The Light the World Giving Machines are being hosted in 10 cities across the US this year, Light the World Jeepneys have hit the Philippines, and missionaries are participating in massive service projects from Thailand to Ghana. See videos and photos of each of these awesome Light the World projects in action below.
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Manila, Philippines
The temple lighting ceremony for the Manila Philippines Temple featured prerecorded musical numbers and messages from Church leaders, interfaith representatives, and government officials.
“Whenever we see the lit landscape of this temple, it signals to us one of the best reminders that we are approaching Christmas,” Philippines Senator Grace Poe said at the lighting ceremony. “Tonight, even though there is darkness and hopelessness, these can be dispelled by the true light and love which emanate from our Savior Jesus Christ.”
See a video of the event below:
And starting Dec. 1, billboards and local transportation services like buses and jeepneys wrapped with the “Light the World with Love” red and white logo were spotted on the streets in the Metro Manila area.
You can read about the event on the Church’s Newsroom.
Accra, Ghana
Earlier this month, missionaries at the Ghana Accra MTC participated in a service project, providing 550 large packages of food to residents of Bukom City in Accra, Ghana.
“It was a monumental effort to have the food products prepared for distribution,” President Paul Craig told Newsroom. “We express deep gratitude for all who participated in this project. We are very grateful for the peace and love that we have all felt through this opportunity to Light the World through service.”
Newsroom reported that Sister Emelia Ahadjie, AWA Director of Communication shared a sweet story: “As the event closed down, two elderly crippled men tried to make their way to the venue. They had been delayed and arrived after all food had been distributed. Tears came down their faces when they were told it was all gone. One of the security guards remembered there were four extra food bags that had been set aside and forgotten. The food was quickly found and brought to the men. The tears flowed even more as they praised God and gave thanks that He had been looking out for them.“
Read more on Newsroom.
Benin City, Nigeria
In Nigeria, more than 100 elderly men and women received food packs from the Church as part of the 2021 “Light the World with love” initiative.
The Church’s Newsroom reported that Sheik Abdulfattah Enabulele, the Chief Imam of the Muslim community in Benin City, applauded the Church for its local generosity. “Who said Christians and Muslims cannot work together?” he asked. “There is the need to promote peace and harmony among the followers of all religions. I will return to my congregation with the good news of a Church like The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.”
Read the full story on Newsroom.
Bangkok, Thailand
As part of a two-day mission conference in Bangkok, Thailand, 57 young missionaries and 14 senior missionaries participated in a 3-hour service project in conjunction with the “Light the World with Love“ campaign.
The entire mission participated in assembling 4,000 school and hygiene kits for local underprivileged children, wrapping 500 stuffed animals and cookie packages, and assembling 150 food bags for local temple workers with families who live in the area.
Hong Kong
A service project in Hong Kong on December 4th saw the 100 people (including 80 Church members and missionaries) partner with Foodlink Foundation to package and deliver 1,000 gift bags to local underprivileged children.
According to Aurea Yung, head of operations of Foodlink Foundation, Hong Kong is a very prosperous city, but the gap between the rich and the poor is expanding.
“One in every four children lives in poverty,” said Yung. “Many don’t even have enough nutritional food to eat, let alone getting a Christmas gift. This goody bag from the Church is indeed a luxury for them, and I’m sure it meant so much to those who received it.”
Each gift bag includes various snacks, a bag of rice, a children’s book, a few masks, and a greeting card with a message from the Church.
Read the full story on Newsroom.
See photos and videos of the 10 Giving Machines across the U.S. below:
Denver, Colorado
Gilbert, Arizona
Honolulu, Hawaii
Kansas City, Missouri
Las Vegas, Nevada
Nashville, Tennessee
New York City, New York
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