The River of the Water of Life: The biography of Ihaka 'Ike' Samuels

Crossing the treacherous Torres Strait in a small double-hulled canoe eating raw dugong meat and weathering violent storms wasnt going to stop Māori missionary Ike Samuels from reaching the people of Papua New Guinea. Ikes father was Phillip Hamiora commonly known as Weka Phillip Samuel (born 1898). His mother was Papuwai Tanawhea. Ikes grandfather was Te Taiata Hamiora from Rukmoana while his grandmother Rititia had links to Tūwharetoa in Taupō and to the Kāhui Ariki (the family of the Waikato Kings).The biography of Ihaka Ike Samuels The River of the Water of Life is the extraordinary story of big faith overcoming severe hardship and challenging environments. Ihaka Samuels and his wife Mary were missionaries to Papua New Guinea. Being authentically Maori and authentically Christian were essential ingredients to captivating the hearts of the Kukukuku tribe of the Watut Valley. His strong belief in Gods call saw him traverse the jungles of Papua New Guinea pastor churches amongst his own people and enter the NZ mental health sector to help the needy remove shackles from prisoners feet bring life to the lost-and be a comfort to the dying.This biography conveys only a sketch of the life of a devoted man with his wife at his side-a mosaic of selected true life incidents and personal thoughts designed to encourage the reader to simply be yourself to do what God has called you to do and to move with the many currents of the river of life as they come. Ike believes anybody is able to accomplish great things for God in the marketplace through Christ. -Brad Haami