Our fellow travelers -- We have met so many interesting people along the way. they come from all over. Here are some of the places I remember as the origins of them: in Europe: the U.K., Scotland, Ireland, Denmark, the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Luxembourg, and Spain. Other distant places: South Africa, Japan, India, Australia, Brazil, and Canada, There were probably others. I should have kept track!! We have connected with a few from the U.S. as well; Hawaii and California come to mind.
Our very favorite connections with people here have been the ones we met who remembered Richard from his mission. This is the family of Freda Ngawaka (now deceased). First we met her granddaughter, Sydina Curtis, when we went to church in Hikurangi on our first Sunday here. She invited us over for dinner later that week, which was wonderful. There we met her five children and her mother. She got us in touch with her aunt, Robin, who also invited us over. There we met many more family members over a lovely lunch: There were Robin and her husband Warren, her sister Jan and her husband, daughter and granddaughter; her brother Stewart; and her daughter Bini with her three children. What a treat! Without a doubt our favorite experience so far. I loved the spirit in their home and the love of the gospel there. Jan's husband talked about how they would always love to have the missionaries in their home over the years. He said: "We loved to have them come because they brought a light which we had not seen before."
Other wonderful people have been the hosts at the motels where we have stayed. For the most part, we have been greeted and served by the owners, always kind and graciious.
There have been many connections, especially at church, with people from the islands of the Pacific, primarily Tongans and Samoans. And of course, many Maoris.
I have come to appreciate the Maoris and their culture as we have learned more about their origins and history. We have met many of them and enjoyed them very much.
I also can't help but mention one family we met a few days ago here on the south island: the Baillon family from Canada. This is a family of four: dad, mom and 15 year old daughter and 12 year old son. They are traveling here on bikes. They reminded me of Quentin's family that way. This is for them about a three-month tour of New Zealand. They are having a ball!
We also had occasion to connect with John and Gayle Broberg, who are serving a mission in Auckland; and Glen and Lyniss France, serving in Wellington. What nice connections!
One person I will always remember is a taxi driver who noticed me dropping the contents of my wallet on the sidewalk and saw to it that I got it all back. I wish I had asked his name. What a blessing.
Everyone has been wonderful here!
No comments:
Post a Comment