Tanabose Viviriti Lukukana was a teacher, pastor, church planter, and administrator who served in the Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea. The following story, written by his son, is adapted from his biographical article in the online Encyclopedia of Seventh-day Adventists (ESDA). To enjoy more stories about Adventist missionaries, visit encyclopedia.adventist.org.
T
anabose Viviriti Lukukana was born in 1921 on Choiseul Island, the northwesternmost island in the Solomon Islands chain in the South Pacific. His father, a tribal chief and warrior, and mother raised him deep in the forest to protect him from enemy tribes that engaged in brutal feuds.
Tanabose knew nothing about God and the Bible, but that changed when he turned 20 and was sent to an Adventist educational center called Ruruvai Central School. While there, Tanabose gave his heart to Jesus, joined the Adventist Church, and met his future wife, Leah Barighaza Bitalo, with whom he would later have nine children. Tanabose paid his tuition by hunting crocodiles and preparing their skins for export.
Following his education, Tanabose spent years serving the Lord as a teacher and local church clerk, treasurer, and personal ministries leader. He was also an ordained pastor and district director.
Tanabose’s greatest interest and delight in gospel ministry was planting new churches. He was successful in starting new groups of believers because he was friendly and courageous. Tanabose entered areas that had been declared dangerous for Christian missionaries. He told villagers steeped in traditional magic and devil worship that there was a Creator God who loved them and could set them free from evil spirits and sin. Tanabose shared gospel stories with them, healed their sicknesses with simple treatments, and helped them understand how to live healthfully. Consequently, many communities invited him to establish a house for his Creator God.
Tanabose often experienced divine protection from devil priests, including those times they poisoned his food. He would always pray over a meal and eat while his perpetrators watched. When Tanabose didn’t die, the devil priests wanted to know what power he had that protected him. Because of these incidences, villagers often requested Bible studies and baptism, and a new company of believers was established.
Tanabose experienced many other miracles during his ministry. One time, when hiking to an unreached village called Pore, he had to cross a raging river. Tanabose tried to find a safe place to cross, but finally, he decided his only option was to swim across with his bag. As was his custom, Tanabose prayed for God’s power and protection. After his prayer, he turned and saw a person standing beside him. Without a word, the person pointed to a rope bridge about 20 feet (about 6 meters) from where he stood. Tanabose thanked the man, breathed a prayer of thanks, and crossed. It was risky. There was no way to escape if he fell into the rushing torrent. When he reached the other side, Tanabose turned to shout words of thanks to the person who had helped him, but neither the rope bridge nor the person were anywhere to be seen.
Tanabose safely reached his destination but would soon be in trouble again. As soon as the villagers saw him, they made plans to kill him for meat. They showed him a place to sleep and gave him a piece of human flesh to eat for dinner. Tanabose told them he didn’t eat flesh. Then he motioned for them to come close.
When the group had gathered around him, Tanabose pulled out his Bible picture roll and, through the help of a young interpreter named Mena, told them about the love of Jesus, the commandment not to kill, the soon return of Christ, and the new earth.
During the night, Mena woke Tanabose and urged him to escape with him because the people were planning to kill him. Mena led Tanabose through the jungle, mountain trails, and valleys for some days until they were safely within a police-protected area.
When Tanabose retired from mission service in 1981, the Solomon Islands government granted him the Solomon Islands Independence Medal, an honor for his service, leadership, and commitment to the people of Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands.
Tanabose Lukukana died of a heart attack on December 21, 1981, at the age of 61, while traveling to establish a church.
Photos courtesy of Gilmore Tanabose
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