The article written by Latukefu (1996) focuses on the work of missionaries, considering the history of their missions, defining the problems they faced and examining the impact of their experience on the communities in which they were living. To begin with, the author claims that initially, islander missionaries were forced to assist various mission activities, but then the most enthusiastic of them, such as William Henry, John Williams, Samuel Mcfarlane, and others became interested in promoting the gospel in neighboring countries (Latukefu, 1996). The thing that can be referred to as a specific feature of the missionaries involved in the Pacific region is that “education and health services were integral parts of the evangelizing activities” (Latukefu, 1996, p. 21). Truly enough, in the early 1830s, the literacy rate was increased among the islanders who could read sermons translated into the local language (Latukefu, 1996). Moreover, in Rarotonga, in 1839, there was established the Takamoa Institute to train the Cook Islanders.
One of the most severe problems faced by pacific islander missionaries that were defined by Latukefu (1996) is a tropical illness that was killing many people in Polynesia and Fiji. Thus, missionaries were also involved in the promotion of preventive medicine there. Finally, unlike European ones, pacific islander missionaries lived in the local community, communicated approximately the same language, and were integrated into the population (Latukefu, 1996). This close ties with locals could not pass without any changes: missionaries taught locals to use the materials familiar to the islanders, to cook and eat healthily, to cultivate, and to do sports. Therefore, Latukefu (1996) is sure that the impact of those missionaries on the local communities was immeasurable, and some future studies should be made to evaluate their history.
Reference
Latukefu, S. (1996). Pacific Islander Missionaries. The Covenant Makers: Islander Missionaries in the Pacific, 17-40.