Week 6: Next Steps!
Kia Ora from New Zealand!
We cannot believe it is our last day on Off The GRID! Time has flown by so quickly, but we have learned to appreciate every moment with each other. As four of us reflect, while Artie bounces off the walls, we wanted to share about some things we have come to know about ourselves and some encouragement for the next team!
This week we focused on what our steps after the program could look like. The team really wants to implement what we have learned during these 40 days of discipleship & leadership training and show how we have grown in all areas of our life. For some of us, we will head off to university, start a life of missions in a foreign country, continue to serve in New Zealand, travel the world, and the most exciting one…see where God leads us! (Some of do not know exactly what awaits us).
Making a new friend along the way
A cow telling us to mooove
Hallum (Australia):
Q: Where are you at right now?
A: I’m at a place where I feel that I need to act on the things that God is calling me to do. And continue to be uncomfortable in order to rely on him.
Q: What is the most surprising thing you’ve learned about yourself here?
A: That I need a community of people to share with in order to get the most out of myself and my relationship with God.
Q: What has been your biggest obstacle?
A: Getting to a point where I felt comfortable sharing within the group and opening up emotionally and spiritually.
Q: Advice for the next team!
A: Don’t be afraid of the unknown, whether that be the physical or team aspects of OTG- or in your walk with God.
Hallum teaching on suffering for being a Christian and having our faith tested)
Artie (USA):
Q: Where are you at right now?
A: I am at a place where I have built a solid foundation with my faith. I am ready to go out into the world and build upon that foundation!
Q: What I the most surprising thing you’ve learned about yourself here?
A: That community is extremely important to me, and that the people around me help challenge me in my walk with God.
Q: What has been your biggest obstacle?
A: Preparing myself for the work that needs to be done to transform myself into the man that God wants me to become.
Q: Advice for the next team!
A: Enjoy every moment! (whether it be good or bad), seek a deep relationship with one another, and embrace the NOW!
The boys on a hike
Thirza (Switzerland):
Q: Where are you at right now?
A: I am very motivated to apply the things I’ve learned here back at home. For example, to share with my small group, friends, and family. I am excited to get started!
Q: What I the most surprising thing you’ve learned about yourself here?
A: We did a lot of personal assessments about our personalities and character. They helped put familiar concepts and ideas into words that helped me understand myself better. As well, I was surprised by how the team clicked so well and how the group challenged me along the way.
Q: What has been your biggest obstacle?
A: Myself. I stand in my way sometimes. I limit myself when I know that I have more potential.
Q: Advice for the next team!
A: You will learn a bunch whether you want to or not- there are so many unexpected things! Just get in the ‘wan’ (van) and go along for the ride!
Jumping for joy!
Josh (New Zealand):
Q: Where are you at right now?
A: Excited for what’s to come!
Q: What I the most surprising thing you’ve learned about yourself here?
A: Humility- I learned that I need to humble myself.
Q: What has been your biggest obstacle?
A: Managing time- It was difficult to find the balance between investing in others and investing in personal development.
Q: Advice for the next team!
A: Write everything down! You only get back what you put in, so invest deeply.
Joelle (USA):
Q: Where are you at right now?
A: I have been reflecting a lot. I am trying to hold on to and remember all the little moments and all the massive things that I have learned. How will it all look like when I go back home? Will my friends and family notice a difference in the way that I speak or live?
Q: What I the most surprising thing you’ve learned about yourself here?
A: That I can do hard things! I am so much more capable than I realize, and I need to push my boundaries so that I can experience and help others with my greatest potential.
Q: What has been your biggest obstacle?
A: Getting up those mountains! My team was so supportive along every (literal) step of the way, and we always had a big celebration once we all got to the top. I could not have asked for a better team. They cheered me on from the first tramp to the last.
Q: Advice for the next team!
A: Take lots of appreciation moments! (Thanks, Thirza, for introducing them). Appreciate the little things like washing dishes together to the massive things like summiting a mountain. Every view is special and every conversation with these guys is a blessing.
On top of Mt. Isobel
It has been such a fun journey to grow together as a team, and we cannot wait for what is to come! Thank you to our leaders for supporting us, and our friends and family for praying for us along way. Time to go out and make disciples!
Chaotic family photo
Prayer Requests:
· For our re-entry back home, that we can implement what we have learned here
· Safe travels in the weeks ahead
· For the next OTG team as they prepare for their own journey to NZ in October
Written by Joelle (USA) & Artie (USA) on behalf of the entire Off The GRID Team