June 16, 2014

June 16, 2014

Today marks the end of our first month in New Zealand.  Where did the time go?   We are learning new things almost daily.  We laugh and smile a lot with new experiences.  We marvel at the spirit and dedication of the people we meet at our Ward here and the people we are surrounded by at the Area Office.  Each day holds new experiences and ways to grow.  We are constantly pinching ourselves and asking how we got the blessing of coming here. 

Yesterday, we attended our first baptism.  It was held at our chapel, in West Harbor.  Our Ward here is humble socio-economically.  It is probably 85% Samoan, with the rest mixed from Tonga, Fiji and a few Kiwi’s (Caucasians from New Zealand).  A 9 year old Samoan boy, taught by the Sister Missionaries (Sister Daynes and her companion), was baptized by his cousin, a priest in our Ward.  The Sisters had worked hard in their preparation to make this a special event.  As can be typical when you have made your best efforts, things can go a little crazy.

The Assistant Ward Mission Leader, a man born in India, but from Fiji, was conducting.  This poor man was petrified.  He had never conducted a meeting before and struggled to keep things going.  The Sister Missionaries did their best to help by quietly prompting him with suggestions.  It honestly would have been a great episode for America’s Funniest Home Video’s if it wasn’t so sweet and tender.  I continue to marvel at our own Sister Daynes and the transformation from a shy and timid girl, to a powerhouse disciple of Jesus Christ, confident and in charge.  We had the opportunity to speak to those gathered for the baptism about the Restoration.  The musical number for the baptism consisted of singing by a group of children from one family.  The mother had to go outside and get the boys off the basketball court in the parking lot and physically push them up to the microphone.  They were not happy at the opportunity and didn't seem to know the words, but the pianist kept on playing and they mumbled made up words to the Primary tune.  My smile was big, but I kept from laughing out loud even though it was a struggle.  How I wished I had had a video camera recording this event.  I forgot to mention that the dress for this great occasion consisted of Sunday dress, but mostly I saw shorts or sweat pants, t-shirts and flip flops.  They did put white shirts on over their t-shirts, but their dark colors and the large size couldn't be contained by a short sleeve white buttondown collar.

Today in Sunday School, the same man was teaching the lesson to other investigators.  He began by explaining that he went to work as a young boy in India and never had the opportunity to get any kind of education.  He learned to read when he joined the church in 1996.  He had been challenged to read the Book of Mormon, so he started by learning to read and then developed his reading skills reading the Book of Mormon.  We listened with greater understanding as he struggled to teach these investigators from the Gospel Principles book.  Then we saw a miracle unfold before our eyes.  He began to tell of his conversion.  It was like he was a new person.  He was eloquent direct and powerful!  He turned to an investigator who has been coming for about 5 years without making a commitment and challenged him to read and find out for himself.  He promised him that if he would pray to know if he should be baptized, he would get an answer, just as he had and that his life would never be the same.  There was no doubt that he knew what he was talking about.  It was an amazing experience!

We love it here!