Our dear Brother Peni passed away!

Brother Peni has served the missionaries for over 30 years! He has had missionaries in his flat and has cleaned their clothes and their flat this entire time. He has loved and served the missionaries past and present and for that we are eternally grateful!

He died 26 November during the night and a funeral service was held in his honor on the night of the 27th in the Red Hill ward building in Papakura. Elder Kyle Nelson was able to represent missionaries past and present who loved Bro. Peni! He was able to share many choice experiences that highlighted Bro. Peni's many wonderful qualities and ended with his testimony in Maori that Elder Peni had written out for him and schooled him on.

Bro. Peni's body remained in this Marae in Papakura the night of the 27th and then was to be taken to Whanganui, according to Bro. Peni's desires and their he was to have another funeral service with his family and would be buried there among family.

Thank you Bro. Peni, we love you!

Zone Leader Council fieldtrip to North Head!

We went to North Head in Devonport here in New Zealand! North Head is the oldest volcanic cone in the area and was used as the major strategic defense location used during World War I and II! The Maori settlers also used it to defend themselves from tribal attacks. We used the location to teach leadership principles!

Elders Brady and Bledsoe taught about working with the mission leaders regarding correcting obedience issues---how they are the small guns and there are some things that President Porter must be used for as the "Big Gun"---but these guns were never fired in anger! Then or now!

They were taught about their responsibility to lift others from where they are to where they need to be, like the Savior demonstrated to Peter in Matthew 14:31!

There is something very uplifting just seeing missionaries all together---there is such power there!

They were taught to liken leadership to a volcano---fire within, stature (vision), substance---solid rock!

The leadership of the New Zealand Auckland Mission!

Elder Rea's scissor accident!

Elder Rea has a little run in with scissors that he thought was just an innocent little accident----after surgery, he had second thoughts! He was just clapping his hands in excitement regarding an upcoming baptism and forgot he had scissors in his hands!

The latest LDS movie star in Vanuatu!

Sister Kapalu was able to participate in a family history video that needed someone that spoke Bislamic! Since Sister Kapalu is from Vanuatu and spoke Bislamic, she was in high demand! Yeah, Sister Kapalu!

Even Missionaries end up in the Hospital!

Elder Mafua ended up in the hosptial for a few days! He is a lovable missionary and made fast friends in the hospital---he counted 11 contacts he made in a day and a half!

He hung his shirt and tag up next to him so that everyone would know that he was a missionary!

Now, the last two missionaries to end up in the hospital had one common denominator----they were both companions to Elder Brown! Hum---what does that tell us---I think Elder Brown might need to think about going into the medical field when he returns! Actually, when visiting his companion, Elder Mafua in the hospital, he injured himself and ended up going to the physio and a specialist! Wow---how specific does the Lord need to be?!?!!

Left to right: Elders Gardner, Brown and Mafua.

Your Favorite Elders and Sisters!

Zone Conference for Tamaki, Manurewa, Waterview, Panmure and Papkura Zones!

Zone Conference for Glenview, Templeview, Hamilton, Tauranga, Rotorua and Gisborne Zones!

Zone Conference for Henderson, Harbour, Mt. Roskill, Manukau, and Papatoetoe zones!

Zone Conference for Kaikohe and Whangarei zones!