the week of my life!
man, i have been here 2 and a half weeks and i have grown so much more than i could have imagined. Allow me to back up a little and talk about my trip to Akaroa like i mentioned in my last blog. well me, along with 7 other people made our way to Bon Accord hostel in Akaroa. it was this really cute little hostel right across from the beach, and it was a beautiful sunny day. So our drive provided some of the most incredible views I have ever seen. When we were there, we went for a walk on the beach, before making dinner, and just soaked in the sun. However, it was after dinner that the real fun began. Kristoffer, the Norwegian in my group, had found a bay, we there was supposed to be penguins, so after a little more investigation on my part, we headed off in our 1980's van, up a steep mountain to find this beach. We got to the top of this mountain just as the sun was setting, and had a spectacular view of God's creation. I was utterly blown away. After some time in prayer we descended down the back of the mountain on a steep turny gravel road. More than anything we were praying for safety. But our fearless leader Ben eventually got us there safely and once again we were blown away at the Lord's creation. Once at the beach our quest to find penguins began. We didn't want to scare them, so when we did spot them, we stayed back and watched as they came on shore. We had a small run in with the owner of the land behind us, but we some christian kindness he ended up showing us a penguin that was sitting on its eggs, he was right below me. it was soo cool.
so now as I promised my team i will share about our drive home. it isn't anything to spectacular, but as i mentioned we have this really old van that we travel in, and it has 3 sun roofs, so when we were on the front side of the mountain, on paved road again just for clarification, we opened to roof, to amazing stars above and city lights below us, and stood out of them and sang and shouted! (ben was not in approval, just for the record) It was liberating and beautiful, and almost worship like, just dwelling in the Lords beauty.
the next day, still on our penguin high, we set out to see some of the area, and to hike a little. so we drove up another bit of a mountain, and found a good way to hike to the peak. It was tough but amazing, and i'm proud to say I'm the only girl who made it to the top with the boys :)
we headed home later that afternoon, after a fair bit more prayer because our brakes gave out. no one was hurt, just a little shaken up. But Gods hand was with us the whole time, and i saw him so much in the beauty of creation around us, and the spectacular views, and various wildlife we saw in those 27 hours.
the rest of the week went on as most others do. we had a few more lectures, which i am LOVING! and friday night we went into christchurch. I was doing square ministry that friday. which, to say the least, i was not looking forward to. i have this idea in my mind of some one standing on a podium yelling at people to be saved, and that was what i was faced with when i got there. not by anyone in my group allow me to clarify, but by a man who was already there. His logic was a bit skewed, and his tone was not something that would bring me to repentance, but to each his own. so i ended up hanging out with 3 old men watching them play chess for 2 hours, and freezing. then proceeded to hide out in starbucks and warm up. haa. this week will be better.
saturday. now this i'm excited about. Castle Hill! For those of you Narnia fans, it is where the battle scenes take place in the first one. It is stunning. absolutely amazing, and a climbers dream. Now i'm not a huge climber, but there are a lot of them in my group and they were in there glory. We lucked out yet again and got beautiful weather! (for those of you wondering, the mornings here are usually between 0-6 degrees until about noon) so we were really happy it wasn't really cold. so it is tough to describe exactly what castle hill looks like, so i'll put some photos up below. but it is basically a lot of really big rocks. everywhere. with grass and hills everywhere else. So i climbed for a bit and explored, and held my breath as some of the crazy guys climbed and repelled off of rocks i was sure was going to kill them. but they were fine.
after lunch Malory and laurie and i felt like exploring a little mountain behind castle hill. So malory put on her shoes, laurie and i went bare foot because it was grass and sunny, and there is nothing better. and went off onto what turned into a 3 hour hike/exploration of the hills around. It was amazing. we got up onto this one hill and you could see all of castle hill, which was huge, and the mountain behind it, and the ones behind us as well as the lake below. it was beautiful. we also found some other great rocks to climb, and sang and worshiped God, and just soaked in his presence. it was such a liberating feeling, standing on top of a huge hill, wind blowing, sun shining, singing to your creator. Joy overflowed from us as the spirit was there with us.
heading back we met up with the other climbers again, and started back to the vans.
where i proceeded to smash my toe into a rock, and sprained it. At first we were sure it was broken, but i gained mobility back to it fairly soon. However, 4 days later and its still purple. the swelling has gone down and it doesn't hurt to walk anymore, but that was the bummer of the day. but other than that it was absolutely incredible. i love it, and i felt so much joy in being in the lords creation and nature.

some of the guys bouldering

castle hill

this is my house, from the back, the porch is right off of my room, and the bit of the red building beside, is our kitchen, dinning room and classroom.

I realized I dont have any Akaroa photos on my computer yet, but i will get some and put them up. 

10,20,30

oy.
what a weekend it has been. i wish i could go into detail about how wonderful it has been here, and the amazing bonding and swapping music and fort making times i've had, but it is already past lights out. and i'm currently having an amazing in depth conversation with one of the leaders.
So i basically wanted to let you guys know that i'm loving my time here and i already know that God is working in me and i'm changing. I have been battling a pretty bad cold for a few days and spent saturday on the couch. Surprisingly enough it turned out to be one of my favorite days. I was able to spend a little time with the team then they went off to Christchurch, and I stayed on the couch and was able to relax and sit by the fire, and watch the rain, and sit with one of the leaders and talk for hours. It was really cool, because i feel like him and i made new connections and a friendship. With so many leaders i have made connections far better than i ever imagined.
So tonight we got a special surprise. This week we have been talking about backpacker ministries, and how to talk with them and reach them. After dinner tonight, the leaders told us all that we are going to be going to 2 different cities tomorrow and stay in a hostel over night and just practice living there and getting out into the community. so we are going in our small groups with one other group to stay over night there. My group is going to a city right on the coast called akaroa.
I'm not really sure what this experience is going to look like, but i know i'm excited and i'm looking forward to seeing how God uses us, and the situations he puts us in.
i promise to write a better blog once i'm home again. and by home i mean base. which is now totally my home
cheers

week one.

wow, well week one is almost over and I can't believe I've only been here for 6 days. This place has already begun to change my life. It has challenged me, broke me, and strengthened me. I know I've said it before, but these people have really become my family. Yesterday, each of the school staff shared their testimonies, and were open and vulnerable with us. which is so cool, because it shows that they were able to be comfortable with us. Then today each of the students shared our stories and how we ended up here. and that was the best thing ever for us. there is so much beauty in vulnerability, and transparency. People let down their guards and were just real. We were able to cry and laugh together and each of us shared the challenges we have faced and just how much God has brought us though. then we finished it with wrapping our arms around each other and praying. It was fantastic (in the words of Natalie)
The base staff also spent time in prayer for each one of us the other day, as we were in class, and they wrote us all words of encouragement and just what the Lord had put on their hearts for each one of us. I got mine this morning, and was blown away but what they were saying, and by the wisdom they shared. It is such a cool thought to know that there is a base staff of up to 20 people praying for you. And just to clarify, the base staff aren't the ones that are with us all the time. These are the staff that run the base, and do maintenance and office work. So they don't even know us as well as our school staff, and yet they are so encouraging to lift us all up in prayer.
This week, i have made friends, and memories that will last me forever. I have experienced the freedom of just aimlessly walking in the countryside and soaking in the beauty of the nature around me. I got to experience my first New Zealand beach, and the amazing white sand and crashing waves. I've faced challenges I never thought I would in the first week, and I've been reminded of the Lord's amazing grace and guidance through it all. Even when I'm on the other side of the world from the people I would usually run to during hard times, the Lord has been faithful to bring people to me to love on me and encourage me. He has allowed me to struggle and cry and ask why, but then held my hand through it all and even though I may not see clarity just yet he has promised to bring it.
Tonight we are going into Christchurch, for a mystery event and for some more team bonding. Which has been one of my favorite parts. It has been so cool, because although we are all so different and come from all over the world we are having a blast together. For instance, while sharing testimonies today, one of the guys, for Norway made a joke about me, and how fast i talk compared to him. Now you know you have all bonded well if someone feels comfortable to joke about you just prior to sharing his life story. It was awesome. These guys have become like brothers and these girls my sisters.
Yesterday, one of my roommates, Natalie, got flowers from her boyfriend, who lives in Ontario. It was such an encouragement to all of us girls, as we were able to share and talk and bond through it all.
I've gained a deep love for all these people already, and week one is barely over.

my roommates, minus Natalie.
cheers.

Bunny hugs and doodle socks.

Lectures have now commenced, and I'm super excited. It has been pretty basic so far, but amazing all at the same time. Yesterday was incredible. We just had introduction classes, followed by one amazing worship service. afterwards, we ended up breaking out into a random dance party. Almost a warrior dance. Afterwards I learned how to shoot bread ties, and hit people really hard, so Seth and I ended up in a full out war all around the dinning room trying to hit each other. We eventually calmed down (I won just for the record) and a few of us stayed in the dinning room and chatted for a while. Only to be disrupted by an earthquake. Nothing major, but my first earthquake none the less. Last night was amazing. I love my family here.
This morning, Denver(our school leader) talked about worship, and the different forms and the development of it through the years. Followed by an amazing time in worship. Then after we talked about hearing God's voice after. And how he is so unique to each one of us, and knows how we are best reached, and how we hear him. It was really cool. We ended up getting the afternoon off, and for the first time in a couple days we could go outside without freezing. So I read a bit of my first book I'm doing a book report on. It's called "is that really you God" by Loren Cunningham. So far its really good. After relaxing in the sun for a while, a few of us made our way into Oxford and looked around. It is such a cute little town. We met a couple of the local girls on the swings and went into a few shops. I felt a little like I was in Stars Hollow. It is probably about the same size, with the nicest people just walking around. Tonight a few girls and I ran through town at dark, and just enjoyed how peaceful it is. Later about 15 of us walked through town again.
As we were walking, one of the guys Isaac had his harmonica and let me play it for a bit (life long dream to learn to play) so that was really cool. Our team is bonding really fast, and developing friendships really quickly. These people have become like family to me, and I love them all.
I should get some sleep, more to blog later.
and just for clarification, bunny hugs are what one girl called hoodies, and doodle sock is what my swiss friend calls bag pipes.
:) cheers

a new family.

well Sunday has come and gone for me here and we have 19 of our 20 students here so far, and i love them all. this morning we went to church and i was just overwhelmed and amazed all at the same time. Oxford Baptist church is my new church for the next few months and its great. its a really small church, so our school was about a third of the congregation. the people there welcomed us with open arms, and prayed for us and just blessed us. Our group is already feeling a connection, and really turning into a family. when we got back from church we just hung out on the slack line for a bit, then a few of us broke out into a soccer game on the back field. barefeet in the grass and the sun. it was amazing. I can tell I will probably get into shape pretty quick here. After lunch us "youngins" (the two other 18 year olds and i, who just so happen to both be american) went for a walk. we didn't really know where we were going, or had any plan, we just went.
the country side is so beautiful. I am constantly amazed by Gods creation. the three of us just laughed and bonded together as we made our way down some windie (if thats how you spell it) roads tormented some sheep, and went through prickle bushes as i dared ryan to climb this eucalyptus tree. He didn't climb it just for the record. we did have a fairly extensive chat about trees and plants, i smiled as it reminded me of home a little :P
we had our big welcome dinner tonight and were introduced to all the staff. we also got our class information booklets and discussed schedules as classes start tomorrow morning. and from this point on, i will now be waking up at 6:30 every morning. which will be an adjustment for me.
I love it here, I have been so happy and probably haven't stop smiling the whole time I've been here. We have people from all over the world, here for the exact same reason. and we all love God and just want to worship him and tell the world about it. its amazing. after dinner tonight, i was sitting with some of the european guys just talking about culture and lifestyles, and just hearing about how diverse our world is, is incredible. We have 2 guys from switzerland, 1 guy from sweeden, 1 from nederlands. one of my roomates is from denmark, another from germany, one from california, and the last from ontario. We are all so different and yet we are here because of a calling from the Lord. He has placed the same thing on each one of our hearts, but the callings are still unique. The conversations that develop are so cool.
I guess its time for me to get some sleep. So excited for classes!
night all.

( Cristina and I in our room. She is the other 18 year old girl from California)

land of the long white cloud

well, about 27 hours of travelling and I'm here. sitting in the student lounge on a computer because I dont have my laptop set up yet.
After arriving in Christchurch with one other girl and two leaders waiting, the four of us set out to the city for a little sight seeing and some food. Christchurch is beautiful, full of old architecture, and beautiful buildings. After consuming a chocolate chip muffin and some pepermint tea we made or way into Oxford. Oxford isn't quite as glamorous, but I like it. It is deffinately the country. Lots of feilds, a few horses, and yes some sheep. But it is great. There are a few beautiful gardens/trees for us to excape and be with the Lord or just relax as well as a few hangout rooms, a prayer room, and so much more. I wish I could accurately portray what it looks like here. Once my laptop has internet I will post some photos.
It has been a super laid back day, ate some lunch, played a few hours of volleyball in the sun, and have two very dirty feet to show for it.
I've met so many people its a little hard to keep all the names straight but I think I'm getting it. A new batch of students should be here soon. Then supper after! My jetlag is kicking in a little, and my body isn't used to waiting until 10pm my time to eat. But it'll get there.
The place is a lot different than I imagined, just with the amount of space there is to just be. I feel like I'm missing have the people around here because I have no idea where they are. But I think I may have already found of my favorite places to relax. Outside my room there is a small deck. It sits nicely in the sun without being too hot. I have a feeling I will be spending a lot of time there just reading and praying. I've already found some books to spark my interest in our library.
I apologize for probably the many spelling and grammar mistakes, I have no spell check on this computer. haa.
cheers,
becky.
ps. thank you all for the many cards and letters, it made my flight so much better. :)