Volunteers turned out in force for various “Come and Help” projects around the Pacific Area of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in February. This was part of a South Pacific-wide monthlong initiative by the Church to encourage community service and care for others.
Children, youth and adults spent hours cleaning, painting, sweeping, planting, landscaping and more, reported Pacific Newsroom. Church members invited others to join them, and worked side by side with their neighbors.
Bora Bora
The Bora Bora Tahiti Stake covers many islands of French Polynesia, and stake members are on many islands. On the island of Bora Bora, Primary children in the Faanui Ward helped clean the park and sports complex of Teriimaevarua.
Primary President Mahealani Tetuanui said: “We explained to the children that ‘Come and Help’ is also about inviting friends of other faiths. We were touched by the simple faith of the children who spontaneously invited their friends to participate.”
More than 20 children joined for the morning of service and then played together in the park when they were finished.
“A service rendered always leads to a blessing received,” Tetuanui told Pacific Newsroom.
Meanwhile, on the island of Maupiti, members of the Maupiti Ward helped landscape the gardens and courtyard of a new medical center being built.
The ward members helped add more than 100 plants to the gardens, including breadfruit, mango and longan trees, along with decorative plants. When the center is finished, an inauguration ceremony will be held involving the entire island.
“Everyone came armed with strength, faith and pride to serve relentlessly unto the end,” Bishop More Firuu said. “When it was complete, all faces were brimming with joy and satisfaction, having been useful servants in the vineyard of the Lord by helping others.”
Tahiti
On Tahiti Island, more than 120 people from different congregations in the Taravao Tahiti Stake served in their communities on Saturday, Feb. 12, as part of the “Come and Help” initiative.
Volunteers coordinated with city officials to find out where they were needed, and invited friends to join and make their area a better place to live.
In Hitiaa, volunteers cleaned the wharf, while in Tautira they worked in the city cemetery, reported Pacific Newsroom. Those in Taravao helped with a beautification project for a school. And in Toahotu, volunteers painted fences and cleaned other areas in the neighborhood.
Taravao Tahiti Stake President Rupe Parker said: “Serving in the community is our way of sharing Heavenly Father’s love for all His children. We want each of our neighbors to know how much Jesus Christ loves them and cares for each one of us.”
Papehue
Church members from the Paea Tahiti Stake took part in a project recently to help improve a primary school in the community of Papehue.
Entire families served together and had a lot to do that day, including weeding the school vegetable garden, clearing and sweeping the yard, repainting furniture and painting games on the sidewalk of the playground.
One participant told Pacific Newsroom, “Whether parents or young people and even children, everybody was of one heart and one mind to serve. We found great joy in beautifying our school.”
Bishop Marc Taputuarai of the Papehue Ward said, “Serving the community helps us become more like the Savior through sacrifice and love.”
Vanuatu
Members of the Port Villa Vanuatu Stake worked together to clean up the local cemetery in the village of Erakor in support of “Come and Help” month.
Men, women and young adults volunteered to weed, trim and beautify the graves in the cemetery, in a combined activity focused on family history.
Louisette Waiane, who participated in the cleanup, told Pacific Newsroom, “We had a really uplifting experience knowing that we are not just helping and taking care of part of our village, but we are serving our ancestors on the other side of the veil.”
