Missionary headed to Tonga!

Another young man, this time from Adrian, is headed on a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Aaron began his mission just this past Wednesday and will spend the next 2 years in the Tonga Nuku’alofa Mission. During his mission he will teach people the gospel of Jesus Christ and will do community service for the people of that area. Best wishes for a great mission Aaron! To see Aaron’s thoughts on why he decided to spend the next 2 years serving a mission for his church, read his thoughts below the pictures. 

“Dear Elder Folau: (a phrase that I had only dreamed of one day reading, recently became a reality)

You are hereby called to serve as a missionary of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. You are assigned to labor in the Tonga Nuku’alofa Mission.

My name is Aaron Folau and I was called to serve a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day-Saints to begin on May 29, 2019. Ever since I was a kid, I have desired and imagined what it would be like to serve a mission. Fantasies of adventures in distant lands while walking in the footsteps of our Savior were intriguing to say the least. From a young age, my father taught my brothers and I the importance of service. My mother likewise, taught us the value of unconditional love. These core principles would later become two major practices that my life would revolve around. Like Jesus Christ, I will have the opportunity to love and to serve God’s children to the best of my abilities and even further through his grace. The decision to serve a mission was for the most part an easy one. I was raised with a mission as one of the major goals to achieve in this life. However, the sacrifices I will be asked to make shook my firmness in my decision as they are quite significant. I will be leaving behind school and thus putting off my career, friends, though just meeting I consider family, a starting position on a college sports team, a spot in the university marching band program, and the girl of my dreams. When asked the question, “Why did you choose to serve a mission,” my initial answer was “because I was raised to.” After further contemplation, I know that I am called by God to go forth and serve with a love and work ethic like the Savior’s. The love and support I feel from my Heavenly Father and most perfect older brother Jesus Christ are incomparable. The peace and comfort that the gospel has provided for me is constant and consistent. When I think about the trials in my life, I remember feelings of being abandoned and lost. Looking back, I not only know that Christ was walking beside me the whole time, but that he often carried me through those difficult times. As a missionary, I will be blessed with opportunities to share these feelings of love and support with those I come into contact with. Serving a mission will enable me to use the knowledge and gifts that God has blessed me with to aid in building his kingdom. I want others to have a chance to choose to feel the joy that I have. To not share through this opportunity would be selfish and untrue to my character. The things that I know I cannot deny. I am grateful for my Heavenly Father and his plan for each and everyone of his children. I will forever be grateful for the sacrifice of his only beloved son, Jesus Christ. I know that my redeemer lives. He is my savior, my brother, and my friend. I testify that they are both waiting with open arms. They are eagerly watching over us, waiting to bless us. They love us and are ever mindful of our needs. They have not, do not, and will never forsake us. I testify of these truths, and do so in the name of his son, even Jesus Christ the great and merciful and holy Lamb of God, amen.”