I'm currently enjoying the final days of 2009. Hell of a year it was. God continued to to open my eyes and reveal his future plans for me. The journey started only one week into January 2009. My best mate, Mark, invites me to work with his youth ministry, at a Brethren church in Auckland, NZ. After much thought, I decided to fly out, only one week following Christmas.
I was welcomed at the Auckland international Airport with a huge hug from Marko, along with Pastor Peter Brookes and another mate to be, Jono King. I hadn't really considered or anticipated how things would go. Though I did expect New Zealand to be similar to my Aussie experience, a year prior.
Mark and I encountered law enforcement. The two of us were walking home, after he had lost his car keys at his girlfriends (Sarah) house. At one part we had to travel the highway. As we were walking, eating our licorice and sinking our ginger beer, minding our own business, a cop car pulled in behind us. This copper was quick to point out that we could easily be fined $250 a pop for walking down the motorway. We claimed ignorance and I guess sweet talked our way out of the fine. We explained to the cop that walking down the motorway in Canada, was a common occurrence and that the only thing people really had to worry about was getting 'eaten by a moose' or 'slapped by a beaver tail'. Seven months later we were broadcasted on New Zealand hit television show, "Motorway Patrol".
So, I accepted the role of youth intern, at Lincoln Road Bible Chapel. Being only a part time position though, I needed to find some other things to keep me occupied. Mark introduced me with the thought of applying for a student visa and to enroll in some study. In early February I began studying at Pathways Bible College. Half of my study required a practical component. With my position a Lincoln Road, things were starting to make sense. Finally, after three months of perseverance, x-rays, emails and phone calls, New Zealand Immigration granted me a student visa.
After a couple weeks of house sitting in January, for a couple from church, Mark and I were in need of some accommodation. We landed a one bedroom apartment attached do an older couples house. The location was prime - only a 10 minute walk from Church and 5 minutes from the grocery store. The price was right at $100 a week. There were pros and cons though.. Being a one bedroom place, I had to settle for the couch. Mark and I flipped a coin for the Queen size bed. No running water, would result in us doing our dishes in the shower. Our landlords were vacationing in Asia for the better part of 2 months, which gave us the freedom to use their kitchen and other resources. We had a pool behind us, where the youth from church would regularly swim in. There were also lemon trees in the backyard that I greatly benefited from. Rather then buying store bought juice, I made fresh lemon aid. I can't forget to tell you about our other room mate. Imported from Romania, Denisa was a mid 30's cop, who had been making NZ her home for 7 years. She was a bit moody, but none the less, a beauty.
In late January, we got some late Christmas presents. Mark's brother Jason, along with his girlfriend at the time, Christine flew in, after been refused entry at the US boarder. Also on their flight, was an american bloke and traveling nurse, named Brenton. Brenton had worked with Mark's fiancee in California. Sarah's best mate, Amanda, had also flew in, in early January. Aside from the fact she was a Red Wings fan, she was a pretty sweet chick.
Nearly three months into my Kiwi adventure, we would be forced to to find new accommodation. Our landlord's daughter needed a place to live, so we would inevitably get the boot. Late April would see us move to to Te Atatu Peninsula. We landed the bottom half of a house from a recently divorced women, named Rochelle. The rent was $25 more expensive, not to mention it was further from work. Though we did have running water, clementine trees, and I had my own bedroom! I would also sneak out for midnight runs, raiding the neighbors of their citrus trees (lemons, limes, grapefruit, mandarins, and clementines). The view of Auckland city was priceless, from the main road of our house. It was the perfect set-up. We thoroughly enjoyed our stay there, aside from the final night we departed. Our land-lord refused to hand over our bond. This made things very difficult for Mark and I, as we were both tight for cash. Rochelle was some how convinced she had cut us 3 keys to the house. I don't know why she would even think that, as it was only Mark and I. There was no need to have more than 2 keys. After some choice words and a threat of calling the cops, she finally handed over the money that was owed.
The distance work to our new place was not exactly walkable. This would create a problem for my 5 a.m. Saturday shifts. Fortunately, God would come through in the clutch. A Korean family from church were not able to renew their immigration status, which in turn forced them to move back to Korea. Like that family from "The Sound of Music", they basically had to leave a lot of their belongings behind. So one Sunday at Church, just weeks before their departure, they handed me over their car. Its not everyday someone hands you over a free car. As great as it was to inherit a gift of this nature; it would have also been unethical of me to drive it. Especially considering I was not legal to drive back in Canada. Still, I wasn't about to squander God's blessing. So, I proceeded to drive the vehicle for the next 3 months. By God's grace, I only managed one flat tire. Towards the end of NZ chapter, I sold my car to a bloke from church for $750. This helped to pay off the remaining balance of my ticket to NZ.
It wouldn't be far to write this blog with out including a shout out to the friends I made 'down under' and old mates. Thanks.. Mark, Jono, Brenton, Christine, Sarah S, Amanda, Jason, Sarah L, Chris, Rachy, Andrew Cox, Peter Brookes,Grant, LIFE youth group, the boys from Pac n' save, Pathways faculty and students.
It was sometime in May the I had one of the greatest God changing experiencing of my life. Mark and I planned a exploration trip to the Kingdom of Tonga. This small Polynesian island was south of Fiji and Samoa. It was my first encounter in a third world nation. Though Mark and I only spent only 5 days/6 nights there, I felt this was only the beginning in terms of experiencing this kind of culture. The two of us checked into out beach resort on monday at noon time. I immediately hit up the nearby ocean. I lurked the beach of coral and shells as Mark would eventually go for a surf. After a long walk down the coast I was greeted by a small Tongan boy. He presented me with a straw in coconut, with the words 'Merry Christmas'. Everyday in Tonga was an adventure. It refreshed me of the western ways I was so accustom to. Some other highlights from Tonga include, snorkeling, the town market in Nuku'alofa, friends we met as the resort, and the locals. I'll be back...
Everything wasn't peaches and cream during my 7 month stint overseas. In April I got word that my sister had experienced a couple of mild seizers. This left me in tears, being to far way, and feeling helpless. Two months later, via skype, my parents gave me the news that dad had been diagnosed with cancer. Upon hearing the news, I wasn't really bothered or concerned. Over recent years, my dad had become the epitome of perseverance. He was a poster-boy for over coming crazy things. I just couldn't see God taking him. I had a strong feeling everything was going to be alright. This feeling didn't stop me from planning a departure home. The church was incredibly sensitive to my condition. They encouraged me through prayer, finances and visitations. My personal mentor (Peter Brookes) was especially essential to this time in my life. His calming presence, spiritual maturity and friendship were particularly helpful. I learnt so much from working at this church and I thank God for providentially placing me there for this season of my life. The church was also helpful in temporarily loaning me the finances to fly home.
In mid July I began Journey home. This included a brief homecoming in Australia. It had been over a year since I had seen my Aussie mates. I scheduled my flight so that I would have a long weekend in Australia, followed by a final series of flights home. A long weekend Australia would turn out to be nearly one month spent on the central coast. Some how I had read my itinerary incorrectly, and missed the flight. In the process loosing the value of my plane ticket. These were the circumstances: I was packing $100 emergency money in my wallet. I was unable to work, as I had previously used up my working visa. People at home were convinced I had purposely missed my flight to extend my travels. I could totally understand their theory, as I huge love for Australia and the incredible mates (Maher, BB, Tri, Wade, Pip, Glenn, the Rae's, the Bodamer's.....) residing there. Thank God, one of buddies from back in Canada lent me $700 to buy a new ticket home.
Finally got home in mid august. I had 3 weeks to come up with a plan for the fall. Working some dead end jobs and living at home, wasn't an option. I considered continuing some study. Briercrest bible college (Saskatchewan) and Bethany bible college (New Brunswick) were my options. I choose Bethany, as it was conveniently closer to home. I was also somewhat dating a girl at the time, so it made sense to stay in the province. Home sweet home.
In one day, 2010 will arrive. Hopefully it will be as sweet as this past year.
I inspired this? My dear this blog kicks my blogs ass. This is the bomb diggity.
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