Jesse Ngatai is one of many New Zealand young people who work for several months to save money before beginning missionary service for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Some preparing to serve as missionaries work in supermarkets, in offices, on farms, and in other jobs.
Others, like Jesse, work on construction sites such as those currently in operation in Temple View, just outside Hamilton, New Zealand.
He and others have been helping as the community undergoes significant changes.
Ken Williams, the young workers’ supervisor and Temple View facility manager, explains that the youth save money for their missions, and learn new skills in the process.
“They learn to plan and save for something with a purpose in mind,” he says.
He also believes that when the young people work for the money themselves, they become better missionaries.
Prior to leaving for his mission, Jesse Ngatai, said, “If you didn’t know how to work and you came here and you gave it your all, it would teach you how to work. I don’t know how it is for other people, but for us, the ability to do something builds character and shows you how to appreciate things.”
Service has been an overriding lesson learned by the young people working at the Church sites. Because of the many things Rawiri Kahui learned to do while working on the Temple View project, he said, “Whenever there is a chance to do service and give charity I can do it.”
Returned missionary, Adam MacTavish, attended the dedication service for Temple View's Camp Tuhikaramea earlier this year. During the service he shared his thoughts about working at the recreational facility before his mission.
“I worked here with many others to fund our missions," he said. "It was always a great opportunity to work alongside Roger Hamon [his supervisor] as many others have done so.”
He further explained, “It was a spiritual experience to be able to work here. Prior to this dedication, my father and I walked around this campground, and as we were walking around the grounds I mentioned to him that there was a different feeling here as to the feeling that was here when I was working.
"I came to realize as we continued to walk around that this different feeling was a result of the many hours of service that have been given by people [here].”
Missionaries for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints receive no pay for their service, and they, their families and others pay their expenses for 18 months to two years.
While serving as missionaries they teach others about the gospel of Jesus Christ and serve the communities in which they live.