A Journey of Faith

To discover all the other exciting events happening in Adventist Heritage month, visit the Adventist Heritage website.

Mere Vaihola, MEd (Avondale College, Australia), is currently the deputy Vice Chancellor (Administration) for Pacific Adventist University, Papua New Guinea.  Mere has served as a teacher and school administrator for 17 years in Tonga and associate and Education director for the Trans Pacific Union Mission for 6 years. Tongan by birth, to missionary parents, the late Naimila and Tesimale Latu, she is married to Siosaia Vaihola, who is also a teacher by profession. 

What is Adventist Heritage Daily Devotional?

Imagine a thriving Adventist movement in the South Pacific. Do images or stories come quickly to mind? This podcast recounts important events, stories and memories from Adventists throughout the South Pacific. These mission stories from our past are proof that the Adventist movement is alive and thriving. Listen to these podcasts and step out to join these pioneering Adventists with Jesus on His mission of making disciple-makers in the South Pacific.

My late mother Naimila Tu’ipulotu Latu found her way to the Adventist faith, guided by the powerful words of Deuteronomy 31:8. This passage became a source of strength and encouragement for her throughout her spiritual journey. It served as a reminder of God’s faithfulness and His promise to be with us always, even in the face of uncertainty and challenges.

Her parents were Siaosi and Lina Tu’ipulotu from Fakakakai and Koulo in the Ha’apai islands group of Tonga. They had eight children and my late mother was the fifth in the family. My grandfather Siaosi was a minister for the Church of Tonga. One of my grandfather’s first cousins, Semisi Moala was the first Tongan minister to be ordained in 1947 and Enimoa Niuafe, my grandfather’s younger brother, was a powerful speaker for the Voice of Prophecy over the A3Z radio in Nuku’alofa. Both were strong in the Adventist faith and encouraged my late mother to attend Beulah Adventist College.

In 1968 she enrolled at Beulah Adventist College and at the end of the same year, she returned home and informed her parents that she would be baptised. Her father was very disappointed and told her that she would be no longer be welcomed back home if she chose to go through with it. Deuteronomy 31:8 served as an anchor for my mother’s faith, grounding her in God’s promises. Her testimony when she returned to school: “If my parents reject me, I know my God would not leave me.” With a heart filled with courage, my mother made the decision to embrace the Adventist faith. Today, I am a proud product of my mother’s faith.

My mother’s journey of faith serves as a reminder to us all of God’s unwavering faithfulness and His promises to be with us through every step of our journey. Like my mother, may we all find the courage to pursue truth, overcome doubts and anchor our lives in God’s Word. As we embrace His promises, we can face life’s challenges with unwavering faith, knowing that our Heavenly Father will never leave us nor forsake us.

Verse of the day:
“The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” Deuteronomy 31:8 (NIV)