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.