Oct 1 - 10 We miss you! We love you!

Missions are FABULOUS!

Our 2 year old granddaughter uses this word appropriately.  It reminds us of the joy in life and missions.  We are blessed to be in a beautiful country with amazing missionaries.  The gospel is worth sharing with others.  Many examples of how it impacts and changes lives are evident daily.

We have friends from many places.  2 years ago when our son passed away, a family friend from another location wrote and said that they pray for Despains daily.  One evening one of their young children who had been born after we moved prayed for us and ended the prayer and said, "Who are the Despains?"   It touched us deeply.  We felt their prayers.  It lifted, strengthened and comforted us.
This past week we were talking to our grandchildren and they said they prayed for Elder Rojas everyday.  Even the two year old repeated his name and prayed.  Such sweet prayers lift and strengthen each other.  Elder Rojas feels your prayers.  He is an inspiration to the entire mission.  He spoke at each of the zone conferences this past week about faith.  He shared his love of the hymns and the power in their words.  He shared that as tough as it was to hear he had cancer, it was harder to hear that he has to return home and leave his mission.  He is a beautiful example of love and serving our Heavenly Father.

He had his second chemo treatment this week, and is ready to fight his battle.  After one more treatment he and his mother will return home.  I've been touched by their faith and by the prayers offered in his behalf.  It does help.  Please continue.

Our two isolated missionaries with Chicken pox were finally released from their flats  There was a shout of praise to get out of there and back to work!  Then another dreaded call .... no one even recognizes them.  What is this, why do I itch they say?   Most often in New Zealand, it's scabies.  We continue to see a lot of scabies.  And now, MORE Chicken Pox.  They're so confining and uncomfortable!  Here we go AGAIN ....

Thankfully, we're blessed to be surrounded by generous, charitable and inspiring people.  We're grateful to see the leadership from President and Sister Erekson.  Elder Despain is full of good ideas and keeps everyone organized and moving.  42 hours of interviews, Missionary Milkshake firesides, Zone Conferences, and Transfers!   Then we have the unscheduled Medical intervention, and missionary assist moments.

At each of the Zone Conferences we're blessed to see the musical talent of our missionaries.  We love seeing them strive to develop already strong talents.  They share openly and freely.

Our replacement opportunity is already posted and available for someone to apply!   Being on a mission is worth the effort and time.  Just browse and look at the opportunities that are options.  It took us several times looking and discussing and speculating and even laughing at each others suggestions before we could agree on an opportunity we both agreed on.   Just look:  https://seniormissionary.churchofjesuschrist.org/srsite/

Our greenhouse efforts paid off and we were able to hand out a tomato plant to each companionship this past week.  We challenged them to grow the plant and reap the rewards.   It's a joy to be entering summer!   There is still plentiful rain.  Sometimes I realize where we are actually located and can't think about the wind and the waves too intensely.  Elder Rojas shared his thoughts on the hymn "Master the Tempest is Raging" and reminded us that the apostles were in a state of panic and feeling like they were in a violent storm, alone and scared and unprotected.  In this state they woke a sleeping Jesus, who simply calmed the waters.  Yet during the storm and experiencing their trials and emotions, he was right there all along.  He had never left, he had never abandoned them.  He is calm.  He is there.  He is with us always.  Stop, pause and trust that he is with you. We know this is true.  We feel the peace from the presence of the Holy Ghost and the comfort it brings us daily.

We miss you!  We love you!  We thank you for your prayers and support.
💚💚Elder and Sister Despain

Sep 23-30 Keep moving Forward

Missions are beautiful.  So is life. 

This week the missionary we spent most of the week with received this quote:

You me or nobody is gonna hit as hard as life. But it ain't about how hard ya hit. It's about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward. How much you can take and keep moving forward. That's how winning is done!”
                                                      ― Sylvester Stallone, Rocky Balboa

After a series of office visits and tests he was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer called Rhabdomyosarcoma.   His mom is now here to oversee testing and care. 

The entire mission here and his entire stake back home fasted and prayed for him on Sunday.   He has some long days ahead, but the missionaries have surrounded him with support and love.

I can't even begin to express the many emotions we've been surrounded with.  We love missionary work and we love these dedicated missionaries.  Pray for them.   They need your prayers.

Kia Ora

Sep 17-22 Maori Marae & Pokenos

Beauty, Peace, Kindness.   Everywhere we go we feel a sense of luxury and simpleness.
Even the Maori language is beautiful and simple.
Kia Ora .... Hello, Good luck, Good Day

There are some simple fun facts about New Zealand and more Maori words here:
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/friend/1972/02/friends-in-new-zealand?lang=eng


We went to our first Maori Marae (Sacred meeting place/gathering).   We also saw our first official live Maori Haka. (Maori war dance).   All the Hakas are different and each tell a unique story.

The longest name of a place in the world is Taumatawhakatangihangakoauauatamateaturipukakapikimaungahoronukupokaiwhenuakitanatahu  It is the Maori name given to a sheep station on the North Island. The translation is: The summit where Tamatea, the circumnavigator, played his flute to his beloved.

Wednesday we made a van trip to Auckland where the remaining missionaries were finally vaccinated for measles.  In a country with an Outbreak where our missionaries are exposed regularly, I'm very grateful to have them all protected.   It's been a long wait, because so many people needed them and children under 4 are the most vulnerable and ill. and they became priority for any available vaccines.  We celebrated with Pokenos ice cream.

We had a big ward party celebration for the kickoff of the world cup.   People brought different foods representing the country they were cheering for.   It was some of the best food I've had, and an abundance of it!  We started the evening by singing the New Zealand National Anthem in first Maori and then in English  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iCB-gQhWaIU.  



We took our 2nd complete district photo in anticipation for transfers in another week.   I hate watching these missionaries come and go so often.   There are some very good missionaries whom we learn from on a regular basis.   I take notes from them.   There wisdom and planning and good teaching represent all the good that is coming from the next generation.


 We drove down to Taupo where we celebrated with families and friends with a fireside and missionary milkshakes.... A cement mixer really is a great tool for "heaps" of ice cream.
President Erekson rewards them well.

We're being introduced to more of New Zealand customs and their integration with Maori people and an ever diverse population from all over the world.   There's a local TV show who has done a look into many of the religions in NZ.   He did a decent representation of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.   I'd say it's appropriate to share anywhere.   https://www.tvnz.co.nz/shows/yours-faithfully/episodes/s1-e5

We love you.   We love New Zealand.  And we especially love God and his son Jesus Christ and invite all to Come unto Him.

September 8-16 Summit of Hakarimata & Elephant Rock

I’ll take an 8-day week (Isn’t there a Beatles song about that? “8 Days a Week”) this week, since it covers a lot of areas and places…

Tuesday was the Mission Leadership Council – great insight from the Missionary Leaders and how Zone Conferences are impacting the Mission…

The Common Denominator of Success – Successful people do those things others do not do…

Wednesday was a Mission Finding Fast – All the missionaries cleared all appointments and spent the day Fasting and Finding people to teach – Over 200 people were identified just on Wednesday! We are gathering their miracle stories to share with the whole mission…

Mom and I caught up on a few missed P-Days by “stretching” ourselves (actual overworking our calf muscles from a few hikes (hikes here in New Zealand are “Walkways” most walks are on the ground, ground gets muddy when it rains, so most walks here have STAIRS!))

On Saturday we hiked the Summit of Hakarimata (1349 Stairs – Each Way!)

  

Started with Energy!

First Stairs!

More Stairs!

Even More Stairs!

Notice the SIGN!

Going Down...

Trying Shortcuts!

Last of the Stairs!

We made it!

 On Sunday we drove down to New Plymouth and attended church in the branch – What a great branch. We met the District President’s family and they invited us to their house for Lunch – we helped make “Sushi” – but this Sushi had rice, veggies and chicken instead of fishing bait – I thought it was good!

Later that day, we walked along the waterfront in New Plymouth.

Monday, despite feeling it in our legs, we did more “walks”

Walk one was to a “close” bakery (Andres Pies & Patisserie) – it was supposed to be 0.3 Km – 1.1 Kms later we arrived – Very good though, so we went back on our way out of town for sandwiches…

We did the Paritutu “Walk” – more stairs and so much vertical they have permanently installed chains!

That's where we were headed!

Don't look Down!

Careful!

Over the edge!

 Then we drove to the White Cliff Walkway – it was closed for Lambing season, but we did get a good picture.

 Then it was the Three Sisters – Doesn’t this look like and Elephant being chased by Rock people?

Then it was Marikopa Waterfall (and more stairs…)

And Piripiri Cave (and even more stairs!!!)

STAIRS!

The Opening...

No Flash...

Flash...

On the way out - Over Stepped Shoes?

Needless to say, our legs have been over “staired” this week!

We will recover now…

Love you all!

September 1-7 Riverwalk and Measles

We walked along the Waikato RiverWalk in Chartwell this week.  That's a walk I could easily do every single day for the rest of my life.  It's not far from our flat and it's gorgeous.  We saw a Kingfisher bird.  Astoundingly beautiful.  The water is clear, the weather was perfect.  And the boats .... the steering wheel is on the left side when you're in the boat.  Driving on the opposite side, steering wheel, blinker signal is on the right .... We've been here a while and only Linda still seems to hit the windshield wipers upon intent to turn.  Pedestrians walk on the left, and boats .... boats have steering wheels opposite ours.   Why are Americans boat's steering wheels on the right anyway? 

We're loving New Zealand.  As missionaries, we're on a 6 week rotation that repeats. 

1.Transfer week:  Incoming and Outgoing missionaries and their interviews/Transfers and movement of missionaries.  A few trips to the Auckland Airport. Prep meals served at Zone Conference.

2.  Zone Conferences .... 5 different zones, all spaced pretty far apart in different locations

3.  Interviews of all missionaries... back in their boundaries.

4.  Catch up and Mission Leadership Council

5.  Get ready

6.  Pre transfer planning .... organize who will be going where next.

Things to consider:  Which areas have cars, which missionaries drive, who can walk or bike/who needs a car, Which missionaries have already been together, Who is a trainer/leader, Which Sisters are in the Online Teaching Center, How many incoming missionaries need trainers, How many flats are available/empty/needed. How many cars are available.  

Linda is passionate about keeping missionaries healthy and sends weekly health tips and recommendations reminding them to wash hands, drink water, spray their flat for bugs, wear sunscreen and avoid poor nutrition habits.  Many doctors visits and health issues are preventable.  We've seen a week with a serious spider bite that required IV antibiotics, Knee pain, metatarsal fractures (multiple), eye surgery, wisdom teeth removal and ongoing Physical therapy for rehabilitation after 2 wrist surgeries and cast removal.  And it's winter here, so we still have plenty of colds and flu.

The beginning of this week we were made aware of an outbreak of Measles in New Zealand.  There are now over 1100 cases reported. Update here:  https://www.immune.org.nz/hot-topic/measles-overseas-and-new-zealand  The majority of them are in South Auckland.  We found 6 missionaries in South Auckland who needed vaccinated.  We had those done on Tuesday.  Free clinics are all over Auckland because of the outbreak.  However, most states are required to send extra vaccines to Auckland, and so the rest of the country doesn't have as many as they used to.  Getting the rest of our missionaries protected was a little harder.  

Linda has been proactive and sees disease and the speed at which it spreads is alarming.  Learn here:  https://www.webmd.com/cold-and-flu/what-are-epidemics-pandemics-outbreaks#1

When there's an outbreak, medical professionals have to start drawing lines.  Children became a priority, so vaccines were not available for anyone over 18 outside of Auckland.  We finally found 2 clinics who agreed to order some for the missionaries who need them.  Hopefully they arrive this week.  Thankfully, a person is 95% protected with just one dose.  So our focus is simply the first dose. 

If you're wondering why this wasn't accomplished prior to entry, it was for the vast majority.  However a large percentage of our missionaries are Islanders from outlying Pacific Islands who come here without any prior vaccination.  Sometimes it is done in their MTC locations, sometimes it is missed.  

Learning locations of clinics we can use and finding new ones has been consuming.  It is gradually improving and we will soon have a complete resource list!

Because this past week was interview week, we traveled again to some locations where we were able to take an evening and walk around Mount Maunganui.  It is surrounded by ocean. It's a great little hike where we saw seals and plenty of shells.  We did not make the summit (761 ft), as we were looking for the trail, and discovered it at the end of a leisure walk around the entire Mount.  We'll return at a later time! We also find evacuation routes in most buildings and churches, as well as posted on the beach which on this sign shows you the Mountain (Manganui) at the end.

We drove by the entrance to Hobbiton, down some open farmland.  We did manage to find another great fish restaurant.  Hoki is the fish in season and is plentiful everywhere right now. It also just happens to be the kind of fish used in fish sandwiches at McDonalds.

The "ALL Blacks" continue to dominate the rugby world here.  It's an ongoing topic of discussion and focus. 

People sometimes trip over themselves trying to read our name badges.  We love asking them if they've talked to missionaries before.  There are good people everywhere.  We seek to share anything that could lift and inspire them to know Christ and feel the peace he offers to all of us.  This Wednesday our missionaries are having a "finding fast" and are reaching out to find new people to teach and working diligently to seek those who are wanting to know the teachings of The Church of Jesus Christ.  There are some inspiring missionaries here who love God and are great examples of his love.  We invite all to Come Unto Christ.

August 31 2019 Zone Conferences and Feijoas

A Busy “New” Week for us!

ZONE CONFERENCES!

Our Mission President (Who is new) wants to get the Transfer message out to all the missionaries as quickly as possible, that means the week right after transfers – That also means 5 Zone Conferences in 4 days (And the associated Interviews!)

The zone Conference message was about having the Faith to “move” people, Obedience to be endowed with the power to perform and Finding more people to Invite unto Christ.

Because the Mission is spread out, we have to split the Interview into 2 weeks.  We had all the Zone Conferences and did some Interviews after the Conferences this week and we will be following up with the remainder of the Interviews next week.

So, what does that mean for us?

Well, Linda is meeting with every missionary and since I am helping coordinate the Zone Conferences and Interviews, we are at every Conference and Interview.  Also meaning, we are seeing a lot more of New Zealand!

On Tuesday we were in Auckland (Papkura Stake Center) [We like going to Auckland because there is a great Real Fruit Ice Cream stop on the way!].

Wednesday & Thursday were LONG days in Hamilton.

Friday we drove to Tauranga (Very Foggy most of the drive) for Zone Conference and Interviews – Then we had a great meal right on the water front, followed by a 3 ½ hour drive in the dark, along the coast and through the mountains (Steep and Winding Roads) to Gisborne – Spent the night at a Hotel on the water front, finished the Gisborne interviews and drove back (6 ½ hours) to Hamilton!  We did drive down along the southern coast of our mission (found another great seafood place right near the water – with a Real Fruit Ice Cream on the way out of town (This Ice Cream was different, Linda had hers with Yoghurt and I had a new fruit called Feijoa (pronounced “Fey-Jo-A”) – I mixed it with Strawberry, it was rather tasty, but definitely different…

We saw a lot of the Coast and some great views –

While it was a busy week, we enjoyed meeting more of the missionaries and enjoying the Spirit of those Missionaries in each of the Zone Conferences – What a Powerful group of Missionaries!

We love yous (practicing my New Zealand talk!) all.

August 19-25 Temples, Wind and Rain

We drive by the New Zealand Temple several times a week.  At the moment, it's gated off and under major renovation.  We still see the beauty and gratitude that it's been a part of this country for so long.  The renovation will extend beyond our time here.   Someday in the future, we can return and enter inside.

Our mission office is in front of the temple.  The windows look out over the temple on the hill.  Several times a week there are rainbows in the sky over and to the side.  There has been more rain here this past month than even the usual winter downpour.  It rains hard and fast.  We've used an umbrella more this month than in our entire life.

The temple is next to the Legacy Park area that honors those who devoted years to build and work on the temple.  The stories of the early converts are inspiring. The Matthew Cowley Church History Museum is full of artifacts and history of the early members of the church.  The Museum is in the same building as the Mission office and we are surrounded by inspiring and devoted individuals.

We're getting more settled in our sparsely furnished flat.  We finally got 2 nice office chairs that make working much more comfortable.  Some days we spend the entire day working at our computers, but often we're out with missionaries and planning their conferences and events.

Grandma Gleason used to say she'd go without a bed before she'd go without a dishwasher. She had lived without them in her life, and knew which was a greater gain.   While we're not ready to give up
our bed, We are missing a dishwasher far more than expected.

We are LOVING the ocean, fish and chips, ginger kisses, fresh lemons and citrus, Tip top Ice cream, Real fruit ice cream, and the most amazing creme brule EVER at Bluestone Steakhouse.

We're grateful for the beauty in this world and for the opportunity to visit with and get to know some amazing individuals who share our love of God and his creations.