Climbing Walls, Jumping Out of Planes & Chasing Lions

Greetings to all of you from the Top of the World!!

Wow what a week! The weather continues to slightly change our schedule but no worries, its all good. God has plans we don't know about and it is all in His hands anyway.

Early last week, we spent a few hours in the climbing gym on a rainy day, practicing our climbing technique before we get on real rock. It was funny because some of us had trouble that evening doing simple tasks, like squeezing toothpaste out of the tube, after using some muscles that we didn't know we had. Wednesday's weather was perfect, I mean perfect, for Skydiving and we took full advantage. Falling out of a plane at 200km/hr (120mph) from 3962meters(13,000ft) has a different effect on people. Some were smiling ear to ear and others were a bit pale and speechless. Back in the van on the way to Toad Hall for the traditional after skydiving ice cream, everyone was really quiet and kept saying "I can't believe I just jumped out of an airplane...it so surreal!"



















































































Thursday, Friday & Saturday this week found us in Kahurangi National Park tramping up to Mt. Arthur, over Gordon's Pyramid and out to the Tablelands. Again this TEAm continues to be blessed with terrific tramping weather. Cool temperatures & clear skies on the first and second day allowed us to enjoy all this area has to offer. Day three was cloudy with a light mist that made the walk out through the forest even more interesting. We met lots of people and had some good conversations with folks. People continue to be very interested in our group of internationals travelling together and continue to ask how we all met or got together. Glad you asked...

Yesterday Ingrid & Andrea had the opportunity to share their testimony in Church. They both shared a bit about what God is doing in their life right now and how in the mist of what is seen as difficult situations we need to focus on God, His provision and what He can do through us. Both of them really encouraged the congregation and their testimony tied in nicely to the message that Pastor Ken brought to us later in the service.

We finished reading the Lion Chasers book this week and continue to challenge ourselves to ask what can God do through us if we let Him. Are our fears holding us back from doing what God wants to do through us? A good question for all of us. Everyone is also challenged by the added pressure of knowing that TEA will be over in a little under three weeks and are looking ahead to what the next step in life will be. As we focus on the present challenges and look forward to what the future may hold please be praying for us. Pray we stay focused on where we are and what God has for us today. Pray that we remain others focused and continue to look for opportunities to share with those around us as we continue our journey. Pray that God will speak to us through His word this week as we study the life of Moses and discover why "I am Not, but I know I AM".


Here are some more pics from the last two weeks