New Me, New Team, New Zealand
Greetings!
Servus Erdnuss! (Hello Peanut)
We all arrived and straight away began team building, finding ways to get along with the team we will spend the next 40 days with. After knowing each other for a few hours we all decided to go for a walk together after dinner. From day one we have really enjoyed spending time with one another. Norm observed this, resulting in him giving us extra time to connect with one another- whoop whoop!
During this week we had orientation, have started our Bible study and completed our first tramp around the Nelson Lakes. The non-German speakers were interested in learning some German so the first word was “Schaf” which provided laughs throughout the day and even inspiration for a spontaneous self-made song- “Run, Run, Run Sean!” If you know what a Schaf is let us know in the comments! (No translator allowed)
Some of the highlights from our first hike together were the worship while walking, some of us enjoying a refreshing swim in Lake Rotoiti- just a little cold ;) and spending time around the table connecting with each other.
We are thankful to have been given the opportunity to spend intentional time thinking about the questions, “Who do I want to become?” and “What purpose has God given me?” One thing we have been meditating on is creation and imagining how it was in the first days and what that means for us today. We have been discussing what God intended the relationship with us to be like. We have enjoyed discussing that we are made in God’s image and what that means for us today as we are called to reflect Him to the world.
While we were on our tramp we all shared our journey up to this point with each other. This was a special time to learn about each other’s stories and get to know each other on a deeper level. We were amazed at what God has already done in all of our lives and we can’t wait to see what God has in store for us in the following weeks.
Prayer Requests
· Please pray for good health and strength for the team
· Please pray that our hearts are open to hear what God is saying to us.
· Please pray that we can meet all challenges on OTG, individually & as a team
Fun fact question of the week: How many tries did it take us to take the
amazing jump photo from the previous post?
Jakob- Hi ihr alle! Grüsse insbesondere an meine Familie, an Joey und an den Scheppacher Tuning Club! Hab euch alle unglaublich lieb. Ich fühle mich hier sehr wohl und habe unglaublich viel Spass mit dem Team. Ihr müsst euch um mich keine Sorgen machen, da alles top organisiert ist und vor Allem Gott voll da ist. Das spüre ich. Der erste lange Wandertrip war richtig hammer und ich habe jetzt schon unglaublich viel gelernt. Allerdings bin ich seit Tag 3 mit einer Erkältung unterwegs. Bitte betet für
Gesundheit! Vielen Dank für euer Gebet und bis bald! :)
Translation:
Hello you all! Special greetings to my family, to Joey and to the Scheppacher Tuning Club! I do value you guys so much. I feel really well being here and enjoy the time with the team. You don’t have to worry, everything is so well organised and God is here especially. I can feel that. The first hiking trip was so nice and I have learned so much already. I’m afraid, since day 3 I’m walking around with a cold. Please pray for health! Thanks a lot for your prayers and see you soon! :)
Lydia- Hi family and friends! Mum I am still alive- how good! Thanks so much for all your prayers, I have really appreciated all your support. I am relishing the opportunity to connect with an awesome bunch of new people and am really valuing all I am learning about God and who Lydia is. The first hike was epic, the swim was such a treat! Esther- remember to lay off the peanuts ;) Love you all x
Written by Jakob (Germany) & Lydia (New Zealand) on behalf of the entire Off The GRID
Team
Participants can receive mail while on OTG at:
Off The GRID Basecamp
690 Waiwhero Road
RD1
Motueka 7196
New Zealand
More posts to come in the weeks ahead - please be sure and leave a comment for the team!
God bless,
Off The GRID Leadership Team