A Week In Palmerston North

I love this photo. It is a grandfather chasing his grandson on a beach in Wellington. It was a beautiful day, and it just reminded me of God chasing us. You see, the boy would run about 15 feet or so and then face plant. Full out..plunk. And then his grandfather would wait a second, the child would pick himself up, and begin to run again.

It has been a week full of running. Every now and then we get to *plunk* and just rest, but it has been amazing here in Palmy.

For starters, the church welcomed us with a Chinese potluck dinner. We are helping lead their Chinese Fellowship group on fridays and wee able to teach them the bridge, as well as, put on a mini-leadership course.

Last Monday, I shared my testimony at a J2 (Jesus and Japan) worship night the students held. It was intimate and at the end I truly didn:t even realize we had been there two hours!

We went to an International Student Orientation expecting to run into Chinese and other Asian students. Instead, God put Europeans and Americans in our paths! From North Carolina is sheep farming Austin and girlfriend Emily. Also from there is Buddhist Bryce, Plain-ole Paul, and Frisbee pros Peggy and Liz. We met an interesting young man from New York named Russ and a German from Muenster named Dorty. ( I am naming them all so you can pray! Austin and Emily are Baptist..the rest are pre-Christians!) We held an All Blacks (the NZ rugby team) party (in image) where you can see people from all over the world joined as the Christian groups on campus joined us. This Monday, we prayed for all of them by name and ended up seeing all but Emily and Dorty the next day!!! How amazing is that!

I've also been able to meet with Michelle from the conference and at least see Jess to set up a time to meet. There were hearts shared in our tie that was a blessing to see.

I've also seen a lot of universals...bring a food or frisbee, and students come! We started playing ultimate frisbee at a place called "The Oval" on campus lunch time on Wed. and Fri. A lot of the Americans came and went and more are supposed to be coming this Friday. Russ, from NY, is seen wearing what he calls shackles in this photo. Pray he can find the truth that will remove his earthly shackles and for opportunity to hold conversation with him about Jesus. He was great at teaching new players the game of Ultimate! (in photo, Dorty, Russ, Meredith, and Masa)

We even set up a game of NavAttack for this Sat. It is a game like capture the flag, but instead of tagging people by hand, you hit them with a baking flour filled stocking. You would not believe how excited the Japanese and Americans were to hear about this game! We are afterwards going searching for glowworms so this is a future prayer request that it goes well!

There have been a few situations back at home in AZ, so pray they are resolved quickly as my friends and I are covering the situation in prayer. Pray I can stay focused as much more is happening this next week. And Happy Belated Birthday Grandma!

the conference

I:m trying to think of where to begin attemping to explain what God showed me during the conference. We got in on Friday night and immediatey went to dinner. I sat by students from the Auckland Uni(university) and one from Palmy (palmerston orth where i curently am) Those students represented Malasyia, Singapore, New Zealand, Indonesia and America. The nations were together all at one table! That:s pretty much how I felt about the whole thing.

We all were welcomed by Val, a Maori believer where we traditionally were greeted and introduced to the TSCF (teritery student Christian fellowship) conference. Every morning we would have some time in the word, breakfast, and then a morning talk. The theme of the conference was :lives that count: it was all missions oriented! How cool was it for me to see these students on fire for God:s word to go global!

After one of the talks, I was able to share the bridge with two students after they asked for ways to apply being ale to reach out to your schools. I made some amazing friends from Palmy and most of us are getting together again on Wed. and Fri. to play ultimate on their campus and try to recruit people for their equivalent of NavNite.

We went to a Buddhist temple as a group and I witnessed God:s prescense inimidate a monk. I saw students hunger for the LORD in such a way. We got to laugh with these students and introduce Extreme Uno to them. We met and prayed through the psalms with them. We got to cry from laughing so hard. I:m sothankful for the hearts of all the students I met and can:t wait to see them again.

Pray for Jess, Michelle, and Nicole. They are three believers from round the world studying here in Palmy and I:m praying we can meet and encourage one another.

Middle Earth!

I don't have enough time to express what this past week has been like. Hopefully I'll have more money and internet time tomorrow to do so. We went to Hobbiton today to see where Lord of the Rings was filmed after a week of a very intense mission based conference. I had the ability to teach the bridge and encourage students in their walk while also making connections for our time in Palmy (Palmerston North) next week. I met some great new friends and I cannot post photos now, but will try to very soon. I am so excited for these upcoming weeks!

PRAYER REQUEST!!! I am not used to the cold! As a result, I am a little under the weather now. Pray i'll feel better quickly!

Thank you so much for commenting too! I love getting contact from the outside world!

picture update! and we saw a sign for "Titanic: the Musical" any takers?

local ads

The view at the supermarket!

this is the rain from a rain, sun, rain, sun, rain day

pretty

Teammate Alycia had some issues

Leaving our mark

The coast by where the previous post was written about

This is our team and our "Rockstar" picture at the Maori "Bay of Whales" where our cottage was

rest

So I am in the land that invented bungee jumping. A place where the Rugby Team of the All Blacks rules all. A place where hobbits have once roamed.

I got into New Zealand Tuesday morning. I am 19 hours ahead of you all, so my Monday was very short and spent entirely on an airplane. We took a ferry to inner Auckland and explored for a bit. The time was "sweet as" (NZ for cool) to get to know my amazing team leader Janeen, and mates Alycia and Sarah. We are still missing one from Arkansas, but she gets in tomorrow morning. We bought "gummies" (rain boots) and headed to our rented cottage.

Janeen said something that really struck me. She said that when God created man, man got the seventh day off. He rested before all of the work begun and as Americans sometimes we have to change our mindset to rest first and then work hard. So we are taking three days to relax, chat, and prepare our hearts and minds for God's work.

One of the best things, is our cottage is just a short walk down to the Maori "Bay of Whales." We have yet to spot an Orca, but we did apparently have a penguin at our house a few nights ago! No one saw it sadly as they aren't fond of daytime or people.

For those of you asking, YES! It is cold! I am totally wearing four layers now and sometimes wear five! Sleep is going well as though indoor heating is foreign here, we build a fire each day and have hot water bottles (hotties) to put under our sheets. So i sleep with a hottie every night! :)

Friday, we begin the hard work and split up to team with other international leaders to work with other internationals to teach them about Christ. We'll be doing that for just under a week and then we begin the trek down south.

I feel confident this is where I am supposed to be, and am so thankful of all of you for your involvement in me and this trip. Yes, I miss you guys, but what an amazing opportunity I have here to delight in the Lord's creation and put myself faith first into his arms.

I pray for all of you as well, that these next six plus weeks, God will push you to grow closer to him. That He will embrace you so strong and give you confidence you are placed wherever you are at for a reason. I love you all!

For the joy of New Zealand and the nations!
-Alicia D.

NZ

I've landed! I am now in the land of te Kiwi. It is 17 hours ahead of Texas and 19 hous ahead of AZ. I'llupdate more when i get a chance. Love you all and thank you so much for all your encouragement and prayers.

"Don't worry about today, it's already tomorrow in Australia." -Charles Schultz

Well, I'm in the future now! Relax! Spread the news!

And so I bid adeu to my flip flop, shorts, and shades...

In just over six hours I begin my journey abroad. I leave Tempe, AZ for San Fransisco. I am blessed to be able to have a "long" layover and visit my good friend Katy in NorCal for two days before my long flight to Auckland. I'm up late packing, praying, and finishing preperations for my trip! I'm to the point where beyond preperations, I am so excited to be going to NZ.

Look at the Nations and watch-

And be utterly amazed.

FOR I AM GOING to do something

in these days that you would not believe

even if you were told.

Hab. 1:5

Thank you again so much for your support and prayer. I'll be keeping you updated on here.