 | Country Sites Feedback Site Map Help | | |  |
| |
| |||||||||
| |||||||||
| |||||||||
| |||||||||
| |||||||||
| |||||||||
| |||||||||
|
| Mormon Missionaries: Unique Backgrounds, United in Purpose |
| |
| | ||
| You may see them riding their bikes along your street, or giving service at your local hospital. They are missionaries from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Who are these young men and women, and what motivates them to do what they do, in all kinds of weather, far from the comforts of home?
Missionary companionship (they work together in pairs), Elders Tiaon Baraniko and Peleseuma Avea could not have had more contrasting upbringings. Baraniko, 20, was studying to be an electrician in his homeland of Kiribati before coming to New Zealand to be a missionary. He joined the Church in 2004 after he met missionaries while staying with his uncle.
“The first time I attended the L.D.S. Church I felt absolute peace,” he says.
Five years on and he is offering that same peace to others, in a country very different to that which he is used to.
But despite the cold and rain he often encounters here, Baraniko is finding plenty of warm people. He shares an experience they had one Sunday when a new member brought a friend to Church. “We asked him,'what do you think about baptism?’ He replied, ‘what about tomorrow?’'
Missionary life is not all highs though. It’s hard work, especially when people are too busy or not interested in talking. But they agree that the positive experiences outweigh the tough ones.
Elder Avea, 21, comes from Hawaii and worked as a fire dancer at a hotel before his mission. He has performed in cultural shows since he was five years old.
But being a missionary has fueled another kind of fire for Avea. Spend some time with him and you can sense a quiet determination under his upbeat exterior.
“I’ve learnt from my mission to be upright like Jesus Christ and to humble myself,” he says.
It’s when people find faith and make choices that lead to better lives that is most satisfying to Avea. In his view, the teachings of Jesus Christ, when embraced, lead to changes in people’s lives. Avea describes this process as “precious.” As for why he is here, he adds: “I serve out of love, not duty.
Both men express a desire to go home after their missions and help their families.
There are over 50,000 Latter-day Saint missionaries throughout the world. They serve for 18 months to two years, unpaid and at their own expense.
Recently the New York Times published a slideshow article in its “One in Eight Million” series, which focuses on individuals living in New York. The slideshow tells the story of Shanghai-born missionary, Naisi Zhao. Her experience, as unique as Baraniko’s and Avea’s, also demonstrates a common theme with missionaries. While they certainly teach many people through their words and actions, they also come to learn. | | |
| Rights and use information |