Week 2 - Auckland to Hamilton

We have been staying at Jonathan and Katies helping them out with some basic handyman things. Jonathan and I went to a Mens' Breakfast on Saturday. We all went to church on Sunday morning, then Sunday night.

River just outside Mall in Waitakere Auckland
Looks like were out in the jungle!

We met a lot of people at the newcomers lunch and then went for a walk around the mall while the kids played with their new friends.

Newcomers Luncheon - Church Unlimited

Joseph & Esther Prasad & Jordan

Pastor Sam - Church Unlimited
w Ron & Chel

Z & Joseph Prasad

Chel & Nesa Prasad
at Church Unlimited












Monday, We met with the Prasads at a pool and the kids swam with
Esther.  Chel and I bought a toilet for the camper.  We went to get the campervan on Tuesday.  Finished the shelves on Tues/Wed.







Charmaine & Kingsley with Ron

We had dinner with the Prasads on Wed night then I had dinner AGAIN with Auntie Charmaine and Kingsley! Stayed there and left the next afternoon.   The hospitality and food has been great!!  


Campervan Life - Day 1

These are all made of SUGAR!


Daffodil Club Competition

We left Auckland and headed to Hamilton.We went to the Hamilton Gardens and saw beautiful gardens, as well as, Amazing Cake Decorating and Lovely Daffodils at a Daffodil Club Competition and Cake Decorating Competition at the Gardens.

Hannah & Z at Hamilton Gardens

Z holding NZ Boy Scout Flag
at oldest Hamilton Church

Z & Hannah in 1800's school garb
at Hamilton Museum

Z and I went to the oldest church in Hamilton and they were the chartering organization for Scouts (as you can see)



We went to the Museum and learned the history of Hamilton,  Maori history and met some Scouts.

NZ Cub and Boy Scouts
at Hamilton Museum

It was a good week -
We had a chance to meet a lot of cool people, make some good friends and share God's love.

Just some clever "Extras" I wanted to share...


Public Toilet in Auckland
(Notice Electrical Entry)

"Rocky Horror Picture Show" was created by
"Riff Raff" in Hamilton, NZ

  

Espensive Beer

Expensive Movies

Motion seats in Theatres

Made-Up Places and Events
on T-Shirts

Made from SUGAR

Cupcakes

Have a Blessed Week. 

I will start posting videos a little more.  Be sure to subscribe to our YouTube account to get updates.

http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZA521WBIMa8YTLJwxJuk4w?feature=guide

Thanks for looking.  Ron

Video of Auckland

Here is a quick video in Auckland.

G'Day from New Zealand.  We've been in country now for almost 3 weeks.  I haven't updated yet because internet isn't quite as accessible as in the U.S. and I've been having the normal frustrations with my computer.  Sorry for the delay.

Jonathan, Katie, and John Daniel

Week 1 (1Sep - 8 Sep) -
     We met a wonderful couple, Jonathan and Katie Wallis, during our layover in Fiji who had just finished 2 years seminary school in upstate NY and were returning home to Auckland with their adorable 3 1/2 month old son, John Daniel.  We had breakfast with them and they invited us to stay with them for a week while we get things around.  So, we got off the plane, I bought a smart phone, we met their family and we all headed back to their 2 bedroom condo in Waitakere (suburb of Auckland) next to Quinton and Lesile who have a really cute 1 yr old son - Levi.

Umesh & Nesa

     We all went to Church Unlimited and met a lot of cool people.  MANY nationalities worshiping together and loving each other.  It was awesome.  We met Umesh and Nesa Prasad who have 5 children with a daughter (Helina) Hannah's age and a son (Joseph) Z's age.  The kids played and we talked.

Auckland

 
   On Monday, we went to Auckland and opened an account with BNZ.  They use EFT Pos like our Debit card.  So we have safer money now.  We keep it all in a savings account then transfer it to EFT Pos, using the phone, when we need it.
     I did handyman stuff around Jonathan and Katies - Laid vinyl tile in kitchen, fixed towel rack, hung curtain rods and curtains, and built some shelves in the garage.  We bought groceries so we could cook for them, but my cooking hasn't been very good lately... so Chel and Katie took over.  Some cool foods - "Tasty" cheese (a rich flavor of cheddar), Sausage rolls, Butter Chicken, Pizza Bread (cold pizza sold in bakeries), and Meat Pies (size of pot pies) made fresh and sold everywhere.

Mostly small cars in NZ

RUGBY - All Blacks Club in Sky City

They drive pretty small cars/vans here.  Textiles and Commodities are 2-3X cost in the states.  Raw food is about the same.  Processed food 2x and restaurants cost about $10-$15 per plate.  Obviously not eating out a lot.


Thanks for taking the time to check in on us.  Have a blessed week.