Why did Samoan pastors receive a positive welcome in Tuvalu in the 1860s?

In the 1860s, the people of what is now Tuvalu gave an enthusiastic welcome to Samoan pastors from the London Missionary Society primarily due to a desperate need for protection and deep concern regarding labor exploitation.12

During this period, the islands faced severe instability and trauma, most notably in 1863 when labor recruiters from Peru kidnapped approximately 400 residents, primarily from the islands of Nukulaelae and Funafuti. This mass abduction significantly reduced the local population and created a climate of fear. Consequently, the arrival of the missionaries was viewed as a source of security and support against the ongoing threats posed by predatory labor recruiting practices. By 1900, this relationship had led to the firm establishment of Protestant Christianity across the islands.12