We have 2 Tongan brothers that moved into our ward a year ago. When they arrived they were very quiet as it is a new place and their English was ok, but they were fairly nervous/cautious speaking.
Oh, how things have changed. The oldest boy was a boxer who received a silver medal in the south Pacific Olympics and had a shot to go to the real Olympics. However, instead he decided to put his time and energy into preparing for a mission.
Now to put some perspective on that decision, listen to how poor they are. Their mom died 8 years ago. They didn't have much food growing up, and boxing became a way to experience great things for the young man. However, when he spoke at his farewell (ironically it was on the first Sunday of the Olympics), he spoke about how blessed he was to go on a mission and that he was more excited about it than anything that happened to him in boxing.
Also, this Tongan boy who couldn't speak great English has more scriptures memorized than anyone I've seen going on a mission. And English is his second language. He's the most humble, prepared missionary I have ever seen. By a lot.
It's incredible as his humility and dedication have enhanced his abilities, clearly, and we've seen a very "weak, humble" boy develop into a powerhouse spiritually. I never would have thought someone so humble and untrained (no high school degree) would become the most impressive intellectual speaker I have heard as well as the most humble. It's impossible. But it happened.
He's powerful - I think this verse applies to him:
D.C. 35:24
13 Wherefore, I call upon the aweak things of the world, those who are bunlearned and despised, to thresh the cnations by the power of my dSpirit;
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