Warm Water, Weather & Mud!

G'day Mates,

Where to start? Ok then, here we go.....

Since our last post we have travelled from the South Island to the North Island. Not long after that we had our fifth and final tramp Round the Mountain on Mt Ruapehu (an active volcano) for five days with George. God blessed us with beautiful weather, challenging ups and downs and many people to meet as we hiked in the Land of Mordor (from Lord of the Rings). On part of the 69km hike we came to a Great Walk Hut named Waihohonu which was very full and where we first met a French and a Swiss guy travelling together. The last two nights we got to know them further through UNO games (we play this regularly) and also had the opportunity to meet and play with a Dutch guy too. We began to take turns leading devotions each day while we were tramping and also into our kayaking trip with Norm and Christy.

Walking in the land of Mordor

Headed toward Mt Doom.

For our kayaking trip we went to Hot Water Beach on Lake Tarawera near Rotorua, a highly visited thermal area. We were expecting some rain, but we were so disappointed when there was none in sight :-) The Hot Water Beach where we stayed for the night is known for it's natural hot springs. We all enjoyed a natural hot tub together on the waters' edge between the scalding and cool water.

Just before heading off on our kayaking adventure.

Us relaxing at our destination 'Hot Water Beach'.

The guys sitting back and taking in all of God's beauty

(I personally think they couldn't handle it and are resting the arms ;-))

After our kayaking trip we headed back off to Rotorua again where were stayed at the Cozy Cottage for a couple of nights. We had the pleasure of meeting a couple from Germany who we shared a meal with, but not just any meal, a Hungi. A Hungi for those of you who don't know is a meal that is steam cooked when placed in pots over a hot thermal vent. We did up a range of veggies and Darren did a stupendous job of preparing the butter lemony fish. For dessert we had a rasberry and white chocolate pudding which we needed help eating, so we got two reinforcments from the UK and Holland. It was a great meal, we had some great conversations and overall it was a great night together.

Us with our new friends from Germany and the UK.

On Sunday we went to church at Calvery Chapel in Rotorua and met a young couple around our age who invited us to lunch, where we enjoyed playing with their two kids and fellowshipping. The pastor of Calvery Chapel had also invited us for the next day to horseback ride at a Christian camp named Ranch Lakes. We rounded up the horses, geared up, familiarised ourselves with riding and set out for a forest walk to a lake. On the way back some of us had the thrill of galloping up the hill while Norm (horse named Spotty), Ingrid (Appy) and Jess (Lucky) had to take it slower, this was of course because of the horses being in their old age and not the skill of the riders, just to clarify.

Chris says, "First time riding and felt weird to be in control of an animal like a car."

TEAm excitement before Horse Riding

Everyone getting a few pointers before heading off.

We then headed off to Papamoa Beach for a couple of nights for some time to reflect and think about our futures after TEA and the changes we want to make in our lives. On our way to Papamoa Beach, we stopped off and had the opportunity to check out some really awesome boiling mud pools which unfortunately burned the better looking half of the group alive (not really, of course, just in case any of you actually believed us, our imaginations are just running a bit wild ;-)).

A few of us watching the excitement at the boiling mud pools.

A spitting mud drop at the boiling mud pools.

After our couple of nights away at Papamoa Beach we continued on our way back to Papakura, our home away from homes. We stopped off at Mount Maunganui where we had a time of sharing with each other about the things we wanted prayer for in our lives, we were then given an hour to be on our own to pray for each other. Afterwards we all climbed to the top of Mount Maunganui.

Amazing view from 'Mount Maunganui'

Everyone heading back down the Mountain.

We're here now in Papakura with only one day left of TEA and it is feeling very strange. I can't imagine not seeing everyone everyday because we are like a family. But while it will be the end of something great it will be the beginning of something new and exciting in each of our lives, and I'm sure the friendships we have developed here will be lasting ones that will continue on long after TEA...after all, we have gone through a lot together over the last 10 weeks.

We would all appreciate your prayers for the following:

- For the people we met and talked with along the way.

- For our decisions about our future plans.

- To not forget everything we have learnt and to follow it through in our lives back home.

- For safe travels abroad and back home.

- To see God-given opportunities to serve Him.

- To know God better through His Word so that out relationship with Him continues to grow stronger.

In Christ,

Jess and Leigh Anne and the rest of the TEAm!