Back in New Zealand

Sunday was my first full day back in New Zealand. I arrived in Auckland at around 11am local time, after about a 3.5 hour flight from Port Vila, Vanuatu.

In total I spent 4 weeks of my Outreach in Vanuatu, on land, off of the M/V Pacific Hope. The first 3 weeks were spent on the island of Tanna, where my team loaded all of our bags, food, medical supplies and ourselves (10 team memebrs, plus the driver and 2 porters) into a single truck for a 2 hours ride to our hosting village.

We stayed in the host village for 2 weeks, doing a number of ministry activities, both there and in neighboring villages. We were placed in an old missionary house near the church. The house had some of the most stunning views of Tanna's active volcano, Mt. Yasur, right from the front porch. Warching the sunrise over an active volacno? Simply amazing!

Some of the other villages we visited were really remote, one of which had never had "white" people visit it before. At least two were over 2 hour walks one-way but, it was so worth it to help spread the gospel.

The first weekend one of the missionary doctors joined our team. Once she arrived, were able to run a clinic in our host village, my job was to run the pharmacy.

After the two weeks in the village, we return to the main town of Tanna, Lenakel, where the ship first dropped us off. A church hosted us for this last week before the ship picked us up.

In Lenakel, we did street evangelism, prayer walks and shared sermons at local churches. We also got to share our testimonies at a local trade school and pray for the sick at the hospital, even attend a custom Period Party as team.

One of the days we went to the hospital to pray for the sick, it was at full capacity, particularly the children's ward. We came back 2 days later and the hospital was at only about 50% capacity and many of those there were new patients. God is good!

After our alotted time on Tanna, the ship picked us up and took us to Port Vila to prepare for our return to New Zealand. Though we were soon to return we still made time to do street and prison ministry.

Looking back I can only be amazed at God's faithfulness to, and grace for my team during our Outreach. Through spiritual and emotional tiredness, as well as physical sickness my team stayed the course.

Now back in New Zealand winter is in full swing and I am loving the nice cool weather. It feels so nice after sweating half to death on Tanna. Also, it has been nice to recover from worms in such a comfortable environment. Yes, due to a number of side effects it is believed that I was one of a few who contracted worms. At least I did not get the lice.

At Base, we're getting back into the flow of things as we wrap-up out school with "Re-Entry/Debrief Week" lectures. However, there is a sadness in the air as most of us prepare to leave this weekend and part ways after almost 6 months of communal living.

This has been an amazing chapter in my life journey, I have so many good memories to remember and tools to use in the future. Doing this DTS has been the best decision of my life yet and I am so greatful to God for this oppertunity. God is good!

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.

9th Week In New Zealand

The biggest development of this past week is that the first $2000NZD of my Outreach fees have been paid off thanks to a generous family member. Also, I have put the last $2000NZD on my credit card, but, I have not fully worked out how to pay it off yet. However, a fellow student came up to me mid-week and long story short gave me $200USD toward my fees. Such a blessing!

God is so good, He has brought me a long way in trusting Him for provision in this season. Just 2 months before coming here, I really had no idea where any of the needed finances were going to coming from but, thankfully my uncertainty and lack of faith did NOT stop God!

In other developments, I finally got myself an All Blacks styled polo. As I am not too much into sports, the coloring and the words, "New Zealand" were enough for me. Just my luck too, the shirt was on clearance.

I have not been able to truly experience the culinary side of Tauraung yet. This is mainly due to me trying to save money and that the Base is a good ways from town.

However, thanks to a friend here at base, I was able to get a ride into town to see the Tauranga Jazz Fesrival. Now having been to New Orleans more times than I can count, it was not exactly the Jazz that I'm used to, actually a lot of it was not "Jazz."  But, I am a lover of almost any type of music so, I appreciated the talent of those performing.

I am not sure what adventures await in this upcoming week. But, I am learning how to enjoy the present and this might be the best decision I can make at the moment!

7th Week In NZ

Last week was "Holy Spirit Week," an amazing week, if you ask me. Pastor Kristian Williams was our speaker. He pastors the Hope Center in an town called Bethlahem, been there, great church to visit if you are ever in the area.

The biggest event outside of the classroom was getting more vaccinations. All extra immunizations were optional but, HIGHLY since I am going to Vanuatu and will be doing medical work on top of that. I got a Hep A Booster and my first shot of Hep B. I had had 2 Hep A shots but, with the last one being just over 10 years ago, they recommended a final lifelong booster. I had never had any Hep B shots, though I thought that I had. Anyway, I got my first shot and should get my second shot during "Decompression Week," after my Outreach Phase ends.

Also, I got my first half of Outreach fees paid... well charged to my card at least. This whole thing has been a total walk of faith, the fact that I have gotten this far is a testimony about God's Faithfulness and Goodness. If you would like to help me financially, you can do so via the following link: http://givesendgo.com/ywamnz

Keep posted for my next update! Week 8 is already in full swing!

6th Week In New Zealand

What an amazing week!

Us "Base" students finally got out first look aboard the M/V Pacific Hope, a YWAM Medical Ship that brings healthcare to the South Pacific. For those of you who mght be wondering, I will be apart of 1 of the 3 teams going abroad the ship for our DTS Outreach Phase.

However, we went to do way more than get a quick tour of the boat. We went to work. After the tours were over and we had finished our lunches we were assigned our work stations. Some, chipped old paint, others helped with the bathroom remodel. I was placed on a team that painted the inside of the hold; Marine Paint paint is not joke, had to wear gloves and masks.

After all of the the work duties were done, we, almost 100 of us, left the ship for a marina park so we could do the well delayed baptisms. I was one of 19 that choose to get baptized. While I had been baptized before, in the Jordan River no less, I was very young and felt that I need to be "re-baptized" as an adult decision in my walk with Christ.

We then headed back to the ship for a pizza party to celebrate the baptisms and have out first Outreach Prep-Talk. To say the least I am so excited for my future life on the ship.

Thursday and Friday passed really quickly as we concluded our lectures on Spiritual Warfare. However, for myself and most of my fellow Medical/Compassion DTS students the weeks end would not been one of rest.

On both Saturday and Sunday we had First-Aid training. Two reps from the New Zealand Red Cross came out to the base and taught us, how to respond to a number of medical emergencies, how to preform CPR and how to use AED Machines.

The whole class passed! So, we are now all certified by the Red Cross to give First-Aid.

We got out of classes just in time for some of us to get on a van to an evening service at a local church. This time I went all "Kiwi" and left my shoes in the van, first time I have ever got to church barefoot.

I am so loving NZ! Though I am looking forward to go to Vanuatu for outreach, I will so miss this place!

Fifth Week in New Zealand

5 weeks have passed by already, I can't belive it. Time has just been flying. The Lecture Phase of my DTS is about half over.

Lectures for Week 5 were a little more laid back but, good none the less. Had our first American lecturer, Jen Patterson from Ohio, the head of YWAM Akron. She talked about the Fear of the Lord, what it really meant.

I Did not go out this week too much, stayed at the base mostly. However, a number of us went to a Christian concert last night. One of the bands playing was actually a group of YWAMers from a base in Australia on their Outreach Phase, Arbor Lungs.

So week 6... here I come!

Cyclone Winston

The weather has been really dreary here latley, to say the least. I found out today that there is a catagory 4 cyclone, named Winston, north of #NewZealand, near Fiji and Tonga. So, please #prayforFijiandTonga.

According to a news report (link), NZ is not safe either. The storm could possibly turn back toward NZ.

Second Week in NZ

God has been moving greatly in the lives of us all here at YWAM Tauranga. Things have been really busy this last week with our "Ministry Placements" starting. Today, I could not make it to church due to "Weekend Warriors," where students are rotated (5 at a time) to stay back on Saturdays or Sundays to keep the base running.

Due to a lack of drivers, I did not get to go to Mongolian BBQ yesterday. However, I did go to McDonald's... this is about the 6th country I have done so in. I got a Strawberry Kiwi Fanta Frostee, a New Zealand specialty! :)

Will try to make plans with some fellow students to go to "The Strand" (the main shopping/dining area in downtown Tauranga) this week. Taurunga is such a beautiful city and I will explore it at every chance that I am given!

The Shire in SPAIN?

A new Lord of the Rings theme park is being built in Southern Spain. Not like all out Middle Earth but, just the Shire part. Do I like the idea? YES, Absolutely! But, I have been to Malaga, Spain. Nothing about the local geography there reminds me of The Shire! LOL

See storyhere: http://bit.ly/1AR78Rw

New Sailings From NCL!

Today is the day that my favorite cruise line (NCL) releases all of its' new list of expanded sailings. While I am not rushing out and booking any new cruises at this moment, I have been looking over the offerings, and I am liking what I see.

Their Asia, Australia & New Zealand, and Rio based cruises are at the top of my list!

Check them out!