After Delta/NW losing my luggage upon arrival to Los Angeles, watching 2 movies and sleeping like a toddler on the 10 hour plane ride, we are finally here. I’m in the home of Lord of the Rings. The heaven tall mountains, steep hills, large trees, and blooming flowers look like a paintedwork of art. The chirping of birds, wind brushing towels against the clothes lines, rocks being kicked by young missionary children can be heard as I lay in my two-person tent. We’ve arrived long enough for a nice cold shower, to receive help putting up our 60 tents, eat breakfast and lunch, listen to the history of the Maori people, hike the trail, training sessions, and sermon preparation. Our training will last a bit longer and we will soon be building relationships with the beautiful people of New Zealand. Tomorrow will begin our 48 hour screen fast. While it is enjoyable to communicate with those at home, these first few hours will provide us community building time. It is not beneficial for us to go on the field as strangers, but as a unified body of Christ. We will not use this time to escape by way of computers, phones or Ipods but to embrace one another as family.
Please stay in prayer for my teammates as Leisa, Kerry, Nicole, and Hannah are still in need of funding to remain on this trip. I can’t imagine not experiencing God alongside these beautiful women of God.
