Six young men from the Korongata Ward (congregation) of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons) near Hawke’s Bay recently returned home after serving the people of four countries.
For two years, each of these young men’s devotion, faith and sacrifices have blessed many lives through their selfless service.
Through the example of how five of these young men lived their lives, the sixth decided to become a Latter-day Saint and served as a missionary also.
Waven Hapi followed his friends’ example from the time he was 12 years old until he was 16, frequently attending church services and activities with them. Then, through the encouragement of his local Church leader—and after receiving permission from his grandparents, who were his care-givers as a youth—he joined the Church.
Two years ago he was called to serve as a missionary in San Pablo, Philippines.
While he served in the Philippines, his friends were also serving as missionaries. Jaymin Mareikura (Baclou, Philippines); Chesser Cowan (Manilla, Philippines); Peter Cowan (Nagoya, Japan as well as Sydney, Australia); Suede Sadler (Bagiou, Philippines); and Hapi Keil (South Korea).
Glenn Reid, who was a lay minister in the young men’s home town some years ago, said, “In all, these great young men not only inspired and lifted the lives of dozens of people in different areas of the Pacific Rim, they also strengthened their own testimonies of faith and learned about the value of charitable service.”
Dustin Sadler, former bishop (local Church leader) and friend of these young men, added, “Waven is a convert, the only member of his family. He frequently came to church with the boys. His grandparents raised him, but initially did not allow him to be baptised. They had a desire for Waven to focus on his future and his education.”
Sadler continued: “Waven is very bright and did well in school. His grandparents didn't want the Church to detract him from his education. He came to church and activities every week for four years.”
Although Waven is a talented swimmer and rugby player, he decided in those years not to play or train on Sundays. He pleaded with his grandparents to be baptised for his 16th birthday. After much discussion, they allowed him to be baptised in December 2012.
Friends say Waven’s family was blessed with him being deputy head boy, then head boy at Hastings Boys High School for 2013. He excelled academically at school and received full scholarships to three New Zealand universities.
Following the university acceptances, Waven came to Sadler on a particular Sunday for counsel. He told his church leader he didn't want to disappoint his grandparents, as they had expectations for him to go to university, but he wanted to serve a mission. Waven said he had the same recurring dream where he was in a white shirt, serving in a “hot place.” He had this dream over and over, multiple times in a night.
Waven went home that Sunday night in November 2014 and told his grandparents that he wanted to serve a mission.
The following Monday morning at work, Sadler received a telephone call from Waven’s grandparents. He said, “They wanted to see me immediately.”
Sadler continued, “I thought they were calling to blow me up for encouraging their grandson to serve a mission.”
After the call, they met with Sadler, asked about what a mission is and how much it cost. They also asked about the Church university that he wanted to attend. Then the grandparents said, “We will support Waven serving a mission, and then for him to attend a Church university.”
Waven and those close to him consider this to be a miracle.
The young man worked and saved the money for his mission in six months, so his grandparents wouldn't have to worry about the cost of supporting a missionary.
When Waven was serving his mission, he said, “My grandparents withdrew the funds from my account each month to send money for my missionary service. My grandfather also wrote and posted a letter to me every day for the two years I served—730 letters!” Waven received the letters in weekly lots and gained much strength from his grandfather’s letters.
While Waven was serving in the Philippines, his grandparents welcomed missionaries into their home in New Zealand, often sharing a meal with them. The missionaries would then share a spiritual message with them.
Waven’s grandparents acknowledge his boyhood friends for their example and friendship and how they have helped their grandson.
They said, “We are so proud of him, and that he is not out doing the things of the world. We had doubts about him joining the Church, but it is the best decision we have made for him since being in our care. We love him so much.”