Facts and Differences

Emily looking out over the lake.

This week concluded orientation. On Friday, we did a full out day at the ABS lodge situated on a lake with lush jungle around it. We went on a walk and then made up activities among our family groups that we're assigned to. After that, I talked with various people for several hours before dinner and hokey pokey ice cream. Hokey Pokey ice cream is the best ice cream. I love it! It's like vanilla with bits of crunchy caramel mixed in. 

Every week, I find out more and more about people and I love it! I've talked to everyone in more than just a hi and bye manner and it's amazing to hear about the way God's brought them here. 

Politics have been brought up numerous times since I've been here. Mostly the Canadians who ask what we think about Trump and then say all that they think from a Canadian view point. Very interesting!

Last night, Elise (dutch), Rahel (german) and I made dutch pancakes for all 30-40 of us! It was quite the experience! We ladled them out on pans and flipped and flipped and flipped!

Differences:
Here in New Zealand, everything is Kilometers and Meters and Celsius. The money exchange rate is different and the hot sink handle is on the right side not the left. Public restrooms never have toilet seat covers. Drive on the left side of the road - not the right. Police Cars are checkered blue and yellow - think taxi? Flowers bloom even in winter and we have resident ducks with 8 tiny ducklings. Gas prices here are about $7-8 american dollars. Gas is expensive! Weather can never make up its mind here. Sun, then rain, cold, then hot - all day long. Makes for an interesting wardrobe:) 

A little taste of Capernwray in NZ

Kia Ora from Capernwray! How you pronounce the Maori greeting is - kiora. I've learned a lot already this past week. How New Zealanders say "dodgy" about a not so upright person and how people from the Netherlands always put chocolate sprinkles that come in a box just special for on top of toast. How Germans say "toast" for a slice of bread with a meal even at dinner and even though it's not toasted. Here in Capernwray, there are 29 students all from various countries. For America, we have two Virginians, two Washingtonians, two Oregonians, an Indianian, and a married couple from Oklahoma. There are quite a lot of Canadians here, mostly from B.C. or Alberta. We also have 2 or 3 Kiwis and 2 girls from the Netherlands. Then we have 5 Germans as well. Plus an Austrian. Yes, we are a diverse group but all of us are here to learn more about God. 

For our schedule, we have 4 meals a day: Breakfast, Morning Tea, Lunch, and Dinner. Lectures are in the morning and then we have free time to study in the afternoons. Assignments are due every week. Right now I'm trying to put a 45 minute Bible study together. Yes, that long!

Yesterday, we went on a hike to a gorge - I forgot the name. It was an old mining camp and so they had the tracks laid out and mining shafts to explore where glow worms hung from the ceiling. What surprised me was how tiny they were. Just little specks of fluorescent green! 

Swinging Bridges from one side of the gorge to another. Max 10 people!

Greetings from Auckland!

Tired but joyful greetings from Auckland, NZ! I officially arrived in New Zealand after a 24 hour trip from the time I woke to go to the airport to finally getting into a hotel and crashing for the night. I am a day ahead but 5 hours behind you. So if I wake up tomorrow at 6 am on Sunday, it will be 11 am Saturday pacific nw time!
   Today I went with the family I traveled with up north two hours to explore a farmers market and waterfall. It was sunny when we left but the trip turned into a downpour! Still it was exciting to see the landscape which is surprisingly very much jungle type. I tried to put photos on here but they turned out super large on this I-phone I’m writing on. When I get to Capernwray on Monday, I’ll be getting my computer out and then hopefully I’ll post some photos:)
   Tomorrow we head over to Hobbiton which is half an hour away from Capernwray and then we are going to a traditional Maori dinner!
   Good night!