The “ends of the earth” is where I live these days… really,
how did I end up in the breathtaking Waikanae, New Zealand? After an eleven-
hour bus ride last Saturday, my team (3:17) as well as team Komboa and Trumpets
of One arrived to Waikanae and were instantly greeted by the amazingly generous
and kind El Rancho staff and their families. El Rancho is a Christian Camp (Kiwis refer to it as a
“Holiday Park”) that reaches out to children ages 9 -12 and presents the gospel
to them in unique ways. El Rancho will be my home until the end of the month. I am super pumped… who wouldn’t be – the camp name is completely “sweet
as.” *
I have some favorites…
I know I shouldn’t … but I can’t help that I do, come on… look at their faces!
Luke. Dillon.
kids in the states, except their accents are so stinking cute, you just want to
listen to them all day! El Rancho has been a great transition for our teams for
the first month on the race.
As we traveled to this camp, a little more than an hour
north of Wellington, we passed by snowcovered mountains and volcanoes on the
same bus ride. Upon arrival, I asked Uncle Tuki at dinner the first night, one
of the Maori elders, “Why would God put a volcano and a snow covered mountain in
the same glimpse?” I mean, He decided to put the hottest thing and the coldest
thing right next to each other… I assured Uncle Tuki that this something you
only see in New Zealand. Uncle Tuki, soon be seventy – six and going strong chuckled
and said in his combo Maori / Aussie
accent, “You think you got something figured out there, eh?”
grand of a God… He just does what He has to make us wonder.”
I have been multi-tasking this week, serving as a camp
instructor, teaching archery, rifles (WOW…), and assisting
with some janitorial and kitchen duties!!!
Please pray for eager hearts and renewed energy for our
teams serving here!
worship and pray alongside 20+ other camp leaders from ages 16 – 25 and about 90 kids. It is a happening place!
serving here over the last few days!
the blood of Christ that unites us as ONE body, and the opportunities that the
Lord is carving out here in Waikanae, New Zealand.
Bathing suit – “Togs”
Candy – “Lollies
Cool – “Sweet As”
The Kiwis pick on us for saying “awesome” … they spell it
awh– some! Wow, I thought I was from the city. Definitely, considered a country bumpkin here! Kids ask me
everyday, “Are you from America? We like your accent!”
I will be instructing rifles today… so pray, my demos for
the kids are safe — yea, me and rifles… who gets to do this kind of stuff?!?
I do. Very
blessed.
