I can't believe how much the Lord is blessing this mission and the people of New Zealand! It is amazing what is going on here in the Paeroa area. Monday we had the interviews for Starrie and Maddy and Arron and they passed easy, no problem. They are so smart and they were so excited. We had the baptism on Tuesday and it was awesome! All of the Coromandel Branch came and supported them. They looked so good in their whites that Sister O'Neal made for them. Elder O'Neal was the baptizer and the creek was cold. They all went in cold and they all came out shivering but filled with the spirit. We did the conformation on that day as well. They were all just glowing with joy. I was so happy for them! We ended with a big feed that day and the family came over the next day to hang out with us and they brought us a feed.
In that week we continued to contact people on the ward list and see some of the people who was investigating the church and some investigators who we hadn't been able to see in a long time. We went down to one of our further areas called Whangamata and there is a big event there that was going on that entire week called the Beach Hop. What it is is where everyone dresses up in 50's and 60's clothes and drive around and show off their cool as and amazing Camaros and Mustangs and Cadillacs. It was way cool! There was a lot of American cars that came over with their steering wheel still on the left side.
We have two new investigators who we found again this week and started up teaching and appointments again. One is Poura. He is trying to get back into doing good after getting out of jail. He is working, doing school, and running a gym. Missionaries met with him in the past so we explained our purpose to him again. he told us that he is willing to do what he needs to do to change and be baptized soon. He's so humble. He said, "if I need to quit my job so I can go to church bro . . . I'll do it!"
We are also teaching a part member family a Tongan mother and her four kids. She has a really cool experience of learning about the gospel. She slammed the door on missionaries and went away when her husband talked about the gospel but one day she went and researched the Mormons and liked the principle of being a family forever and then started taking lessons. We taught her the first lesson and it was way good! Then we set her for April 15th. Sela is her name. The Lord really prepares people to be taught and live the gospel.
We had Branch Conference on Sunday and had over 100 people come to church. Visitors from different parts of the Stake and less-actives, investigators and Tongan families visiting for the first Sunday for the Branch President's oldest daughter's first Sunday married to her husband. Both are returned missionaries. Awesome meeting with the leaders and talking about ways we can better the work. We had a massive feed after church. 10 pigs roasted on a spit , 45 chickens, fish, kumara, kalo, mussels, lusipi, and other foods. No room for all the food. We needed more people for all the food we had. I didn't eat heaps because I didn't want to regret it after. The food was really good though . We got a phone call after, telling us that we have a family of 12 who want to start taking the lessons in Coromandel. We are so excited to teach them.
So much blessings we are getting from the Lord as long as we are obedient to everything there is, big or small! We will receive the blessings from it! I love you all! Easter is coming up and me and my comp are best friends! Talk to you soon, bye for now. Ofa Atu!
Love,
Elder Mortensen
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