June 1, 1986

Dearest Brethren;

Greetings in the name of our Savior Jesus Christ who provides everything

Well, are finally here. We just wanted to send you this short letter letting you know we are here and ready to get back to work.
During the last week there in the states the elders at Northside insisted that we secure another sponsor as they were not prepared to continue as sponsors. After much calling a committee was formed at Highland Street Church of Christ in Memphis who will be overseeing our funds and working toward finding additional support and a full time sponsor for our work.

We left on time (as per the day but 1 hour late) May 23rd from Tulsa and headed toward New Zealand. The airlines was not very happy with the 10 LARGE trunks and suitcases we checked as baggage. After rushing to catch our plane in Dallas and just catching our flight in Los Angeles we boarded our flight to Tahiti. We spent 9 hours in the air and landed at 03:00AM in sweltering Tahiti. We were able store 9 of the trunks and only had to carry one suitcase and our handcarry luggage. We changed some money at the airport as they use French francs (over 12,500 francs for US$100). We took a short taxi ride to the Hotel Tahiti which cost 1500F.

On the same plane with us from LA was the basketball team from University Nevada of Las Vegas. They were also staying at our hotel. They played an exhibition game and then boarded the same plane we did but they went on to Australia for games. We had hoped to locate some of the Christians in Papeete Tahiti but never did touch base. We were only there 48 hours but found that the cost of living is very high there and that Magnum P.I. (on TV) loses sometime in French. (The lips spoke English but the sound was French.)

We boarded our plane in Tahiti 04:30 AM, May 26 and arrived after 5 hours in Auckland, NZ at 08:30 AM, May 27th. (If somebody has a video of May 26th could you send it, I want to see what we missed. We sure did zoom thru it-My ! How time flies when you're having fun.)
We cleared customs with a wave and a smile and were met by Jab and Bruce Lewis from Tauranga. We have arrived here at the onset of winter. This is evident by the cool south wind (off Antarctica) and rain squalls. We loaded all our trunks into a van we rented. (Our car would not have been big enough.) After stopping at Cobb & CO. (NZ eqvililent of Shonee's) for breakfast we headed down the road to Tauranga. We drove into Tauranga around 12:15 and were able to see Becky and Abraham just before Abraham went to Kindergarten.

The brethren here have set us up a house until we can look around for a larger residence. We are trying to set up home in under 900ft2 as compared to 2100ft2 in our house there in Joplin. Everything was set up except HEAT. I had assumed from talking with others that Tauranga would not get all that cold- WRONG! The houses here on the whole do not have heating units except for portable heaters. The first night here I spent with my bald head under the covers to keep an ice cap from forming. The second day here we went out and bought electric blankets and portable heaters. Only just in time, the second night the temperature dropped to 29 degrees and we woke with ice in the birdbath and frost everywhere. The electric blankets and heaters sure felt good. Winter is officially July 4 August. (I can hardly wait !) We should have enjoyed our two days of summer more in Tahiti.

Also awaiting us here in Tauranga was a letter from New Guinea from Fred Burrows stressing the urgency of making payment for the bill when we shipped our car and container in July of last year. We still have $3900 outstanding on that.

We just wanted you to know we have made it and appreciate your support and prayers that you have and continue to provide for our labors.

Future support should be sent to:
OCEANIA OUTREACH- TOBEY HUFF
HIGHLAND STREET CHURCH OF CHRIST
443 S. HIGHLAND MEMPHIS, TENN. 38111

Our New Zealand address is on the back. Again thank you and we pray that we will continue to remain in your prayers and monthly support.

Your servant in the service of Christ,

the Huffs