Sixty-eight missionaries of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints left their bags and possessions behind in Kiribati to cut the weight of cargo and allow 11 Fijians to return home.

This was a regional flight organised by Fiji Airways to bring these missionaries to Nadi ahead of their trans-Pacific flight to Salt Lake City in the United States last Saturday.

Fijian Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama said this good deed was a profound demonstration of what it meant to put humanity first and to have love and compassion for your fellow human beings, “not only in words, but in action”.

“Thanks to their sacrifice, these Fijians are all safely back in Fiji, where they’ll be reunited with their families after a mandatory two-week quarantine,” Mr Bainimarama said.

“Because while this virus can shut borders, keep us at home and even take lives, it cannot rob us of our humanity. It cannot diminish the love we hold for others, regardless of who they are, where they come from or the faith they follow.

“Vinaka to all who helped bring these 11 Fijians home. In the weeks and months to come, serious sacrifices may be demanded from all of us – as long as we use compassion as our guiding principle, there is no challenge we – the Fijian people – cannot overcome.”