Yo! This is crazy! It feels just like yesterday that we were updating y'all about the Abel Tasman and entering our new home at Hang Dog… and really it was a home to us. For 7 nights we slept and lived out of our tents in a community of chill climbers; where we climbed and swam during the day, and chilled around a campfire and food at night. During our first few days we had Nate and Joanna who are friends of ours from base come and visit us. It was a really nice treat to see some familiar faces! They joined us in some climbing and as well for a meal or two before their quick visit was over. Every day while being at Hang Dog we got to climb; Kristoffer, Derek, and Matt were in their prime enjoying this sport that they loved so much… Meanwhile, Katie and April who in the beginning were unsure and nervous about climbing, later on soon came to realize how much they enjoyed it as well. They are still beginners but near the end of the week they both learned how to lead climb, and completed a climb that was rated as an 18.
The weather here has been fantastic! It's been sunny hot days with clear blue skies all week except for our last day. We are a tad bit bummed that we couldn't do more climbing, but at the same time we just had 2 weeks of amazing weather! It was great to climb during the mornings and afternoons, and then be able to cool off for a nice swim in the river. About half way through the week a slack line had been put up between two rock cliffs across the river… April was more than excited! Just so you all know that it was a deep river that hardly had any currant and the line was only about 9 ft (maximum) above water. Matt made it across the line with ease, meanwhile April had a rude awakening and learnt a new lesson in humility. For more of the story tune into April's personal blog at www.april4ywam.blogspot.com.
While being at Hang Dog, we've all been able to make quite a few new friends, been able to climb and swim with them, and have great conversations. For some of us this week has been the best week thus far for ministry. Every night someone from our team has come away with a great story about talking to someone. However, being in this community of hippies and new ageness can be quite frustrating at the same time. Conversations haven't been exactly what we were expecting… The questions they have had for us, have been more geared towards challenging us about our faith, why we believe, what we believe, and why not other religions. As hard and direct their questions may have been, it has been a great growing opportunity for us in our own relationship with God. So our frustrations, turned in to lessons each of us needed to learn… that it's not always going to be easy and simple but instead we are going to have to work real hard. So standing strong in our roots with no hesitation, saying what we believe, and showing God's love to our friends is a sum up of our ministry here at Hang Dog. A positive thing about the people here, is that even if they strongly disagree with our beliefs they still like us all the same as they did in the beginning, if not even more.
We are sad to leave our new friends, that we have grown to love and appreciate a lot in such a short period of time, however we are buzzing with excitement as our day for departure comes closer and closer. We are now in New Brighton (part of Christchurch) for a very short debrief on the New Zealand part of outreach. We will be heading back to base on the 21st, to unpack our thermals, repack our shorts, do some laundry, clean our van, and sleep for a few hours before we leave for Fiji on the 22nd. We are so amped, and cannot wait for the brand new experiences God has in store for us there!!
Much Love and Blessings,
Team Kiwi Fiji
Prayer Points:
- For our pals from HangDog with the many great questions. That they will keep asking questions, and keep seeking for the truth.
-Safety for our trip to Fiji
-Team unity
-Ability to adjust to a new culture
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