Loni catches a ride

News from the South Pacific Islands

28 Jun 2015

You've heard it said 'A picture paints a thousand words'.

This picture of Loni sitting in the little trailer stirs my heart. It tells much about life in the Islands, about Loni, and about the heart of our Pacific Partners ministry.

Loni first told me the story over the phone . . .

Many of our Partners have bounced around in Loni's old van when they have visited Tonga. Have you?
How old do you reckon it is?
I understand it is a 1987 model!

We were talking about his old (very old) van. It keeps breaking down and costing more money than its worth to get running again.

With a laugh, Loni told me his most recent break-down was in a village outside of Nuku'alofa. He said he looked out the window and there was a man powering himself along in his hand-driven wheel chair.

You probably know that Loni also has a physical disability as a result of a childhood accident. He is very dependent on his little van to get him everywhere for ministry.

Well, Loni and Sam sat together for a while talking about Christ before Loni hitched a ride in Sam's little trailer. Together they went door-to-door through the village, sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

What an important witness this is in a place like Tonga where there is a lot of religious superstition, and prejudice, towards those with a disability.

Then Willy posted the story on his Facebook page . . .

Nothing will stop this two man from preaching the gospel of the Cross.

Loni (at the back) takes care of our discipleship branch of the ministry. He have an accident when he was a young boy, so he can't walk with his walking stick. Sam (at the front) was strike by a sickness when he was a child, this brings him difficulty with his walking (that is why he use this special bicycle to move around) with his walking. Loni meet Sam and share about Christ.

So Sam would pull Loni on his bicycle as they reaches house after house with the gospel. Together their voice echoes through the air, " OUR DISABILITY WILL NOT STOP US FROM REACHING OTHERS FOR CHRIST."

I'm in tears for such a braveness. We complain a lot .But how about this two brother. Building the kingdom of God in the lives [of] many.

From my previous Newsletter [ read ]

Stan, Mark and Frank

These three ministers from America had a very fruitful time in Tonga, and are on their way home again. I will soon write and tell you some of their stories. In the meantime, thank you very much for praying for them. Your prayers were answered!

I hope this picture of Loni and Sam

is an inspiration to you, as it is to me

and our workers in Tonga.

Thank you for your support in prayer and giving

which makes this ministry possible.

May God bless you!

"Under His [Christ's] direction the whole body is fitted together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow,so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love."

Ephesians 4:16 NLT [Brackets added]

Graham Carter
Graham A Carter [ email me ]
Pacific Partners [ web site ]

Read older Tok Tok stories [ here ]

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