Sunday, February 19, 2023
Malea Taueetia and I began a friendship at Valley Baptist Church. It started on Wednesday nights during youth group Bible Study. I asked Mr. Taueetia to come and teach a couple of praise songs in Samoan to the students. He immediately said yes and came for what I remember to be three weeks. His joy in sharing praise of Jesus in his native language was contagious and became my joy. His twin grandchildren, Gabriel and Jeremy, were in the group and it was evident that they were very proud of him.
Mr. Taueetia loved to read about Jesus. He carried a Bible that clearly had been read through and through and through again. At Christmas I never gave many gifts, but was excited to think carefully about a book I had read during the year to share with him. His face shown with delight and surprise each time I handed him his Christmas gift. From time to time we talked briefly about each book. Again his joy was so humbly apparent that it also became my joy.
Shortly after I met him, I always tried to sit close to him during Sunday morning worship services. He CLEARLY gave direction on how to worship by simply being himself. For this I will always be grateful.
Thank you Lord for allowing me to be a tiny part of Mr. Taueetia’s earthly life. Thank you for giving me that joy.
Becky Vick
