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SALT LAKE CITY — A historic trip for members of a youth group and their leaders from Bora Bora who traveled nearly 5,000 miles to Utah to enjoy activities and see general conference.
The group of 52 people arrived at the Salt Lake City International Airport on Monday to music, dancing and celebration.
They had been traveling for more than 24 hours to get here.
"We are really happy to be here. Really grateful for all the help we get from our friends here from Utah," said Tania Manea, one of the youth leaders.
Bora Bora is located in the French Polynesian Islands in the South Central Pacific Ocean. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints youth and their leaders have been saving up for this trip for two years.
"It was really expensive, but we were really blessed. We did a lot of fundraising," said Manea.
Shawn and Angie Heaton are hosting them in Utah.
"They've been fundraising, they've been selling food, they've been washing cars. It's very expensive to come here from Bora Bora," said Shawn Heaton.
For more than a week, the group will have a variety of activities in Salt Lake City. But their real excitement will be a chance to see general conference live and in person.
"Most of them, it's going to be the first time, so we are really excited," said Manea. "Even though we are miles away from here, we really felt the love for us and that's really special for us."
But first, they are still trying to get acclimated to the dry weather.
"We couldn't get enough ChapStick. Their lips are so dry we've got to buy more and more ChapStick," said Shawn Heaton.
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