriors of Savai'i Samoa with their families stood to
sing "You are the only true King of the Nations" a Samoan Hymn to the
Lord expressing their hearts to go to the nations. The pastors of
the
mainline church EFKS commissioned all of us who have been missionaries
for the first time. Many of us have been working in the nations for the
last 30years but the churches didn't send us our parents did. Last
night was the first time the churches send us with their blessings and
prayers praying for more to follow us. We have been aired on TV here
and the whole Nation have been stirred to continue the legacy our
forfathers started in the early 1830s.
Now
today with the blessing and the encouragements of the Prime Minister,
the wife of the head of state of Samoa, the deputy head of State of
Samoa, chairman of the council of churches in Samoa and many church
leaders who were present today, we are ready for the next wave of
Samoan missionaries.
Please
pray for us as we start the mission conference in Upolu Samoa until the
23rd of September and then the Missions Conference for Am Samoa
from Sept. 25th- 29th.
Thank
you again for your friendship and prayers.
Vae
Eli
