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....

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...

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...

This week, my team and I had an amazing opportunity to travel to Wellington and do some gardening work for an amazing family. Neil and his wife, Olivia, are a beautiful couple just full of the Holy Spirit and they radiate God’s love and mercy. Their yard has been needing some work for a while now that they just don’t have the time and resources to do themselves. They tried hiring help but the gardener never showed up. So six of us Americans and a couple of Kiwis got out our shovels, pickaxes, and chisels and got to work.   We had a great time laughing while pulling giant...

First off, I would like to state that New Zealand is beautiful. BEAUTIFUL. To quote my teammate, Sara, God must have been in a wonderful mood when He made this country, because it is breathtaking. And I haven’t even begun sightseeing. We’ve spent most of our time at our campsite, El Rancho in Waikanae. During my time here, one phrase keeps being repeated: “don’t knock it until you try it”. Eating kiwi fruit with the skin on? Don’t knock it until you try it. Preaching in front of a bunch of strangers? Don’t knock it until you try it. Living without a...

First off, I would like to state that New Zealand is beautiful. BEAUTIFUL. To quote my teammate, Sara, God must have been in a wonderful mood when He made this country, because it is breathtaking. And I haven’t even begun sightseeing. We’ve spent most of our time at our campsite, El Rancho in Waikanae. During my time here, one phrase keeps being repeated: “don’t knock it until you try it”. Eating kiwi fruit with the skin on? Don’t knock it until you try it. Preaching in front of a bunch of strangers? Don’t knock it until you try it. Living without a...