Temple moments: Storm-proof blessings
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The first two families from Vanuatu to attend the temple, those of Edwyn and Wendy Basil, and Tony and Marian Mahit, were faithful members who in 1987 accepted the challenge to travel to the Hamilton New Zealand Temple to be sealed. The way would not be easy.
"We had lots of questions," said Sister Basil, so they asked the questions in prayer and despite their lack of finances, "We felt we had to go to the temple."
They began by keeping all the commandments and saving money every way they could. They did without many things, and most of their possessions were sold, especially in the Mahit family. As the departure date neared, the Basils sold a family vehicle that brought in the balance of funds needed, and the trip began. But difficulties arose when they were retained in New Zealand customs longer than expected. When they came out, it was about 1 a.m. Their rides to the Hamilton temple had given up and departed. They found a car, but became lost on the way and it was 3 a.m. when they arrived.
"When we saw the temple, all of us were crying, we were so happy and excited," said Sister Basil. They were welcomed by local members who scurried to prepare food for them. They were given apartments with full cupboards and refrigerators and were told "we could have whatever we wanted," she said. Then-temple President Glen L. Rudd, formerly of the Seventy, took personal interest in them and helped them during their stay.
After the families received their ordinances and sealings, "we felt good, and happy," Sister Basil said.
When they finally returned to Vanuatu to start over in acquiring life's possessions, a massive typhoon roared over the South Pacific island chain and destroyed much of the property. The Basils and the Mahits believe that what they sacrificed to attend the temple would have been lost anyway.
By their obedience to counsel to attend the temple, they acquired eternal blessings that could not be damaged by typhoons.
