First Tongan United Methodist Church, Waimanalo.

Fusi, Ana, Kefie, Ema, Kala, Mesake

My Tongan name is Kefie, and I went to church with Kala, one of my housemates. Mesake, Fusi, Ana, and Ema all participated in the Concrete Christ Service Project camp last week. We had a happy Sunday reunion at their church. I couldn't understand the service, except when the pastor said "Kefie" which I knew meant for me to stand up to get a lei. Kala played translator, but I didn't need a translator to appreciate and sit in awe of the beautiful music, swaying to the upbeat and melodious tunes. The whole church seemed to be the choir. No hymnals were used, singing from memory in beautiful harmony with each other. I sat with my eyes closed, uplifted by the joyous voices on all sides of me. And not even twenty minutes into the service a little girl found her way onto my lap. I don't know why she chose to come to me, maybe it was because I was the only polangi face among the Tongans and she was curious, but she sat on my lap, trying to join the singing with babbles that desperately wanted to form words. She laughed and called out and swayed in my arms. And then she started picking the plumerias from my lei, at first tucking them behind her ear, but then finding great laughter in viciously ripping them off and throwing the pale yellow flowers on the ground. I couldn't help but laugh with her. It was good to be in a community of loving friends, who welcomed me in to their worship space, in their language to worship our God. The presence of the Lord knows no bounds; if only we could learn to love and appreciate everyone the same way. I think it is when our differences come together that we truly can see the awesome, mighty and loving God Christians around the world worship.