Week Five

Final Countdown!

We started full of excitement for the tramp this week and made our way to Nelson Lakes National Park. With heavy packs filled with all the food and gear for the next days, we began our walk. That day’s route went mostly through the forest, along some nice rivers and small ponds until the big lake came in sight. During this hike, we had some good conversations with other trampers. And so the hours flew by and we reached the shore of the lake where we stayed that night. Right at the hut, we were welcomed by sandflies and even had the chance for a refreshing swim at the lake. We prepared our dinner - for sure a bit (too) spicy.

The second day started steep physically and deep mentally. If we had to explain this route: straight uphill! After a few hours and a lot of burned calories, we passed the treeline and had an astonishing view over the lake and the valley. After deep conversations over the last weeks, our personal growth, and who we want to become, we reached the first summit of this day.

From this summit, we walked along a fabulous ridge accompanied by sunshine and a marvelous view. We are so thankful for the amazing weather we had on this tramp (and all the adventures before)! As some of us learned our lesson, we all put enough sunscreen on and headed towards New Zealand’s most gorgeous hut.

Because the hut was full, we had the opportunity to meet a lot of people and could talk with them about our life and faith. As we discussed in our Bible Study, we knew how important it is to share the good message and to be an image wearer in our daily lives.

Steeper and higher than ever before, we started early in the morning. Before breakfast and a bit sleepy, we headed towards the summit of Angelus Peak. All the difficulties we faced on the way up could never be compared with the amazing view with which we were rewarded at the top. As well as our earthly struggles could never be compared to the eternal indescribable joy we will receive in heaven. Being in God’s creation gives a different perspective and reminds us of what truly matters.

During breakfast, we talked about the people we met so far. We had especially the ones in mind who noticed us because of how we behaved and not necessarily because of what we said. Even if we didn’t recognize it, it was inspiring for them. So, we saw how important it is that Jesus’ character shines through us.

With that in mind, we were excited for our last night in a hut and for the people we will meet. We were able to catch the last bunks and so we shared this hut with three other couples. Because of the good conversations we had, we found out pretty fast that they were all Christians and so we spent our evening together in a good community, with card games on the floor and in support of each other.

It was so beautiful that we started the day all together with prayer in the morning before we all went on different tracks. The other people went uphill, and we went down in the valley. Even though that day’s walk was shorter than usual, we were mentally challenged with some questions about our role as a Christian leader and how we can use our skills to influence the places where God has called us to be. After finishing this tramp, we recognized that not too long in the future we were going to be back in our environment at home, and so we talked about how we could have a good impact on our friends and family, how we could take part in new opportunities, and how we could use our skills for God’s purpose.

Personal Message:

Lars

Hoi zäme

Hoffe ihr chönd de winter gnüsse und hend es paar schöni abfahrte im tüfschnee gha. Möchid au es paar bögli för mech! D’ziit done vergoht wie im flug und jede tag gids öppis neus z’gseh. Vor allem d’bible-study-ziit isch mega berichernd und de gmeinsami ustuusch onderwägs sehr spannend. Teilwiis gsehds i de bärge fast eso uus wie ide schwiiz! Ganz liebi grüess usem sommerliche Neuseeland! Lars

English translation:

Hello from New Zealand,

Hope you enjoy the winter and you had some good days on the ski slopes and in the snow. Make some curves for me! The time flies by very fast and everyday there is something new to see. Especially the Bible study time is very fulfilling, and the conversations are very exciting. Sometimes in the mountains it almost looks like Switzerland!

From Lars :)

Prayer Requests

-        Pray that our team will make the most out of each moment that we have left together

-        Pray for wisdom so that we can implement what we have learnt during our time on OTG

-        Thank the Lord for the amazing memories that we have made and that our final week will be filled with joy and thankfulness

Thank you for praying for us!

Please leave a comment/short note for our team!

Written by Simon (Germany) & Lars (Switzerland) on behalf of the entire OTG Team