So… I’m trying to wrap up month one as best I can in one blog since I didn’t get many up along the way. The month was definitely one of joy and pain. It was full of firsts and lots of learning experiences. In New Zealand we ate countless plums, hitched hiked when we really wanted to get somewhere, ate peanut butter and jelly at least once a day if not more, indulged in far too many Tim Tams, spent a day exploring a huge dairy farm and most importantly got to meet and serve some wonderful people.
We spent the month working and serving at a couple conferences wherever we were needed. That looked like loving on kids and pouring into some teens, serving lots of yummy food in the Soul Survivor Cafe with my awesome new friend Nga, standing guard throughout the night for security, cleaning toilets, to teaching kids about God’s light at El Rancho during family camp week. Looking back on the month it’s clear to see the Lord’s hand in it all.
Below are a few pics from throughout the month and some fun things about NZ culture.
Lauren
& I in the middle of the road caught in a brief rain storm on a long walk. Picture below is what followed and took our breath away!
Em took this of me at a local coffee shop.
Jermey being silly at Soul Survivor one of the youth I got to work with at both conferences. Fun, entertaining & gifted young man. He has a HUGE heart for the Lord and it clearly shows.
Lauren’s ‘Golden’ pic . Apparently I was really tired because I passed out while waiting for them to finish up in the bank. Lauren says I look seriously homeless.
At Waikani Beach. A 15-minute walk from El Rancho.
Meet sweet Victory. One of my favorite kids I’ve met so far. Jesus radiates out of her. We had some wonderful conversations throughout he week about our heavenly father. She is an only child but liked to remind me each day that we are sister’s because we have the same father in heaven. ☺
Leaveing El Rancho. 9 45 pm At the bus stop waiting for our 11 hour overnight bus ride to Auckland.
World Race life style. We sleep where ever we can when time allows. ☺ So long New Zealand…Continue praying many blessings on you.
While mingling with the kiwis, I have learned a wealth of new vocabulary ☺
Locals = Kiwi
Trash = Rubbish
Flip Flops = Jandles
Bathing Suite = Togs
Prayer Team = Enablers
Volunteers = Stewards
Cookie = Biscuit
Cokes = Fizzy Cans
High School = College
College = University
Disaster = Epic Fail
Cool/Awesome = Sweet as
Bathroom = Toilet
Fishy/Suspicious = Dodgy
Sidewalk = Footpath
Hiking = Tramping
New Zealand facts I couldn’t help but notice:
•They didn’t have toilet seat covers ANYWHERE!
•Fountain pop is very odd tasting, nothing like home.
•Kiwi birds are nowhere to be found.
•Pretty much in any direction you look you can see a deer or dairy farm.
•People are SO friendly everywhere you go.
•Their culture is very laid back, they certainly aren’t controlled by the clock.
•Everything shuts down and closes at 5 or 6 pm.
•They do not tip or pay sales tax.
•The sheep outnumber the people 5 to 1!
•Everything is way more expensive than in the states.
•God’s creation and people shines so bright here!
Sorry if the pictures don’t show up… I’ll have to fix that later when internet works! Check back to see if ya missed out!
