Let us all continue to share our joys with one another, our concerns with one another, challenges with one another, needs with one another, outreach sharing and compassion with one another, writes Bishop Tutai Pere of the Apostolic Church.

With New Year 2024 approaching ahead, we have but one most important thing to think, say or do – to show gratitude, thanksgiving and appreciation to our Almighty God and Saviour Jesus Christ for His tender mercy and loving kindness over us all, the people of the Cook Islands.

From the northernmost island of Penrhyn to the southernmost island of Mangaia, to all 12 inhabited but three only remaining uninhabited beautiful islands of Suwarrow, Takutea and Manuae.

To all other ethnic nationalities with us, expatriates, guests and visitors from all around the world, diplomats, ambassadors and intermarriages, you are all equally a part of us right this minute.

Whether sick in the hospitals, homes, inmates in prisons, any other institutionalised and free in any of our villages, communities and on our beloved outer islands, none was ever unaffected nor unconcerned by the onslaught of the Covid-19 global pandemic.

God’s Word in Lamentations 3: 22 and 23, swiftly comes to our rescue, comfort and protection: “It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassion fail not. They are new every morning: great is his faithfulness.”

Our Te Marae Ora – Ministry of Health in collaboration with our government and all major stakeholders, be they traditional, religious, political, business, private companies, adhoc bodies, social, sports, charitable entities big or small, were all intertwined, intermingled and integrated. All seasoned and graced with all our humble, simple and sincere prayers stood strong and firm in securing our ‘akaus, reefs and borders.

Like our sweet smelling tiare maori, tiare taina, tipani and all other beautiful local flowers of our beautiful Cook Islands that come blooming each day, fade off in the heat of the day, yet keeps coming back blooming the very next day – so was, is and will always be the natural manifestation of ‘God’s mercies’ towards us to the end of our days, and promised life after our death and beyond the grave.

What is at stake at this opening of another New Year 2024 for us?

It will not be any different from all other years passed – it will still be toil, labour, blood, sweat and tears – to survive.

But always settled firm and deep in our God’s guiding principles for life, with utmost confidence and trust in Him as in Psalm 90: 1: “Lord, thou hast been our dwelling place in all generations. 2, Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God.”

He further confirms in Hebrews 13: 5 and 6: “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. 6, So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.”

Let us all in our gratitude and thankfulness of hearts and souls to our God, set our focus and confidence on Him to guide us through this year with great optimism and positive attitudes believing that all shall be well with us.

Let us all continue to share our joys with one another, our concerns with one another, challenges with one another, needs with one another, outreach, sharing and compassion with one another, as we have always heard all so very often throughout the Covid years that we are not alone but all in this together.

I sincerely invite all to take this to heart: 1^st Thessalonians 2: 19 and 20: “For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?”

This is eternal security, like we insure our lives, vehicles, houses, businesses, companies, families, family estates and so forth but only lasts in this life.

The above promises eternal security both in this life and the life to come – should death knock on our doors at unprecedented times. Our future is not promised unto any, it’s never a loss but gain to be saved in Jesus Christ.

I invite you to obey and act upon Acts 2: 38 & 39: “Repent, and be baptised everyone of you in the Name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and you receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For this is a promise unto you, and to your children, those that are afar off and all that the Lord shall call.”

Have a truly happy, safe and Jesus’ blessed New Year 2024.

Kia mataora, matakite e te Mataiti Manuia Maata 2024.