November 11-17

Well, this was the last week Pastor Rob Strelan was here in the Manawatu. We enjoyed a nice cuppa in the Esplanade on Tuesday afternoon together as our final "get-to-gether." Although as sad as everyone is to say goodbye and be pastor-less for the Advent season, spirits are high as we anticipate the coming of Pastor Lee in January! Yeay, a full time "real" pastor for the parish! Ken and I laugh about our time here as we have never worked with so many pastors before coming here (seeing as how we had 3 interim pastors, Pastor Greg, and Pastor Rob Erickson the national president/pastor)! But it's been good experience.

Tuesday was a fun but busy day - it began in the morning with Ken leading the devotion for our office. Then we went to a bbq with other youth workers in the city and then headed over to the park to have tea with Pastor Rob. After that we took Pepper to her first vet visit since we've had her - she did really well and seems to be all healthy! That evening we learned about Buddhism from a Christian who finished up a PhD in Buddhist studies. It was really neat to learn about the religion from a uniquely Christian vantage point (especially learning how John 3.16 means little to nothing to Buddhists...but that's a whole other blog!)

The bbq

The feast!

Gardens in full bloom at the Esplanade

Pastor Rob and Irene Strelan

Pepper's vet visit


Wednesday I visited Daina and had a nice cup of coffee with her. It was good to catch up as she has been super busy lately and unable to be a part of much at church. This was Ken's first Wednesday being done teaching - it was a bit odd, as we only went to the college to drop off his grading!

Friday night youth went really well - they studied the "gummy bear" song and played lots of gummy bear games (I think some of the youth went home sick because of how many gummy bears they ate! haha...) I spent the evening helping Jen pick out different things for her new house that her and Sam are renting out.

Saturday morning Ken and I went over bright and early to help Jen and Sam move their stuff - their new house is awesome! I love the wood floors. We enjoyed a bit of lunch at a garden cafe next door to their home. That afternoon Ken and I got a lot of Christmas shopping done - woohoo! Now we just have to get them in the mail...

Ken helping move Jen and Sam's stuff

Their new home

I love the kitchen

Enjoying some lunch after all that moving

Sunday we went to the early 9am service and met another American who is visiting her kids who now live here. It's amazing how many Americans we've met who have kids who have permanently moved to New Zealand! Although I see the perks - the nice working hours, the holiday breaks, the relaxed atmosphere...all things that Ken and I will really miss! The rest of Sunday was absolutely gorgeous - Ken went on a 13 mile run (basically a half-marathon) and I went sunbathing for a bit in the backyard while the clothes dried. We enjoyed a yummy bbq of kebabs that night for dinner.

Some pretty flowers Ken surprised me with

Pepper enjoying her day off too

The view from my kitchen

Our yummy kebabs

Ken the master griller

Monday was a work day - our friend Marla from the states comes to visit on Wednesday so we are taking that day off to hang out in Wellington (that's where she flies in). So we worked on Monday instead.

We've been super busy this week with our fundraising letters! We've mailed off well over 100...please keep us in prayer as we seek to raise $6100 for our 16 months in South Africa where we will be volunteering with the Themba Trust. It is a huge leap of faith, but we believe God will provide. But your prayers are very much welcomed!