The grass is greener on the other side

I have been in Crystal Springs Matamata, New Zealand for almost two weeks now. All of the other teams left to go to their ministry site a few days but our group along with JSL group stayed behind because our ministry didn’t start right away. We will be leaving tomorrow for Fielding, NZ where we will be helping with Soul Survivor-a christian music festival that is based around teens. We will stay there for a week and then move on to Wellington where we will be helping with another music festival called New Whine. This festival is based more around families. We will be helping with everything from set up to security and tenting with the people who come to act as a “tent group leader.” Although the other teams have got to move on before us we feel quite blessed to have stayed at crystal springs ministry base for a few extra days. We have helped do farm work, gardening, laundry, cabin cleaning and dishes. We got a chance to go on a few hikes during our spare time to see the BEAUTIFUL landscape of New zealand. We have got to see Green rolling hills, waterfalls, rainbows, and overlooks. Pictures can not give justice to the beauty of this country.

I am learning that my tent is actually quite enjoyable to sleep in. After being surrounded by people all day long it becomes a nice little quiet place at nightime. Although it is chaotic inside with all of my stuff spewed everywhere it is my own little space and a nice security bubble. I am also getting used to this crazy sleeping bag of mine that makes you feel like you are a mummy. I am used to sprawling out when I sleep which I can no longer do but am starting to like the security of it as well. The weather in New Zealand has been kind of weird. There is no such thing as warm summer nights here. As soon as the sun starts to go down it becomes very cold. However, as soon as the sun rises, it get real hot real fast. I also have a lot of bites on my ankles from the mean ants who live here. We have learned that there is no ozone layer here so in 10 mins of sun-we all got burnt. It has been a nice adjustment to the life of a World Racer. You couldnt ask for a better place to start than New Zealand All colors here seem more vibrant and alive. The grass REALLY is greener here in the down under country of New Zealand.