It's been a long time...

"The Mirage"

"The Jungle Lecture"

Bridge we had to cross over lagoon to get to Ounatai (ricketyaz)

Dawn Boat crossing river of fresh freezing alpine water

The days seem to slip by here in New Zealand. We are very busy and in the spare moments it is nice to just relax for a minute. I will update you on the last 2 weeks.

Our EarthCare team made a trip over to the West Coast and had the opportunity to spend one week on our leaders land called Ounatai. It was all native NZ bush and gave us a week to live with no real running water, toilets, or showers, basically 3rd world living. We had to cross a river at dawn's low tide in 2 little row boats, it took many trips to get 18 of us over plus all the food and packs. It was a week like none other. The river we crossed fed right into the Tasman sea, and surrounding us on all other sides were the white-capped southern alps. It was an oasis. We had 2 instructers (Dave and Wayne) join us, both bush men who brought a lot of wisdom on ecology and the glory of being able to worship Father God outside. The first day there we set up camp which consisted of a very large 60's style canvas tent, wood poles and all. We nicknamed it the "mirage" because it looked almost surreal to see it in the middle of the bush. We then had lecture on a tramp through the temperate rainforst. We climbed through vines, ferns, flax plants, beech trees, large precious Remu trees, and of course a lot of mudd. It gave a whole new meaning to the world Jungle Gym! A great quote to describe it from Dave "The closest you will get to a real rainforest without all the 'nasties'". I also got to take a lovely nap on the sand by the sea. The next day it rained and we spent most of our time in Rob and Jenny's cozy hut and had some teaching and worship time. Seung our lovely Cambodian friend told us a little more about his Country and gave us a glimpse into the culture and what life is really like there. The next day was spent learning "Bush Craft" ( camping skills basically)to prepare everyone to leave for their Solo experience. A Solo is a chance for us to escape and survive on our own with a couple matches, a shelter, our sleeping bags, some food, and our Bibles. I got dropped off on the edge of the lagoon and set up my camp for the night, got a fire started, got my billy boiling for a cup of tea and some noodles (pot of water), I saw a possum and then went to bed as the sun faded. I woke up with a dewy tent and failed at a fire in the morning because the wood was not dry and then spent a lovely day alone with the Lord in a meadow right near my 'home'. I loved the chance to escape and be alone, as living in a community doesn't lend a lot of quiet times. God really spoke "Be still and know that I am Lord" Psalm 146:1 onto my heart and the encouraged me to enjoy that alone time with Him even more. It was then time to head back to the others and a great bonfire (actually 3 bonfires) on the beach, singing and sharing what our solo was like. We then had to pack up and head out the next day sadly. We spent a night in a nice hostel of sorts and were treated by Wayne and his wife a wonderful meal. On Sunday we got the unique chance to hold a service at a small Baptist church in a town called Hokitika. Rob led worship and then Julie and Mark (two of our team) gave short testimonies and then I shared a little of what God was doing in my heart the past week on "being still before him, and calling on him (Jeremiah 33:3), and that even when I am living with many people, and have so much going on that making time to spend with him is key and it is myself that has to put forth the effort and He will meet me! We got prayed over from the congregation and it was a great end to a great week, and then a cook-out by the sea as a send off. All in all it was a week that we got to spend soaking in the indescribable beauty of God's creation and to revitalize.

This past week was not near as beautiful but was special none the less. It was a pretty routine week on base. We had to get adjusted back to taking showers (after spending 1 week without them at Ounatai), and life in a house and amongst many others. Our lecturer this week was Hank Overeem. A Dutchman who moved to New Zealand many a years ago. He had a great accent that made it a lot of fun to listen too. He taught on the Charachter and Nature of God. He imparted so much wisdom and encouragment to us. It was amazing how he made the stories of the Bible come alive. It's hard to pick favorites here becuase all of our teachers have been great in their own special ways but I would have to say that Hank and his teachings touched me the most so far. He gave us a great lecture on how God is with us when we are on the top of the mountain, screaming with joy and also with us when we are in the valley needing refreshment from just having climbed a huge mountain. He related the valley to Psalm 23 and it made it clear that the Lord does lead us and desire good for our lives and give us water, food, comfort, and feasting so we can continue on doing what He has willed and planned for our lives. Our EarthCare school spent an afternoon at Dave's Farm on the canterbury plains and learned about restoring soil, composting, and budding and grafting fruit trees and then got to have fun in his outdoor brick wood burning pizza oven.

This weekend another school (Snowboarders Disciplship Training School) has arrived back on base from traveling on their outreach, so we have about 9 more girls living in our house for the week. It is great to have them here and I hope to hear some amazing stories of their outreach.

The past two weeks have been filled with so much heart and head learning and transforming that it is hard to relate it all in a short blog post but I hope this has given you a small glimpse! If you want more on what is going on here send me an e-mail and that is easier for me to get back to personally.

Also If you are still wanting to support me on outreach please don't be shy to do so! Checks can be sent here with a letter (as it is sweetaz (az means 'very' in Kiwi) to get mail!) at:

P.O Box 47

OxfordNorth Canterbury 7443

New Zealand

Also, let me know of any prayers you have as prayer is something we all need and we get the privilage to do a lot of it here! And keep me and all of us in your prayers as well!

Our God is a God of Justice, Mercy, Compassion, Love