Kumasta mo!
I want to tell you all a story about a super hero.
Let's go over the qualities of super heroes that we know: strong- both physically and emotionally, kind, selfless, always stands up for what's right, determined, etc. We can all think of what we can add to this list. What comes to mind for me is the scriptural saying "with great power comes great responsibility".
Who are you thinking of? Superman, Batman, Spiderman, Iron Man, Elastigirl... Pick your favorite.
But no, this story is different. There is something different about the super hero I am going to tell you about and the super heroes mentioned above. The difference is that she is real.
Her name is Sister Rimai and she is in my district. She's in the picture above…top left, on the end. She is from Kiribati and doesn't speak English really at all. She got called on her mission to Cebu, Philippines and is doing her best to learn the language from people who don't even speak her native language.
Last Thursday, Sister Rimai's mother passed away. She had been sick for some time and passed away in the morning of the 24th. After receiving an email from her Aunt in the morning, Sister Rimai held it in and didn't tell anyone - not even her companion. She went on with the day trying her best to accomplish everything she needed to do. That afternoon, the same day, she received another email from the same Aunt. Sister Rimai's father died later the same day due to a heart attack.
Still not saying a word to ANYONE, she came to class on Friday and went through all of her daily routines. Friday night, during class, we practiced teaching each other the Plan of Salvation. (For those that don't know what that is - it is God's Plan for us, His children, to return to live with Him again. It includes where we came from, why we are here on Earth, and where we are going after we die. Included in this Plan is the amazing truth that families will be together forever - even after death).
As you could imagine, this hit home for Sister Rimai and she broke down after class. Later that night, we decided that our language studies could wait, and we had a District Family Home Evening. After singing a bunch of hymns, eating some delicious food from all of our packages, each one of us - including Sister Rimai - bore our testimony of what we know to be true about this life and the life to come. I'll never forget her sincere, heartfelt testimony in broken English. The only words that we could make out were, "I know that the Plan of Salvation is true. I know that I will see my family again. I know that I will finish my mission."
Where else on EARTH do you have this happen? We all go through trials and hardships - that is a requirement of this life. But, where else could you see a young woman - a sister missionary - go through something this hard, yet still have enough trust in the Lord and in our Heavenly Father to pursue her course and serve an honorable mission for 18 months of her life. She to took a 45 minute call home, and ultimately decided to stay and help the Lord hasten His work in this great calling of "missionary".
That is a Super Hero.
I know - without any ounce of doubt - that this Gospel is true. It gives hope, it gives knowledge, and it provides an environment where miracles can and do happen.
I know that these sacred grounds of the MTC are set apart for us - as missionaries for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints - to fulfill our purpose and have the strength and determination to get through especially hard times in our lives.
I know that there is opposition in all things. ALL things. People ask why bad things happen to good people. It's because they make even the strongest person stronger.
I know that Sister Rimai will be able to see her family again. I know that if anybody has questions, all they have to do is read the Book of Mormon, ponder, and pray to ask God if it's true. We don't convince people of the truthfulness of this amazing book. No man should take another man's word on something as sacred as this. Ask your Father in Heaven. He will confirm the truth of it to you.
Please learn something from Sister Rimai's story. If all that you got from it is that she is a strong human being, able to go through something as tough as that, understand that she is this way because the Gospel of Jesus Christ made her that way. You can have that strength too. You can be a super hero to everyone around you by the way you live.
I love you guys so much and am so grateful for you. I love you, mom and dad - and know that God has a plan for each and every one of us. Love, love, love you!
Kinasingkasing,
Elder James Ryan Jacobs
