On Sunday afternoon after church, we were shown how to correctly pack and organise our tramping gear, before leaving Monday morning for our first three day tramp to the Kaimais Forest. The first day was very challenging for us all with big hills, lots of rain and lots of cows and their patties (very dangerous). We arrived at the first hut, which was full with school kids, so we set up outside. We had the opportunity to introduce ourselves and talk to the kids. We told them what we were doing here and listened to their different worldviews. Also, we WON a sing-off against the group with our choice song "The Lion Sleeps Tonight".
The next day we had our first river crossing experience. Leigh Anne says "We had a swimmin' time!" When we arrived at our second hut, which was empty, it was great to get the packs off our backs and enjoy studying, singing, games and a good night sleep.
On the way coming back from the tramp one of our crazy leaders, Anthony, thought it would be a good idea to jump off a 50m high cliff (jokes it was only 5m) into a freezing cold river. Three of us took up the challenge: Darren, Chris and Jess.
We would appreciate your continued prayers for us all as we plan to head off again in a days time to the South Island. Pray for safety and protection on the road and in the bush and also for opportunities to connect with all people we meet.
From TEA Team 04/2008,
Darren, Chris, Kristina, Andrea, Ingrid, Leigh Anne and Jess
9 comments:
Hi, TEA! Greetings from Atlanta, Georgia, USA! We are the Kilgores and want you to know we are praying for you as you travel this journey of faith! Your picture is the desktop picture on our computer to remind us to pray daily for you. Can't wait to hear all the God is doing in and through you!
WOW Jess!
It must be true that there is more to the quiet Jess than first meets the eye!
I hope you return to us in one piece and still healthy!I'm glad that it is you carrying those big backpacks and not me!
We're praying for you
Love Ruth and Ian
Hi Darren
We pray for you all daily. so it is great to here how you are getting on. I must say that having heard you sing that the other team must be pretty......
God Bless you all
Ian and winnie
Hey Darren, good to see some new pictures up & when I read you were jumping off cliffs it was no surprise that you had jumped off them!!! Looks like you are having a grreat time love the picture of you wading through the water. Glad to hear things are going well. Praying for you Love Joyce & Will
Hey you guys,
I was on TEA 04/2007 and it looks like you are having a great time already. :-) Enjoy it, ten weeks are over before you know it. For me it is already one year ago since I was there and I still can't believe it's that long ago already.
Have a great time on the beautiful south island with the crazy TEA leaders. Watch out for Anthony, he likes to brake the rules hahahaha witch I thought was awesome haha Did he sing the 'turn or burn' song already? Great memories :-)
Enjoy guys en God bless!
Lisanne from the Netherlands
Hi Jess & The Rest of the TEA Group!
It is really great to hear that you are all well and thoroughly enjoying yourselves! I'm glad that we have the oppurtunity to see what you are all up to :) Good on you Jess for jumping in that freezing cold river! Know that you are all in our prayers back home in Aus and May God Bless each and every one of you with good health, safety and protection as you begin the first part of your NZ journey.
Love & Blessings,
Alicia Hillier & Family
Darren - just got the latest link from your Mum and Dad. Couldn't resist 'posting a comment on the blog' - never ever done that before on any other blog, so feeling pretty chuffed!! You seem to be having a great time - Guess Graham will have you doing a children's talk involving the card tricks!! Be assured of our prayers for you - so good to read how God is using your TEAm and that you are so happy. God bless,
Lindsay, John and the girls
Praying daily for your endurance and strength this week... My life verse may encourage you as you are challenged beyond your limits... "But He said to me, 'My Grace is enough for you. When you are weak, My Power is made perfect in you.' So I am very happy when I have weaknesses, insults, hard times, sufferings, and all kinds of troubles for Christ. Because when I am weak, then I am truly strong." (2 Corinthians 12:9-10)
I just started to work through the Discipelship Manual again, now in Dutch. One year after TEA, it's still exciting!!! I pray that God can use this time to work in your lives.
God bless,
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