By Martha Taumata Faavae
More than 30 years of serving in the Lords work for the EFKS Church is an experience 70 year old Nafoitoa Aiavao feels blessed with for the many lessons she has learned from it.
Nafoitoa is a ‘faletua’ or the wife of a church Minister, Rev. Falemalu Aiavao, who served in three church congregations at Lalomauga, Papa Sataua and Fausaga Safata.
Her deep religious beliefs stood her well through the many challenges of the work as a leader of the women in church and the quality of advice she strives to provide for her husband in their work.
In the celebration of Mothers’ Day this week she reflected on the journey she and her husband took and the role of a mother in a family.
“Personally, the mother holds a family together, whenever a family is without a mother it will not be as stable as when there is one,” the ‘faletua’ felt.
“In my role as the mother of the congregation it was always a challenge to organise the fellowship of mothers in the church, childrens’ Sunday schools, youth and the general congregation.
“You must also give strong and sound advice to the father of the congregation at all times for him to make good decisions in the work.”
Nafoitoa admitted that they are always challenged in more ways than one when it comes to dealing with members of the congregation with their own different characters and personalities.
She believed this is where the role of a mother lies and the offer of sound advice is a key influence as she has learned in so many instances she went through.
“This was what I tried to offer my husband because the situation can become very difficult with some people and I believe this team work helped us through all these years of our service.”
Her advice for mothers especially now with the difficult times families are going through because of the health and economic issues is to help the fathers with the support they need through good advice.
Reports of an increase in domestic violence are a worry for her but it is a time where she holds very strong is where faith in the spiritual love and guidance is very important.
The same care should be taken for the children.
“A family founded on God will always be comforted whether they are struggling financially or with not enough food to go around.
‘While we are going through these trying times , know that God does not tempt us rather our faith is challenged.
‘Never doubt the divine powers when you are without a job or forced to take a pay cut because of the economic effects of the health issues we are going through.”
Nafoitoa is a firm believer that behind every strong, successful man hides a woman who is always giving him good advice.
This was her way of wishing every mother a happy mothers’ day.