Tonga Missionaries Go the Extra Mile

The 53rd Pacific Islands Forum was hosted last week by the Kingdom of Tonga and chaired by its Prime Minister, Hon Hu’akavemeiliku Siaosi Sovaleni.

With such a large group of delegates from all over the South Pacific gathering in Tonga, there was a need for safe and secure transportation for dignitaries so they could attend the various forum meetings.

At the request of the government of Tonga, President Richard Kaufusi of the Tonga Nuku’alofa Mission worked with government officials to coordinate the missionaries and their vehicles to fill this need.

Elder Delwin Solomon said, “Our mandate for this [event] came from our Area President, Elder Meurs. This is an opportunity to put our best foot forward and show that we are part of the community and want to contribute in any way that we can help.”

The experience provided many of the missionaries opportunities to talk about their faith and their service.

Elder Jhamen Finau drove delegates from Vanuatu. He said, “They asked us about what we do, and we shared with them some our beliefs and we asked them about their beliefs, and we were able to find some common similarities.”

Elder Jeran Teikanoa, who is serving a mission in Tonga, had the opportunity to drive the dignitaries from Solomon Islands, his homeland, to the various meetings.

Elder Teikanoa said, “The experience was amazing…I got to know the leaders from my own country and had the opportunity to open up to them about the gospel and how the gospel has transformed my life.”

Normally, Latter-day Saint missionaries and Church mission vehicles are not used for this sort of service, but the need was identified and Tonga Mission Leaders, President Richard Kaufusi and Sister Ofa Kaufusi, were supportive of the missionaries lending a hand.

Special approval was given through the Pacific Area Presidency by the Church's Missionary Department for missionaries and vehicles in Tonga to be involved in this one-off event.  

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