Family farewells Tuisese, contingent leave for Lebanon peacekeeping

A family’s belief about the bond in biblical teaching is what will keep them together as their father left for his tour-of-duty (TOD) to Lebanon yesterday.

Ratu Ilaitia Tuisese (Junior) was among 145 Fijian peacekeepers who departed yesterday to serve in the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).

His family was among families and relatives of peacekeepers at the Queen Elizabeth Barracks in Nabua, Suva.

“God be with you,” Navy Lieutenant Tuisese’s family bid him farewell.

His wife Shirley said the family had always relied on the biblical teaching of ‘Mizpah’ which in Hebrew means ‘Watchtower’.

Mrs Tuisese said they were at peace knowing that her husband would be looked after by God.

According to Wikipedia, ‘Mizpah’ marked an agreement between two men with God as their witness.

“This is the call of the country, one which he has taken an oath for and he is entitled to abide by it,” Mrs Tuisese said.

“We will just support each other through prayers. We also know that the God of Israel that left with him is also with us.”

Navy Lieutenant Tuisese, also a medical doctor and former national and Naitasiri rugby flanker, had also served in Iraq, China and Australia.

A lieutenant (navy) is the equivalent of a captain (army).

Feedback:  aqela.susu@fijisun.com.fj