A Week Full Of Breathtaking Moments
Hey everyone !! Missing the warm sunshine from Aussie !
Hey tit øll í føroyum, heilsanir frá okkum í new Zealandi (Hi everyone in the Faroe Island, greetings from us in New Zealand).
We’ve been having an another amazing week here at OTG! This week our breath was taken away by great views, cold water, and a new realisation of God’s Word. It’s been very busy, which makes us all a little bit nervous because Norm and Christy have warned us that it’s just going to get even busier. We’ve been focusing on creating deeper connections with each other and learning how important it is to serve each other in our little community. At the moment our activities and Bible study are helping us to focus intention into creating the foundations of our team so that when we face greater challenges, in the weeks to come, we are able to support each other and push ourselves further than we think we can.We have been learning new leadership principles that teach us more about managing ourselves and relationships around us.
This week we had an amazing and unexpected opportunity that we would be able to go on a hike (or ’tramp’ as they like to call it here) to Angeles Hut. When Norm was preparing us for the hike, we saw that it was going to be quite challenging with a large climb to an incredible altitude (especially for someone who lives in the Faroe Islands), which also meant that we were going to have a very steep descent down a rocky cliff. We found that we were capable of a lot more that we thought and supported and encouraged each other though it.
As we climbed everyone pushed forward and succeeded on the amazing trails. We learned that working as a team made the tramp a win for everyone. The weather was absolutely perfect for each day’s requirements of us in the hike and it helped us to appreciate the environment that we were in. It was absolutely worth every second!
Near Julius Summit we stopped for a little break and our breath was taken away, not just because we had been climbing, but because a New Zealand falcon landed only few meters from where we were standing- a very unusual and extraordinary experience! Both Norm and Penny-Sue, who led us on the hike, said that it was their favourite thing seeing our star-struck reaction as we looked over the ridge and saw Angeles Hut, where we were going to stay for the night.
Can you find the team in the pics below???
Our breath has been taken away in many ways this week! When we saw that the hut was located right on the lake, we all decided that we had to make the most of every opportunity and go for a swim- except for Kiwi Sam who stayed out because it was very important that we had a photographer to capture the moment. The lake was incredibly cold (we later found out that it had been frozen over the week before) but I think we all agreed that it was definitely worth it! Some people (Jógvan) learnt that they have to slow down a bit and not jump into things head first so that he doesn’t hurt himself. He is fine and everyone had a great swim.
We descended the Cascade Creek with amazing views that made us feel so small and insignificant as we were in the valley with the mountains surrounding us on all sides. We had to cross over a river, and get our feet very soggy, to get to Lake Head hut. In the morning as we did our Bible study, we focused on the story of God revealing Himself to Moses and the nation of Israel at Mount Sinai. This put the story into a little bit of perspective for us, as in the days before we had just crossed a river and climbed a mountain, and it was amazing to think about how much more significant this would have been for the Israelites to see the mountain shaking and God’s voice coming from the mountain as He claims them as His people! We can have great comfort in the security of being treasured and protected by God.
At the end of this week we had the opportunity to serve at OTG Basecamp, by planting bushes and weeding to prepare the space for the next OTG Team to enjoy. On Sunday, several of us were invited to share at a local church about what we are learning from God’s Word while on OTG.
We’ve really seen a lot of growth as a team and are starting to feel like a family as we bond together over the chaotic dishwashing sessions and the van rides, where we sometimes have to keep some of the boys apart for the sanity of the rest of us. But overall we’ve all been having an amazing time and are excited for the opportunities ahead to grow spiritually and as a team as we get pushed out of our comfort zones and spend more time together and in God’s word.
Prayer Requests:
For the team to have strength and motivation, to encourage each other in our personal accomplishments
That we all will open our hearts to God and receive greater understanding in our Bible study
That the team continues to develop and grow stronger relationships so that we can push and encourage eachother
Provision and strength in our upcoming exciting adventures as a team
Thank you for supporting us and following along our journey!
Written by Sam (Australia) & Jógvan Karstin (Faroe Islands) on behalf of the entire OTG Team!