Silver Beets, Burger Fuel and Whaka papa

 In visits and activities over the past week, we had some good connections and learned a lot about the local culture and people.

We had our District Council meeting last Friday in Whangarei (pronounced Fawn-ga-ray). This picture is in an eatery area in the city. We bought food from different places and ate in the same location. There was a sushi shop, pizza place and a place called "Burger Fuel." This picture is of many of us together in the sushi place (I missed getting two other elders who were between me and the wall.)

We had a good experience on Sunday in the local branch. They had their Primary Children Sacrament Meeting program. It was wonderful (sorry, no pictures). Many of the children wore Maori tapa cloth skirts around their waists and shells on necklaces. There were a lot of visitors as well. We met our branch president for the first time as well. Following the meetings, they served a very good meal of local foods.

In our visits, we find the people very generous and received food from several, including "silver beets," lemons, celery (all out of their gardens and yards) and also a generous sampling of some frozen beef.

Lemons (above, with an egg shown as comparative size)

Silver Beets (we know this as Swiss chard).

In one of our discussions, we found that they are interested in Family History research for their families. We are excited to help. The Maori word for genealogy is "Whaka papa" (the Wh is pronounced like an f or a soft v), their word for grandparents (or ancestors) is "Tupuna". We also learned that a lot of the people in the area, though many with British, Scottish, etc. ancestry, are also connected to the Maoris and have Polynesian ancestry. One brother just returned from an experience called a "Tangi," meaning to cry or mourn. He had a close friend pass away and they get together to mourn and be around each other in these circumstances. We find these people very open and caring. It is a wonderful experience.