GUEST NARRATOR, ANN RAO, R.N.

"If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me." Psalm 139:9-10. At no time has this passage been more applicable than the early morning hours of July 3 when our team of fourteen united at the Cook Islands airport to begin a mission to minister to the people on the island of Rarotonga in the South Pacific.

Rarotonga is a lush volcanic island circled by a coral reef and a beautiful white sand beach, and though tourism is the leading industry, the island is unspoiled by hotels or other commercial enterprise. It is the capital in a group of 15 islands spread over an area the size of India. The total population is about 18,000 souls, the size of a small New Zealand town. These unique, friendly Polynesians have their own language and government, but English is widely spoken. The inhabitants of the Cook Islands, a culturally diverse group, have a free association with New Zealand and are predominantly related to and influenced by the Maori of that nation.

The Cook Islanders are a conservative and generally religious people. The dominant religion is Christianity. British missionaries arrived in 1821 and quickly converted the islanders from animistic worship of tribal gods. The whole culture was changed including education, government, dress and the role of women in society. Although the early missionaries insisted on long dresses for the women and trousers for the men, they did encourage their traditional singing. This is known as "Imene Tuki" and is idiosyncratic and particular to the Cook Islands. It is strongly harmonious and sung in parts with the intentional guttural sounds of the men. The tunes are traditional and go back beyond living memory. The words are made up by each generation. The children learn the rhythms and tunes very early. The elders hold classes and teach the imene (hymns), which tell of the past of the local village and are songs of praise to God.

The team set up a clinic in an assembly hall housing a university, which is associated with the dominant church, Cook Island Christian Church (C.I.C.C.). The Wings of Morning team treated 526 patients and 376 prayed to receive Christ. This mission was different in many ways. The smaller population produced fewer patients, who were orderly, more courteous and appreciative than we sometimes encounter. The pleasant atmosphere was rewarding as it allowed the team to patiently minister and show the love of Jesus to each individual.

As there is no separation of church and state, as we know it, we were enthusiastically welcomed to present the Gospel to an elementary school. How beautiful to hear so many young children pray the sinner's prayer in unison! Jesus' words came to mind, "I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure." Matthew 11:25-26. Although the islanders are Christian in culture and religious by the world's standards, many admitted not knowing Christ as their personal Savior. Many who prayed to receive the Lord were active church members. Several asked, "Why hasn't anyone told us this before?"

Sunday services at the C.I.C.C. are very well attended. The worship is liturgical in style and the people are reverent and dignified. Jackets and ties for men and head coverings for women are mandatory. After the service a generous home cooked luncheon is graciously provided for all visitors. The less formal evening service is held in the fellowship hall where musical invents not permitted in the sanctuary are allowed. In this service we were allowed to make the first alter call in that 100-year-old church.

Upon leaving this beautiful paradise, we were showered with gifts. The bond of Christian love is so special. Good-byes are sweetened by knowing we'll meet our new family members again here, there or in the air.

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