News Briefs

PM in New Zealand for pre-Forum talks with McCully
Prime Minister Hon Henry Puna flew to Auckland on Wednesday night to meet with New Zealand Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully.
The PM’s Support Office advised the Times on Thursday afternoon that the meeting was scheduled to take place on Friday evening. Puna was invited by McCully to meet with him and discuss preparations for the upcoming Pacific Leader’s Forum especially the proposed visit by American Secretary of State Hilary Clinton.
McCully wishes to inform Puna of the outcome of his recent discussions with Clinton in Manila where she expressed an interest in attending the Forum.
Puna returns to Rarotonga on Saturday.

Preparing for Trade Day

Ani Tetava, Cultural and Te Reo Co-ordinator for The Creative Centre, has certainly been busy. As well as organizing, choreographing and directing the Cultural Night that will be held some time in August for the welcoming of the British High Commissioner, Ani has been creating her own pieces of jewellery. “It is a very hard thing to accomplish,” she told the Times on Thursday morning, “what with the Cultural Night going on, I’ve had to find the time to make these pieces of jewellery.” Resources are plentiful, as Ani makes use of what the local environment has to offer. “I have used shells, puta apuka (Avocado seeds) and kaka (Long seeds that can be found inland) to make earrings, bracelets and necklaces.”
Ani will be selling her merchandise next week, during the Trade Days. -Norma Ngatamariki

The unveiling of Makuru Vakatini headstone

On Saturday morning 21 July at 10am, a small group of families and friends gathered in Ki`iki`i at the Vakatini burial ground, for the unveiling of the headstone of Mitchell Tepo (Mākuru) Vakatini.
Mākuru was the son of the high chief Makea Vakatini Tepo Ariki and Roimata Vakatini (neeManuela Fortes) and is the younger brother of Makea Vakatini Joseph Ariki. Makuru was born in Rarotonga on the 10 March 1939, and married Tepou Irệne kura-i te-rā Vakatini (nee Taripo), the sister of Teanau Taripo. Mākuru and Tepou had 6 children, Douglas, Ruth, Teremoana, Maria, Helen and Papa Po (Dwayne), all living in NZ.
As both of their parents have passed on, Ruth and Teremoana said that they (the children) had been planning to return to Rarotonga to do this in respect of their father and also for them and their children to know and meet their grandparents’ families. They were not all able to make it to Rarotonga, however 13 of them came, the 4 daughters, 6 grandchildren, 1great-grandson, and 2 inlaws.
After the service in Ki`iki`i, the families moved to the Osana Meeting house in Maraerenga for a light katikati, family introductions and getting to know each other.
Makea Vakatini Joseph Ariki addressed and thanked all for their support with his brother’s unveiling and especially to the children for making this happen.
Ruth said that they are so happy to carry out and accomplish what they had planned to do for their Dad and also for their children. May you rest Papa. -Rutera Taripo

Living above average
Too often many people do not live life the way God wanted them to live. For this article I am going to draw some Biblical lessons from I Chronicles 4v.9-10 (NKJV) to encourage us in “LIVING ABOVE AVERAGE”. Our Bible reading says “Now Jabez was more honorable than his brothers, and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, because I bore him in pain. And Jabez called on the God of Israel saying. ‘Oh, that You would bless me in deed, and enlarge my territory, that You would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain’. So God granted him what he requested.” We must understand that God never meant for us to live an average life. He purposed for us to live in victory and dominionship! to be rulers! God called us to do great works for Him, to be achievers! Too often we settle for less, accepting less than what God has for us. The question is, ‘What was it that Jabez did that sets him apart from the crowd?’ In the midst of 600 other names, his name stands out as a man who was above average. If we are going to learn anything about living above average from Jabez, then it starts with having a Dream! Lesson 1 is WE NEED A DREAM! Jabez had a Dream that God would give him more land! In I Chronicles 4v.10 Jabez prayed to God “Please bless me and give me a lot of land…(CEV) Oh, that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory..(NKJV)” The difference between young Joseph in the Old Testament and his average brothers was that, Joseph had a dream. Joseph knew that he was purposed for great things because he had a dream. People who have a dream stand out in the crowd. Dare to dream of something great for your life, dare to dream great works you can do for God. Colossians 3v,23 reads “And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men.” Jabez thought big and he spoke big “..bless me and give me a lot of land..” In v.10 it says “..God did just what Jabez had asked.” Ask God for a DREAM, “..old men..” says the Book of Joel “..shall dream dreams and young men shall see visions.” (Joel 2v.28) Lesson 2 is WE NEED A GROWING FAITH We need to believe that God can accomplish the dream through us. Jabez not only had a Great DREAM, but he CONFESSED it. The Book of Romans tells us that “Faith comes by hearing..” (10v.17). As we CONFESS our Dream we hear it, and we become inspired, and committed to it! It encourages us to believe that it can be done! In Mark 9v.23 Jesus tells us that “Everything is possible for him who believes.” No dream is without it’s opposition, that’s why Jabez said, “..Be with me so I will be safe from harm..” Jabez has no special talent instead he had a growing faith, believing in his confession to God. When you add confession to your dream it builds up your faith! When someone talks of greatness in God and believing for big things we say they are arrogant and proud. The Apostle Paul recognized this and said in Philippians 4v.13 “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (NKJV). In Daniel 11v.32 it says “The people who know their God shall be strong and carry out great exploits.” (NKJV) Friends, what’s arrogant and proud about believing and confessing the Word of God? God meant for us to be raised up and not to be put down. Thinking big requires you to stretch your faith to the limit. That’s how you develop a growing faith. Big Dream and Big Confession requires Big Faith. In Luke 17v.5 the apostles said to Jesus “Increase our faith.” Jesus said “You are people of little faith.” The disciples came to understand that their faith was ‘stagnant’, it was so small when it could have been much bigger. I will conclude Part 2 of this article next week. May you have a God blessed week. Te Atua te aroa.

Headlines : Times 290 02 March 2009
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- Island of Atiu to host Koutu Nui AGM in June 2009