The Attitude of Gratitude

This weeks blog is a simple message.  We hope you feel the same emotions that we felt as we read this card from some very dear friends here in Tonga.

The cover of the little homemade book (thank you card)

Almost immediately after cyclone many of our friends and family start asking us how they could help the people of Tonga (other senior missionaries had a similar experience).  We did not solicit donations but as a result of those inquiries, many sent donations directly to us (or other senior couples) to use as we saw the need.  There was even a Go-Fund-Me account set up to receive donations.  I'm sure many others donated to the Church Humanitarian fund, the Red Cross or many other wonderful organizations setup to help the needy especially in times of natural disasters.  We feel very fortunate to have been able to witness first hand the aid rolling out to so many here in Tonga and to see and feel of their heartfelt gratitude.

Gita's destruction was wide-spread and seemed to touch every town and village on the main island and in Eua.  Many were left not only completely homeless but without basic needs of clothing, food and water.  We came to learn how scarce food was to so many and felt blessed to be able to help in any way but we felt even more blessed as our resources expanded and other donations came to us directly from our family and friends at home.  Many people gave without any consideration as to whether or not it was tax deductible with only our assurance that it would go (100%) to help those we found most in need.  We did try to provide some feedback but in general many just donated and trusted.  Most of the people that we helped after Cyclone Gita have remained nameless to us but we did see many of them as they thanked us and shed tears of gratitude when food was delivered to their doors.

I have previously documented some of the efforts to help and there are a few photos in previous blogs as families expressed their thanks.  We are still finding a few families in need here and there but we think many things are starting to get back to normal again.

We did receive a special thank you card from one of the families we helped that really touched us so we want to share that with you.  We became acquainted with him through his willingness to work or learn to improve his family's situation.  He was always willing to do anything that would help him get ahead.  I will not include their names or photos but I want you to feel the gratitude that we see and feel almost daily. We share this not to point to anything we did individually as there is no way to separate out which dollars went where but we felt fortunate to be the face of many of your donations and wanted to pass on a thank you we received so you too could feel the spirit of that we feel.

Dearest Kapps,

There's a saying here in Tonga, loosely translated, that goes, "The greatest gift for a Tongan is a thank you."  A thank you shows appreciation for a gift or an act of kindness. But a thank you or a Mālō cannot come close to expressing our gratitude for the assistance rendered to our small family. 

We were in dire need but didn't know how to approach our Bishop or family for help.  What we had accumulated for our emergency preparedness was enough to clean out the house in addition to our water supply.  We know that everyone has their own struggles, so we didn't want to bother family and the Bishop hasn't been around to know our situation.  Such is the same story for many members.  

Since the storm, sleep wasn't easy to come by because I knew the struggles that lay ahead.  My short-comings as a father and sole provider burdened my heart and spirit.  My wife and I did our best to preoccupy our children with games, movies etc. in hopes they wouldn't notice our situation and circumstances hurricane Gita left us in.

Meal times became the hardest to disguise.  Regardless of our delemma our faith never diminished and we knew God would deliver us from our burdens.  Our faith was confirmed through Elder and Sister Kapp.

Since the receiving of the donation we have been able to eat proper meals and make repairs to the house.  Meals are a small thing until you're hungry.  My wife and I are truly humbled and grateful from the depths of our souls.  I know our children are grateful as well.

Thanks you isn't merely enough to express our gratitude, but it is a beginning.  We hope mālō 'aupito would also add to the spirit of appreciation and gratitude we have for you two, your daughter and the other donors.  

One of our regrets is not being able to thank them personally and individually.  Please express our 'ofa (love) to them for their individual sacrifices from their own responsibilities to assist an unknown family on a small island kingdom in the South Pacific that barely dots the globe.  We don't know how to truly convey our hearts but we pray this short note will share the spirit of appteciation we hold dear.

We love you 'Oku mau 'Ofa atu.

Signed by each family member (as much as possible) and ending with:

(the unknown family in the South Pacific on an island kingdom that barely dots the globe)

The really touching part that followed on the next few pages of the book were; the outline trace of the children' small hands and an outline of the baby's feet simply labeled, "twin 1 and twin 2"; a hand-drawn picture of the island with the sun shinning brightly and a note at the bottom said, "thank you for helping my family - 'ofa atu (in English); ending with a drawing of the Tongan flag.


Matthew 25:31:40

When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: and before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: and he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.

Then shall the king say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: for I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:  Naked and ye clothes me:  I was sick, and ye visited me:  I was in prison, and ye came unto me.

Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?  When saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?

And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.