Preview: Tom Robinson’s Solo Row Across the Pacific, Part 16 – Farewell to Paradise

12 Responses So Far to “Tom Robinson’s Solo Row Across the Pacific, Part 16 – Farewell to Paradise”

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  Graham Cox says:

  Thanks, Mahuta, for being so emotionally honest and accessible, a great lesson in itself, along with your courage and determination. Your inclusive spirit inspires me, and I hope you can navigate your way forward with the love and wisdom bestowed upon you in Tongareva. Also thank you for the inspired film-making that grants viewers a window into the life of the beautiful people of Tongareva. I have friends who are there now, Barry and Ros Lewis, on their yacht, Risky Business, and they have fallen in love with the island as well. It makes me want to sail there myself, and maybe one day I will.

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  Richard Crockett says:

  Wow. Moving indeed.

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  Jerry McIntire says:

  The gift of love never stops giving. You are blessed, Tom. Thanks for sharing so much of your journey with us.

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  Larry Cheek says:

  Tom’s incredible welcome from the people of Penrhyn is an uplifting confirmation that humanity can be better than the headlines make us out to be. A huge thanks to Tom for making the video, to OCH for publishing it, and to whatever fortuitous Pacific breeze blew him off course.

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  David Rawls says:

  Tom’s experience has reminded me that of all the gods I the world, there’s only one who chooses to live within His disciples. It’s obvious that the people of Penryn know Him. Thank you Tom.

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    David Riegert says:

    Amen!

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    Mark Weber says:

    Amen

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  Rod McLaren says:

  Living intensely inside a different culture is life altering, and Tom has demonstrated a most positive response to his time with the people of Penrhyn Island. He left not only with a different name but more importantly with a different sense of self. It is an experience with which I can relate from my years living with the Akan peoples of West Africa. It is one which never goes away. Tom, thank you for sharing your experience and thank you OCH, for spreading the story.

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  steven kessel says:

  This brought back so many great memories for me. In 1978 I was doing volunteer medical work in Samoa. I was dropped off onto Swains atoll ( 1 sq mile) for 2 weeks, and helped update the medical status of the 5 families that lived there. Many had not been off the island in 14 yrs. The experience affected me the rest of my life – 4 months must have been incredible. The love and kindness was part of their “being” , not practiced but lived. We had no electricity, running water ( just spring coconuts), no communication except short wave radio, but I had never been with people so full of the joy of life. God and relationships are what creates meaning in our lives.
  Thanks Tom !

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  Alex Zimmerman says:

  Tom said something very profound at the end, about why he left after being welcomed so warmly and treated so well while he was there – “I arrived at Penrhyn as Tom Robinson and I left Penhryn as Mahuta . . .”
  If we are not willing to be changed by what we experience by travel and voyaging, then we might as well stay home. What Tom has learned about community and the capacity for people to care for each other will serve him well for the rest of his life, and he will spread that learning to everyone else he meets, something that is sorely needed in the world.

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  Kenneth Jeffreys says:

  Wow, what a touching and beautiful experience for Tom and a fine piece of film making.

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  Walter Allan says:

  Tom says it all – what an experience and a bit of heartbreak for him.
  It was great to see this once-in-a-lifetime experience you shared with us, Steve.
  Thanks,
  Walt