Every time Vai Sikahema ran the football on the field for Mesa (Ariz.) High School or BYU - before his professional football career - another Sikahema, Vai's father Loni, ran down the sidelines at the same time.
When his son scored a touchdown, the pair would meet in the end zone for hugs and high fivesNow Loni and his wife, Ruby Potenitila, can only hear about their son's athletic achievements through letters or watch his games on a video recorder on preparation day. But for now, the Sikahemas wouldn't have it any other way because they're serving as full-time missionaries in their homeland, the kingdom of Tonga.
The Sikahemas are the kind of golden missionary couple every mission president dreams about - fearless, articulate and full of testimony and love.
"No one loved football more than my husband," Sister Sikahema explained. "Not only did he never miss a high school game that Vai or our other son Kapiolani played in, he never missed a practice. He loved, lived and breathed football. We attended all of Vai's college games, and Loni attended many of his pro games."
At Vai's first professional football game as a kick returner for the St. Louis Cardinals, he ran 93 yards for a touchdown the first time he touched the ball. After the game, his father slipped through security and into the locker room. While Vai was in the showers, his father doffed his clothes and donned his son's sweaty t'shirt, schoulder pads and helmet. He then passed himself off as his son to the TV cres interviewing players.
Vai returned to discover the cameramen and reporters surrounding his locker, asking his father questions. Outside the circle, Vai listened in amusement to his father's colorful description in broken English of "his" historical touchdown run.
But now the elder Sikahema answers questions about the gospel. He and his wife entered the Missionary Training Center in June 1987, and have brought unmistakable energy to the Tongan Mission. Dozens have been baptized or brought back to full activity because of their work. they mingle well with the nobility, and they are welcomed in every circle.
"None of our friends believed me when I told them we were going on a mission," said elder Sikahema. "'What,' they asked, 'and miss out on Vai's brilliant pro career? You've go to be kidding.'"
Elder Sikahema's response was simply, "How do you say to the Lord when He calls you on a mission - 'Hey, just one more football season,' or 'Couldn't you wait until Vai's pro career is over?'"
Fulfilling full-time missions has been central to the life and goals of the Sikahema family. Elder and Sister Sikahema served their first two-year mission in Tonga as a young merried couple. When they moved to Mesa, Ariz., in December 1969, they reared their three children, Vai, Kapiolani and Lynette, wit the idea that they, too, would serve full-time missions.
Vai served in South Dakota, and Kapiolani and Lynette were missionaries in Tonga. The mission issue was the key in Vai's choice to play at BYU instead of any other major college.
"In March 1979," Sister Sikahema related, "the pressures on our family were incedible. We were island people in a new land. We were poor. Our children were heavily involved in high school. Vai was already being recruited by major football colleges. I was frantic with worry. I decided to conduct my own special fast. i promised the Lord if He would guide us through these difficult times, we would all serve full-time missions with all of our hearts."
Later, the Sikahemas' children encouraged their parents to go.
"In fact," Elder Sikahema emphasized, "Vai said if we would serve ourmission, he would repeat his All-Pro performance his second year and win a spot on the elite all-star team again - which he did."
The Sikahemas have not once regretted their decision.
"Our greatest joy now is teaching the gospel," Elder Sikahema said. "It's nice to have a famous son because he is the conversation piece I use to get into homes to teach the gospel. He's the ice breaker when I speak about the gospel before groups of nonmembers."
Elder Sikahema's fervent testimony is matched by a fearless audacity. He will call on the king without an official appointment; he will walk into a boxers' training camp or a kava club and in moments have everyody around him talking abou tthe Chruch. He is expert in turning nearly every conversation into a gospel discussion.
Elder Sikahema said his mission also has done a lot for him. "I have learned obedience," he noted. "I have learned to control my temper and my misguided enthusiasm. I like to hear news about Vai's and Kap's play (Kapiolani is on the BYU football team), but I get bored watching a video of a football game on P-day. I would rather be out preaching."
And they preach the gospel in word and deed, according to Siunipa Manu, one of the Sikahema's converts.
"This couple has been an eternal blessing to me," Manu said. "They have Not only taught me the truth, they have also set for me an example of an ideal marriage and family."
Sister Sikahema said when they receivd their mission call, many people asked her what was going to happen to the couple's marriage when they were together everyday, all day, with no relief from each other. She said serving a mission has drawn them closer together.
"I've heard it is a time for marital stress," she said. "But for us, it's been glorious. To feel my husband's enthusiasm for the gospel and hear him teach is the most thrilling thing to me," she explained. "Our marriage has never been sweeter or happier."
Meanwhile, Vai recently signed a new two-year contract for a half million dollars with the Cardinals, who have relocated in Phoenix, Ariz., only a few miles form the Sikahema home in Mesa.
"I just hope Vai won't forget our poverty days," Elder Sikahema said. "They were good days. When we first moved to Mesa, all we could afford to feed our children was coconut meat and bread. Coconuts from Mexico were cheap in the stores. Maybe that's why our boys are so strong."
The Sikahemas will be released Nov. 30, but insist it will not be their last mission.
"We will never forget the feeling we had when we heard the prophet plead for more couple missionaries," Elder Sikahema said. "There is more joy in helping someone accept and live the gospel than in running down the sidelines and hugging your son in the end zone."