Everyone uses the word “heaps” in New Zealand.
“There’s heaps of food.”
“Mr. B has heaps of eggs.”
“Sounds like heaps of fun.”
And our absolute favorite, when asked if a family at a house we were visiting had any kids, one responded, “Yeah, they got heaps of kids.”

Heaps is a sweet word.

So here’s the heaps of stuff that I haven’t been able to fit into a blog so far. It includes the heaps of stuff I love about New Zealand, and our past few weeks here.

1. The Bracefield Family
– Tony and his family have been more than a blessing to our team. They have provided us with a real home to live in and have included us in their family over the last few weeks. Some of my favorite times have been being able to serve and bless them by cooking dinner and making cookies for them.
2. Kiwi Culture and Words
– Things are a little more laid back here and I love it. Like if you’re not exactly on time, it doesn’t really matter, as long as you’re not too late. And they use sweet phrases like “sweet as.” Chilly bin is a cooler and the trunk of a car is called the boot.
3. Lollie Scrambles
– We passed out candy to the kids one day and they all asked if we were going to do a Lollie Scramble. They call all candies, “lollies” and a lollie scramble is when you throw handfuls of lollies into the air and the kids rush to pick up as much as they can. It is a lot like what happens when a pinata bursts around a group of kids.
4. Swimming togs
– This is what they call bathing suits and most girls wear “togs” which consist of those swimming shirts or tankini tops and shorts. They’re pretty cool actually. Plus, it’s just cool taking kids to the beach and telling them to bring their “swimming togs.”
5. Dancing
– I am not a good dancer. But it has been so much fun trying to learn from these kids who are incredibly talented. They get so excited about dancing but then become a little shy when we ask them to step out and show us. In the video below, you can see some of them dancing, but don’t look for me.
6. My Team
– Seriously, I love my team. We have laughed so much and even though there may be some hard times or frustrating moments, it is amazing to be able to love 5 people and know that they are there for me whenever I need them. Team hugs make my days.
7. God working in people
– God is cool. One story for you is about a dad of one of the kids that we have been working with. He has been in a gang for the past 15 years but is so close to giving it all up and completely embracing Christ. Several members of my team have been talking with him over the past two weeks and I finally met him at church today. We had a great conversation while we were cooking sausages for the after-church cookout and it is awesome to be a part of God’s work here that will be carried on even after we leave.
8. Kids
– They really are so fun and cool. Below is a video Jake and I made for the church service this morning about some of the things we’ve done with the kids over the past two weeks. Enjoy!