Training for Tongan Saints in Auckland

We had a great opportunity to give a presentation for a special training for Tongan saints in the Auckland area who are catching the vision of Kumi, 'Ave, Akoi (‪#‎FindTakeTeach‬). Members from four different stakes (Redoubt, Waterview, Mt. Roskill, and Panmure) came together for a "Tongan Tuesday family history night" at the Mt. Roskill Stake Center. The event was organized by Area Family History Advisors Art and Heather Schwencke.  Many thanks also go out to helpers Brother and Sister Hillbourne and Sister Leung Choi from Mt. Roskill Stake for assisting members in setting up new accounts in FamilySearch and identifying family names for temple ordinances. There are 14 Tongan language wards in the Auckland area and many Tongan members who attend the English wards. President Otukolo from Mt. Roskill Stake bore strong testimony about the power of family history. President Cocker from Waterview Stake also attended and assisted.

President Otukolo and Elder Bennett

President Cocker from Waterview Stake (NZ) embracing the AKOI (Teach) aspect of
Find / Take / Teach during the Tongan Tuesday event in Auckland.

Brother Hillbourne (in plaid shirt on left) had his first experience with helping someone sign up for a new account in FamilySearch. After the meeting he said it was one of the best experiences he had ever had. He acknowledged that he is no expert with the program, but he saw the need and wanted to help with what knowledge he did have. THIS is the spirit of we love to see in these trainings.

I'm not sure which was more exciting...seeing the enthusiams of the members, some of whom were submitting family names for the very first time, or that of Brother Hillbourne who had his first experience with helping a member set up a new account in FamilySearch.   It was a great night.  We went home so happy we felt like we were floating on clouds!

I took this photo of Brother & Sister Hillbourne at a different training last year

Sister Leung Choi