We have been in NZ for nearly two weeks and our days have quickly filled with new experiences and surprises. Rick did the majority of the planning for this trip and I am amazed at the places that he has found for us to stay in (at great prices). Each stop creates excitement and energy as the kids (and I) escape the crowded van and rush in to claim our territories. The house here in Porirua is tall and spacious with entire walls of windows that open to balconies overlooking the Tasman Sea. We have stayed in a hotel, two "B&B" homes, a lodge, and a beach house and all of the places include huge windows and/or walls that completely open to the gardens or balconies. There are no screens and people leave their doors and windows wide open. At the B&B's we learned that the owners leave them open all night! (Where are the bugs, rodents, and crime?) One B&B owner informed us that they had lived in their home for over 25 years and that there had never been any reports of burglaries or crimes in the area. I have enjoyed the beauty of the natural landscape and the care with which the homes connect to the gardens, the views, and the natural air. The combination creates a sense of serenity, beauty, openess--perfect for meditation or conversation. The locals that we have met tend toward conversation. I love the authentic nature of the B&B's but they are also a cultural suprise as they come with the expectation of conversation over beer, tea, coffee (or not), garden strolls, porch conversations, and more conversations. Glad I have my herbal tea custom to help out with the awkwardness. Rick is great with pure conversation and doesn't require any props. In Hamilton, a B&B host said, "Are you those Mormon people?" The kids looked pretty wide-eyed. Gratefully, he was affirming and said he'd try to remember not to keep offering beer to Rick. Another B&B owner said, "Mormons, eh? The Mormons have done a lot of good around here, especially for the Maori people who have problems with alcohol and drugs." We have learned that NZ is a very social culture and people take joy in connecting with strangers in a much more intimate way than back home where we prize the sense of privacy.
Our visit to the Tokoroa Ward last Sunday is another example of "walls that open." Our visit was on a rainy, chilly day; nevertheless, the doors to the church were propped wide open and all the windows were cracked. It was Fast and Testimony meeting and one man shared his testimony in Maori; all of the others had thick Kiwi accents. Interestingly two foreigners shared their testmonies--a man from American Fork who had grown up in the Ward until he was 11, and Rick who served as a missionary in this ward 26 years ago. RIck told the congregation that he had loved them for a quarter of a century and they received this with such joy and openess to our family. Sophie and Eliza received many kisses and hugs from their primary teachers/leaders and from Aunti Mata, an elderly woman who remembered Rick. She kissed me 3-4 times as well! I learned in Relief Sociey that many women in the ward are considered "Auntie." I'm not sure whether they are true family or not but Rick says that everyone considers themselves related. So "Auntie" may be family or it may be like "Sister" but with the added sense of respect toward an older generation. After Relief Society, 4-5 sisters came to visit with me for quite awhile and then our family stayed and visited for longer in the foyer with more hugs and kisses. One elderly man discovered we were from BYU and he told me a lengthy story about his brother who was qualified to play for the All Blacks (the National Rugby Team) but who chose a mission and BYU instead. Although he didn't play for the All Blacks he ended up coaching a team who could have beat the all blacks . . . (or something to that effect). Anyhow, the people were beautiful. We felt such love and unity in the Ward and as we left Church, Aunti Mata proclaimed, "God bless you, God bless you." And He does. May His great blessings be upon the Tokoroa Ward.
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