First week here in New Zealand

Wow, it's hard to believe I've been here in New Zealand for a whole week already!

We've been busy this week settling in and getting oriented to life here at YWAM. God has brought together a wonderful group of people from all over the world for our school. We have students from New Zealand, Germany, Malasia, Holland, Denmark, Africa, and two of us are from the U.S. We have spent this week learning about each other, sharing our testimonies, and getting to know one another and our staff. We are already becoming like family as we live in community together here. We are also enjoying getting to know the younger students that are here doing an Around The World In 80 Days DTS.

After all the students arrived last Sunday, the staff put on a Welcome Party and barbeque for us. The staff shared about the history of the Oxford base and where each of them were from, and where they did their DTS. The base facilities here are really nice with beautiful grounds and views of the mtns. We have some good cooks here too...the food is great and quite healthy!
The scenery is absolutely beautiful in Oxford, and life goes at a much slower pace in this small farming community. The locals live a much simpler life, and It's a little like stepping back in time here at the farmhouse that 11 of us students are staying at. Our hosts, Nigel and Josie are very kind and have made us feel quite at home. I think I could get used to this way of life quite easily....except for the lack of central heating! My "hottie", as they call it, that warms my bed is quickly becoming my best friend on the cold nights here!

After orientation for the first few days, we had our first ministry opportunity to go into New Brighton, an area that was affected by the earthquake near Christchurch, to help out a local church that some of our staff attend with the relief effort, distributing food and water and visiting people who's homes were damaged to offer any help we could. It was quite sobbering to see all the damage and devastation the earthquake has caused to this city! All of the staff for our school and many of the students, including my roomate, are locals from Oxford and Christchurch, so the earthquake has had a great impact on many lives here at YWAM! I'm sure we will have many more opportunities to go serve in the city as the months go on.

I'm looking forward to what God has in store as classes begin this week!