Week 2: Uncharted Territory
Kia Ora from New Zealand!
It started out as a rainy week in Sunny Nelson, so the team packed up and headed off on a tramp! Due to bad weather, we had to readjust the schedule and had the opportunity to hike a trail that no other Off the Grid team has ever seen. We started off in a wooded forest, wove in and out of the jungle, found ourselves on the beach, and then scaled the side of a mountain. The last day of the tramp was 25 kilometers! The Abel Tasman coastal track might as well be the 8th Wonder of the World. We were all in good spirits because of the beautiful views and great team comradery.
Picture this. The sun sets on a long day’s walk. A creeping sense of satisfaction begins to rise as the night descends. Yet, something is missing. A clatter of various culinary accoutrements make their voices known as they assemble with an assortment of nutritious ingredients. They join in what is to be the greatest ensemble since the beginning of time.
Presented before us, a grey vessel contains a steaming feast. Our eyes linger over the anticipated delight to come. The first mouthful ignites an inferno of sensation. Tantalising herbal notes dance on our tastebuds. The cheesy sauce envelopes us like a warm embrace. The tender capsicum evokes the feeling of a conversation with an old friend. Pure comfort and familiarity sing out in a chorus. The final mouthful leaves us satiated. Reclining as the motif resonates in our souls. Good grub.
An artistic rendering of the orzo “sink pasta”
The last night in the hut we were able to experience what we call “sink pasta.” There might have been an incident where a couple people were straining pasta and a good third of the pasta fell down the sink. We were so hungry and tired from the hike that we were able to save it (re-boiled for safety) and it ended up being one of the most delicious meals that we have ever experienced.
This week we focused on how to love one another the way that we would most appreciate to receive love. This is a major component of Christian leadership in everyday life. It would not be odd to see a piece of chocolate on your pillow at night, find a note of encouragement among your belongings, or have a few people fighting over who gets to wash your dirty dish. It has been such a fun week serving each other and seeing everyone’s reactions to their treats. It has helped us get to know the team better and seek out opportunities to truly care for one another.
Crossing the estuary at the right time to only get our ankles wet
A team-building exercise on the beach - we barely made it across the treacherous terrain but had several laughs along the way
Tramp finish
In our Bible study, the topic of sacrifice was one that stuck with us. We had many discussions around the significance of animal sacrifices in the Old Testament and the foreshadowing of Jesus’ death in the New Testament. Our realisation is that the Old Testament sacrifices were many and temporary, while Jesus’ ultimate sacrifice is singular and permanent! This is intense discipleship training that reveals truths in God’s Word.
An early sunrise right around the corner from Basecamp
The team that woke up early to see the sunrise right around the corner from Basecamp (Joelle was wisely catching some extra sleep)
We were told many times by the leaders that it was rare to have the Abel Tasman coastal trail to ourselves (well, basically- we said hi to a couple other hikers along the way). The team appreciated the beauty and quiet of the trail, and it was a blessing to be able to experience it together. Consider the territory now charted by OTG NZ!
It has been difficult adjusting to losing a teammate, but we are happy to welcome Ricky (a familiar face to the Off the Grid program) as he joins the leadership team for the next four weeks.
Prayer requests:
-Please continue to pray for peace for our teammate that left us last week
-Continued unity as a team
-Strength and encouragement as we continue our adventures tramping!
Written by Josh (New Zealand) and Joelle (USA) on behalf of the entire Off The GRID Team.
