April 17, 2025

Farewell New Zealand

Mount Albert Ward hosted a Primary Activity and farewell in one event.  Bishop and Sister Otulau presented us with beautiful Tongan Leis, kahoa.  She made tiny, detailed flowers for each of the 11 'bouquets' - there are 16 small flowers in each bouquet. We value these beautiful creations.

TeRina demanded a photo with Rick, her Charlton Heston.  Liz Lambert agreed.  I can see the resemblance.  These lovely Primary sisters stayed in class for nearly every lesson we taught.  Liz, a member of only three years, claimed she learned as much as the children.

The Saddler Family.  Lang, age 4, answers every question with “Jesus”.  That is truly the best answer to nearly every question asked.

The Wetzel family.  Emlin, age 6, likes to color and dance.  She wants to be in the middle of every activity.

Zeke, Hazel’s grandson, listens intently to everything we say.  He offers the sweetest prayers and loves to help with puzzles.

The children enjoyed musical chairs and passing around the gift.  Hazel is incredible with a party.  Her daughter came to help with the event.  Unfortunately, Hazel can't be seen in these photos.

Jessica Lal, from Fiji, plays the piano in Primary.  In a few months she will finish nursing school.  What an impressive woman.

Siale Watch and Rhonda connect anew as they are now in different wards.  Siale works in the Area Office.  She was born and raised on the Pacific island of Niue.  We often enjoy eating lunch with her and several of the other employees.

The third-floor employees and missionaries hosted a farewell lunch for us.  These four “musicians” performed one of Rich Hunter’s original songs with ukulele accompaniment.  Rich jokingly said they tried to create a clever name to symbolize the power of four ukes.  His only suggestion was ‘The Pukes!’  I loved the volume of the ukulele music, but I mostly love these individuals.

Lunch choices were fabulous.

The chocolate cake and individual blueberry cobblers were magnificent.

We serve with outstanding people.  Notice the huge conference table.  The newly remodeled room includes a massive table that prevents intimacy in meetings.  We feel like we’re shouting across the table.

We spent one morning at the New Zealand Food Network.  This location supplies food banks in Auckland.  As we packaged, and boxed, I felt gratitude that I always enjoyed plenty of food.  I’ll ponder that blessing when I open a package or can in my well-stocked kitchen.

My last day of pickleball with this marvelous group.  Saying “goodbye” pulls at my heart strings.

The Real Estate team hosted ‘Morning Tea’ for us.  They LOVE Rick.  He was their Superman.  We recounted great memories of time together in Kiribati.  Their memories of Papua New Guinea were fresh and full of laughter.  Rick will miss associating with these outstanding employees.

The charcuterie boards (in a box) presented the food beautifully.  I should have snapped photos before we ate.  The pistachio-honey cheese loaf was especially delicious.

The OGC weekly online council meeting focused on bidding farewell to the Hafens.  Paul and Irene Rytting have successfully created a family feeling.  Some serve in Australia and the rest in New Zealand.  I always look forward to this weekly meeting.  I greatly respect these marvelous people.  Saying ‘Goodbye’ to dear friends and fellow laborers tears at our hearts.  We look forward to ‘family’ reunions.

April 13, 2025

Milford Sound, Temple Dedication, Ted Ashby Sail Vessel

Sister Linda Leach joined me for a short trip to the South Island while our husbands traveled to Papua New Guinea.  Glacier in the background, hills of greenery, this ride from Te Anau to Milford Sound was one of the most beautiful drives of my life.

Photos by dawns early light.  Incredible!

The spectacular fjords of Milford Sound

Sister Leach wraps up against the cool but sunny day.  The magnificent waterfalls grace many mountain sides.

The Tasman Sea meets the sound.

I had to venture close enough to the glacier-fed waterfall to feel the mist on my face; cold but refreshing.

The Remarkables!  Mountain range seen from Queenstown, NZ.  This rugged mountain range provides a beautiful contrast to the green, rolling hills.

Queenstown.  Melanie described this city as very similar to Park City, Utah.  Of course, there is much more water surrounding this town.

Elder Patrick Kearon dedicated the Auckland Temple today.  His British accent was the perfect fit for New Zealand.

Public Affairs/Communications departments have been preparing for weeks.  I stand in awe at the work required behind the scenes.  Elder Kearon acknowledged those unseen labors and offered thanks for the work that allowed all to “Savor the majesty of the event.”

We boarded the Ted Ashby on a sunny Saturday to sail around the harbor.  We helped to raise the sails.  The volunteer crew was knowledgeable and entertaining.

The Ted Ashby carries about 40 passengers.  Today the numbers are much smaller, a blessing for us.

We met new friends from Ottawa, Canada.

The relaxing atmosphere intensified as the motors were cut and we ‘sailed’ under the bridge.  Other boats enjoyed the same view.  We also saw a few bridge bungee jumpers.

The magnitude of the structure maximizes the experience.

Taking a break from weekly work helps regenerate the soul and body.

The beautiful view of Auckland will forever remain in our hearts and minds.

April 6, 2025

Papua New Guinea

Port Moresby

Rick, Elder John Leach, and part of the real estate team spent 5 days in Papua New Guinea visiting sites approved for simple meeting houses, potential sites, and meeting with local counsel and other attorneys that can help with the challenging customary land laws.

Elder Leach with the locals in Banz.

Roadside shops

Woman selling bottled water

Papua New Guinea Temple

The site is under 24-hour security as materials easily disappear from any location that is not secured.  Concertina wire rests atop most fences throughout the country.  The people are poor, subsistence farmers yet so humble and faithful.

Rose Vada and her sister, Jessica.  She uses her covered patio for the local branch each Sunday.  Her parents died so she cares for her 8-year-old sister.  Rick felt humbled by the vast sacrifice of the members here.

A security guard in Saivara.  Most properties in Papua New Guinea hire security to fortify the fenced properties.  This provides an additional source of employment for an impoverished country.

One of the nicer meeting houses in Port Moresby

Bilu church and side buildings

The darkness of the photo reveals it was snapped at dusk.  The group experienced several 12-hour days.  The work that needs to be completed never end.  The church membership in Papua New Guinea is growing faster than any other location in the Pacific Area.

Inside the simple meeting house in Konedobu

The Branch President’s wife and child

Flooded Stake Center in Port Moresby.  They work to clear the mud-covered floor.

A simple structure built with local materials in Kurumul.

The meeting house with a sand floor.  Members are hoping for an update.

The new simple meeting house on the left now houses the growing branch.  The older building, on the right, was built by members in Tombil.  It remains intact as the older members of the congregation feel pride in its construction.

These papers show the lesson helps for class.  The ‘Come Follow Me’ lesson is visible.

Boxes of Sacrament trays rest in the corner.  Notice the floors and walls made from local materials.

A separate teaching facility houses classes a small distance from the main chapel.

This sister, her children, and her brother-in-law stand near her farm.  Rick said her handshake is as firm as any man’s.  He observed their dedication to the gospel and felt that immediate need for improvement in our own service.

Raising sweet potatoes.  A wooded stake raises the vines so the potatoes will receive most of the nutrients.

The church rain gutters drain into a water tank in Minj.  That supplies the building’s water needs.

The baptismal font in Minj is then filled with water from the tank.

Rick saw this crooked pole providing a home for the basketball hoop in Minj.

Rick talks with Michael, of the Real Estate Department, and Henry, the Branch President in Tombil.

The Jeep got stuck near Ban Omani.  Locals offered help with only a machete.  They cut this huge tree to use as a lever.  It finally did the job.

These men seem pleased to have assisted the strange white visitors.

Rick and Elder Leach gave their full strength to free the jeep from its muddy trap.  Their clothes are filthy, but their smiles tell the whole story.

Paul, the local driver and assistant, talks with the crowd that appears to see the visitors. 

Departure time.  Rick tells Paul that they are not ‘Blood Brothers’ but ‘Mud Brothers’.  Working to free the stuck jeep was a rewarding experience. 

Rick with the crowd.  Four are returned missionaries and two are preparing to depart.  His smile reveals the joy he feels in meeting these faithful, wonderful people in Papua New Guinea.