New Zealand Hamilton Mission

Well, the changes related to COVID-19 have come at us at break-neck speed and have hit us hard.   A week ago Monday, we were settling into a nice calm week after transfers.  Our time to catch up and get the things done we had neglected during transfer week.  Sister Folland had new missionary info to record in the computer and I had flats to  clean and laundry to do.  In the afternoon the NZ prime minister announced that the country was moving to a level 3 alert for 2 days and then Wednesday at 11:59pm we would move to level 4 for 4 weeks.  Level 4 means complete  lockdown with restricted travel and only essential businesses functioning.  We must stay in our house except for trips to the grocery store or for medical help.  All other businesses are closed including restaurants- not even take-out is available.  We can go out for exercise but must stay 2 meters from others. On Wednesday morning we awoke to an email from our area presid...

We have been asked by several people how the coronavirus pandemic has affected our mission.  Here are a few ways that we have been affected:                        * It has been reported that seven people here in New Zealand have tested                         positive for the virus.                        *Leading up to our transfer week, which is this week, we have had some of our               incoming missionaries receive temporary assignments in their country of                       residence rather than coming to NZ as planned.  We also received notice that                 we would receive several missionaries to serve temporarily in...

Kia Ora, our wonderful friends and family! We had a much anticipated visit from Lucy, Dave, and baby Rune.  They arrived from Tucson, Arizona and were able to spend almost two weeks with us.  We juggled the office work and were able to spend much time doing a variety of activities.  Little Rune preferred enjoying us from a distance--haha!  Unfortunately, soon after arrival to NZ, Rune developed a fever which lasted for several days.  It caused us some concern, but he was a trooper.  He ended up having Roseola, with a rash that covered his body after the fever passed.  The rash lasted about two days, and then he was over it, and feeling much better. We spent time at the beach, biked Timber Trail (Grandma babysat Rune at the park), hiked Tongariro Trail in the Turangi/Taupo area, ate blueberries (Rune's Favorite), had fresh fruit ice cream and fish n chips, walked around Lake Rotoroa, visited parks, walked through Hamilton Gardens, attended Churc...