Life, Death, Beaches, Plums, Cow Poo, & Worship=?

 
In the last week I have been blown away by the most random of things…
life, death, beaches, plums, cow poo, and worship for starters.  You’re
probably thinking what the heck do these things have in common, right?
Well the only thing is that it all has taken place in New Zealand,
Matamata to be more specific. 
Since arriving at launch we have had several opportunities to listen to
some teachings and advice about the race.  One thing that has really
stuck out was the simple statement: “you are either speaking life to
someone or death.”  When I think about this, and the fact that I will
be living with five other people for the next year, brings on a whole
new meaning.  What we say is either sending positive or negative words,
either adding to the Kingdom or taking away.  In the same way those
that we are passing along the way, we have the opportunity to speak
life- the life of Christ to them.  That is just a thought that I like!
On to the more random of things, Ross and Cheryl, our hosts for the
past week, have been more than gracious in letting us experience some
awesomeness while here in New Zealand.  They took us to their farm that
was situated perfectly on top of the most beautiful hills, overlooking
the valley and river.  We started the day out by helping them clean out
their flower garden and orchard.  It is amazing to see how 12 of us
working together can take on overgrown weed bed and turn it into this
beautiful place. We ate our lunch in the sun with the backdrop being
the valley below! After lunch we drove down to the river for a swim. It
was so cold that only Caleb, Miranda, Simone, and myself got in. Now I
can say I swam in a river in New Zealand… definitely worth it! We
drove back to the farm and then hiked through the cow fields on our way
to the highest point on the property.  Along the way we frolicked
through the hills and stopped for pictures every twenty feet!  I tried
a kartwheel in the field but fell and landed in cow poo. Worth it?
YES!  Once we landed on top of this great place we had a time of
worship and Caleb brought us a message that challenged us for the year
to put on the new and take off the old, a call to action, a call to
leave a comfortable life back home and do something out of the ordinary
for God.

Much love,