Boring Mission…NEVER!!!

We have been having some trouble around the institute building with some little vandals.  Kids have been taking rocks from around the parking lot and throwing them at cars as they drive by.  One night they drew swastikas on the side of the building.  We have chased after them a few times, but they always managed to disappear into the thick hedges across the street and from there onto the university grounds.  Saturday night, as we drove by, we noticed a couple of boys sitting around back in the parking lot.  We decided to cut off their escape route.  John got out of the car and circled the building to the east, and I drove into the parking lot from the west.  They didn’t run away this time, so I just got out of the car and asked them very nicely if they knew anything about the kids that had been throwing rocks at cars.  One of the boys answered, very respectfully, that he didn’t know anything about that.  The other one, however, got very agitated.  When John came around from the other direction and asked a similar question, he became extremely angry, started swearing like a marine, and headed for a car across the street.  He came back with a knife.  I high-tailed it for the car and yelled for John to follow, but John didn’t run.  The other boy and someone from the car stepped in to calm him down and no one was hurt.  The more sensible kid talked to us after and apologized for his friend.  He said that he had been having a very difficult week with his girlfriend—an online girlfriend who lives overseas.  What an excuse!   A kid with that much anger could really hurt someone.  Brother Bell and Amy think that we should have called the police.  Perhaps we should have.

University is now back in full swing.  In lieu of ruined classrooms and buildings, there are tents and porta-loos set up in the parking lots.

These are okay for right now, but winter is on its way and these tents will not keep the bitter cold and wind out.  I’m sure they’re working frantically to get the buildings back in shape.

It seems that the university students around here can think of nothing to do for entertainment that doesn’t involve a large consumption of alcohol.  On Fridays and Saturdays the grocery stores are full of young people buying bottles and cases for their weekend parties.  We have a house across the street and one behind us that are full of college students.  Sometimes we watch their antics from our windows when the noise is so loud that we can’t sleep, and we wonder what their parents must think.  I suppose they think it is all a part of the college experience.  I would be worrying about what that kind of alcohol consumption must be doing to their bodies.

I can’t help but contrast them with the young adults we spend our time with.  They come to family home evening every Monday night, take turns giving wonderful gospel lessons, play a few games, eat some refreshments, and, if they’re really feeling energetic, go to Denny’s for an oreo shake.  They manage to have a good time with their peers, without driving the spirit away.  They’re not perfect, none of us are, but they are trying.  The gospel makes a huge difference in lives.  I reread this thought from President Ezra Taft Benson this week.  I have seen evidence of its truthfulness my whole life.

“Men and women who turn their lives over to God will discover that he can make a lot more of their lives than they can.  He will deepen their joys, expand their vision, quicken their minds, strengthen their muscles, lift their spirits, multiply their blessings, increase their opportunities, comfort their souls, raise up friends, and pour out peace.”

Aren’t those the very things the kids across the street are seeking in the bottles they spend so much of their money on?

Fun without a drop of alcohol.

At some point, moose were introduced to this island.  No one has seen one since the early 1900’s, but there are people who believe that they are still living somewhere in Fiordland.  There have been “moose sightings”—pictures that don’t look like a moose to me—and other signs of their existence.  Someone has offered a $100,000 reward to anyone who can photograph a live moose.  So, knowing how John feels about that animal, I think he’d be the perfect one to track one down and snap a picture.  We could use the extra cash.  Brother Bell says he’ll go along, but only if Brad will go too.  They both feel confident they can outrun Brad with his bad knees.  Brad, are you in?

We are still boiling water and it has been five weeks since the earthquake.  Whenever I am tempted to complain, I think one word…Japan.

The best news of the week…Andrew and Laurie are having a girl!      

We’re Still Here

Before…

Cashmere chapel March 20, before the projected major quake, the one that sent people scurrying from Christchurch.  Yesterday was the first Sunday back since the February 22 earthquake.  A combined sacrament meeting with the Riccarton and Cashmere wards was set for 10:30 a.m..  We were told that some general authorities would be attending.  Although some families elected to stay home, there was a fairly good attendance.  The Young Adults were there in droves. 

After…

Cashmere Chapel March 20, still standing after the projected major earthquake.  We did have a tiny tremor when Elder Hamula was winding up with his testimony.  Other than that, it seemed like a regular Sunday to me.  I’m happy to report there is nothing to report.  Just before ten last night, we did have a 5.1 aftershock.  I suppose the “moonman” can claim that if he wants to, but I think he’ll be a little more quiet about his predictions in the future.

Friday, after only four days back at school and university, the Prime Minister called a national holiday for everyone in Christchurch.  Students had another day off as did all workers.  There was not a store open in the whole city.  A memorial in Hagley Park was attended by Prince William and dignitaries from New Zealand and Australia.  I was pleased that representatives from many religions were given a chance to offer prayers.  Buddhist, Muslim, Jewish, Christian, Bahai, and Hindu faiths were all represented, with other remarks given by the leaders of the Anglican and Catholic Churches in Christchurch.  There had been some protest that God was even going to be a part of the service.  I was so glad to see that He was the central focus.  (We did not attend the service, but watched it on TV.  We decided to avoid the crowd.)

The results of last week’s vocabulary test are sadly muddled.  I’m not sure that I will be able to give the prize I promised.  Three people tied for first with 9 answers each.  Jill got 9 right, but she had help from Mike.  Kathy got 9 right, but she did spend some time in Australia and had Australian houseguests.  Carolyn got 9 also, but she had a son serve a mission in New Zealand and visited here herself.  Do you see my dilemma?  Perhaps a little later on, when I’ve picked up more kiwi words, we’ll have a playoff.  Does that seem fair?

Although my blogs are sometimes boring, each week gets better for us.  Our love for these young people grows and deepens and becomes such a treasure in our lives.  They give us so much of themselves, and we hope what we have to give them—love, testimony, and faith—is enough.  We hope the Lord is happy with our efforts and we are so grateful for His love and direction.

Interpretation of Tongues

I thought I’d start this week’s post with a little vocabulary test.  This will be a contest, and there will be a prize for the winner.  I will have to rely on your honor and integrity, for there are many ways to cheat.  See how many of the following words you can define.  Children and adults are welcome to take this test, however, you will be disqualified if you are from New Zealand or Australia, if you have served a mission in New Zealand or Australia, or if you have spent much time in either of those countries.  You may tell me your score in your comments.  Grab a pencil.  The answers will follow at the end of this post. 

1.  jandels

2.  capsicum

3.  courgette

4.  rumble lines

5.  bikkie

6.  gutted

7.  paddock

8.  papers

9.  trolley

10. lollies

11. ute (hint: this is not those people in red who hate the Lord’s people in blue)

12. wop-wops

13. meat and three

14. tramping

15. nappy

16. polyprops

17. jersey

18. tomato sauce

19. hokey pokey

20. flash

21. heaps

22. learnt

23. haich

24. hangi

25. mum

Before I post the answers so that you can give yourself a score, here’s what’s happening this week:

I mentioned last week that meetings will resume in the two remaining chapels on Sunday, March 20.  That will prove to be an interesting day in Christchurch for several reasons.  First of all, it will be interesting to see who is still left after a month of quakes, aftershocks, broken houses, and fleeing population.  I talked to one of our young adults from the Opawa ward who said he thinks only about five or six priesthood leaders are left over there.  The rest have fled the city and probably are not returning.  Opawa, Avonside, and Wainoni wards are in the eastern, or hardest hit, section of town.  Riccarton (our ward), has probably increased in numbers because people have moved into undamaged buildings over here.  We have heard all kinds of rumors about what will be taking place this Sunday.  Some say we will be meeting in combination with other wards because a general authority is coming.  Nothing is certain.

Ken Ring, aka “moonman” (I mentioned him last week) is causing quite the disturbance with his theories.  A little more about him—he is an Aucklander who claims to have predicted the last earthquake by studying the moon, its phases, its nearness to the earth, the position of other planets, and other solar signals.  He has warned of a major earthquake (bigger than the others) to take place on March 20, give or take a day or two.  He has received much negative press as scientists and broadcasters accuse him of being a fear-monger.  He has not backed down on his theories, but has said he will give no further interviews until after the 20th.  In defiance, geologists, earthquake engineers, a member of parliament, and a broadcaster have planned a “Non-Event Lunch”.  On March 20th, they are gathering on Port Hills in the oldest rock building they can find.

This debate is not restricted to scientists.  Members of the Church have also taken sides and are thrashing it out on facebook and where ever there are enough people to discuss.  Many will definitely not be attending meetings on Sunday.  They say it is not worth the risk.  They will be staying home and keeping family members close around them.  The others say that the “moonman” is crazy, and, even if he’s right, they will be in church—what better place to die. 

It’s all very interesting to me.  I understand fright.  I understand faith.  The pictures from Japan this week are horrifying.  If it is our time to go, there is not much we can do about it.  I watched the footage of the man trying to outrun that massive tsunami wave traveling at 500 miles per hour, and sensed our insignificance and powerlessness against the forces of nature.  I’m so glad I know what’s on the other side of this life, and I feel such sorrow for all those whose lives have been changed so quickly.  By the way, John and I will be in church on Sunday.

Martin Bourne was called to be the Branch President in Timaru.  Timaru is a 2-21/2 hour drive from here and he’s not moving!  He will drive that far every week and spend the weekends there.  It will be a tremendous sacrifice, but this faithful man does what he is asked to do.  That means he will no longer be the advisor to the YSA, and his call brings big changes for us.  Change is definitely something you get used to in this church. 

University started up again yesterday.  The institute building is filling up with people.  The counselors are still here from the north island.  Students come over to study and visit.  The missionaries come on their p-day to relax and eat lunch.  If I want to get any work done, I have to stay home.  When there are people around, I just want to visit with them.

A side-note:  Stephen Henderson did not go to Auckland as planned.  The day before he was to leave, as Stephen was out walking, a huge Mastiff-Pit Bull ran directly at him.  His little Jack Russell Terrier threw himself between Stephen and the attacking dog, possibly saving his life.  The big dog ran off with the Jack Russell in his teeth.  Police found the severely wounded animal, called Stephen, and the dog is now recovering from surgery.  Stephen wouldn’t leave him.  I tell this story because I know my brother will like it.  I hope you read this, Rand.  Brad, call him and tell him to.

Brad’s comment on my blog last week was so thoughtful (lol—another vocabulary thing I learned—not “lots of love”, rather “laugh out loud”).  He wanted to know what kind of funeral I wanted after March 20th.  I’m not too worried about dying, but if I did, I wouldn’t be concerned about funeral arrangements.  I would only hope that all of my family and friends at home and in New Zealand know how much I love them and how much I love my Heavenly Father, His son Jesus Christ, and His gospel.  My life is full of blessings and I am profoundly grateful.

Answers to the vocabulary test.  Remember, cheaters NEVER prosper.

1.  jandels: flip-flops

2.  capsicum: green, red, or yellow peppers

3.  courgette: zucchini

4.  rumble lines:  bumpy lines on the side of the road that warn with a rumble when you leave your lane of traffic.

5.  bikkie: cookie

6.  gutted: broken-hearted, terribly let down.

7.  paddock: pasture

8.  papers: university courses as in 100 level or 200 level papers

9.  trolley: a shopping cart

10. lollies: candy

11. ute: pickup truck

12. wop-wops: boondocks, you know, “Down in the wop-wops—people put me down, cause that’s the side of town I was born in”.

13. meat and three: meat and three veggies—like our meat and potatoes

14. tramping: hiking

15. nappy: diaper

16. polyprops: thermal underwear or umerwear to Jonathan and Jeffrey

17. jersey: sweater

18. tomato sauce: ketchup

19. hokey pokey: honeycomb candy

20. flash: fancy or expensive as in, “he drove a flash ute”.

21. heaps: bunches or lots

22. learnt: totally acceptable spelling for “learned” as in, “I learnt heaps!”

23. haich: pronunciation for the letter “h”

24. hangi: maori meal cooked on ashes and coals in a pit in the ground

25. mum: mom

Have a good week.  Love, Mum

After Shock

The institute building has found new purpose.  LDS Social Services has sent three counselors from the north island to help people traumatized by the earthquake.  They offered to come after the quake last September, but no one felt they needed help.  Today, they were busy all day long.  They will be here three or four days a week for the next six weeks and I don’t think they’ll be wanting for work.  Old people, young people, and couples are all needing to talk to someone.  We have noticed that our young adults are wanting to gather more often.  Our house was packed for family home evening on Monday night, and on Thursday nights they come early and stay late for institute classes. 

Engineers also came to inspect the chapels.  They found that the damage is minimal and that after a few minor repairs, we’ll be back in business.  Church meetings will resume on March 20.  Until then, the bishops and stake president have given permission for families and groups of families to gather for sacrament services.  Last week we held a Young Adult fast and testimony meeting at the institute building.  It was one of the best meetings I’ve ever been to.  We will have our own sacrament meeting this week as well.  Our numbers are still down for some of these activities.  We have seen very few of the young adults from the Avonside and Opawa wards.  Their families have been hit the hardest and I know that many have left Christchurch for a time.  Riccarton ward (our ward) is growing as displaced families move further west. 

We are losing some of our wonderful young adults.  Tui Hawaikirangi moved to Australia to be with her family.  Stephen Henderson is going to Auckland for work.  Patricia is going to Bordeau, France to finish her masters in neuro-science.  Not one of them asked us for permission.  We will miss them very much.

Stephen Henderson and Matt Ziegler brought lasagna to our flat for dinner last night.  They said that we had to have a facebook page and set us up with one so that we could keep track of the young adults.  I’ve never learned to appreciate this social networking thing, but we’ll see how it goes.

Saturdays are turning into our busiest days.  Last week I taught a piano lesson in Christchurch, had sewing lessons for two of the young adults, and then went to Ashburton where twenty-one students showed up for piano lessons.  At some point I’m going to have to turn people away and I hate to do that.  I think I’ll just keep going until they get to the more difficult lessons and they’ll weed themselves out.  The ones who are not serious will start giving up.  I’ll hang on with a tight grip to the ones that are gifted and find some way for them to continue when our mission is over.

Shrina, Malina, and Tau

Front row: Marina, Rita, and Lote.  Second row: Jacob and Francine.  Back: Shirley.

 

Matthew concentrates as (from left to right) Mata, Trubecca, Star (behind) and Diana watch and giggle—he’s a very funny boy. 

This little Courtney reminds me of my red-headed grandkids at home.

I forgot to take pictures of the other six.  I’m thinking that Beverly Merrill should come over here on a music mission.  She could live with us and teach all these piano students one at a time.  I’d really love to turn the gifted ones over to her.  How do you feel about earthquakes, Beverly?

The aftershocks keep on coming.  We had one last night and one this morning that were well over 4 point tremors—pretty good shakers.   We also have many that are more mild.  Everyone is on pins and needles because some meteorologist has predicted a huge earthquake on March 20.  He says that the moon will be closer to the earth than normal on that day.  That will increase the gravitational pull and set off a big earthquake made possible by all these smaller earthquakes dislodging and disturbing the faults. (I explained that just as a physicist would—or would that be a geologist?)  I think it’s bunk, but I do have a good supply of drinking water just in case.  We are still boiling water, so we avoid dirtying dishes in very creative ways.  Paper plates and cups are way too expensive down here, so we eat out of pans or containers, we share a plate, or we eat on napkins.  Can we say, L-A-Z-Y.     

Life Inside and Outside the Quake Zone

One week and two days after the earthquake, and life in Christchurch is still in flux.  The CBD is still cordoned off and inaccessible.  I heard on the news last night that 2/3 of the office buildings downtown may be damaged beyond repair.  We have even heard talk of relocating the business district to the plains west of the city.  That is an interesting thought, considering that the September earthquake’s epicenter was in Darfield—off to the west of the city.  Geologists have discovered that Christchurch is built on a vast network of faults, a network that is separate from the large Alpine Fault that runs down the center of this island.  Geologists have had their eyes on the Alpine Fault for years and have paid little attention to Christchurch.  With all of man’s brainpower, we can’t outsmart the earth and Mother Nature.

People are still digging out from the liquefaction mess.  Yesterday was very windy and everyone in the city was asked to wear face masks.  Most people have water and power restored, but some do not.  We are still boiling all of our water, but, at least in our part of the city, we can flush the toilets sparingly. 

Many people have left Christchurch, and some will never return.  There is much talk on the news of landlords and renters.  Does one still pay rent if the property is condemned?  Can a landlord put a tenant out if the property is ruined, even if the renter has no where else to go?  I’ve been wondering about all these people who were forced from unsafe homes.  How do they continue to pay a mortgage and pay rent?  Where will they all go?  Many have fled to the North Island or to stay with family in other cities for a time, but they still have to face the situation here at some point.  So many questions.  So many lives turned upside down.

The kids from the university have organized a student army.  The army of 12,000+, have been available to help individuals or businesses.  It is inspiring to watch them with their donated shovels and wheelbarrows, lending their muscles and backs to those in need.  Other universities in New Zealand are allowing students to transfer from the University of Canterbury, and promising to make the process hassle-proof.     

Each day they release names and show pictures of the dead; a baby who was sleeping in his bed when a TV toppled over and killed him, a 14 year old boy last seen heading into the city to buy himself a birthday present.  So much sorrow. 

There were no church meetings held in Christchurch on Sunday.  Engineers must declare the meetinghouses safe before any one is allowed in them.  Perhaps we will know by this weekend whether or not we have any functioning chapels.  Meanwhile, the stake organizes crews to help people move from their homes, clean up their yards, etc.  There is no Bishop’s Store House here.  Instead, people take food and other necessities to the Relief Society presidents who disperse from their homes. 

As for us and our assignment, we are are waiting to see what will happen with the institute.  Before the quake, we were seeing and feeling a difference.  The numbers were growing; the YSA seemed to be more unified.  We had a program for searching out and inviting the inactives.  We had two large classes on Thursday nights and we were starting the daytime classes with the university students.  Choir was growing.  Now…?  Last Thursday we had only a handful of kids and they were all from our area—the part of town that was relatively unaffected.  We will see who shows up tonight. 

Other than the Christchurch Institute, our work goes on as normal.  We still work with our online seminary class and supervise the seminaries and institutes on the rest of the island.  This week we spent five days traveling and meeting with students and teachers south of Christchurch. 

Saturday we went to Ashburton for piano lessons.  The piano classes just keep growing.  I now have 17 students.  I reassigned groups for next week—five groups with 3 or 4 in each group.  It is rather tricky to keep families together so that parents don’t have to make several trips, and to keep students together with others of the same ability and knowledge.  I’m quite relieved to find that my perfectionist attitudes have left me on this mission, and I am quite willing to do the best I can under the circumstances.  All of these kids are interested and eager to learn.  There are three or four that I would classify as gifted.  Vine played in Sacrament meeting last week.  I hear she didn’t make one mistake, and that the whole branch and members of the stake presidency that were visiting, were very impressed.  She leaves for a mission to Missouri next month.  Her sister, Mata, will be ready to step in when she leaves. 

Saturday evening we visited with the seminary teacher in Timaru, and visited with Sam Middlemiss (an online student) in Waimate.  We spent the night and attended church in Oamaru.  The Oamaru branch membership is mostly Tongan, and that little chapel is overflowing.  Our seminary teacher there, Longo Kaufana, is also the primary president and the chorister in sacrament meeting.  The lessons and talks were wonderful—very sincere and heartfelt.

On the way to Dunedin, Sunday afternoon, we stopped in Palmerston to visit with Kelyn Witehira, also an online student.  Kelyn is the cutest boy, but much more interested in sports than seminary.  I hope that we can keep him going.  He gave me permission to nag.  We also stopped in Waikouaiti to visit with another online student, Mikara Hunter.  Mikara is one of my best students.  He is dedicated in his work and has an honest and sincere heart.  It was fun to meet him and tell him, in person, how much I appreciate having him in the class.

Sunday night we went to the home of President Jeff Mitchell and his wife Shona.  Shona is the institute teacher, and they were hosting an opening social.  It was fun to see the large group that they had in attendance there.  Monday morning, we were up early to attend the seminary class in Dunedin taught by Ivor Anderson.  I’m always so pleased to see these kids up early, dressed in their school uniforms, and participating in seminary. 

Monday we traveled to Invercargill and Bluff via the Southern Scenic Route.  It was spectacular with lots of green rolling hills…

until we hit the coast.

We took a little detour, much to John’s dismay, but ended up finding another favorite spot—Nugget Point.  From a parking lot, we walked along a beautiful trail out to a lighthouse.  We felt as if we were on the edge of the world.

More scenes of the Southern Scenic Route…

We arrived in Bluff in time to eat at The Drunken Sailor (an appropriate place for missionaries).  We tried their renowned fish ‘n chips.

View from the window at The Drunken Sailor…

Tuesday morning we attended seminary in Invercargill.  DeAnne Wilson taught a lesson from the Doctrine and Covenants to her two students.  These young men really know their scriptures, and we enjoyed a short visit with Sister Wilson and her husband Murray before heading to Gore.  In Gore, we met with Elder and Sister Risenmay and heard of the miracles that are happening in that branch.  They had 30 people to church on Sunday (that is a record for them) and they attribute it to the study of the Book of Mormon. 

We stopped in Omakau to visit with Brother Kahukura, whose seminary class with his two granddaughters has been interrupted by a family problem.  The girls are living for a time with their aunt and uncle, but we are praying that they get back to their granddad’s home where they are loved and taught the gospel. 

Then on to Queenstown where we visited with the missionaries and the newly called institute teacher, Johnny Whu.  They are excited about their Book of Mormon class and are hoping for miracles in their branch as well.

The last time we were in Queenstown, it was cloudy and late at night.  This trip, we saw why it is one of the most popular tourist destinations in New Zealand.  Queenstown is on the shores of Lake Wakatipu with the Remarkables in the background.

The water in this lake is sparkling clear.  These rocks are under water.

Wednesday, we drove back to Christchurch through some beautiful lake country.  First, Lake Wanaka…

Lake Hawea…

Lake Pukaki with its milky waters…

and, Lake Tekapo, also with milky water and these trees growing out in the lake.

Lest anyone think that all of New Zealand is gorgeous and full of water, I’m posting some pictures of some of the “Wyoming-like” terrain that we drove through.  First, the road from Queenstown to Wanaka…

and, between Twizel and Fairlie…

I forgot The Roaring Meg, or The Stream That Roared.  This is just a short distance outside of Queenstown.

We love the beauties of this island.  God’s handiwork is breathtaking.  But we love His people the most.  Our love for our mission is directly correlated to our love for these people.  The teachers and their efforts to help their students increase in faith and testimony, the students and their enthusiasm for life and their unfolding grasp of the gospel, the Young Adults and their love for each other and their Heavenly Father, all make our experiences here very fulfilling.  I find myself asking many times, “What if we hadn’t come?  What if we hadn’t met these people?”  We would have missed out on so much that is good and wonderful.  Our circle of love would have been so much smaller. 

Some of the YSA gave us a “heart attack” the night before the earthquake.  We love each and every one of them.