Wu er ling (520) sounds like Wo ai ni 我愛你 (I love you) in Chinese- used more commonly in texting language.
Kia ora 朋友和家庭!
I'm just going to share some cool observations I've had of New Zealand so far since I'm not quite settled enough to have distinct highs and lows--
Food:
So the Chinese program is interesting because we don't get too many meal appointments, but as for the rest of the mission, missionaries are booked for every meal (called fafugas) of the day and bring extra food home! The Islanders believe every pound they can get a missionary to gain is 4x as many blessings poured upon themselves. I've heard horror stories of missionaries stuffing themselves as much as possible and needing to throw-up afterwards because their bodies can't take it!
It is crazy the difference between not only the Chinese and the other language programs here, but also just between here and other countries where it might be really difficult for members to feed the missionaries.
Furthermore, I think things in New Zealand are pretty similar to those in America, but I swear they are so much better here in New Zealand! I've been making a New Zealand Food List and Rating things so maybe every week I'll put one of my worth-mentioning ratings in my email.
My first meat-pie here! (Pretty highly rated like 88/100)
Chinese People Here:
Another thing I've noticed is that a lot of people have heard of the missionaries- most of the Kiwi islanders who have a Christian background are uninterested because they have a faith, or are uninterested because of a lack of faith (which they are comfortable with). However, with the Chinese people here, most don't know the difference between us and other faiths who might also have missionaries preaching to them.
Most Chinese people we meet are also really surprised we speak their language! They are willing to talk a bit to us sometimes just because they want to know how we've learned to speak so quickly. Sometimes, as well, there are times when someone is telling me they are from Taiwan, and I can't help but hope they run into my mission friends (that I met at the MTC) there! It is not uncommon for them to be here for a bit, and then go back to China or Taiwan. Some express interest simply because they remember seeing missionaries in Taiwan, and they were shook that there were missionaries here, too (especially those who speak Chinese).
Our Plant :
We were door-knocking and we talked to this man from Ireland. He wasn't interested, as he said he grew up at a time when those preaching of Christ weren't the most positive of an influence on his life -- (History explains a lot of people's pre-existing feelings about religion)-- but he was a super kind spirit. As we were leaving, I mentioned that he had a lot of pretty succulents on his porch- all individual plants. He quickly said we each should take a few! I'm not sure what the purpose of them were, but after some polite refusal, we accepted one for our apartment. We were so excited! We named it Leprechaun in memory of the kind and respectful Irish man who gave us one of his plants.
仙童
Simple Truth:
God, Jesus Christ, and The Holy Ghost are three separate beings, all of the same purpose, to help us, God's children, make our way back to him.
“And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent” (John 17:3).
I love you all! Hopefully the emails are less crazy as I adjust!
馬姐妹
Sister Martinez
Ate dinner by the beach the other day:
Photos:
Mission Address- mail comes pretty slow, just a heads up:
Letters:
PO Box 33-840
Takapuna 0740
New Zealand
Packages:
7A Auburn Street
Takapuna 0622
New Zealand
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