A church minister from the Pentecost Church at Siumu has advised mothers to keep the faith during times of hardships.

That was the message Pastor Pele Maposua shared with the Samoa Observer and mothers of their church during Mother's Day Sunday. 

“Firstly, we give thanks to our Heavenly Father that we have survived and arrived on yet another Mother’s Day celebration,” he said.

The 55-year-old added that a mother’s role and duties within a family are not easy.

“We are grateful that the previous ban of church services with large numbers has been lifted because we wanted to acknowledge our mothers," he said.

“This year our church has prepared gifts and leis to present to the mothers and of course we will be calling them individually as a sign of recognition that this is a joyous day for them.

“I have chosen the book of Ruth to provide a message of hope for mothers on this special day.”

He stated that Ruth is a good example of a strong mother who left Moab and returned to Israel after hardships.

“Ruth did not give up after her husband and children died, this is why I urge mothers of Samoa to be strong in doing works that acknowledge God’s will.

“If God has called you for a certain purpose in life, there will come a time you will face obstacles in the form of floods and cyclones.

“All mothers must keep their faith in God strong because there will be times of darkness and there will also be a time of light that will depict God’s love and endless blessings.”

Pastor Maposua told the Samoa Observer that during these difficult times that the world faces a global pandemic, there will also come a time that Samoa will face a certain form of drought in life.

“This is why we must unite and stay true to our faith in God.

“We must also respect and honour our elderly mothers by always listening and heeding their advices because they were here before us and they are rich of knowledge and wisdom that young mothers will be blessed if they were to care for them.”