Two Generations of Missionary Service for Two Fijian Families

Two young women who are serving as missionaries with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Fiji made a surprising discovery recently.

Lolene Tuiqali and Josephine St. John were recently assigned to be companions, where they would live and work together. 

Not long after they began their missionary service as companions, Sister Tuiqali made a video call to her father. While talking together he recognized his daughter’s companion as the daughter of a man he had served with when he was a missionary in Fiji in 1987. 

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Lolene Tuiqali and Josephine St. John have been teaching people the restored gospel of Jesus Christ and giving community service as missionary companions in Fiji since February this year.

The young volunteers are currently serving in the Nadi area, not too far away from where their fathers were companions. 

“We emailed our mission president that day and said, ‘Fun fact: our dads were companions in Fiji,'” said Sister Tuiqali.

“I was really happy but my dad was even happier when he found out I would be serving with Sister Tuiqali,” said Sister St. John. “He gave me lots of advice about serving in that area of Fiji.”

"Sister Tuiqali and Sister St. John have been a blessing to the Fiji Suva Mission,” said Brad Markus, president of the Fiji Suva Mission.

“The fact that they are companions is a testament that Heavenly Father is mindful in every detail of our lives. It’s gratifying to know our Father in Heaven provided an opportunity for the fathers to be companions and then 34 years later blessed them again by allowing their daughters to serve as missionary companions.” 

The two sister missionaries have been able to meet many of the same people that their fathers served on their mission, and many people have shared stories with them about their fathers.

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“I wanted to experience the same things that my dad always told me about his mission,” said Sister St. John. “When I found out I was going to be serving in Fiji, it really boosted my eagerness in serving.”

They also explained that before they were companions their fathers kept in touch a little bit, but since they’ve been companions, the fathers talk every week. 

“It’s been fun seeing the miracles,” said Sister Tuiqali. “They are not the exact same miracles that our fathers experienced, but miracles of our own. It has been very good for both of us, especially as companions.”

Due to COVID-19 restrictions in Fiji, missionaries have needed to be creative in finding ways to reach those around them. Many have been able to find and teach people online. Sister St. John explained that her understanding of technology has increased as she has learned to use it during her mission. 

Sister Tuiqali has been serving as a missionary for over six months, and her most recent assignment has been training Sister St. John, who began her service in February.

Sister missionaries for the Church of Jesus Christ are assigned to labour for an 18-month period. For more information on missions click here.