challenges. amazing. only one week in.

(September 27th!)

I know I haven’t blogged in too long! I have been away at a retreat with no internet! Actually as I type this it is on a word document at the retreat with no internet! So it will be posted a few days after its written.

At this Gathering we are getting to learn what it means to be a part of Incedo(Youth for Christ). The values that we hold as an organization/a team. Some dreams and visions we have for the near future and what we would like to see come from them. I have got to have lots of conversations with people that are very thought provoking. I got asked some tough questions and challenged by some of my new friends. (I can already tell that this trip is going to be a huge growing experience.)

Yesterday I got to get in a small with 2 other people. I got to learn and hear what churches in New Zealand are like, the affect they have on there communities and how people react to them. Overall I’m very excited to go and visit from churches in the next few months and see what I take from them. It also made me very greatful for my church at home and the community I have there. Our church is very welcoming, we have a come as you are policy, we share our passions and hopes with you but above all we want you to know that God loves you and we love you. I got the idea that that was these peoples motives as well.. but sometimes the churches aren’t the best at saying this, we were discussing how some of there friends would go back to there home church and be completely judged and how some of these churches are acting. (and yes this is all hear say, but it is interesting to learn and get a feel for what to expect, im excited to see for myself what they are like). As well as the percent of people that go to church on a regular basics is dropping dramatically in New Zealand. Where as we live, most people you meet will either be involved in a church or somehow be linked to one by friends or family. It was all very interesting and gets me excited to go and explore!

(yet! I have also heard they are the same as ours at home.. so we will see soon!)

We also had a discussion with someone tonight about Family. It started out as we were all getting to know eachother, than he asked where we see ourselves in 10 years.. we said married, maybe with kids.. family. And we asked him. And he said the same but than he also added probably having other people around and living with us. This did not make sense to us and we automatically thought that that was a very silly idea, don’t you want your alone space and time as a family? How can you let other people into your house like that? So much chaos? But he started asking questions too.. like well is it really ‘your space’? God was the one who gave it to you.. why do we feel that it is our right to own it.. And not sharing what you have with people who need it. His thought was that this is what God wants us to do, this is what the bible says. To live in community! To let your neighbors and the people who may be struggling into your lives and helping them make it through the day. It was all very intriguing. And I haven’t decided my feelings on it yet, very cool idea and I see how that would be something Jesus would do. (I wanted to share it with you, hear your opinions, discuss it more) but all I know is that it reminded me that life is to short to not love and help others, its too short to not live it 100%!

So this was a little bit of the sweet things I have been learning. Its beautiful here! Amazing. Random animals everywhere, sheep, cows, horses.. Mountains with no cars, no roads interfering, no cities.

We went to the Hot Springs today, that was pretty sweet! But hot.. you know how that goes. We are learning that Kiwis are verrryyy sarcastic! And its okay.. we were just not aware of it before we left. I said ‘shoot’ today because I dropped something. And they had us convivnced that is was a realllly bad word to say in New Zealand. Its not, but that what I mean! They all went along with it, expect Melody! She’s great! This one guy also had Kylie convinced the other day that (on the toilets here there is a half flush button and a full flush button) if you push both buttons than you can get fined. So she better watch out they don’t come find her. Silly, silly kiwis.

This trip is going to teach us soo much. We’ve been here less than a week and I feel change happening, grow happening and God breaking my heart for what breaks His.

I’m thankful that I can go to the other side of the world and find a community that I feel loved in.