Heading South!

Hello Everyone & we hope you are well!!

10 days ago the TEAm got packed up and headed South on a journey that will last the next eight weeks. We drove to Waikaretu and spent some time with friends Philip & Ann Woodward on their sheep/cattle farm. Everyone was amazed while watching Philip shear some sheep at the neighbors shearing shed. Philip has been shearing for forty years & it is poetry in motion watching him shear a 65kg(143lbs) sheep in around 60 seconds. The TEAm also met Emily Welch, the Woodward's daughter, who set the shearing world record for women in Nov 2007 when she shore 648 lambs in 9hrs(That's 72 per Hour!).

We spent a whole day working on their farm, helping out where we could. Andrea, Ingrid, Chris & Darren did a great job removing thistle from the lamb paddocks and the Woodward's very long driveway. Kristina, Jess & Leigh Ann removed any trace of the tree branches that had fallen in the last storm and got a chance to get their hands on some thistle later in the day. Andrea, Jess & Ingrid also did some painting & wood staining for Ann. Chris & Darren helped Philip by transporting a bunch of fence poles across the stream in front of the house. Philip has to build a new fence to keep the neighbors cows off their property. As a reward for all the work, Philip gladly took us all on a tour of the the cave that is on his property. It was fascinating to see God's creation from underground. Ann cooked us a great lamb curry to top off a great day.

Philip(On the ATV) catching up with the guys

A few of the girls getting a bit too enthusiastic about chopping thistle instead of collecting tree branches!

The "shearing gang" at the Whitford's woolshed

Heading underground for some cave exploration!
It was a great way to end a good days work.


After leaving the Woodward's farm we headed south again to Taupo where a challenge awaited those who chose to face their fear of falling, The Taupo Bungy. At 47meters (153ft) its not the highest bungy, but with the option of touching the water it is the highest "wet" bungy in NZ.















The Taupo Bungy over the Waikato River
















Ready......................One, Two, Three Bungy!!!
Andrea, Ingrid & Jess bravely took the plunge!



After heading across the Cook Strait on a very smooth ferry ride we spent a few days with some friends in Pelorus Bridge, Dennis & Sharon Capell. As always the TEAm enjoyed their time there and even got a chance to swim in the very cold Pelorus river. How cold? Well, Darren told us after he was swimming for a few minutes, "Its just really cold...not painfully cold like when you first get in!!" Anyway a warm fireplace awaited everyone and Sharon's cooking will make anyone feel better so it was worth it.
















Everyone enjoying a huge bonfire at the Capells!















The TEAm, Dennis & Sharon, Amy & Caleb



We found ourselves in Kaikoura later that day, enjoying the sea and the snow capped mountains. This week we are spending alot of time praying for others and it was easy to thank the Lord for his blessings with his handiwork all around us. We watched the sunrise during our prayer time on Tues morning and even spotted a whale out in the sea swimming by our spot.
















A nice sunrise on the rocky beach in Kaikoura


Please be praying for the TEAm this week as they are off in the mountains for three days and then they are travelling south again. Pray that we see opportunities to be a blessing to all those that we meet along the way. As we mentioned this week we are focused on praying for others, specifically countries where the people are not free to worship our Lord & read the Bible freely. I would ask that you join us in lifting to God people groups who endure hardship that many of us may never know.


Until next time, God bless from the Top of the World