Brother Peni has served the missionaries for over 30 years! He has had missionaries in his flat and has cleaned their clothes and their flat this entire time. He has loved and served the missionaries past and present and for that we are eternally grateful!
He died 26 November during the night and a funeral service was held in his honor on the night of the 27th in the Red Hill ward building in Papakura. Elder Kyle Nelson was able to represent missionaries past and present who loved Bro. Peni! He was able to share many choice experiences that highlighted Bro. Peni's many wonderful qualities and ended with his testimony in Maori that Elder Peni had written out for him and schooled him on.
Bro. Peni's body remained in this Marae in Papakura the night of the 27th and then was to be taken to Whanganui, according to Bro. Peni's desires and their he was to have another funeral service with his family and would be buried there among family.
Thank you Bro. Peni, we love you!
3 comments:
What a sweet, dedicated man. He will be welcomed into our Savior's arms with joy!
Thank you for sharing with us. So sad yet a joyful reunion.
Elder DuMont's mum
My heart is saddened for this lost I got to know Bro. Peni in 1977 and he has been faithful and loved the missionaries and their service throughout the years. I was fortunate to visit, with my wife, and stay at his home for a week in 1995 so she also feels the sadness of the loss. O that we could all remain as strong and positive as he. We love and will miss you Bro. Peni but know we will meet again. Elder Gary Broderick.
I tried to call Bro. Peni tonight, only to hear his number was disconnected. I was going to tell him that I was finally coming back to visit him after 19 years. I am 4 weeks too late.
Bro. Peni was a giant of a man. He loved us missionaries. I stayed in his home. He cooked for us on occasion. He served us so selflessly.
I am reminded of what it says in D&C 84:88-92 88 And whoso areceiveth you, there I will be also, for I will go bbefore your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my cSpirit shall be in your hearts, and mine dangels round about you, to bear you up.
89 Whoso receiveth you receiveth me; and the same will feed you, and clothe you, and give you money.
90 And he who feeds you, or clothes you, or gives you money, shall in nowise alose his reward.
91 And he that doeth not these things is not my disciple; by this you may know amy disciples.
Bro. Peni was a true disciple of Christ. I will miss him when I finally return to New Zealand in a few months.
Lynn Larsen, NZAM 1988-1990
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