No Worries!

No worries: the NZ national motto, and it's biblical, at least in regards to tomorrow, and it's a nice idea to wrap your mind.

Well I find it hard to comprehend that it has already been a week since I have updated this Blog. Time flies in New Zealand : )

Let me jump right into it, eh.

It was a Three Hour Cruise (to the tune of Giligan's Island)

From Wellington we took a 3 hour cruise down to the South Island on the 26th. We camped near Picton that night in a Holiday park 5ks down the road. That night we were welcomed to the South island by a wonderful fireworks display held in town for a Maritime Celebration.

The Queen Charlette

The next morning we caught the Endevor Express for an hour and a half boat trip up to the northern most part of the Queen Charlotte Track. It was wonderful, the sea-spray and views were wonderful even under a cloudy sky. The best part was a fantastic rainbow over one of the coves. "Brilliant"

They quickly pushed us off and we waved goodbye and turned around to see what looked like a sceene right out of Jurassic Park. If a terradactyl had flown over head I would have been expecting it. Huge fern like plants and lush green hills invited us on; it was spectacular, and a little daunting.

And then we hiked and just to pass the time we hiked some more, and the more we did the heavier our pack got. Curious... Well about 5 kilometeres into the hike I get bored and do a little math and figure out that 71k's (the length of the trail) in 4 days averages out to be more than 10 miles a day of backpacking! This would be fine normally but we were carrying all of our gear for 3 months with us, they were 50+ pounds. Worst of all for me was my huge guide book, every night I thought about starting a fire with it!

It was an experience. The type where you push yourself to the extent of your physical and mental capabilities. At that place though is where you learn so much, about yourself and about those you are traveling with, and it's good.

One thing I thought about alot was that it is hard to focus on the beauty around us and to find joy in it when we a burdend and brought down, when we are in pain. It became hard to enjoy the pristine clear water, the lush, awe inspiring plantlife and the molodic songs of birds I have never heard before. All because I was burdened, tired and usually hungry. It was not impossible to enjoy them because I did, just more difficult. I also realized that this is the way with our hearts as well. We carry around a lot of baggage a lot of pain from our past and it distorts the way we look at the world, God's creation. It can make it hard to see the wonderful plan that God is unveiling right in front of us. More truth came to mind at this point. Christ promised that his burden was light and his yoke easy. He is enough! The word says over and over that God is good and I have experienced that this is true and if he revealed it once, that is enough, he is ALWAYS good!

God blessed us with strength to perevere through the heat, the ridicolously steep hills (kiwis don't like switchbacks) and the food stealing wekas (a chicken sized flighless bird) so we made it through. It was quite the challenge however.

Abundant Bessings

As soon as we stepped of the track we have been blessed non- stop. We came to the Backpacker (hostel) at the end of the trail and they didn't have any rooms. But eh, no worries, the lady called around for us and found Smith's Family Farm. The owner was amazing, she came and picked us up, yes! Rubber tires were much easier going than rubber soles : ) Wonderful, warm banana nut muffins greeted us which we quickly devoured as we were dropped off, valet style at a very basic but nice cabin (for the 2 of us it was cheaper than a Backpacker) The hospitality didn't stop there as she offered to drive us down the road to a little bar/diner/grandmas house type place that had some real "locals". A large plate of fried seafood helped us forget the canned chicken we had had ~enjoyed~ the night before. She was really helpful and wouldn't take anything extra in return.

Brief Note on The Kiwi (someone from NZ, not the Kiwi Fruit(there is a difference))

Kiwi's as a whole are turning out to be extremely hospitable! It seems that the folks on this small island love to travel and having done so have experienced hospitality themselves and want to return the favor. It's splendid!

The Offered Ride, and a Little Wisdom

Ok so here is a great example of God's faithfulness. After the first night at Smith's we started looking at options to move closer toward the Able Tasman. Every option that I looked at stressed me out and so I continued to pray about it. A nice couple, 5 years my parents senior, that I had visited with at lunch came to mind, and I felt I should talk to them that evening. Not ask them for a ride, just talk to them. Talk we did, for a long time. He was filled with traveling knowledge, and equated traveling to the University of Life, and I agreed. It has been a wonderful place for the Lord to teach and stretch me and Micheal. He also said that we should start thinking outside the box, not blindly going into the tourist traps but looking around, talking to locals, becoming an insider, all while saving money :) He was a great. As we talked I prayed that if it was the will of the Lord, he would offer us a ride. Our conversation ended as they started to eat dinner and he hadn't mentioned a ride. I figure one, that talking to him has been a great experience, and two, that he still has all night and the next morning to offer us a ride. I had just gotten finished with these thoughts when he knocks on our door and asks if we want a ride to Nelson, I can barely say yes, as I am just overwhelmed with the Lord's provision for us. How great is our God! I immediatley got on my knees and thanked the Lord for the answered prayer. As I look back at my short life I see that growing in my faith is not due to me becoming more faithful but instead it is growing in my trust and reliance on the Lord's faithfulness. I was stuck with a child-like grin as we headed into our next blessing for the night.


Glow Worms and Southern Crosses

We went on a spectacular "farm walk" into the "bush" past the "paddock" where the cows stay, and then on to a waterfall. The waterfall itself was small but provided the background rythm to a wonderous glipse of glory. The walk was fantastic! All along the trail were glow worms, tiny little guys that emit a "wee" sized glowing green light. The stars also got in on the action with the Southern Cross leading the way above the waterfall. It was pure beauty! Here Mike got out his little backpacker guitar and we worshiped our creator, and it was good!!

Iron

God has been challenging both of us these past few weeks, but so far it has been rougher on Mike. Being here to talk about the Lord and seek him together has been revealed a great purpose of the Lord for having me here. Please pray that we would continue to sharpen one another.

World Wide NZ

We have met people from all over the world here and it has been wonderful. Canada, Finland, Germany, Poland, Japan, and many others) They have been friendly and the converstations enlightening. Please pray that we would do the Lord's will as we come into contact with them.

Free Car

Still praying for a free car, or at least transport. I don't know how this is possible it just seems like it would be a for sure deal that we were supposed to have wheels again if it happened this way. It's what Brother Andrew would call the "Royal Way", the way that requires faith in order for things to happen. Read his book God's smuggler to learn more, it a great book.

More Prayers

Pray that Mike would grow in his understanding of God's grace in his life. Pray that I would learn what it looks like to share the real gospel with people. Also that I would not be ashamed of the Gospel, which I thought I had no problem until confronted with the thought of actually sharing it. Pray that we are used here and God glorified!

A Hat

An answered prayer: I got a hat one wide enought to keep this cancer giving UV away from my nose : )

To You

Thanks everyone, maybe the next installment will be shorter, then again maybe not. Much love, thank you so much for your prayers.

Blessings!!!!