Big Day – June 11th!

That is right, we have finally decided on a departure date from New Zealand. We booked our tickets, and we leave Auckland on June 9th and arrive more than 2 days later in Toronto. We have an overnight in Taipei and a 12 hour layover in New York, so we’re going to be ready for a serious nap by the time we get back!

A couple of nights ago, Dave and I led Quality Living, which is a night-time program that the camp staff puts on for each of the school groups. The purpose of the program is to share Christian morals and values with the students in a fun and applicable format. The Camp Directors asked us to speak on why we are in New Zealand, and our plans to be involved in long-term missions, and talk about how life is more than material things. So, after a super fun game of “Gold Mining” (searching through a bowl of Hokey Pokey ice cream for the caramel pieces, with no-hands), we talked to the group about how cool clothes, fast bikes and new video games won’t ever make you truly happy because they are all temporary by nature. We then discussed the importance of using your gifts to help others, instead of just focusing on yourself. The kids listened, and we had lots of great feedback after, so a success, we think! Thanks to those of you who were praying for us!

The past two days have been packed with instructing the school group at the initiatives and high and low ropes courses. We start at about 8:00 am, and the day finishes around 7:30 pm, after cleaning up after dinner and getting things ready for the evening snack. The group is off-site today, so we’re heading out this afternoon for a couple of days off. We haven’t actually decided where we’re going yet – either to the West Coast or to the East. First, Dave and Ian, another staff member, are trying to fix a loose bolt on our car. We’re just praying Able (that’s our car’s name) lasts for another 3 months and 7 days without any major problems.