The life of Mere Uluiviti decidedly changed when she participated in an online devotional on the 26th of May 2024.
The gathering was for individuals working overseas for a season, meant to encourage faith and fellowship among those far from their homes.
The devotional was organised by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Elder Taniela B. Wakolo of the Pacific Area Presidency, and his wife, Sister Anita Wakolo, were the guest speakers.
As a seasonal worker from Fiji, Mere sacrificed time away from her family to go to Tasmania, Australia. She worked months picking berries to earn money to send to her family back home in Fiji. She describes berry-picking as very hard work and her living conditions as very challenging.
A friend, another seasonal worker, invited Mere and a few others to his church. He was a member of the Deloraine ward (local congregation) of the Church of Jesus Christ.
There, Mere met Mike and Jennifer Cottle, senior missionaries from the Church, who shared their love of the Saviour with her.
DOWNLOADMere felt something. She said she could “feel the Spirit [of God].”
The Cottle couple befriended her and introduced her to young missionaries who taught her lessons about the principles of the Church. Mere was embraced by the people in the Deloraine Ward.
She continued to be taught, but she wasn’t sure about being baptised. She said, “The Lord will let me know.”
She then participated in the virtual devotional.
Mere said, “Everything changed when I heard Sister Wakolo’s talk. She spoke of putting God first, the importance of family, and giving service to others. Those were the answers I needed.”
After Mere’s baptism and confirmation as a member of the Church on 7 June 2024, Jennifer Cottle said, “She was beaming and so excited after her baptism. She bore the sweetest testimony.”
DOWNLOADMere returned to her family in Fiji the following day.
Not even two weeks after returning home, her teenage son was admitted to the hospital and died during the night. Mere again turned to the Cottles.
Jennifer said, “We tried to console and comfort her from afar, but Mere was devastated.
Jennifer renewed a contact with Elder Wakolo and told him about Mere’s recent baptism, her return to Fiji, and the unexpected passing of her son.
Elder Wakolo called Mere from Australia, where he was travelling on assignment.
Jennifer said, “Whatever was said, it helped Mere get on firm ground again.” Mere even sent Cottles video of her family attending church and being taught by the missionaries.
Looking back on her life over the past several months, Mere says, “I always thank God.”
She encourages others to “have faith!”