Tonga

  • Pre-Entry
  • Pre-Evangelism
  • Evangelism
  • Discipleship
  • Phase-Out
  • Completed

About the People

As a Bantu-speaking people, the Tonga people share the general history of migration from Central Europe, which began around the time of Christ. Now they live in Mozambique, Eastern Africa, where they are a small minority tribe.

A former Portuguese colony, Mozambique is still recovering from a long civil war after they gained their independence in 1975, complicated by a series of severe droughts. The Portuguese provided no internal development, and little infrastructure is in place in the huge geographical area of Mozambique. The current government is pursuing social integration, and educational opportunities are expanding.

Tongan people are famous for their woven baskets. There is a world trade and technical study of the patterns used by the Tonga in these baskets, now also fashioned and exported as handbags. They feature strips of unique color patterns, called sipatsi, of which 494 unique patterns have been identified.

The Tongan follow ancient practices of tribal ancestor worship. Unlike the dualistic worldview as in the west, traditional African peoples do not separate a secular sphere from the unseen sphere of the spiritual realities. The spirit world is seen as active and immediate, and many people’s lives revolve around serving spirits. They believe in a creator God but consider Him to be far away and not involved in the direct affairs of humans.

People-Group Facts

  • Population: 1.3 million
  • Language: Gitonga, Portuguese
  • Religion: Catholic / Ancestor worship

Frontier Stories

The Curiosity that Led Henrique to Meet Jesus

The family is very grateful to Henrique and happy he is teaching them about the Bible.

By: Geovan Garcia & Daniele Monteiro Da Silva Machu
March 01 2024, 1:46 pm | Comments 0

In Everything, Be Grateful

Fiago inspires us to continue preaching the love of Christ and the hope of seeing Him return as soon as possible.

By: Geovan Garcia & Daniele Monteiro Da Silva Machu
January 01 2024, 8:48 am | Comments 0

Against All Odds

Satan strikes very hard and visibly here in Mozambique. Please pray for Mabil. We need a place in that region where we can build a church so these new brothers and sisters can congregate

By: Geovan Garcia & Daniele Monteiro Da Silva Machu
October 01 2023, 8:50 am | Comments 0

Introducing Geovan and Daniele Machú

The church here is very young and full of people thirsting for hope. We can introduce them to the greatest hope of all, Jesus.

By: Daniele Machu
July 01 2023, 9:07 am | Comments 0

Farewell, From Tonga

Our final desire is for you to support Geovan and Daniele Machú as you supported us. Goodbye, until we meet again in heaven!

By: David & Edie Hicks
July 01 2023, 9:04 am | Comments 0

Baptized on a Church Pew

I can imagine the smile on Jesus’ face stretched wide as He watched His precious daughter baptized in the pristine Indian Ocean.

By: David Hicks
June 01 2023, 4:06 pm | Comments 0

The Robbery

I experienced the best and worst of Mozambique during this event, but I pray that the man reads the evangelistic books he stole and finds Jesus.

By: Edie Hicks
May 01 2023, 2:45 pm | Comments 0

Homeless Rafael Receives a Roof

Each time we bring food, Edie reads the Bible and prays with Rafael, who listens very attentively and thanks Edie for worshiping with him. Lana also joins the prayer. We believe Rafael is almost ready for Bible studies.

By: David Hicks
April 01 2023, 10:32 am | Comments 0

Luna Invited Me Into Her Home

It is often through much intercessory prayer that the Holy Spirit softens a heart and resolves any issues separating a soul from Christ. Please pray for Luna.

By: Edie Hicks
March 01 2023, 2:58 pm | Comments 0

From Pig Lover to Bible Worker

After the two weeks of intercessory prayer, his father said, “Let him do what he wants to do.” It was a miracle!

By: David & Edie Hicks
December 01 2022, 4:38 pm | Comments 0

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