So, I know I created this blog so that everyone could keep in touch and know what Ive been doing as i travel through New Zealand and Australia. I hate that I have been so terrible at updating this, so I will do my best in catching you all up on what has been happening.
In October I arrived in New Zealand. I was blessed to have two different families let me stay with them in Wellinton which is at the south end of the North island. I got to see a couple places where they filmed lord of the rings, go sailing, and lots of other fun things! The families were really nice and Im so thankful for their hospitality!
I was in Wellington for 10 days before I headed North to Campbridge to start the Adventure Bible program through Capernwray Bible School. I will admit that the day before I was a little nervous, and getting on the bus from Auckland to Cambridge was a long two hours. There was a boy that got on the bus and I was so curious to see if he was doing capernwray as well, but to chicken to ask him. So I went two hours on the same bus with who turned out to be James Hyslop, an amazing boy who loves jesus so much and like almost everyone else on ABS, encouraged me to go deeper and know God better. As soon as I got off the bus and he introduced himself to me, I knew that Capernwray is where I was supposed to be, and that the next couple months were going to be unforgettable.
As soon as we got to the ABS lodge, the program was in full swing. There was no messing around with these guys and no time to waste! I loved it but was surprised that we jumped into the intense workouts right away! All of the staff was very friendly. It took awhile for everyone to open up to each other, but once we did, we had the best relationships ever!
During ABS we were faced with Challenges that were physically demanding, but more emotionally demanding. We had to learn to work as a group, and were all faced with the fact that each of us were leaders and it is important to serve everyone. With this we grew together so much and with the hands on experience, I was able to learn a lot of little things about God that I didn't really realize before. Like being a light in the darkness. One small light in a pitch black space makes a huge difference for guidance. (theres not much detail in that, but that is one of the many things I learned on ABS) We were also challenged with living on the things we actually needed, and i realized how much I take for granted, especially when it comes to food. In the western culture we live to eat. everything is revolved around food, when in some countries, they need to eat to live! (again, wish I could go into more detail, but this impacted me a lot!)
God challenged me to live a more radical christian life, and to understand that life is not easy while following him, if Im comfortable, then I should be worried, I want to be content, but not comfortable. Hopefully that makes sense.
I made awesome frienships on ABS and cant believe how fast the time went by with them. We did everything together, and saying goodbye was one of the hardest things ive ever had to do.
But at the bright side I still had four weeks left at Monavale, the main campus in New Zealand for Capernwray. There I was placed in a room with 3 other girls that had been there for the whole year, or the last 6 months. These girls were amazing! They welcomed me in and were so gentle and sweet! It made me so happy that I had been placed in a room with such loving girls! Plus, Rachel is from Calgary, so I knew I would get to see her on a more regular basis compared to my other Capernwray friends! God taught me a lot about slipping away to be with him, and putting him above my friends and my flesh's desires. Things stood out to me about being called to being holy, and living a radical life for Jesus. There were hard questions that I sought hard after the answers for, and theres nothing better than seeking after God. Plus, he promises, "seek and you will find." This is true, not only cause its the word, but God has proven this in my life. I don't ever "find" when I want to find..haha but GOD is faithful!
We didn't have a lot of lectures the last few weeks of school, but I was the angel in a Christmas play, and for a week we went to different primary schools to act the play out for the kids. That was so fun and the kids loved it! At the same time, we rehearsed and had a little capernwray choir. This was soo fun cause I havent been in a choir in a long time! Every year Capernwray puts on a Carols by Candle light, and so we rehearsed many many hours for the candle light production!
With my time at Capernwray, I learned some more about God, heaps about myself and how I want to live my life for God, and made some amazing friends. They challenge me so much and I pray that these relationships will last! I wish I could put down everything that went on while at ABS and Capernwray, but theres just nooo way!
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