Author: Sabine

(Written as part of my final report (‘my success story’) to the VSA)

May I tell you my story about Kala?

Kala is four years old and has autism. On my first visit to Kala, her parents and her sister’s house, Kala took no notice of our team, nor of anyone else. She was picking up objects and throwing them through the room, she made loud noises (she had no language yet), ran away from any adult coming near her, her father desperately trying to ‘tame’ her by grabbing her by the arm, constantly muttering, ‘sorry, sorry! No! Kala! No! Sorry, sorry!” The mother sat on a chair, clearly embarrassed and close to tears. I sat myself down on the mat, my bag of blocks and some picture cards next to me, and listened to the parents as they told me about Kala and how difficult life was with ‘a child like her’.

Continue reading “Kala’s Story”

Looking at our last post, I realise there is nothing much new to report that all of you don’t already know! But we have promised to publish some more photos for now of our time in Tonga. Coming up below!

Rolf and I are doing well in our isolation ‘bubble’ so far. The VSA has offered all the volunteers to continue supporting and working remotely for our partner organisations in Tonga until the end of May. So, that’s what we are doing, as far as it is possible remotely. It’s good to stay in touch and keep our communication and connections active, and our current projects going.

One day, we will go back to Tonga… Thank you again for all your support, encouragement and love you have shared with us on our exciting journey over the past nine months. Stay well, stay safe, stay positive. God bless you.

(Some of the photos below are set as a slide show – click on the arrows on the right to see the next picture)

“Time in the South Sea Islands – different from time elsewhere. There are no seasons to mark the progress of the year. There is no winter to prepare for, no spring to long for. There are always crops to harvest, fish to catch, and hibiscus blossoms to put in one’s hair. Every day begins at sunrise; every night at sunset. Life loiters through undistinguishable uniformity. There is no yesterday to regret; no tomorrow to worry about.”

Our hearts reverberate with these words as we fondly and thankfully think of our amazing time we had on the island of Tonga. – Tonga has now closed the borders to all incoming traffic, air and sea, and we hope and pray they will remain free of the Covid-19 virus.

Continue reading “Home, sweet Home?”

We are nearly half-way through our assignment, but now, it looks like it could be the end of it. – The NZ government is ‘urging all New Zealanders living abroad to return home as soon as possible’. –

Continue reading “Returning Home”

Just a quick one to say that the test result of the suspected COVID-19 came back NEGATIVE! – We are very glad and were able to go back to business as normal today.

We just want to clarify that we are less worried about getting infected with the virus (though we certainly try to avoid it), than about the big disruption it would mean to our assignments if we were to be repatriated, followed by the uncertainty of time of return. By now, both Rolf and I feel we are starting to make a real difference in many people’s lives and are able to reach into new territory. – So, we just hope and pray. It’s out of our own control, but for now, we soldier on!

Thank you for your continued support and interest!

I wasn’t going to join in with the rest of the world and talk about the current global topic number one. I was going to stick my head in the Tongan sand and pretend that the Corona virus will never reach us, or just go away by itself. Looks like it ain’t going to happen that way.

Continue reading “WHAT IF?”

We have seen the King of Tonga – LIVE with our own eyes!

Last week, we saw that the flag is up at the King’s palace, so we assumed he must be in residence. We had that assumption confirmed by a friend, and were told that His and Her Majesty will probably go to church on Sunday.

Continue reading “HM King George Tupou VI”

This is an excerpt from an article we read in a local magazine. May it inspire you!

“When we lead with our heart, the world looks different. Judgment decreases and compassion increases. We see others the way we wish to be seen. It becomes important to live with passion and purpose and vision. Where there is no vision, people perish. When we know our heart’s desire and lead with our heart, we begin to understand our purpose and passion. If we do what we love, we will never ‘work’ another day in our lives.Martin Luther King did not say “I have a plan.” He said, “I have a dream.” By following our dreams with passion and purpose, we can make a difference in the world; as individuals or as groups. – It has been said that our 60s and 70s are often the most powerful and productive years of our lives. All the years leading up to those years are an opportunity to remember who we are, how we can be of service and refine our purpose and passion. We are becoming better, not older, if we age consciously. We can live the dream.”

(from Real Tonga Airline Magazine)

So, we are well settled back into life in the Kingdom.  Last week, we had eight more VSA volunteers arrive. With this, the number has doubled to 16, and our Programme Manager decided she needs to look around for a formal office building, rather than working from her apartment. It certainly changes the dynamics of our group – in a good way.

Continue reading “Chatter Post”

“What kind of food do you have?” the airport customs officer asked me. – “I have yoghurt powder, breakfast cereals, and….” The officer interrupted me, laughing out loud, and waved me through to the exit. Rolf was waiting for me, big smiles and big hugs and yes, it actually does feel a little like coming home. Back in Tonga.

Continue reading “Yoghurt For Breakfast”

Good thing I already had a title for this post, aye?!

Thank you all sooo much for your caring comments, thoughts and prayers over an anxious last 24 hours. – The cyclone took a slight turn from its predicted track and just missed the centre of Tongatapu. – Rolf and the team and everyone else are just fine, relieved and thankful.

I am now looking forward to flying back tomorrow evening and being reunited with my husband, and taking up our work among the people there with renewed strength and enthusiasm.

Watch this space. And be blessed.

Cyclone Tino has intensified to category 3 and is expected to hit Tonga tonight. The VSA team has prepared as instructed and is at this moment relocating to their designated safe building.

The cyclone has made it on the National News, I heard it on the radio as I was driving in the car. How differently you view disaster news when you have loved ones affected by it! I just wished I could be there with Rolf and everyone. We are meant to do the hard things together, too!

God protect and keep them as I am on my knees in prayer.