Adventures in Paradise Volume 2 #45

Kia ora! Our excellent adventure continues with some thoughts on epilogs and prologs. Last week, we shared a behind-the-scenes peek at a typical transfer day in the mission field. As is often the case, the blog took on a direction all of its own. I did not anticipate the many comments that we would receive regarding the resurfacing of memories from others who had served. We were touched as many of you shared your tender recollections of those transitional moments and how much it meant to you to be reminded. One friend simply stated that it was touching to see how much these young people grow and mature as they adapt to change and face new responsibilities. So, as we move into a new week and a slightly new subject, I have chosen to regard the events of last week as an epilog; we have experienced the end of a certain era and now must look towards new adventures where we will navigate our now-slightly altered reality with a revised cast of characters.

A prolog looks towards the future and I thought that you might enjoy meeting our four beautiful young sister missionaries. They are beginning their journey together here in Gisborne with enthusiasm and positive attitudes. As I was speaking with them, there were tears and laughter as they discussed their own epilogs. They spoke of their homes, their families, their adjustments and insecurities. They collectively mentioned that the belief in what they have been called to do and the faith that they are in the right place at the right time is ultimately what sustains them when change or disappointment visits. They learn, even in the very early days of new companionships, to look to each other for the grounding that they need to keep moving forward. It is touching to see how quickly these new relationships develop, especially as they adjust not only to a new country and its culture, but also to a new companion who also brings  her own cultural slant to the relationship. I regard this adapting as one of the many miracles that we witness here on a daily basis.

Introducing our four sister missionaries who serve in Gisborne. Some of you may be surprised by the diversity, but that is one of the things that we love best about our little district. Beginning at the left, please meet Sister Ma, Sister Puluto, Sister Dynkova, and Sister Tilley. This photo was taken within minutes of their meeting each other for the first time and as we had the opportunity to check in with them yesterday, we found that all four were still smiling!

Sister Ma and Sister Dynkova:  ( Sister Ma is on the left)

Sister Ma was born in Tonga, and eventually moved to Auckland as a twelve-year-old girl. It is interesting to note here, that of the four sisters in our district, she is the only one allowed to drive in New Zealand. When she opened her mission call, her first thought was “No Way!” as she was being assigned to her own country! AND the Hamilton, New Zealand mission is only a stone’s throw away from her own neighborhood! She laughingly noted that her first assigned district was a twenty-minute drive from her home, so she didn’t tell her family where she was posted. She finally mentioned this to her mother on Mother’s Day with a “Don’t come and visit me” request!  I can only imagine what it is like for a mother to know that her child is so close yet so far away! When asked about the challenges of assimilating into a new culture, Sister Ma said that she was already used to the food and the culture, but was having trouble with people being so generous. She was not used to having three meals a day and certainly not used to being served a heaping plate of food and being expected to finish every bit of it! Sister Ma no longer thinks about the proximity to her family and instead is focused on the work. She has loved each companion and appreciates them for the blessings of diversity they bring into her life. She has learned so much from each of them and is currently working to perfect her “eyebrow technique”…….. more about that technique later.  Sister Ma is happy and working hard.

Sister Dynkova arrived in New Zealand from the Czech Republic after traveling thirty-two hours! She is grateful for kind strangers who answered the prayers of a confused traveler who did not speak much English. She is the first missionary in a three generation L.D.S. family and she is excited to be serving. She was happy to be called to New Zealand as she wanted to improve her English language skills, but has found it to be more difficult that she anticipated. She is amazed and sometimes perplexed by a culture so different from her own and is still getting used to “invasion of personal space” and being kissed on the cheek by everyone, including strangers. She has come to love Pavlova and chop suey. She finds it humorous that they are not invited to dinner, but rather to a “Feed”. For several months, early in her mission Sister Dynkova was frustrated and sometimes offended by what appeared to be very rude and dismissive behavior directed towards her by the Maoris. She would ask a question where she was expecting a yes answer and instead of an oral response, she would be met with a raise of the eyebrows. In her country, that simple response was considered very rude and Sister Dynkova’s feelings were hurt by that particular behavior. Eventually, Sister Dynkova came to learn that the raising of the eyebrows is the preferred form of yes, especially among the Polynesians and that they weren’t being rude to her at all! Now her companion, Sister Ma uses her particular eyebrow technique to coax a smile and often a giggle out of her companion! Sister Dynkova is happy and working hard.

 

Sisters Pulotu and Tilley   (Sister Pulotu is on the left)

Sister Pulotu comes to us from Vara’u Tonga, one of the major islands that comprises that country. She says that heaps of people live on that island and her definition of heaps is somewhere over one thousand! She was praying hard that she would be assigned to an English-speaking mission so that she would be able to apply to BYU-Hawaii at the end of her service. Her father wants her to get out of Tonga, become educated and have a better life that he can offer her were she to stay in her own country.  She had prayed to be called to the Philippines (not sure about the English there) or Australia, but realized that her prayers had been answered by her assignment to New Zealand.  One of the strangest things that Sister Polotu found in New Zealand was the fact that so many people live in partnerships without being married. She said that in Tonga, they would chase you out of the village if you were with a partner. When a relationship produces a child in her country, the young parents do not live together, but the father is expected to be responsible in support of his child. Sister Pulotu does not care for Kiwi meat pies or hangis (underground oven cooked meals) but is addicted to KFC, as there is no KFC in Tonga. She doesn’t like transfers because you have to get to know everyone all over again and sometimes people that the missionaries work with are sad to lose an old friend and they don’t want to take the time to get to know a new missionary. She says that leaving an area is stressful, but has learned that things have a way of working out. She always wishes for an islander for a companion, rather than a Palangi ( white person), not because of any prejudice, but rather she feels that less time is wasted getting used to someone else’s new ways. But the positive side is that the Palangi companions have helped her to improve her English! It’s all good and she is always trying  to be a positive person. Sister Polotu is happy and working hard.

Sister Tilley grew up in Suva, Fiji and cried when she received her call. She was happy not to be serving in her own country, but really wanted to be very far away from home. She was especially drawn to Russia or Africa, as she thought that she would be able to lose weight and return home thinner. She says that as she nears the end of her mission, serving in Gisborne is the icing on the cake. This is probably not the best description for someone who wanted to diet, but she loves it here! She has been successful in resisting the traditional meal of “boil-ups” where everything is just tossed into a pot and cooked to death. She has loved all of her companions, although she has always found transfers difficult. But she has learned that each change of companion brings something new and helpful. Sister Tilley has noticed that each of her companions has been useful in helping her work with and overcome one or another of her weaknesses and she is grateful. Her favorite “Kiwi” restaurant in Carl’s Jr. and since it’s also her father’s favorite, she thinks of him every time she bites into a burger! Sister Tilley is a force to be reckoned with and we admire her spirit. Sister Tilley is happy and working hard.

We love these sisters and admire them for their unbridled enthusiasm and their love of the work that they take so seriously. We have enjoyed sharing a meal and a good laugh with them. They think that Ward is cheeky and wouldn’t have it any other way. I am lucky that I am able to give them huge hugs while Elder Belliston is relegated to handshakes. These are sweet young women and we consider it a blessing to be able to serve with them. We are thrilled to know that at least for the foreseeable future, these amazing girls are with us in our little town.

As always, we are happy and trying to work hard. Having served our last mission “marooned” on an island by ourselves, we consider it this mission’s bonus to allow us the opportunity to interact with such remarkable young people. It should go without saying that the bonus of our lives at home is the opportunity we have to associate with each of you.

Love, Ward and Susan    Elder and Sister Belliston, serving in Gisborne, New Zealand