The Congregational Christian Church Samoa in Fogapoa, Savai'i on Sunday bid farewell to their spiritual parents, Reverend Elder Ioane Viliamu and Vaita'i Samoa following their retirement after 46 years of service.

It was an emotional day for everyone in the village, especially Reverend Elder Ioane, who stood at the podium preaching for the last time to the village and the people they considered their "family" for more than four decades. 

The couple make their exit after serving the Fogapoa parish and the congregation for 42 years and five months. 

Prior to their calling to serve at Fogapoa, Rev. Elder Ioane and his wife who graduated from the Malua Theological College in 1976 were immediately called to serve at the C.C.C.S. Samusu, Aleipata parish until 1979. They were then called to serve at Fogapoa in 1980 until they made their exit on Sunday. 

As he made his formal departure from the congregation he has served since 1980, the emotional pensioner reminded the villagers of Fogapoa of the importance of acknowledging God in their lives. 

Rev. Elder Ioane was among four retiring church ministers who were honoured at the pensioners’ service during the C.C.C.S. annual conference at Malua last month.

In an interview with this newspaper at that time, he fought to hold back his tears as he took a trip down memory lane, recalling their first few years at Fogapoa. 

"I was only 28 years old at the time and my wife was only 20," Rev. Elder Ioane recalled. "Those were very challenging times and we wouldn't have made it this far if we did not trust our calling and sought God's guidance first and foremost before we made any decisions.

"It was tough not only because we were young, but also because of the nature of the work in God's ministry. It's like anything in life; the beginning is always challenging and it takes time before you settle in. 

"But nothing is impossible if you put God first in all that you do."

While Rev. Elder Ioane admitted that it's hard to leave the place they've called home for the last 42 years, he is retiring with a great sense of satisfaction that he had done what the Lord called him to do at Fogapoa. 

"It's all part of life," he said. "One thing I am certain of is that, no matter where we go and where we will be for the remaining years of our lives on earth, Fogapoa will always be home for us and we will never forget the love and memories we made at Fogapoa.

"We will miss the people especially our children in the Sunday school."

On Sunday, Rev. Elder Ioane couldn't hold back his tears during his final sermon in front of his congregation. 

The eldest matai from the village of Fogapoa, Namulauuu Suaesi spoke on behalf of the congregation to express their sincere gratitude to Rev. Elder Ioane and Vaita'i for their service to the village and people of Fogapoa. 

An emotional Namulauuu said it would be hard for the people of Fogapoa to forget about their spiritual parents, noting that the 42 years they spent at Fogapoa is a lot of years. 

Their hard work, dedication and love for the people of Fogapoa will not be forgotten, added Namulauuu. 

Rev. Elder Ioane and Vaita'i Samoa are from the villages of Salelologa, Avao, Lano, Taga, Fasito'o-Tai, Ulutogia, Lalomanu, Sa'anapu, Malaemalu and Sapunaoa. They entered the Malua Theological College in 1972 and graduated in 1976. 

Upon completing their four years in Malua, they were called to serve at the Samusu Aleipata C.C.C.S. parish until 1979. They were also called to serve the Fogapoa parish in Savai'i from 1980 until Sunday. 

They have eight children and are looking forward to spending quality time with their children, families and friends.