When God Goes Before Us

The orchestral sounds of classroom laughter, waves beating against the reef, soprano gulls calling overhead, and the occasional bass drop of coconuts falling to the earth create a symphonic appreciation of creation in the Cook Islands.

Through the open doors and windows of Papa’aroa Adventist School, you witness education being nurtured in children whose lives aren’t complicated by bustling cities or busy streets. In Rarotonga life is simpler, although not without its challenges. Surrounded by ocean and thousands of kilometers from anywhere, children dream of a bigger life with more “things” and more “space.” They see the big wide world through television screens and social media, hanging off every traveler’s word visiting “Raro” during their time abroad.

In January 2024 John took his wife and children back home to Rarotonga, a place he hadn’t visited in more than 15 years. Tugging on faded heartstrings during his visit back to the islands, expatriate John witnessed the many great needs of his former island home and returned to the Northern Rivers in New South Wales, Australia, with the hope of initiating a mission to Rarotonga for much-needed school renovations and a community’s spiritual revival.

Answering the Call

The call went out at the 2024 North New South Wales Big Camp meetings: a mission trip to the Cook Islands was being organized for September 2024. Within a month the leadership team was established, and 31 people from Albury, Alstonville, Cairns, Kempsey, Melbourne, Perth, and Port Macquarie, and such countries as Brazil, Kenya, New Zealand, and Sweden, had joined the Cook Island mission team.

The Cook Island mission focus was threefold: to complete the renovation of the school’s classrooms, run a weeklong Vacation Bible School (VBS) for school students, and host a Week of Prayer for members of the local churches and community.

Nothing began without prayer. From inception to completion Jesus was invited to walk ahead of the mission and provide missionaries who would bless others and be blessed by the experience.

Holding to the promise that Jesus would be with us, He blessed us with a team spanning 75 years from our youngest to our eldest missionaries, with experience in construction, medicine, teaching, administration, preaching, counseling, and support. Each person provided an equal blessing through their enthusiasm, presence, love for Jesus, and desire to share the gospel.

Blessed with such a diverse mission team and looking ahead to a rich mission field, we divided into three groups: construction, VBS, and ministry. Mission planning meetings began in June and provided time for prayer, preparation, and planning. Over the course of three months the construction team planned the stages of renovation, the VBS team held training sessions for group leaders, and the ministry team planned the structure, resources, and messages for the Week of Prayer.

A Warm Welcome

Our team landed in the Cook Islands in early September 2024 for a two-week stay at the Papa’aroa Adventist School. Upon arrival we met with the principal, and it was instantly apparent that Piri Manuela was a woman with a heart the size of the island. Her love and dedication to the school were matched only by the commitment and passion of her teachers, all motivated by the spiritual, educational, and personal needs of the students.

Local church communities formally welcomed us and provided meals each day. The hospitality and generosity of church members were without limit; through daily feasts we were amazed by the variety and quality of food prepared by our island friends.

Our missionary team was encouraged to retire early each evening and rise early each morning for daily prayer and Bible study, keeping our spiritual relationship with Christ as the beginning and ending focus of each day. It was often repeated that to be a spiritual blessing to others, we must first intentionally seek a daily connection with Him.

Witnessing God’s Miracles

Equipped with the Adventist kit Heroes, our VBS team taught students from prekindergarten to year 7, sharing the message that you don’t need to be a fierce Marvel superhero to be considered heroic. Acts of selflessness, bravery, devotion, generosity, care, kindness, love, and friendship have an enormous impact on others and point them to salvation in Christ.

Students in year 8 were taught from the Amazing Facts Bible study guide Answering the Most Important Questions, which led them through lessons on Bible truth, identity, breaking the sin cycle, relationships, salvation, purpose, and mental health. It was here that one of our first miracles was witnessed. Students at Papa’aroa had been blessed by donations of the World Changers Bible; however, the Amazing Facts study directed students to use NKJV Bibles to complete the missing words in the lessons. One of our missionaries had been inspired to donate a box of NKJV Bibles to the school, without knowing the teens would need them for their studies. God demonstrated that He was walking ahead of us by providing these Bibles for this very moment.

Despite the roller coaster, it’s mission—and you wouldn’t trade it for all the glitter and gold in the world.

Working to the thrum of construction, the VBS team taught accounts of heroic children from Bible times, created art to bring the lessons to life, sang Bible songs for Scripture memorization, and encouraged healthy eating and active movement. Children learned about acts of heroism from Miriam and Samuel, and that they are cherished and empowered through Christ to do great things for the salvation of others.

The mission work was contagious. As the construction crew began renovating the classrooms, they quickly realized they didn’t have all the tools they needed. The mission budget allowed only for the purchase of construction materials, so the team went to their knees in prayer. The next morning, as the team rose after breakfast and went to the worksite, they found every tool they needed—lent from the homes and backyards of local men who had heard of the need and selflessly offered their own.

The work grew. Unforeseen obstacles appeared, material costs increased, and delays unraveled the schedule. The team was concerned that the project wouldn’t be completed on time; we couldn’t leave Papa’aroa with unfinished classrooms. Taking these worries to the Lord, the team committed to working each day from early morning until late afternoon, waiting on Him to answer our prayers.

The miracles of the mission continued. Vehicles began pulling onto the school grounds as local men, having heard of the mission, arrived late in the afternoon—after working all day to support their own families—to help for hours on end, all for the children and all for Christ.

Carried by Prayer and Community

Each evening, we raced the sun for a dip in the ocean before night fell. Washing away the day’s work and giving our challenges to the Lord, we praised Him for the way He was holding everything together and overcoming every obstacle. We climbed coconut palms, enjoyed the beauty of the reef, and swam with turtles and tropical fish. It was the perfect encouragement to put down the tools, paintbrushes, books, balls, and ukuleles for a soak in the most perfect mineral bath to ease the aches and pains of the day’s labor.

Our missionaries were tireless and, led by Christ, adapted to every challenge and overcame every obstacle. When the VBS program finished, teachers donned working clothes and helped with the construction. Working until 1:00 a.m. on the morning before departure, the team finished tiling the last classroom, and we praised God and gave all glory to Him for another miracle on the mission. Though many logistical, spiritual, emotional, and physical challenges presented throughout the mission, the team remained dedicated to completing the project.

Following each evening meal we met with members of the local church community for the Week of Prayer. Led by Pastor Dada Fialho, we listened to an inspiring personal testimony that reminded us to remain centered in Christ and that, despite the bombardment of worldly distractions and how far we can be led astray, we need only turn to Jesus for our identity, path, salvation, and purpose.

Our final Sabbath in the Cook Islands was blessed by the baptism of an elderly member of the Rarotongan community. Suffering from health complications, he had spent time with Pastor Dada during the mission and, encouraged by his wife, made the salvational decision for baptism. What an incredible blessing to be willing colaborers with Christ and to partake in the grace, mercy, and love He showers indiscriminately on us all.

The Gift and Cost of Mission

Looking back at the Cook Islands mission some months later, I am reminded of the incredible roller coaster that mission can be. The buzz of anticipation when first committing to mission propels you into a flurry of energy—sharing the news and fundraising with friends and family as you rally support for your decision to serve. Then comes the anchor of administration: hours spent in front of a laptop organizing travel insurance documents, group flight bookings, packing lists, corresponding with churches overseas, setting up Zoom meetings, and writing risk assessments.

Meeting with fellow missionaries, you are lifted again with excitement as you discuss plans and what a successful mission will look like, praying together and uplifting one another. The sacrifices made in mission are not always easy to bear—time away from family, unpaid leave from work, limited phone reception, niggles and grumbles within the group, and the occasional injury or illness. As the mission draws to a close, the Holy Spirit nudges you, reminding you of what an incredible experience it has been: service, selflessness, physical labor, sharing the gospel, reading the Bible, prayer, time spent in nature, and expanding His kingdom with people you have come to know and love.

Despite the roller coaster, it’s mission—and you wouldn’t trade it for all the glitter and gold in the world.