These pages are to provide the information that may be useful for organisers and their congregations to provide for the preparation and delivery of a fulfilling service.
Cook Island Songs
Songs composed for the WDP Cook Islands
Cook Islands Artwork
Wonderfully Made
“Wonderfully Made”
By Tarani Napa and Tevairangi Napa
“I will praise thee, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made…”
Psalm 139:14
Our Heavenly Father blessed our islands of the sea. From the northern islands across the ocean to
the southern islands, the golden sun shines through the clear blue skies and birds freely fly. From
the bright white sandy shores all the way to the highest mountain top, our islands are abundant
with fresh produce and colorful flora and fauna. The lagoons and oceans are bountiful with sea
life, fish and gems (like black pearls), which link us to the world.
On each island, the mighty coconut tree stands tall, a symbol of strength and goodness. The
coconut tree provides for our health and well-being. We have discovered how to use every part,
from the fronds to the very deep roots. For food, drink, medicine, shelter and much more. The
coconut tree is essential to our survival, and is the tree of life for our people.
We are grateful for the arrival of Christianity to our shores 200 years ago. Christianity brought
hope, peace and light, with an understanding of the gospel of Jesus Christ. In time, our cultures
have interwoven with Christianity, and the blessings are evident today. As guardians and
caretakers of God’s marvellous works, we always treasure these words, “I made you wonderful.”
Our women play a vital role in keeping our heritage and traditions alive. They are the keepers of
talents, teachers and mentors. From mothers to daughters, the cycle of life, faith and love
continues here on our islands of paradise. We show our respect and love for God and for one
another in harmonies of song and prayer. Our precious Tivaevae quilts represent patience, love
and unity. We honor God’s love and mercy with hats we wear to church, woven by skillful
loving hands from the strands of rito, the young coconut leaf. We adorn ourselves with sweet
scented Tiare tropical flowers, made into crowns and garlands. From the heart, we teach and
nurture our beloved children, the younger generation, our future.
At the closing of a gathering, our Tongareva elders always say these powerful words of
encouragement –
“Kia mau te serenga! Kia mau te napena! Kia mau!”
This means “Hold on tight to who you are, in all aspects of your existence!”
We are wonderfully made by God, and we should cherish all the aspects of who we are!
About the artists:
Tarani Napa and Tevairangi Napa are a Mother-Daughter artist team from the Cook Islands.
They feel honored to have been able to share this piece of artwork in recognition of their love for their home, their faith and, and their heritage. Tarani Napa is a mother of six children and three grandchildren. She is a certified primary school teacher, entrepreneur and creative artist.
Tevairangi Napa is the eldest daughter of Tarani, and she is a proud mum of two children. She follows in her mother’s footsteps as a creative artist.
Copyright
Copyright © 2023 World Day of Prayer International Committee, Inc.
“I Made You Wonderful” was prepared by the World Day of Prayer Committee of Cook
Islands for the worship service and educational activities for the 2025 World Day of Prayer
(WDP) annual celebration. WDP materials are developed for the exclusive use of WDP
programs organized by national or local committees and their partner organizations. For any
other use, materials from the WDP 2025 Resource Packet may not be reproduced without the
permission of World Day of Prayer International Committee (WDPIC).
Limited reproduction rights granted—Bible study, Worship Service, Country Background,
Children’s Program, Artwork and Artist Statement, WDP composed songs and photos may be
reproduced—printed or electronically—for WDP activities with congregations and groups, if
appropriate credit is given. WDP National/Regional Committees are permitted to resell
reproductions of the resources for the purposes of the WDP program.
Only WDP National/Regional Committees connected with WDPIC can make the resource packet
or sections of the materials available online. Committees that make materials available online
must ensure groups and individuals who access the online materials are accountable to the
committee.
The songs suggested for the worship service and children’s program include copyrighted
information from the publishers. Permission to reproduce or translate the songs must be obtained
from the publishers. WDPIC only gives permission to reproduce or translate the songs that are
originally composed for WDP programs.
Any offerings or funds collected related to WDP activities must be reported to WDP committees.
Scripture quotations are from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright © 1989
by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the
U.S.A. and are used by permission. All rights reserved.
For further information, please contact:
World Day of Prayer International Committee
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New York, NY. 10115. USA
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