The LCM community in Tonga consists of four strong Tongan women, who value the four Tongan values of respect, loyalty/love, relationship, and sacrifice/humility interwoven with the LCM values.
For four years I have been away from Tonga and returning home captured mixed feelings. My mum died while I was away. Having reflected upon returning home it was appropriate to choose to stay at the family home with the approval of the Region Leadership.
When I arrived back in Tonga, I gladly embraced the new pathways, the LCM community, the reality of the absence of Mum and the challenges of re-entering the family, country, and church. Seeking another pathway of what, how, and where to relive the LCM mission as it is now. The challenges were real, positive, encouraging and motivating. The challenges stretch my outlook, from what I was used to, to something new, from what it was and how it was towards being an LCM sister in the NOW in Tonga.
Over the last four years, Tonga has experienced lots of changes. There seems to be an increase in crime, adolescent delinquency, and other crimes related to drugs, brain drain, unemployment, human trafficking, increased neglect of the aged and disabled, social issues around the returnees from overseas.
I had the privilege to be part of an interest group working towards making a difference in people’s lives, around climate change, no plastic in Tonga and praying for good leadership in Tonga. Mary Potter reminded us God never resists the cry of the humble heart. He inclines towards it, like the mother to a weak child, who is ever anxious to feed and nourish it (Brides of Christ). The interest group heightens social awareness, involvement, commitment, encouraging people to be hope-filled, courageous and in solidarity with the most vulnerable. It is inspiring, and the members have been driven to work together to achieve these goals.
Walking the journey of the LCM mission in the NOW in Tonga is challenging and is a call to respond to “Our Call from the Future” from the Chapter 2023. A response to listening deeply through prayer and presence as we continue to be change-makers. To respond urgently to care for our common home. I need to be open, and courageously step out in faith. To be disturbed by the reality of the evolving changes within Tonga, and the mental impact of radical changes in the country.
The broken world lamented for peace and ways forward to make peace with human relationship – to one another and the environment. Mary Potter modelled the grief of our Mother Mary on Calvary to comfort our loved ones in sorrow and suffering (May Papers). She continues to challenge us that reparation can be made for the self-will and independence of the world by listening to Jesus’ words and keeping them: “Learn of Me for I am meek and humble of heart”.
In Tonga, fighting for NO PLASTIC is like standing against a tsunami. The observation I make, the desire to achieve no plastic in Tonga is like a war. At the local market and in most retail stores there is no incentive to work for NO PLASTIC. At the retail stores and the local market, what they offer you comes in a plastic bag. In response, the people do not reinforce the attempt on No Plastic.
The small Kingdom of Tonga is vulnerable to climate change, human trafficking, non–communicable diseases, neglected and lonely aged/disabled and broken families.
Love is the greatest power on earth to move the will of God, as Mary Potter said.
