Slip and Slide
What’s up family and friends! Was geht Freunde (und Familie)
This past week we attended church for the first time and afterwards we had a great discussion about what church looks like in our different countries. It was really cool to see how even though we are from different parts of the world, church still feels like home. That night we continued to bond as a team by playing the game of spoons (complete with some friendly competition). (Was mich sehr an unser gemeinsames Druag Spielen erinnert @Playgroup). Which reminds me of us playing Durag together back in Germany.
Monday morning in our Bible study we learned about how the law still has an influence on us today and about the importance of the revelation through Jesus. We were challenged to think about what is coming between us and God and how to reconcile our relationship with Him and others around us. As we dig deep into God’s Word together, we continue to see more of what it means to be made in God’s image and as Christian leaders how do we we relate to the world around us. With so much to think about, we went to the beach that afternoon and spent the rest of the day playing volleyball and processing what we had learned that morning in Bible Study.
This week’s outdoor adventure got off to an early start on Tuesday morning. After a long drive we climbed in to the hills where we enjoyed a stunning view of the ocean and a combination of open meadows and rain forests. We were fascinated by the colour of the sea, the size of the trees and the diversity of God’s creation. There was so much to enjoy that someone on the team keeps talking about bringing seeds home and growing a NZ forest in their backyard!
The day ended at a cozy hut where we made hot chocolate, had a great time doing our Bible study as a team and watching a beautiful sunset. We had to keep our shoes and gear inside because there were several wekas (a large, flightless bird that looks like a duck/chicken) wandering around the hut. They love to steal things and had their eyes on our stuff.
The morning greeted us with a beautiful sunrise and a rich time in God’s Word. We had a very good discussion about how God called Moses to lead and how we could face similar challenges as leaders in today’s world. It’s encouraging to see how God provides what is needed to live strong for Him, then and now!
This week we could really feel ourselves really meshing well as a team and growing closer together. We had some moments of storming (like where the track was on the map and whether black is a color or not). Our tramp ended with a team challenge - we ran the last 2.7 km of the track in the rain and learned a lesson about encouraging our teammates and not giving up. Even though we had some slips and slides (Andrin had the looooongest, slow motion fall in OTG history), we all made it to the end under our goal time! AND... Andrin walked away with hardly a scratch!
We are looking forward to our third week on OTG and all that it will bring. Thank you very much for praying for us!
Note from Brooke: Hi from New Zealand!! The last two weeks have been unlike anything I have ever experienced. It feels like I’ve been here forever but at the same time like I’ve been here for two seconds. I’ve been challenged physically, mentally, and spiritually (climbing literal mountains while also climbing spiritual mountains). It’s so challenging but God’s goodness has been evident in every corner and moment. I love the team and even though we have only known each other for a short time, it feels like we’ve been friends forever. I have opened all the letters you sent with me (and I’m looking forward to the ones I have left!). I love you all so much! Give Fletcher a big hug and some extra snuggles from me! :) Much love, Brooke
Note from David: Liebe Freunde, Familie und Playgroup (da ich euch eigentlich schon als eigene Familie zähle), Ich bin sehr gut hier in Neuseeland angekommen und habe eine super gute Zeit . Ganz besonders geniesse ich die vielen lustigen und verbindenden Erfahrungen, die wir alle jetzt schon hier miteinander teilen. Ausserdem geniesse ich sehr die einzige männliche Unterstützung Andrin, den ich jetzt schon sehr in mein Herz geschlossen habe. Ich darf hier jeden Tag in meinem glauben wachsen und vor allem neue Dinge über mich selbst, den Umgang mit anderen und auch den Umgang mit Stress und physischen Herausforderungen lernen. Auch wenn das hier etwas von einer kleinen Familie hat fehlt ihr mir sehr und ich freue mich schon sehr darauf wieder bei euch zu sein. Ganz besonders auf einen guten Kaffee mit einem kleinen Plausch, gemeinsame Traingsessions, kochen für und mit euch, viele weitere Spieleabende, verbindende Gespräche und einfach die Anwesenheit von denen die mir am nächsten stehen. Danke nochmal Mama, dass du mit mir zum Flughafen gefahren bist, das hat mit sehr viel bedeutet. Drückt Yuki und Thani ganz dolle von mir. Ich habe euch alle unglaublich lieb! PS: Der AirTag funktioniert und ihr könnt euch gar nicht vorstellen wie sehr ich mich jedes Mal freue! Euer David/Ded
Translation: Dear family and friends, I arrived safely here in New Zealand and had a pretty good time so far. I really enjoy all our funny and bonding experiences that we already share as a group. Besides that I am so glad for having Andrin as another male contestant on the Team! I recognise that I am able to learn a lot about myself and the people around me, I am able to grow spiritually and that I am learning how to cope with stress and physical challenges. Even though this right here feels like a small family I really miss y’all and I am looking forward to see you again. I am especially looking forward to a good cup of coffee, some chats, some good training sessions, cooking for and with y’all, lots of evenings with boardgames, some good conversations with all the ones I love. By the way thanks mom for accompanying me at the airport that really meant a lot to me. Please give Yuki and Thani a big hug from me. Love y’all! Yours David/Ded
Prayer Requests:
Continued good health and safety
Wisdom as we navigate personal/spiritual growth topics
Patience as we grow and learn to work together as a team
Written by Brooke (United States) & David (Germany) on behalf of the entire OTG Team