Peeling The Onion & Digging Deep
Kia Ora! Week 4 has been full of laughs, hikes and tears.
Monday we farewelled one of our team members early, which has made us a team of 7 and created an empty chair around the dinner table and in our hearts.
Tuesday we began our 3 day hike whilst discovering ourselves. Followed by lots of time to reflect at OTG Base Camp over the weekend.
Sunday 8th February the OTG Team visited Motueka Baptist Church, and 5 members of the team spoke during the service. We shared our favourite parts of what we have learnt in the Gospel so far, but also why we have individually decided to join this leadership and discipleship experience. Some of us were a bit nervous to share, but Rachel, who had already spoken at Hope Community Church the week beforehand, was happy to step in and speak again. The people of the church community shared afterwards how much they enjoyed our interview style service and could relate with our walk with Jesus.
After Church, the two Kiwis of the team shared a Kiwiawan (NZ Styled) Sunday market with the rest of the team. Elisabeth was excited to find a Possum/Merino Wool sweater. Thomas shared his favourite caramelised cashew nuts. The rest of the group ate a ‘5 course’ sandwich (it was huge but good!).
Monday we spent time as a team of 8, before we farewelled 1 of our team members. The sunny Monday afternoon we spent as a full team down by the local river, Thomas showed off his backflip skills (once again), some of us went swimming, read and enjoyed the sun. Whilst packing food for the hike we overcame our first tiny conflict regarding the amount of breakfast we take with us and who gets to carry the weight in their packs.
Whilst travelling to the beginning of this weeks hike, we had a pit stop to look off a vista when a Weka jumped in our van!!! World Wide Weka Warfare is still happening.
Day 1 of our hike was a steep walk, but that wasn’t the hard part, our energy was focused on our deep conversations with one another. Six hrs of walking was a nice change from the previous week when we had a full day walk. Mountains, lakes, tablelands, native trees and Pias favourite - BIRDS. Once we made it to the hut, we saw the cleanest toilet so far, it’s called a rota loo (made in Australia, but the Kiwis will say we thought of that one - Aussie vs NZ), Elisabeth enjoyed no wasps. Megan had a really good discussion with our new friend we made in the hut, whilst we were discussing the Great Commission of making disciples. The discussion of the evenings and mornings were if sunrise or sunset was prettier, the mountain views of Kahurangi National Park were stunning.
Day 2 we climbed Gordons Pyramid with more time unpeeling the layers of our neuro pathway onion, a few of us needed the help of trekking poles for this climb. Most of us were lucky and could leave our packs at the hut, apart from the packhorses Megan and Zack, legends thank you! Before we climbed the Pyramid, we saw the Sphinx Valley Cave and learnt about how earth quakes affect NZ and about the Alpline Faultline that created the potholes in that area. Rachel’s giggle of the day was when Susie fell in the swamp just before the hut, thanks to the potholes. Thomas’ best giggle was during his sleep.
Day 3 was similar to day 1 of the hike, as we headed down the same track, we continued with more deep discussions. We went so deep we may as well had a Cat Digger.
Christy had kindly prepared our dinner for us as it was a late return to Base Camp.
Just like this hike, we walk alongside Jesus and collaborate with him in his mission. We now grasp that sharing the Gospel is not a duty but something we desire to share, it comes from the Holy Spirit, and flows through us via our heart and grows fruit.
After our hike we found quiet times to reflect on these neuro pathways and layers of the onion. We have started to conclude how God has wired us individually and how understanding this can shape the community around us. This is what we would call the gold inside of us and leaders can’t perform if they don’t understand their gold. We have dived deeper on Biblical topics that have an impact on each of us individually and have inspired us during this week.
Sunday 15th February, we once again visited Hope Community Church, the worship was energetic and the church was full of all members back from their Kiwi Summer Holiday. God works in amazing ways, the Pastor shared a very similar topic we have been discussing this week about Jesus’ Mission for us as followers. After the service there was a Missions BBQ where we experienced another Kiwi vs Aussie topic of a BBQ, the discussion of bread, sausage, onions and tomato sauce. Apparently Australia has a health and safety rule of what way the onion goes onto the bread and sausage, we will let the Aussies keep that one. Milo is still NZ Made though, haha.
A relaxing Sunday Sabbath afternoon, consisted of another swim at the local river, resting our minds, and enjoying the sunset rainbow. Praying for all of NZ with the severe weather events, Gods bubble has wrapped around us to keep us safe and dry at OTG Basecamp, while we wait for the weather to pass for our next hike.
Prayer Requests:
Please pray for our team member who has left OTG, pray that they have peace and rest.
Please pray for this weeks last tramp, for safety on the trails, no injuries, and that we give our best.
Please pray for all our leaders, Norm & Christy, Daryl & Andrea, Peter and the other leaders overseas.
Thank you for praying for our team!
Acts 16:31
Written by Pia (Switzerland) & Rachel (New Zealand) on behalf of the entire OTG Team!