DISCLAIMER: This blog is super long as it covers two weeks, lots of activities, and pictures galore!
The past two weeks have been very eventful, both emotionally and physically. To begin with, we found out that we have a rather large education loan to cover when we get back to the states. It is currently being deferred until Feb 09 but then it kicks in high gear. This worried us with regards to spending a year volunteering in South Africa...so we began to take things into our own hands and plan away -- forgetting that in doing so, we were not allowing God to plan a way! We decided we shouldn't go to South Africa, and were about ready to call it quits when God Himself intervened. First, we got an email from Dr Ross encouraging us to go anyway and to seek a loan deferment since we will be volunteering. Then, my parents encouraged us to go and trust God to provide and we read Deut 10:17-18 which gave us courage that God WILL provide! Then we got an email from Reinhild herself explaining that they need us to come this year because they've already created a music centre for me to use, are having two retired ministry leaders come from the States to be our mentors and to help us adjust for the first few months, and Ken is going to have a position as a religious educator! Wow! So, we realized over the last two weeks how foolish we have been, taking things into our own hands trying to plan life when all along God has been showing us how He has things all taken care of - all we have to do is trust. Instead of seeking to plan things out to bring glory to ourselves, we must give over our plans to the Lord who will make all things work to our good and His glory. So, after two very emotional weeks, we're back on track - going to South Africa early March 2009. We don't have all the answers as of yet, but I think that's the way God wants it. We're going to rest in Proverbs 16:3 that He is going to make the path straight for us.
Last week I also found out Jaime's wedding is in September 09 and she invited me to be a bridesmaid! As of right now though, we're not sure what will happen. If this is to happen though, I trust that the money will appear and I'll be able to go back to the states for her wedding. If not, then I have to believe that is what the Lord is willing. So please do keep that in your prayers as it means so much to me to be a part of her special day! Also pray for wisdom as we discern what to do with the little Pep dog...
Other amazing news from God: the church is paying my airfare home as well as Ken's! What a blessing! So now we only have to cover the costs of shipping boxes! Wow - God is good. It is amazing to see what He does when we allow Him to work, eh?
So that's all the emotional news - now on to how physically eventful the past two weeks have been: we left on Saturday the 29th for Christchurch with eight youth and two other leaders for a youth mission trip. It was a great trip - for some of the youth their first time on the South Island, and for others their first time on an airplane! We arrived Saturday to bad weather, so we spent the day relaxing, playing games and just hanging out. The Lutheran church (St. Paul's) prepared a wonderful lunch for us and we had a chance to meet some of the people we would be working with for the week. Sunday the youth led worship for the church and it went wonderfully! The sound system and equipment at this church was just superb - we all had a bit of envy wishing that was at St. Luke's! Haha...Then Sunday afternoon was another pot luck with the church. It was so fun to meet everyone - I felt right at home and very much in my "comfort zone." Very cool - and Ken preached the sermon which everyone really enjoyed. Again, very cool. Sunday afternoon we all headed into Christchurch to explore the city for a few hours. Then we ended the evening going to another youth group's youth worship to see how other youth lead worship (one of the youth from St. Paul's attends that youth group and invited us to go).
Dropping off Pepper at Tolly Farm for the week
Checking in our bags and getting on the plane
The Southern Alps outside of Christchurch
Arriving in Christchurch
St. Paul's Lutheran
Spent Saturday afternoon relaxing and having fun!
Ken and Pastor David chatting it up
Practicing for Sunday worship
Team building game Ken led to teach the youth to ask for help
The potluck after Sunday service
Heading into Christchurch Sunday afternoon
A gag gift for Ken
Monday we got up bright and early to begin work - Ken Sr. was our leader and we braved the elements to begin gardening a rather large plot overrun with weeds and brush. It took all day, but by the end of it we all looked in amazement at our accomplishment! Wow! We relaxed that night with some movies. Tuesday was another early morning and we finished the prayer garden - planting 120 seedlings! We celebrated by going to the local pools/hot tubs to relax and have fun. That evening some of the youth set up a Talent Quest event which was a lot of fun for everyone!
DAY ONE - clear out this plot!
American Gothic (modernized and in New Zealand)
DAY TWO: Planting!
Ken and Ken Sr. (our gardening overseer
Yippie! We did it!
Closing devotion and dedication over the garden with the church behind us
Relaxing at the pools followed by our very own Lutheran Talent Quest!
Wednesday morning we were up early to pack and clean before going to Christchurch to work a food bank for the Salvation Army Hope Centre. Once that was done, we had the rest of the afternoon to wander around the city again before heading back to St. Paul's for a final farewell dinner (of yummy pizza!) and then got on the plane to Palmy. Ken and I were exhausted from the week - physically, mentally and spiritually and were ready for a good rest. We are very thankful for all the prayers we had for us. Throughout the trip we both felt very empowered as leaders and it was awesome to see many of the youth shine as they worked in the garden or food bank, played games, bonded closer, and just had a overall great time.
Working at the food bank
The pizza provided for us by St. Paul's as a goodbye/thank you
Thursday morning we got right back into work - had to go to Trinity for their holiday program Blast. It really was a blast - we had so much fun! That afternoon we caught up on some office work and Ken went to the PLT meeting that night. Friday we did our last day of Blast...seems weird that things are now being our "lasts" instead of our "firsts." We had no youth Friday evening so instead we went on a 5k walk/run together and made pizza, relaxing with a Bond film.
Ken teaching about the Easter story, Ellie doing song time, and a girls v boys tug of war game
Saturday we went to our last Turbos Rugby game...of course, they lost (when don't they??!!) but it was still really fun to be there! And we supported them all the way with our Turbos t-shirts, some Tui beer and hot chips - we're true New Zealanders now.
GO GREEN!!!! (the planes agree as they whizzed over in support!)
Sunday Ken and I headed out to Riversdale to Butch and Chrissy's beach bach. We stayed there for two days (Pep loved the place - between the beach and the little heater, she was in heaven! see pictures below). It was great to get away and be alone, quiet and let all the excitement and stress of the past two weeks disappear.
The bach, kiwiana, and Pep's heaven: the beach and heater!
So, as you can see, a very busy past two weeks -- thank you for your constant support and prayers. We love you!
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