Tauranga to Gisborne

Packages all delivered to Tauranga so now off to our next stop Whakatane. That is still in the Tauranga Zone but as we were almost passing their door we thought we would deliver their mail personally plus other things that the Zone leaders need to give them. Hey guess what else they talked about?  Blockheads

Now it’s our final leg down to Gisborne. We didn’t come on this trip alone because we brought Elder and Sister Rowland with us. They have been called as service missionaries to help Elder Saunders with all the housing needs. Our main reason for this trip was to closed down and clean the Flat in Tokomaru Bay. We have had this flat for over 40 years and there is a lot of church history that goes with this area.

Just as were approaching Gisborne I phone Elder and Sister Belliston, who we were staying with, that we were almost there. Sister Belliston asked if we had had the keys cut, what keys? The Elders had lost the keys to their flat and had the Belliston’s set which they wanted back. She thought that we had already met up with the elders and now had her keys. So after a very quick hello, goodbye, to Sister Belliston and off we went to meet the Elders in Bunnings. Luckily we were able to get most of the keys cut. Next was our trip to the chippies. Fish and Chips on the Beach. We thought that was just a perfect end to a busy day but no. Just as we were heading back to the car we met members of our church who noticed our badges and asked if we were missionaries. Yep. We then joined them in a short activity by the beach. One of the Dad’s relatives had recently died expectantly and throughout the area or country different friends and family members where letting off balloons at 7pm to remember him. That was quite emotional. Then they sang a few songs. The daughter sang a lovely Maori song, in Maori of course. We didn’t have a clue what she was singing about so I asked her. It was all about the ocean and Whales, it was beautiful. The dad then sang the song from ‘Whale Rider’, while his family did the Maori actions. Beautiful. Although I did ask to video the girl singing I was too slow to ask about the second song. So that was the perfect ending to our day. But before I finish todays events did I mention that Elder Saunders talked Blockheads with the Gisborne Elders!!!!