Huntly

Kia Ora Whanau!
Sorry for the absent these past 3 weeks.... but... now I'm in HUNTLY!  Huntly is known for being the "dodgy-est" area because it's filled with gangs. It gets sketchy sometimes Haha. New area with a new companion, and honestly, its been the busiest and the funnest time ever. I have typed out notes here and there on my phone to remember some things in my time here but I just haven't gotten to email them. I'm the worst. Anyways, here are some of the notes, and the longest email you'll see...

We have been knocking on more than 8 doors a day, we found surprisingly a lot of people from this. We had a missionary fireside and no one we invited came. We sang hymn 26 Joseph Smith's First Prayer , to the tune of come thou fount & recited the first vision in verse 3 while we hummed in the bachground. It was a shame not many came but Ngarowahia elders brought an investigator. We had our first missionary sports night on friday and brought floats, heaps of people came and a few nonmembers. We didn't expect that much so it was an awesome turn out. The Elders shared a message while we conducted, next week will be our turn to share the message. It makes it easier for us to invite the nonmembers to church.

 Zone conference was awesome, I made a commitment to get rid of much distractions as I can. So many miracles started happening then. ONE of them is that a investigator came to church today and it is very rare for him to come. And we had a family home evening with him the next day and it was filled with the spirit. My testimony in obedience and our Savior's Atonement has strengthened so much this transfer.

Tuesday 18 feb
We went doorknocking +15 houses today. First few werent good, then we met a less active/partmember family. then we went out to go doorknocking down Webb st (one of the most dangerous streets in NZ) at like 7pm. We were knocking on houses and we past a house that had a mean looking dog outside (and we have to be careful with dogs, there are a lot of stray mean ones that will bite) but i felt prompted to knock on the door. The dog ended up being so sweet haha and then the lady at the door was so nice and told us we can come back. That was a cool experience of listening to the Holy Ghost. I need to remember these simple experiences. I wonder what would have happened if we never knocked on her door.  Also a random note, crickets are infesting our flat. There are flying crickets and non flying crickets. They look like frogs or fish flopping around.

One day, We taught a young man who wants a relationship with Christ but is involved with gangs #Crip. He is genuinely a good person but the adversary tries to convince him otherwise. We invited him to church.

Overall, so many people to teach. I love being here and i Know with my whole soul that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ appeared to Joseph Smith and through him, Christ's church was restored. I feel the spirit confirm to me everyday that this is true.

Ofa Lahi Atu,
Sister Wihongi

This is Sister Masima! I am follow-up training but sometimes it feels like she is training me haha i love her so much. She is a Tongan from Australia. She has a big heart and gives the best advice. 

Kia Ora Whanau,
I don't know where to start. So I guess I will start with the good news first. We found a new person!!!! She is a tiny grandma, she is so sweet. We knocked on her door and from the start she said she wasn't interested and i said, "That's okay. Well, how was your day anyway?" And then she shared with us that she just came back from her son's tangi (funeral). We were able to connect with her and say that she will see her son again. And that we believe families are eternal. She opened up a lot and long story short, we came back to prune her trees and bushes because it was a stress for her and after that we shared Alma 40:11-12 in the Book of Mormon with her. We told her about the book and gave one to her but she said she won't accept it yet. (I instantly had a strong connection with her. As if she's my grandma so i just chuckled and brushed it off and continued to talk about the gospel) She then cried and said "How did you know to come at a time like this? How did you know I lost my son?" We shared with her that we weren't the ones who knew, it was her Heavenly Father. She always told us she grew up Anglican but she's in a Maori church, but when we shared this with her she believed it. The next day she called us, asking for help. We went over right away, long story short Hiria is opening up and keeps wanting us back. She even said that we can "read from that Book again." It's funny, she told me that Elders would always knock on the door and she would shoo them away but when we knocked, she saw my name and couldn't shoo me away because we are family. I love her so much, I want to share the gospel with her more! Oh and how we found her was on a really hot day, my companion and I were just getting a little short tempered about everything (the sun does that to us sometimes, especially when we are not having a lot of success haha) Sister Folaumahina is so amazing. She really forgot about herself that day, right when we felt done and wanted to quit, she chose to knock on her door. My companion and I have gotten closer through our trials. I admit, this was the most stressful and difficult transfer I've ever had on my mission (and it had to be the one that is 7 weeks long... haha Heavenly Father is funny. I love Him.) But I feel that I learned the most from it, and I am ready to do even more work here than before. Unless I get transferred out this week...
I went to Jeannine's baptism! She is my age and is so sweet, the Temple View sisters taught her and I came with them for 2 of the lessons. She is so beautiful and bright. I met uncle Reuben at the baptism and he spoiled us. I love him! I love being an instrument in the hands of our Lord♡
Ofa atu,
Sister Wihongi
(Last district council and saying farewell to missionaries who are returning home)♡

Groceries from Uncle Reuben

Reuben Harris

Kia Ora Whanau,
I am going to be a little vulnerable and let you read my letter to President this week. (Is it because I'm too lazy to write a new letter? Maybe🤔..) but the experience i felt in the letter was a big one for me. And also, this will show you what i really feel at times which you don't really get to hear haha. But overall, I love my Father in Heaven and my Elder Brother Jesus Christ. Anyways, here it goes...

"Kia Ora president.
The highlight of this week was Exchanges. It was so cool being able to serve a bit in Temple View. I liked knowing more about my family connections, and for some reason it feels less scary talking to them. The sisters have a good connection with the members there and they get heaps of referrals too. What was cool was that i even got a referral to visit in my area from a member in temple view. Sister so-and-so was not feeling well at that time and we could only do so much, but it was nice to see the Sisters work hard and push each other to do better. They are awesome sisters. And i really really love Temple View.
This week we mostly worked in Tuhikaramea ward and visiting less actives. We noticed that we needed more people to teach in Bremworth park so we did some finding there the other day. We knocked on many doors and no new people, i was kind of getting sad and i usually dont feel this way, I'm used to not having much success in doorknocking but i guess i got extra discouraged. That night we had mcm meeting in bremworth park and i was worried and felt shameful that we had not much to report because we didnt find new people even though we tried our best. On the way to the chapel to the meeting, a random man stopped his car and said "this is for you sisters!" And drove off. He handed us a warm fresh loaf of maori bread and i nearly cried right there. I felt Heavenly Father's love and comfort through this act of kindness, letting us know that we have done our part even when no one wanted to hear our message. I get emotional thinking about it. Anyways, i felt better and felt less shame going to mcm after that.
President, I'm not going to lie, it was a hard week. My motivation went down a lot but it's the tender mercies like the bread that gets me going again. I hate to admit this but i think i am getting trunky. After sending my last companion home and now being with a homesick companion, i think it's rubbing off on me. Help me!!! Haha but you don't have to worry, i am going to rely extra on my Savior and His wonderful Atonement. I know this is His work and He is helping me along the way. I don't want to let Him, you, or my family down. I love you all so much. There are so many people wandering in the wilderness, and I need to help them cling on to the iron rod that they may partake of the fruit and feel God's love. Thank you President♡
Ofa Atu,
Sister Wihongi

Shirley Ferguson

Kia Ora Whanau!
It was quite an eventful week. I feel like each week is getting busier and busier. Here are some Highlights:

- At the start of this week I went out with the Temple View sisters to help them teach a young single adult, she is so sweet and I know she will be baptized. She just has to overcome some word of wisdom things. But I loved teaching her and seeing her teach a friend she invited to the lessons! ♡
- We had Zone Conference with Elder Yamashita of the seventy!!! He is so cute and his wife, it was the funnest and funniest Zone conference ever. We did origami and made a mouth to remind us that we need to open our mouths and talk to as many people everyday😂  They told us a story of a Sister who served in Japan in the 80's and she baptized 300 people because of her faith in God. Heck, I am so using more of my faith and putting it to action.
- at the beginning of the week, we committed to finding 2 new people to teach within the next 7 days. After a week of knocking on doors and hopeless finding, on the very last day at night, we went to go back to a house we knocked on a couple weeks before. They are from Afghanistan and the first time we met, they didn't let us in. It was a teenage girl and we remember she told us her birthday was on the 12th (Sunday!) So we went back with a wrapped Book of Mormon and chocolate to wish her happy birthday. She invited us inside and her two brothers were there with us and she opened her gift and asked "What is this book about?" We were able to give her a brief summary and bear our testimonies. All three of them asked us many questions and they are so sweet! We love them so much and we will see them again. I was in awe that we were able to find 3 beautiful souls to teach and help them come closer to Christ.
I know God Lives and this is His work. Families can be together forever and we are loved no matter what. Our Savior's arms are always opened to embrace you♡

Arohanui,
Sister Wihongi

Oh and last week for Pday we went hiking up to Wairere Falls. It was crazy fun! I'll send pics in a separate email

Photos
1-3. Top of waiters falls with the district
4-5. Zone conference, with the sisters. And one pic with our district leader Elder Haycock (and sister fonua posing in the background)
6. Some Lu and fish and Tongan food
7-8. I totally forgot to mention the most important thing in my last email. Hoera was baptized!!! It was such a sweet baptism and he is a gentle giant in a little 10 yr old body. He was also baptized with his Sister. The Heke family are beautiful,  I love them dearly.

Kia Ora Whanau!
It twas a weird week. The miracles we had were on Christmas Eve. We went to go finding and contacting less active families and we gave out two Book of Mormons to two different Joe's. They both were visiting our area and on holidays but it was a miracle in our eyes. We then had a dinner appointment with members and then the father said, "Our 10 yr old son is not baptized. Can you teach him the lessons?" And then we taught him a discussion right then and there. His name is Hoera and he is very respectful and mature for his age. So my companion taught her first lesson too. We've been trying to find all week, besides on Christmas and it hasn't been that successful in that case but we have met more members that are willing to help us more in the Lord's work.  Boom. Prayerfully and hopefully, we will find more hearts that are ready to hear the importance of this gospel. Heavenly Father is great and all knowing.
I had a wonderful Christmas,  ate all day and called my family. I know Christ lives and He went about doing good. Are you anxiously engaged in doing good?
Arohanui,
Sister Wihongi

Kia Ora Whanau!
Sorry for not having an email last week! A lot has happened and I get overwhelmed when I think about all the experiences I want to write about that I end up not writing them at all 😅 .
Anyways I said my sad goodbyes to Sister Perry! I will never forget her, she has made me into a better person and missionary and I am so thankful for that. I miss that loud obnoxious positive tahitian 💔 Some things that she has taught me is to walk faster😂 , kiss louder (on the cheek) , sing bolder, work harder, and play just as hard.
Welp, now I am training again. Her name is Sister Folaumahina from Tonga. She is the sweetest thing. I love how genuine she is. We went caroling all day the other day in an old people's home and Carole to our investigators and invited them to the Christmas Sacrament.  President and his wife joined us and it was so much fun. Christ lives and I love being able to feel more of His love at this time as we celebrate His birth. Remember Him.
Ofa Atu,
Sister Wihongi

No email this week but here's some photos of some old friends Mina had dinner with. Roman Greening and his wife Jasmine, (maiden name Strother) and their daughter.

Some more photos: