Update: Wholesomeness

   Palmerston North is my new destination for the next two weeks. Here I'm currently being thrown in head first into ministry at the university. It's a happy change of pace from the last week I spent in Hamilton, though it was much needed rest. And it helped me pace myself while I recovered from initial culture shock and the time difference. I was starting to get little anxious to get to work, but these upcoming weeks seem like they are going to be packed with people, places, ministry styles and philosophies that I have yet to experience.


   Pacing is something that I definitely got a dose of from the week I spent living in Sione's house with his family. Sione is a ministry director with the Missions org. that I'm going to be interning at. He's probably going to be the main person that I'm going to report to on a regular basis. After spending a week with his family, I'm glad about it. The way he leads his home along side his wife Janice is inspiring. I was there for a solid week, and from what I can tell there is relatively little conflict, and a great amount of harmony and communication within the household.


   It was staggering how wholesome it was, like, in a non-american-middle-class-suburban way.

Well that's it for a quick update. I'll be back later this week for more.

Don't forget about the upper right corner of the blog!

Things have been a little non-stop since I got here in NZ, so forgive me for not updating everyone sooner.

After spending a few days in Auckland, I caught a bus down to Hamilton. This is where I'll be doing most of my living and ministering eventually, but first I get to roam around the other bases of operation ISM has here on the North Island.

Right now I'm still adjusting my internal clock, acclimating to the culture and kind of taking things in. Although I'm really anxious to get to work, right now is purely observation time.

Here is a picture of Auckland:

I made it!

The flight over was long but not so bad. I had a row all to myself and got a few hours of sleep in. This place feels like Hawaii and California all mashed together, so it doesn't feel too far from home. This certainly isn't the worst culture shock I've ever had. I only have trouble with the way people drive on the wrong side of the road here. There are also two buttons on toilets. They also talk funny..

All kidding aside, The past few hours here have been relaxing.
Look for more updates in a couple of days.

I thought I would quote a little Matthew Henry for you guys.
Commentary on Romans 8:24:

"Our hapiness is not in present possession: We are saved by hope. Our reward is out of sight. Those that will deal with God must deal upon trust. Faith respects the promise, hope the thing promised. Faith is the evidence, hope the expectation, of things not seen. Faith is the mother of hope. We do with patience wait. In hoping for this glory we have need of patience. Our way is rough and long, though he seems to tarry, it becomes us to wait for him."

~ Gotta love that Matthew Henry.