Caroline is coming!

A couple of weeks back I was talking to a friend about my Guatemalan trip. I then suggested that she come along. After a bit of thought and research...she has decided to join me!!

Caroline is a dear friend of mine! We first met as awkward 13 year olds at Putaruru High School and have been friends ever since we found out we shared our same favourite piano teacher! I am so looking foward to going on this adventure together! A bonus is that Caroline knows Spanish as she did an exchange in Paraguay for a year. She is going to be my lifesaver!

That is my big exciting news for today! It was really hard to study today, too many exciting things are happening!

What if NZ got as excited about Jesus as it did for the All Blacks?

Standing among thousands of people in Queen St soon after the All Blacks victory on Sunday night was a powerful experience. Everyone was celebrating (minus a few French supporters) in good spirits the success of the All Blacks. I have never been among that many people all celebrating the same cause.

It got me thinking. What would it look like if NZ was as into Jesus as they were into rugby? What would it look like for Queen street to be overflowing with people shouting out "Jesus" rather than "All Blacks".

Would NZ society look different? You would hope so! But in what ways?

I personally have never shouted and screamed as much as I did during the final match. To the point where I was told to be quiet! Have I ever been told to be quiet because of my excitement for Jesus?

I am not trying to get pedantic about these little points, but it is interesting to think about.

I recall hearing a sermon where the speaker challenged us about our excitment for sport. He was not against it at all, I believe he too was a sports fan. But he challenged the excitement we got while watching a rugby match on a saturday in comparison to us then quietly standing in the pews while worshiping God the next day at church. That is something that has really stuck with me.

What a revival NZ would have to go through for there to be as much excitment for Jesus as there is for rugby. It scares me when I hear statistics about the decline of Christianity in NZ. Only recently I read that if Christianity keeps on declining at the rate it is, in 30 years time there will be no Christianity in NZ. What would that look like?

I love rugby, I really do. I also love Jesus and I want this to be more evident than anything else in my life.

These are just some thoughts that I have been wrestling with these past few days. Feel free to post comments - I would love to hear your thoughts on this!

Preparation

I am starting to cross off a few things on my list that I need to get done before departing. I wish I could say assignments (still have 2 to complete), but other things are more fun!

Went shopping with Miri today and got a few Guatemalan appropriate clothes. I had already been shopping 3 times already and had not found what I was looking for so I am glad to have finally made some purchases.

On Thursday morning I met a dear lady Helen in town for coffee. She has previously worked in various parts of central America doing missionary work. She is also a friend of the Falconers, so it was nice to have that connection. It was very interesting to just hear a few of Helen's experiences from over the years. It has started to get me excited about what awaits me!

A couple of days ago I found out that there has been some deadly floods in Guatemala. It is quite close to Guatemala City (where I will be living) but thankfully the Falconers are not in any immediate danger as such. But we can pray together for the people that the floods are affecting!

On completely other matters....the rugby world cup is tomorrow night! I am so excited! It has been such a fun few months watching rugby games and getting into the spirit of the rugby world cup! Am going to head into Auckland City tomorrow night with the flatties to get amongst it! But before that happens I need to complete at least one of my assignments so I really should get onto it...

Photos seem to make a blog more readable! This photo is of me at an apple orchard in Minnesota about 3 years ago. I love Fall (Autumn) in Minnesota!

Antigua

This is a photo of the cutest little city called Antigua. I visited this place when I was last in Guatemala and fell in love with this city! The colors of the buildings are so bright and beautiful and there are cute little market places.

I am definitely going to go back and visit Antigua! My friend Andres said he will take me there and I will hold him to it!

The Guate's

A good friend of mine has re-named Guatemala the Guate's. Yes I know it does sound something like the runs, but it kind of is sticking. In 34 days I will be there! Wow!!

 

Just over 3 weeks til I depart for the US. Going through a list of things I need to pack today and trying to start sorting out my room. What is great is that my dear friend Nina is going to be staying in my room at my flat while I am away. This means I get to keep my place in my flat which is so good. Can't imagine having to leave the greatest flatties in the world! I am so looking foward to seeing Nina in 12 sleeps too! What a blessed year I have had that I get to see her twice!

My spanish is still useless, maybe its because I am not practising.....3 assignments were completed this week! 2 more to go and then its exams! The next 3 weeks are going to be pretty crazy I am thinkng!

Not much new to report. Just thought I better update my blog to get in the habit of doing so before I leave.

 

                                                  Nina and I on her birthday this year!