29 May 2007

 

 

Her Majesty The Queen Mother Halaevalu Mata’aho celebrated her 81st birthday at Tufumahina, Nuku’alofa on the eve of Tuesday 29 May 2007.

The low key birthday celebration was limited to The King of Tonga, The Princess Royal, Royal Family, clergies, members of the Roman Catholic Church, Red Cross, Handicap, Royal Maopa Choir, and close friends.

The President of the Free Wesleyan Church and Royal Chaplin led the short service supported by Rev. Tevita Samiu, Rev. Dr. Ahio, Rev. Makisi Finau, Rev. S. Kiteau Saafi and Rev. Ului Timani a small congregation and the Royal Maopa Choir.

 

The members of the Red Cross and Handicap Society consisted of wheel chair bound members, blind, walking disability, deaf and dumb members and many handicap members all walked from their home to Tufumahina, not far away. They shared the blessed food The Queen Mother provided for them, for through The Queen Mother’s efforts and support these disabled children and adults are especially cared for now in buildings built by the Queen Mother and specially trained staff.

Before the conclusion of the service the Royal Chaplin blessed a new garden, The Queen Mother had dedicated the little garden to the tribulation Jesus faced prior to his death.
It is often observed that the tribulations the Saviour experienced prior to crucifixion was greater then the physical pain experienced on the cross.

The little retreat garden is simple, paved with loose gravel stones connecting the three spiritual sites. A little water spout falls from one water jug to another .In the middle of the garden is Jesus carved on a large white rock stone over six feet high seen praying in times of hardship. The white stone rock is the centre of attraction giving rise to tribulation and conflicting worldly issues that Jesus faced prior to his deliverance. A crucified wooden cross of Jesus is on the northern end of the garden showing the body of Christ hanging lonely and naked from the cross. The image of Mother Mary is in the southern end of the garden and as one walks from the beginning from Mother Mary, to the kneeling posture and concluding on the wooden cross, one can feel the inner peace and the link of the heavenly connection.

The garden of peace that the Master of Human Living Treasure Tu’ione Pulotu assisted in construction, honouring the Queen Mother’s eighty first birthday compliments previous contributions. There are other significant contributions, currently lining the main road, the two Bengal Tigers was Mr. Pulotu’s present to The Princess Royals 21st birthday in 1973.