The third week of Advent is the week of joy. Joy is different to happiness. The word happiness shares its origins with the word happenstance. We are happy because of things that happen to us, our circumstances or context affects our condition. Joy is the opposite. Joy arises from a place within. 

    In the case of joy, it is our condition that affects our context. Imagine the scandalous story of Mary and Joseph, an unwed mother giving birth to a child whose father was not her betrothed! In spite of the fear and shame associated with such an event, there is also much joy: the joy of the miracle of birth, the joy of the miracle of love, the joy of ‘God with us.’ And it is the joy of Jesus’ arrival that becomes a polemic to the shame of the circumstances surrounding his birth. 

    Joy changes our circumstances. True joy confronts, re-interprets, and reshapes our context. Or as Isaiah so beautifully imagines, there will be ‘streams in the desert’ (35:6) and the way of joy will make ‘sorrow and sighing flee away’ (35:10). Christians believe that joy is a fruit of the Holy Spirit – in other words, joy grows within us as the Holy Spirit is at work in our lives. 

   Is it possible to be joyful when the natural disasters that batter your island home become more destructive with every year? Your Christmas Bowl gifts help the vulnerable people of Tonga to stay safe through worsening disasters. People like ‘Asena, who has found great joy in protecting her family and caring for her neighbours.

‘Asena lives in Tonga – a beautiful island kingdom but one of the most vulnerable countries in the world for natural disasters. When Tropical Cyclone Gita slammed into the island last year, she and her family had to flee for safety. They emerged from the evacuation centre to find flattened churches, ruined crops and collapsed power lines.

But through the compassion of Christians like you, ‘Asena was able to help her family and community to survive the worst storm ever recorded. 

‘Asena is a trainer in disaster risk reduction and preparedness with Act for Peace’s local partner, the Tonga National Council of Churches. She travels to communities across Tonga, teaching people how to evacuate safely and prepare food and water so they can survive during a calamity. She also trains them in firstaid. 

‘Asena’s work was vital in saving lives during Cyclone Gita – including those of her loved ones. 

“In my own home, I share all my training with my family so they are well prepared. My children know that at first sign, they must help their grandmas and grandpas, and also an elderly neighbour, to evacuate. I can see the difference the training makes.” 

By giving this Christmas, you can help train more people like ‘Asena, and help more families like those in Tonga to survive and recover when the next huge disaster hits. 

You will also bring them the joy that comes from having a strong, loving community, where neighbours know they can turn to each other in times of need. That will become increasingly important for the people of Tonga – the 2nd most natural disaster-prone country in the world who face more frequent and intense disasters as the climate changes.

“Life is important. We know that in the future, stronger hurricanes and cyclones will hit our country. So we never give up training our people in disaster preparedness. Please help us reach more communities. Thank you, people of Australia for your help.”