“Missionaries from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints serving in the nation of Fiji are helping individuals, families and communities,” according to the leader of the Suva Fiji Mission, President Kenneth D. Klingler.
There are 96 missionaries serving in Fiji, including 15 young women, 61 young men, and 20 seniors.
“These missionaries are humble, dedicated and willing to put the needs of others above their own,” President Klingler says. “They work long hours each day for 18 months to two years, without pay, and at their own expense. What motivates them is their love for God and love for the people of this wonderful country.”
The following young people are just six of the missionaries currently serving in Fiji:
ELDER DILOI
Elder Ropate Diloi is from Fiji. His parents became members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints due to family members who were already members of the Church. After his mission Elder Diloi hopes to be able to attend Snow College in Ephraim, Utah. He says he loves being a missionary and enjoys talking with anyone about the gospel of Jesus Christ.
ELDER RUBEN
Elder Joseph Ruben, also from Fiji, became a member of the Church in 2006. Before his mission he had saved $500 to go towards his mission living expenses. Prior to leaving for his mission, he was invited to play on the national baseball team of Fiji. The team told him that he would have to pay $500.00 to play with the team. He decided to leave a promising baseball career and serve as a missionary instead. He says he loves the gospel of Jesus Christ and sharing his faith with others.
SISTER KHATTRI
Sweety Khattri overcame a number of very difficult challenges as a girl and young woman in India before finding The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. As a young girl she saw a picture of Jesus Christ and says she felt, looking at it, a feeling of love. From a young age, she had a yearning to call herself a Christian. “I am very grateful for our Heavenly Father’s plan for our lives and Jesus Christ’s Atonement,” she says. “I hold my membership in the Church as something very special and sacred.”
SISTER LAVATAI
At a very young age Sister June Lavatai had a strong desire to serve a mission. Her family faced many difficulties after the death of her father when she was nine years old. Her mother never gave up on her and encouraged her to serve as a missionary. She feels that she is an instrument in the hands of the Lord and is grateful and blessed to be called to serve in Fiji. Her sister is also serving a mission for the Church in San Diego, California.
She says she knows that “when she puts God first everything falls into place.”
ELDER HEATH
Elder Haden Heath is from Northern Utah in the United States. Before his mission he received an academic scholarship to attend the University of Utah and was also invited to play on the football team. He says that he felt that serving as a missionary was “the most important thing for him at this time.” The university deferred his scholarship until he completes his mission. Elder Heath says that being a missionary is a sacred responsibility.
ELDER CASUGA
Elder Nicko Casuga’s grandparents became Latter-day Saints in Hawaii after moving there from the Republic of the Philippines. He has been a member of the Church all of his life. He has five brothers. He says his mission has strengthened his testimony and increased his knowledge of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Read more about the missionary program of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and the teachings of Jesus Christ they strive to live by, and share with others.