Last week I spent four days away with AUTCF up north in Opononi. They've had retreats in the past but what was really exciting this year were the number of folks involved - 19 of us went away in six cars and what fun we had! Seriously, it was an amazing few days...
It started off interestingly. My car was leading what we thougt was the right way. Until our dirt track ended up in the ocean. Literally. Only in NZ. That's it there on the right. I just kept driving until there was no road... We had taken a wrong turning and ended up going about 120km down a peninsula. Interesting detour. Gave the fishermen a laugh! Had we not gone down this road we wouldn't have met Ernie and his kumaras as well. What a show! I thought I was going to hurt myself I was laughing so much.
The journey there was a bit hairy and not without several reminders of God's protection but eventually we got there and were shown how worth it the journey was!
The place was absolutely lovely and the four days we spent up there were I think truly significant for many if not all the people there: sun, eating lovely food, taking photos, looking at photos, chatting, singing, dancing, laughing, playing rugby, meeting locals, locals becoming part of the group!, walking on the beach, kayaking, sand-duning, reading Philippians, observing, interpreting, applying, praying...I truly count it a privilege to have been part of a week like that. It was just so evident how God was at work in and through the people he had brought together - an ecclectic bunch, many Christians, some not yet who all met together to have fun, to enjoy each other and to study his Word. It was so exciting to see folk engaging with Philippians. What a challenge it is for our priorities in life. Christ is all. What a clear message. Check out Andy's blog for more of that... There was also an investigative study in John running, mainly for the Korean guys that came with us, that saw those folks accessing, really for the first time, who Jesus was and being given the opporunity to respond to that. Amazing!
It is difficult to convey the number of exciting conversations, words, experiences there were on this trip. All I can say is that God is at work in this group of individuals and it is a privilege to be a part of it. We are seeing lives changed in Jesus' name and I cannot wait to see the way this overflows on campus. The fields really are ripe for harvest!
The day after we came back was spent making 10 batches of muffins which the group sold to raise money for IFES - students movements around the world. They did a great job and raised close of $200! The venue for the selling was the much anticipated OCF Musical. So much effort and hardwork went into this over the past 9 months and they did so well in the show on Friday night. It was a musical of the story of Hosea - not a simple undertaking - but they did a great job and much fun was had by all! All glory to God!
3 comments:
Sounds like an expedition that Elliot would have had a hand in - I remember travelling down from Auckland with him once, and instead of ended up in Palmerston North (the intended destination) we found ourselves at Mt Taranaki.
Glad you had a wonderful time :)
I heard about that one! He said you were too deep in conversation to realise that being by the sea was not actually the right road to Palmy!
Have to say though... it was him that lead us up the right road in the end!
That's the one! I think the Finnish tourists we'd picked up were questioning their luck that day.
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