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Pacific Partners Trust
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A very present help in trouble

I'm sure you know about the Ferry disaster in Tonga. 
93 people are still missing since the ship went down last Wednesday night.   

Tonga's time of tears 
Every family has been touched by this tragedy 
Sadly, there was only one woman among the 54 people rescued, and she has since died. All the other women and children were settled below deck for the night when the ship sank. Very suddenly, in just a couple of minutes. 

It's been said that no Tongan family is untouched by this. It's a small country with large extended families. Someone called it Tonga's time for tears. So far, after a week, only two bodies are recovered and grieving families still wait at Nuku'alofa's wharf. 

  • Sleeping in shelters built at the wharf for them by generous local business people. 
  • Waiting for searchers to return the bodies of their loved ones (particularly important for a proper Tongan funeral.) 
  • Almost the entire nation is wearing the black clothing and woven mats of traditional mourning. 
  • Divers have today found the ship in 110 metres of water. Perhaps too deep for bodies to ever be recovered. 

What a time for Christian radio 
Letio Faka-Kalisitiane 93FM is playing such an important role 

  • It's the only radio station on air on Sundays. It seemed like everyone tuned in last Sunday because people are more sensitive to their need for God at a time like this. 
  • Last Sunday we had local ministers from different denominations on air to bring comfort to the people of their congregations. 
  •  Listeners constantly phoning (everyday, not just Sunday) to pray and share Bible verses of comfort over the radio for the families who've lost loved ones.

In the Bible, Psalm 46.1 says, "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble." A refuge is a trusted place to go for protection, peace and hope. Christian radio brings the message of God's peace and hope, and you will hear it wherever the people are. In homes, shops, gardens and the bush - even at the wharf where many people still wait.

Grieving relatives wait near the wharf for 
divers to find the sunken ferry in the 
hope that the bodies of loved ones will 
be returned for proper burial.  
(photo from stuff.co.nz)  

Letio Faka-Kalisitiane 93FM is a powerful channel
for God's "very present help in trouble." 

Pacific Partners is also hosting a team from America this week 
Christians from Arizona, Nevada, and Utah. They came with 'Easy English' Bibles and a well worked out plan for ministry. So much for our plans! They were mostly set aside when the tragedy struck. But God knew ahead of time, and He'd heard their prayers to be used for His glory while on their short-term mission. 
  • Our staff took the team to visit the grieving families waiting at the wharf. 
  • The police turned our people away but when the families saw they were from the Christian radio station, they asked the police to let our people in.  
  • The team got pray for people and give them Easy English Bibles - so God's Word could be their refuge of hope and comfort. A very present help in their time of trouble! 
Please pray for our radio workers and the team members as they bring the comfort of Christ to the people of Tonga. And pray for the people struggling with grief and questions that can never be answered, as they continue to wait in the hope of receiving their missing loved ones.