Kiwi Connection: GREAT PEOPLE AND BEAUTIFUL HOMELAND

A week ago last monday we had a multiple zone confrence in Whangarei. President Lekias and his wife made key presentations as well as the zone leaders. Members in the local ward provided a super lunch. After some role playing in the afternoon we headed back to our own areas. President Lekias is an excellent teacher and his wife has an unlimited amount of energy. We couldn't help but leave all pumped up.

On monday we visited an elderly deaf couple, Brother and Sister Cunnif, who are members of the Waihou branch. When we left Sister Olsen and I looked at each other in amazement. We had spent nearly an hour with them. When it began we could hardly communicate but as we endured they talked about thier family, showed us pictures, how they had raised their children in the gospel and expressed their testimonies and love for the Savior. The spirit was so strong and as we hugged them good bye we experienced tears of joy.

On Monday we spent our family home evening with the Snow family (picture below). They are an elderly couple who have raised 9 children who with their families live all around the world. What a great family.

Brother and Sister Snow with 2 grandsons and a friend

Yesterday we looked up the Relief Society President for Matauri Bay. She lives on a secluded beach road 15 km from town. She insisted we walk with her on a loop trail along the beach. As you see in the pictures below there was not a defined trail across the rocks,

not easy walking across

The RS president, Sister Williams and Sister Olsen

view along the trail

On Friday we visited the Treaty Grounds in Paihia where in 1840 the British and numeruous Mauri chiefs signed a treaty to clarify thier relationship with the non natives and to protect their rights and some of their lands.