14th Week In New Zealand

After 14 weeks, This will be my last "In New Zealand" post for about a month. Not only will I not be in New Zealand any longer but, I won't have wifi either.

As of tomorrow evening, exact time not yet known, we will set sail for Vanuatu, a 5 day journey. We will spend the rest of our Outreach Phase on the Island of Tanna, just one of the 63 inhabited islands the that Vanuatu has.

While a lot of my time here in Auckland has been spent doing outreach and ship tours, I did get to have some "freetime." I went to see the new Jungle Book movie with some friends, loved it. They assign seats in theaters here at time of ticket purchase. This past Monday was ANZAC Day, recognized here in NewZealand and Australia. I got up at just past 4am to join some friends in walking to the Auckland War Museum for an annual ANZAC Day ceremony.

Also, I have added a number of new culinary experiences to my life's story. Had some authentic Japanese take-out and even tried Barfi (an Indian desert) for the first time. But, I think my hands down favorite experience was when a friend took me out for Korean food. Finally got to try Kimchi.

This chapter here in Auckland is closing but, I am so eager to see what God has in store for my team in Vanuatu, for sure He has something  big planned. So for now, I am signing off. Will post an update when I can, most likely once I am back in New Zealand.

13th Week in NZ

So as expected, my firat week in auckland has been such a busy week - tours, street outreach/evangelism, team meetings! But, I am enjoying Auckland nonetheless.

The exotic food options here are mindboggling to me. Yea, I have traveled a lot but, to have so many options freely at my finger-tips has been such a great experience for me.

However, despite all the gastronomic and touristic "lures" this city has to offer, I have to keep in mind that I am not here to simply "play around," I am not here formyself. This is a part of my DTS' Outreach Phase and those obligations come first.

Coming to Auckand not as a simple tourist but, as YWAMer fresh out of 12 weeks of lectures has really helped me to be more sensitive to the less fortunate and broken lives around me, the parts of life that I have at times abdicated any Christian obligation to truly aknowlage. Here, I have been letting go of my fear of man and following the Spirit, whether that be just walking up to a random stranger and praying with them for their grandaughter who was is in prison or asking a homeless man if he is hungry and acting upon his need.

My time in Auckland has so far been a truly been a life changing experience for me. Maybe us YWAMers here in this city now are of small consequence on a large scale but, to the individuals who's lives we have touched, we've left massive impacts or God's love perminantly marked.

12th Week In New Zealand

I am now enjoyng the vibrant city of Auckland, NZ. But, I will talk more about in the upcoming Week 13 post.

As for the past week, things have been hectic and draining, both physically and spiritually. But, there was still a number We spent a large portion of the week helping get the M/V Pacific Hope ready for tours in Auckland as well as training to prepare us for life on the ship.

However, all the business didn't mean that I could not explore more of Tauranga. Due to the ship's location in Tarunga "The Strand" was within very easy walking distance. So for the first time since I started my DTS I've been able to truly explore city as well as take part of some it's gastronomic offerings.

One of the highlights of my week was to join the guys on my team in an afternoon out. After getting deciding on a movie, we grabbed some Turkish then went back to enjoy the movies. That was a great and memorible day!

We sailed for Auckland on Saturday, arriving on Sunday Morning. The journey was at night so, I thankfully get to sleep during the 12 hours of travel. I severely underestimate my reaction to the sea on a boat without stableizers. However, I eventually got my act together and got to enjoy some amazing views of the approach to Auckland.

11th Week in NZ

I know this update is a little late but, things have been very hectic. Week 11 was really a "mad dash" week of getting things in order before the switch from "Base Life" to "Ship Life" and it also marked the end of the DTS' "Lecture Phase." Lectures ended on Thursday and we transfered to the ship on Friday.

So, after weeks of anticipation, 3 of the Medical/Compassion teams officially started living aboard the M/V Pacific Hope. It is so exciting to think that I actually live on a boat, not just some quick cruise but, actually living (and working for that matter) on a boat.

We will be sailing to Auckland on Friday where we will stay for a time before headding onto Vanuatu. I am very eager to see what lays ahead in Auckland.

10th Week In New Zealand

Yesterday I ended my 10th week here in New Zealand. It will be my last full week here at the Marine Reach Base. This coming Friday, myself as well as many of my fellow DTS students will move to the M/V Pacific Hope (the Ship) for our last week of lectures. Once that week ends, we will officially be in the Outreach Phase... So Excited!

This past Thursday, my "Spec Ops" team, along with other student voulenteers, went to the Ship to do some painting. This was my second time painting on the Ship... I have a renewed dislike of marine grade paint. Though we got got a lot done, there will probably be some "touch-up" work for us once we get on board and certainly by the time we set sail to Auckland on the 16th of April.

The highlight of my week was a Team Trip to the Redwoods - Whakarewarewa Forest in Rotarua, New Zealand. Such a beautiful place, it reminds me a lot of the Pacific Northwest region of the United States, with the addition of palm trees. We hiked about 13km in total, as we made our way up & down, and in & out of the forest reserve. We had so much fun, we make a great team!

After our hike, we headed back to the Tauranga area for dinner. We got some takeout in then walked to Mt. Maunganui beach to eat and watch the waves.

After this week, I just have to say that I have a new love for the beauty of this country and the God that made it all. So eager for what lays ahead!