Looking Forward
Hi Everyone! Today is our last day on Off The GRID. We spent this last week on a road trip all around the top of the South Island. During the road trip we were preparing to step back into real life and we learned how to navigate all the challenges that may come.
We spent many hours this week driving, chatting and learning more about how God designed each of us uniquely. We journeyed through Hanmer Springs and Kaikoura with many amazing sights to see along the way. We had lots of time this week to reflect on our experiences so far and the exciting times ahead. While driving we had great conversations. This was an ideal time to test our understanding of ourselves and prepare to step back into our lives as changed people.
A big highlight this week for the team was seeing seals everywhere. We went for a walk in Kaikoura and spent hours just watching the seals and taking hundreds of pictures of them as they lay on the rocks or played in the big waves. It was amazing to admire all the incredible things in God’s creation like the tall snowy mountains, and the rocky coastline with massive waves smashing against the rocks showing some of the power of nature.
This week we spent a lot of time preparing to go back into the real world. We learnt about strategy to avoid temptation and how to navigate the trials of life. And we learned about how to deal with the challenges we will face as we go back into our lives. This week we learned how to share with other people things we learned in the Bible.
We decided that for our last journal we want to let each member of the team share their thoughts on how OTG went for them.
Tabea (Switzerland)
Ich bin so dankbar für die Ziit da im OTG. Ich han so vieles über Gott und mich selber chönne lerne und bin i Bereiche gwachse wo ich nie denkt hett, dass ich deete wachse wird. Es isch so wertvoll gsi mit em Team Ziit zverbringe und enand z fördere. (Ich wird s Team mega vermisse.) Au wenns sich komisch afühlt wieder hei zgah, fühl ich mich sicher will ich weiss, dass Gott mit mir isch i allem wo ich erläbe wird.
(English Translation)
I am so grateful for the time here at OTG. I got to learn so many things about God and myself. I grew in ways I never thought I would. Spending time with the team and pushing each other was so precious to me. (I will miss them a lot). Although leaving OTG feels strange, knowing that God is with me in all I will face, gives me courage.
Ruth (New Zealand)
This time on Off The GRID has been super intense (in all the best ways) and so spiritually fulfilling. I am only just beginning to see how I have been changed and refined into more of a woman of God through his work in my heart in the last 40 days. Looking forward, I am so sad to be leaving my teammates and the OTG life but I’m excited for my future now that I have a better understanding of how I was made and what for.
Ethan (New Zealand)
This has been an amazing time on OTG. I have learnt many new things about myself and I have gained a new perspective on living for God. Although it is sad to leave my team mates as this time comes to an end, I am excited to make use of what I have learnt here and I can’t wait to see where God takes me.
Aussie Sam (Australia)
I’ve absolutely loved this time on OTG, an absolutely incredible experience. It’s been amazing to have this time to have learned so much about God and about who He’s created me to be. I’m so sad to leave these amazing people and this little family we’ve created but its also exciting to get to go home and live in light of what we’ve learned and experienced.
Jógvan (Føroyar, Faroe Islands)
Eg lærdi nógv meir enn eg hevði forvanta ígjøgnum hesu 6 vikurnar, tað var ringd at ganga niðan á fjøllini og lesa í guds orð, men gud opnaði eygur míni, hjarta mítt og sál min til hvat gud hevur lagt í lívið hjá mær fyri framman. Eg fekk sooo nógv burtur úr off the grid bæði mental og fysist, men alt vær vert hvørt dropi av orku sum eg hevði. Eg fekk nøkur vinnfólk fyri lívið av OFF THE GRID sum eg kann lenna á tað man fer í gjøgnum ringar tíðir. Takk fyri tað stórsta upplivelsi sum eg havi fingi Norm og christy.
(English Translation)
I was amazed by how much I learned over the past 6 weeks. It was difficult but in a good way. God really opened up my eyes, heart, soul, and mind. I was surprised how much I got out of the OTG experience I got some friends for life after OTG. Thank you so much for the experience Norm and Christy.
Kiwi Sam (New Zealand)
Being at OTG was absolutely life changing, I think my life has improved in every way possible from all the new habits I have learned as well as all the wisdom I have got from Norm, Christy, and all the other leaders. My faith is also a lot stronger and I have learned so much from all the Bible studying we have done. While here I have met so many incredible people and made some life long friends that are like brothers and sisters. I will definitely miss being with everyone here but I am so excited to go live my life for God with all the new things I have learned.
Prayer Requests:
Safe travel for the team as we go back to our homes
That we can keep learning new things after Off The GRID
Provision and strength as we go back into the real world
Thank you for all the amazing comments, we have really enjoyed hearing from you. Also thank you so much for praying for us while we have been at OTG we have all had the most amazing time. :)
Written by Sam Lake (New Zealand, Tauranga ) & Ethan (New Zealand, Christchurch) on behalf of the entire OTG Team!