• Friends of God in the “Friendly Islands”
    The Watchtower—2004 | December 15

    • The Quest Used in the Search

      A few months after the Memorial of 2002, another sailing vessel brought some priceless cargo to remote Ha’apai. The 60-foot [18 m] yacht Quest from New Zealand plied its way through the islands of Tonga. On board were Gary and Hetty, along with their daughter Katie. Nine Tongan brothers and sisters and two missionaries accompanied them on two voyages. The local Witnesses helped in deftly navigating the boat, sometimes through uncharted reefs. These were not pleasure cruises. Those on board were there to teach Bible truth. They covered a wide expanse of ocean in visiting 14 islands. The Kingdom good news had never been preached in some of those islands.

      How did the people respond? Generally, the seaborne preachers were met with a combination of curiosity, warmth, and traditional island hospitality. Once the islanders understood the purpose of the visit, they expressed deep appreciation. It was clear to the visiting Witnesses that the island people respected God’s Word and were conscious of their spiritual need.​—Matthew 5:3.

      Many times, the visitors would sit under tropical trees surrounded by people who had numerous questions on the Scriptures. After nightfall, Bible discussions continued in the homes. The people on one island called out to the departing Witnesses: “Don’t go! Who will answer our questions when you leave?” One Witness noted: “It was always hard to leave behind so many sheeplike people who were hungering for the truth. Many seeds of truth have been planted.” When the Quest arrived at one island, the Witnesses found everyone dressed in mourning garb. The town officer’s wife had just died. He personally thanked the brothers for bringing a message of comfort from the Bible.

      Some of the islands were not easily accessible. Hetty explains: “One island had no convenient landfall, only cliffs rising several feet straight out of the ocean. Approach was possible only with our tiny rubber dinghy. First, we had to throw our bags to the many willing hands on shore. Then, as the dinghy rose up to the ledge of the cliff, we had to jump before it dropped down again in the ocean swell.”

      Not all on board were intrepid seamen, however. After a two-week sail, the skipper wrote with regard to the return trip to the main island of Tongatapu: “We have 18 hours of sailing ahead of us. We cannot do it in one stretch because of the seasick ones. We are pleased to head home but also very sad to leave behind so many who have now heard the Kingdom message. We leave them in Jehovah’s care, with his holy spirit and angels helping them to grow spiritually.”