Update

From New Zealand With Love

An update of Sorts...

Where in the world are we?

Greetings from New Zealand, the “Land of the long white cloud”!  We are currently on the middle of the north island, enjoying our second weekend off since our DTS started.  It seems like we have entered the Garden of Eden with the lush green colors, birds song in the morning, sunrises over our two favorite trees on the neighboring hilltop out our window, and stars shining so bright at night since we don’t have any street lights for miles...our driveway is a cattle road, and our nearest neighbors are pigs and bulls, and hills speckled in white sheep.

The view outside our window

Some new additions to the neighborhood

Standing on top of One Tree Hill in Auckland

How did we get here?

As I’m sitting here typing under the shade of a bright green palm, a tiny yellowish brown colored leaf fell through the air, landing directly on my keyboard.  Its autumn here, and this leaf reminds me, but in my mind it feels like we should be entering spring like everyone at home is.   We have just celebrated our “one year anniversary” and already we have experienced spring, summer, winter, autumn, winter, summer, and now back into autumn....all in just 12 months.  It has been a full year!  It seems impossible that so many seasons can pile into this short time, but it has.  Those 12 months have been rich with a myriad of experiences and precious memories, and  Adam and I have felt so blessed and supported by our community in living the covenant that we declared not so long ago.

Since we have been married, we have been on the journey of re-discovering who we are, and who God has made us to be.  All the while, realizing that in order to fully engage in what we feel God calling us to do, we needed to get strategic in making steps towards the dreams in our hearts.   Practically, this has meant a lot of work.  Adam and I spent the first three quarters of our married year working extended hours, and living simply.  We have also spent a lot of time learning to communicate and listening to each other.  This has been in the midst of working full time and being diagnosed with skin cancer, ongoing recovery with an auto collision, family health challenges and transitioning towards this “Young Couples” DTS in New Zealand.  It feels so good to be half way through our DTS now, and to be able to look back on the journey, see God’s faithfulness through each step, and to look forward with hope for this next beautiful year.

Couples and Adventure DTS together

Bethany helps one of our woolly neighbors with a haircut

A picnic in paradise

Why are we here?

When Bethany and I announced that we were going to do a Discipleship Training School with Youth With A Mission a common response from many was “So your going to lead a school?” We then would clarify “...no, actually we are going as students...”

Often when people think of YWAM, pictures of recent highschool graduates doing short term missions come to mind. Many of you know that Bethany and I have already experienced many short/mid term trips. So, logically, it makes sense that you would see us stepping into something long term and international. 

Before we got married each of us were considering long term missions possibilities. One of the first things that attracted us to each other was that we could see one another  serving Jesus in the least reached places. In coming together we have realized that the many who serve in these contexts face a continual attack on unity in their teams and in their marriages. From the beginning, Bethany and I have realized the

importance of starting with a strong foundation. This truth has been displayed as we have sought advice and observed this in you, our friends and family.

In early June, Bethany and I were looking at our options and it became clear that a Young Couples DTS was the next step needing for us to grow and solidify our foundations.

Bethany writing after lectures

Adam taking a leap!

Date nights were a weekly event!

What are we doing?

The first three months have been great and challenging. We have joined 5 other couples from Sweden, Switzerland, and New Zealand (4 languages) to listen to speakers from all over the world who have been serving in missions for many years. 

Bethany and I have truly enjoyed living in this international setting. More than listening to lectures we have found ourselves growing from times of prayer, stretching from community living, volunteering in community projects, and partnering with the small one room - white steepled church in the country.

Right now we are gearing up for an outreach that will start on May 15. We are headed to Tasmania and then Samoa. As we shift into a different mode, Bethany and I are excited to see new places and meet new people. We are also looking forward to making some amazing memories as we serve with our friends and team mates.

Sunrise over our favourite two trees

Adam hanging out with Sonny, the base mechanic and all around good guy

Garden harvest!!

What is next?

God, has been doing new things in us! And as we have been working together as a couple to strengthen our foundations to build a family on, we have found ourselves with child!!! The reality of a family is here! Lately, Bethany has been knitting, and it is great to think of our loving Creator knitting a beautiful baby inside of her.