Author: Adventures

North Island and Camp Prep

My team just got back a couple days ago from a tour of the North Island where we explored the sights and ministered to people along the way. The highlights for me included seeing the northern tip, Cape Reinga, which was gorgeous; going to a traditional Maori village, Whakarewarewa in Rotorua; and meeting different people on the streets and encouraging them.    We are getting prepared for the first of two consecutive weeks of kid's camp at El Rancho. We will be teaching lessons, helping out with activities, working in the kitchen, and simply ministering to the staff,...

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Road Trips and Hobbits

Wow, what a week! This past week my team and I had the privilege of getting to go on a tour of the North Island. It was a lot of fun, and we saw many beautiful places, such as the tip of the North Island. Before we started on our North Island journey however, we first spoke at a church on Sunday night in Palmerston North. Kailey and myself shared our testimonies, and Wes gave the message. This was my first time to share my testimony in front of a group of strangers; I was definitely really really scared at first because I was afraid of being judged or messing up what I was going to say....

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There And Back Again…

So this past week, we drove all the way up the north island of New Zealand and back down again. The trip was eventful to say the least. Our van was TINY! I was sitting on the person next to me’s lap for most of the trip (not literally, but it definitely felt like it). But sitting in this tiny van definitely bonded us all together! I’ve really gained a new appreciation for my team. The fact that we were able to sit in a tiny van and be all up in each other’s business for hours on end and not kill each other was quite impressive. And we all still love each other! If...

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Conga Lines and Mapping

This week has been busy and awesome. We spent a few days painting rooms inside of St. Luke's church in Waikanae, from a hideous Salmon color to off-white. One of the days however, I stayed back at El Rancho to work on a map for the disc golf course at the camp! When the staff found out that I am a cartographer they asked me if I would be willing to make a map for it. I was soooooo stoked! It is looking pretty good and the staff are pleased. It is so awesome to be using my academic skills to serve the Lord! We have also been helping out at youth groups. There are two main ones that...

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I hope you dance

So far this week my team and I have been helping to paint an Anglican Church in Waikanae. I am really enjoying helping out the church and getting to know the youth leader, Greg, we have been working with. In the next couple of weeks here at El Rancho we will be having about 80 kids here for kids camp, and the theme is the Amazing Race! I am so looking forward to helping out with this, and teaching the kids about the lord and how awesome he is! I am also getting to teach a dance class with one of the workers here at El Rancho, which I am really looking forward too! God has definitely put...

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Defining Ministry

First off, I would like to state to all my wonderful supporters: I am indeed working! You did not donate all your love, money, and prayers just so I could come here and kick back for two months. I know that all my pictures say otherwise, but that is because no one is ever taking pictures while we are working because we are actually working! Ok. Now that I've gotten that out of the way… The most important thing that I've been learning since I've been here in beautiful New Zealand is that ministry doesn't always look like what I think it looks like. For instance, earlier...

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