Sunday, March 30, 2014

Carol and I have discussed the frequency of posting and determined when we have something pertaining to our calling and, in our view, of general interest, we will write. 

A public affairs calling raises the question, what do you do?  Having spent the better part of one month with the Public Affairs Director, Pacific Area, we are in a better position to understand as well as contribute. The Church together will all religions, Christian and non-Christian, face a strong rise in secularism.  This is especially strong in the current generation, i.e. those between the ages of 15 – 45. Secularism basically intends to disenfranchise religion and society.  Therefore, moral standards, the notion of right and wrong and similar traditional values associated with religion become degraded and those who champion them, in a pure sense, mocked or at the minimum, challenged.  All of us have witnessed these events historically and ongoing.  The Church has chosen to “fight” and we are not alone.  In New Zealand and primarily through the effort of public affairs activities, there is a three pronged approach:

1.       Build relationships with key opinion leaders both public and private.  Educate them as to our concerns and solicit their support.

2.       Build relationships with key members of the media.  Educate them as well.

3.       Work in tandem with other faiths through inter-faith organizations to promote common interests.

Our role is to engage, train and support priesthood leaders and their related stake organizations in these endeavors.  We are not the lead since we turn over every 18 months and these relationships must endure.

Last week, we traveled to Chirstchurch, the second largest city in NZ to meet with the Area Seventy and the Multi-stake Director of Public Affairs.  Our meetings were centered on the stake support of the objectives. The stake center is pictured above, a former estate purchased by the Church.  Truly beautiful and in the words of the mission president, “worth 8 missionaries”.

Christchurch is on the south island and approximately seven hundred miles south of Auckland. We traveled by air.  In September 2010, the city was hit with a 7.1 magnitude earthquake; however the epicenter was 40 miles to the west and while damage was sustained, no loss of life. Six months later, a second quake, 6.3 with the epicenter 2 miles below and almost centered on the central business district.  185 people lost their lives and the city was devastated. Seeing this firsthand is one of those experiences where the mood is tangible, a feeling of deep sadness and shock.  Imagine 80% of the buildings in downtown SLC either demolished or in such a state they would be fenced off and scheduled for demolition.  More than 15,000 aftershocks.

On Friday, between meetings, we drove to KaiKoura,  a spectacular beach city.  The views were breathtaking.  We did not have time to take a boat ride for the whale watch.  However, we were able to enjoy the company of several seals as we walked along the beach.  The topography in New Zealand is fascinating.  Flat, to rolling hills filled with cattle and sheep, to beautiful beaches. 

We fill so blessed to be serving here!  
Love and health to you all.

Finally we are posting!

March 22, 2014

 
 

Ga’ Day Mates,

Yes, the New Zealand and Australian word speak has been working its magic.  As I write this, it is Sunday, March 23^rd.  Since we crossed the International Date Line and given day light savings in the northern hemisphere, we are 19 hours ahead, i.e.  it is 6:30 PM here on the 23^rd and 11:30 PM on the 22^nd in Utah, just one of the many changes being 7,000+ miles away and only 3,000 miles from the southern tip of Antarctica. 

On the 24^th, we will have been missionaries for one month, having entered the MTC February 24^th.  The MTC was an interesting experience.  The Church treats seniors with a great degree of respect.  I guess they think you will break.  The reality is they acknowledge the sacrifice.  We attended with approximately 50 couples, 60% of which were called in their home stakes for member support.  Because our area includes the islands of Vanuatu and possible exposure to malaria, we took malaria training together with five other couples going to Liberia, Cambodia, Viet Nam, Papua New Guinea and Katmandu/Nepal.   Wow!!  The primary MTC focus is Preach My Gospel and missionary role playing.  It was worthwhile and a good transition to the new life.  We traveled between SLC and Provo every day.

We left SLC on March 1, 2:00 PM for a 19 hour trip to New Zealand, including 6, 50 pound bags and 2 carry-ons.  Thank heavens for Delta Medallion!  No baggage fees.  We flew to San Francisco, 4 hour layover, then 13 hours to New Zealand in a Boeing 747-400, economy class, arriving 6:30 AM, Monday the March 3^rd.  Brutal.  The couple we replaced was waiting with great big smiles … and the big adventure began.

In transition, the Church placed us in a nice hotel just around the block from the Area Office and Mission Office.  We were there for five days.  After the five day period, we moved into our apartment (flat in New Zealand), a nice two bedroom, two bath (shower) located within walking distance to the Area Office.  The apartment building contains 75 units in a 4 story structure, located in Takapuna, a North Shore, upscale suburb of Auckland.  We are on the 3^rd floor with an incredible view of downtown Auckland approximately 5 miles away. For the most part, the apartment was well furnished, at least 2 other senior couples having preceded us.  We have spent a considerable amount of time, however, getting situated including bedding, internet connection, etc.  I am pleased to announce we are there including the Vonage phone connection complete with our home phone number … yes that’s correct, you can dial 801-943-0745 on your home phone and reach us directly, no charge.  Additionally, Face Time works beautifully.  I intend to thank Steve Jobs at my homecoming.  Technology is an amazing thing.

We are public affairs missionaries working in the Pacific Area Office, a four story building owned by the Church which includes the Area Presidency as well as approximately 50 Church employees.  We report directly to Richard Hunter, the Director of Public Affairs for the Pacific which includes Australia, New Zealand, New Guinea, Marshall Islands, Tonga, Tahiti, Cook Islands, Vanuatu, Samoa, and Fiji, approximately 9,000 square miles.  The mission of public affairs is to promote the Church with opinion leaders and media.  This is done through a variety of approaches including inter-faith councils, interaction with the New Zealand parliament, Mormon Helping Hands projects and website newsrooms.  Log on mormonnewsroom.org, click on International in the upper right corner, go to English – Pacific and there we are, updating almost daily.

Unless on assignment, our weekends are free.  Last weekend we stayed home because of a possible cyclone.  Luckily it missed our area but we did experience wind and heavy rain.  This weekend we set out for our first adventure.  We drove to Muriwai Beach.  It was breathtaking!  Muriwai beach is where the ganets (a beautiful white bird) nest on the rocks.  There were hundreds of them.  On the way home, we discovered a great little deli that serves the meat pies that are so famous here.  We tried a steak and cheese pie and a chicken, brie and cranberry.  New Zealand also has wonderful ice cream so we stopped by a place called “Phil”s” that serves fresh strawberry ice cream and smoothies.  They grow their own strawberries right next to the store.  Beach and food…..who could ask for more!!! 

 

 

 

                                                                                                                                                                                              

Hi Everybody!!

We have arrived.  New Zealand is absolutely BEAUTIFUL!  We have been working with the couple we are replacing, Don and Carol (wonderful name) Rees.  They are training us in our Public Affairs responsibilities.  We are a bit overwhelmed (at least I am), but excited to begin our service.  We are working in the office of the Area Presidency for the Pacific Area.  The offices are on four floors,  housing 50 - 60 administrative employees including the Area Director of Public Affairs, Richard Hunter, our immediate supervisor.  The Pacific area covers approximately 9,000 square miles including Australia, New Zealand, Tahiti, Tonga, Samoa, Marshall Islands, New Guinea, Cook Island, Vanuatu and New Caledonia. We will probably be assigned Auckland, Wellington and Tonga but who knows.

We are currently staying in a wonderful hotel.  We will be moving into our apartment on Saturday.  Our apartment has 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms, so let us know when you will be arriving!
We are thrilled to be serving here, but still missing family and friends.

Love to you all!!