On Monday just gone, 14/08/2023, we held a prayer service for our loved ones who passed just recently. In Niue, it would be called “Alaala” (vigil or a wake), but it is really another form of worship since we are glorifying God for their lives while sharing stories, memories and experiences.
On one hand it’s a very somber sad time of reflection but on the other, it’s a blessed time of remembrance and celebration for their beautiful and meaningful lives and legacies. All of these beloved have families in our Ekalesia. All of them were loved by God and by their friends and families.
In no particular order, we would like to extend our condolences to these families for the passing of their loved ones.
Tuna Makapelu (Sapa & Maria).
Sifofo Matakaiagai (Puhotau & Togasiua families).
Toganiue Sisikefu (Moka Puhotau & Jo Falaniua).
Fisi Talagi (Tuku & Pina Mahakitau).
Vaione (matua fifine ha Fisi).
Sala Papani Tanu, (Tuku, Pina, Dean).
James Jackson (Hakupu).
Lagavine Matahakufeleni Misipeka (Matua ha Dougie).
Rosaola Malaki.
And also:
Vailima Tukuitoga (Aunty ha Kau mo Kene).
Moka Liuvaie (Tama he matua fifine Sugafai Tolomaki, cousin ha Frances mo Fiona… hoana he kasini ha Kau mo Kene.)
Faitama ko Aiden Tapatuetoa (Puhotau family, Frances’s & Fiona).
After a welcome and prayer by Paku, we launched into song, singing all the Niuean favourite hymns we could remember from our motherland, Niue. Songs like “Kua toka”, “Haleluia”, “Haha he lagi ha talu a motu” and many more.
After each song, someone would take the microphone to share a memory.
The first to share was our tupuna Pina who spoke about our Avatele tupuna Sala Papani Tanu. Pina’s sister Fasala married Kigatoa, one of Sala and Papani’s children. Unfortunately her sister Lisa, didn’t make the service due to the flu.
Ligi Togasiua then spoke about Sifofo Matagiaga and Moka Liuvaie. She mentioned how she’s related to both of them and thanked everyone who came. Siua couldn’t join us due to family commitments.
Joanne Falaniua shared her fond memories about her cousin Aiden and his dad who also passed away not long after his son. She recalled how Aiden would always want a cuddle and the many memorable things he did.
Frances shared about her close relationship with Moka, Sugafai (Moka’s mother) and what a loving wonderful soul Moka was. She reminded us about God’s plan for our lives and how we have to endure and remain faithful regardless of the suffering we face.
Fiona also shared about her cousins, James and Moka. She reminded us about God’s amazing love and mercy and used the opportunity to share a few verses for comfort.
Enise also spoke to encourage and offer the families who are affected her and Jamal’s support.
Kene spoke fondly about his aunty Vailima and how she would cook the biggest and baddest uga everytime they visited her family at Tafolomahina. Kene spoke about Tuna, James, Fisi, Rosaola and Dougie’s mother Lagavine. He also reminded us of the need to stay close to God at all times and also shared his thoughts drawn from Mathew 5.
Kau was the last the last to speak. He recounted a lot of memories in his experiences with his aunty Vailima and also some humorous stories involving his mate, Sifofo. Kau recalled how he once helped Sifofo fixed his bike and while he was cleaning the spark plug, Sifofo kicked the bike’s starter sending a huge dose of electricity through his body. He suspected that to this day his left arm has never quite recovered.
After he helped Sifofo got the bike working again, his friend was so happy revving the bike that the whole house was filled with smoke. They were fixing the bike in Sifofo’s living room.
Kau finished our short service with a prayer.
Our cousin Ben Aue attended to pay his respects, hope to see you again brother Ben.
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This is from our Brother and Deacon, Duncan Taleni.
Fakalofa lahi atu kehe magafaoa he Ekalesia Niue Northside. Tau nava moe fakaheke fakamua kehe ha tautolu a Atua fakahele kehe haana tau leveki mai kehe ha tautolu a tau momoui igatia taki tokotaha. Fakaue kehe ha tautolu a tau takitaki he taute e alaala nei ke lata moe ha tautolu a tau fakahele kua moua e tau uiaga kehe kautu he Atua.
Pihia kehe tau loto kaina taki tokotaha kia lautolu ne nonofo hifo moe tau lotomomoko. Koe tau magaaho nai ke omai moe fakatutuku auloa.
Mataio 5 kupu 4 : “Uhoaki a lautolu Ne fakatukutuku; ha ko e mena ke fakamafanatia a lautolu.” “Blessed are those who mourn because they will be comforted.” Ko e tau higoa ha lautolu Ne moua e tau uiaga kehe kautu he Atua mai he ha tautolu a tau magafaoa he Lotu.
Fakaaue kehe tau Tupuna, Tuku mo Pina, tau siakono ko Kautau Taleni, Frances Taleni mo Kene, tau matua fifine ko Ligi, Moka, Joanne moe fanau, tau fuata ko Nise mo Jamal, Claude mo One.
Ai nimo e matakainaga ko Ben Aue ne fakalataha mai kehe alaala, liogi, moe lologo ke fakamanatu ha tautolu a tau fakahele. Fakaaue kehe tau kupu ne folafola ke he falu ha lautolu a tau momoui.
Tolu e magafaoa ha tautolu ne tui lagaua e Tao masila kehe tau Loto kaina. Matua taane ko James Moe haana tama ko Aiden (magafaoa Puhotau), Fisi Talagi Moe haana matua fifine ko Vaione ( Tuku, Pina, Frances’s, Kau, Fiona, Dean, Kene), Moka Liuvaie mo Vailima Tukuitoga (Kau, France,Fiona,Kene).
God Bless. May they all rest in love.
Revelation 21 : 4 :
He will dwell with them; they will be his peoples, and God himself will be with them; he will wipe every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; mourning and crying and pain will be no more, for the first things have passed away.”
Psalm 46 1 – 3
God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
3 though its waters roar and foam
and the mountains quake with their surging.
