What about you?

"These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men." Matt 15:8&9 (Isaiah 29:13)

This is a very true statement of how a lot of people and churches are here in Tonga. There is more tradition than relationship with God. They have all these rules about Sunday which seems amazing, and the fact that they honor the sabbath like that is great, but when you see everyone all dressed up in their church clothes, you can't tell who the true christians are and who aren't. Its amazing to see that everything is closed on Sundays and I mean everything except the bread shops. and And that ever one is at rest, but that is all it is to some people. Just to give you an idea, the police patrol and if a Tongan is at the Tahi (Beach) swimming on Sunday they get into trouble. The kids can't really go outside and play. They have to stay inside and rest. This is just so strange to me, but I love how they truly honor the Sabbath. I love how Holy it is to them. I just want to share more about the Jesus that I KNOW and not necessarily the Jesus they think He is. I pray that in these last few days I can show others the Jesus who died to save their lives. I want them to know the reality of who Jesus is to me and who He can be for them too. I know that even some people that are dear to me here haven't truly experienced the saving grace of Jesus. They only know Him as a lawgiver and Judge. Although that is true, that is only apart of Him, He is so much bigger than that. I pray that as I plan to return here soon (God willing) I will be able to once again show Jesus to this nation, it is such an incredible place. The people are amazing and it is forever burned in my heart. I pray that if you haven't experienced this kind of Jesus too, that you do. Ask God to reveal Himself in a new way to you to day.

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