In a unique decision from the Church, the Tonga Nuku’alofa Mission was recently divided to enable local missionaries to serve in Tonga while overseas assignments are not possible due to the pandemic.
At the time of this article’s publication, a state of emergency is in force in Tonga due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Only Tongan citizens and permanent residents are permitted to enter Tonga, most international flights have been canceled, and options to leave the country are extremely limited.
Sitiveni and Kilisitina Fehoko have been called to lead this new mission, called the Tonga Outer Island Mission. President and Sister Fehoko previously served as mission leaders of the Papua New Guinea Lae Mission from 2016–2019. Their service in the new Tonga Outer Island Mission began on July 1, 2021.
In the time between their two separate missions, President Fehoko continued his work as a master carver, and in April of 2020, he launched the Matamoana—an intricate wooden whale vessel—at Nuku’alofa’s famous Faua wharf.
“We feel a deep sense of gratitude,” President Fehoko said. “We know the Lord loves us and we are extremely humbled to serve again. We want to help others and invite them to come unto Christ.”
Sister Fehoko also said, “The moment we were called, we dropped everything to serve the Lord. I’m grateful my husband and I can be instruments to bring about the Lord’s work.”
Read the full news release here.
Images: ChurchofJesusChrist.org
