Hey All,
Well here I am writing again, so that obviously means I survived the Abel Tasman… barely. The Abel Tasman was filled with beautiful jungle and beaches, awesome campsites each with toilets, and amazing views that can only be taken in by ones own eyes… and yes we always learn lessons through these experiences… mine was… April likes hiking, for a few hours…. but not for 4 freaking days! But I survived, it was a journey and a great growing experience, I learned that for four days i could have survived with only 2 t-shirts and a pair of shorts and I would have been set; I learned that there is no need for extra clothing because if you'll most likely be sweating enough while your hiking that there isn't going to be a chance to actually wear a sweater; and I also learned not to take advice from people you pass by because they'll only get your hopes up because they have no idea what they are talking about…. "Oh you're going to Watering Cove? Well its flat then down hill from there…" 20 minutes later… April "They freaking lied!!! Oh all down hill eh?! Well now I'm climbing a freaking mountain! I feel like going back and telling them that they are terrible people and ask them if they know where liars go!" However Katie was there to save the day and reminded me that I'd only have to climb the steep hill again… So I let it go… This time. On day three Katie and I took a water taxi from Bark Bay to Awaroa Beach. We had to take the taxi because my ankle wasn't holding up to well and had become more swollen that it already was to begin with. The water taxi was great fun! We went really fast over big ocean waves, and then they took us quietly to Tonga Island which was in the middle of the marine reserve and we got to see a colony of seals and baby seal pups!!! They were adorable! The last of the four days was an easy 2 hour hike, but we decided half way to stay at a beach and go for a swim. When we did finish the plan was to hitch hike back in groups to Takaka… Well there we were walking up a mountain getting passed by vehicle after vehicle… I was always told that hitch hiking in New Zealand was so easy, well not so much for me. I made up for the loss of Kms from the third day when Katie and I took the water taxi by that hitch hiking experience. I think we walked for over 3 hours. Not too sure though. We were very tired and you can probably guess what kind of mood I was in. On the bright side we did eventually get picked up and made it back to Takaka in time for some dinner, and I can say I finished the Abel Tasman.
Side Story.
The Life of my Canon Camera.
My Camera has lived a good long life of 7 years, living through many events some tragic some not so much. He has survived being dropped many of times on the pavement of Forest Grove Community Church parking lot while taking pictures during the days of Youth Group. He has seen many Christmas's and Birthdays, as well as many family vacations. He has gone to Nicaragua on a Missions Trip, held in the hand of many orphan children, and fallen on to, only to have his lends bent 45 degrees downward, then snapped back the opposite way to be put back in place. And still he lived on. He's been flung, and tossed, from one accident to another and yet he chose to keep pressing on. When his life came to an end he did it in a heroic way. I was climbing a bolder that was on the shore of a beautiful ocean of Water Cove, when he jumped out from the pocket of my shorts landing on the bolder then plunging into the ocean. In great remorse I leaped into the ocean after him, picked him up with caring gentle hands and knew the day had finally come. I opened him up and took out his memory card, which was all that could be saved. Here ends the days of my Amazing Cannon Camera, who will never be forgotten.
Back on track…
We are not at Hang Dog campsite where all the hippies and climbers come from all over the world. It is a very chill and friendly atmosphere, right by some of the greatest spots in all of New Zealand for climbing, and by a riving with spots to jump from and a rope to swing off of. Joanna and Nate (friends from base) came up here for a few days to hang out and visit us! It was so awesome to see some familiar faces and talk with again. We've done quite a bit of climbing, I've learned how to belay for lead climbing, and how to lead climb!!It was really awesome!! The weather while being here has been the same as the Abel which has been absolutely beautiful, sunny skies and lots of heat! (Yes mom i have been wearing my sunscreen) There are lots of friendly people here, and we are excited to see what God has in store for us, especially in this new age atmosphere.
Side Story 2.
Many of you know that recently I've taken a big interest in a activity called slacklining. If you don't know what it is, look it up on youtube, it'll take too long to explain. Anyways, since I first heard about Hang Dog, there was one thing that I greatly look forward to and that was Slacklining over water! Yup let me describe this scene for you, two cliffs with a slack line between at about 6 to 8ft above the deep river flowing underneath, concluded with a hot sun blazing down making it feel like 25C. When we first got here (Hang Dog) the slackline wasn't up, and i was greatly disappointed thinking my dreams would never come true, but here on our 4th day the did. Now some of you may think that since I am able to walk back and forth on a slackline above ground no problem that it'd be the same as over top of the river, well not so much. Over water it's like learning the sport all over again… so there I was trying again and again just to be able to leave the edge and take a few steps. Unfortunately I learn to fall over and over again, and I soon learned that falling sometimes includes some pain… and in my case… a good dose of pain. I had decided that since I am able to stand up from a kneeling position over ground that I should be able to do that to get up on to the line. Well I succeeded getting up, however my feet were still wet from the fall before and my feet slipped from underneath me… Unfortunately I fell on to the line with it going in between my legs; then scared of doing a face plant onto it, i grabbed the line and braced it against my chest so that my face was protected (very fortunate), then my feet and legs flipped over my head; and then finally I let go. So today I face massive bruises all along the inside of my legs, which are quite tender when wearing a harness for rock climbing. Ohwell, no pain no game right?
The count down to Fiji has already begun… with less than a week left in New Zealand, we are getting super amped about beginning ministry in Fiji! Oh, by the way, I have do have a tan, and I am starting to tan on my legs! Boo Yeah! And all y'all thought it'd never happen, but it has!!! So going to Fiji is only going to add to my beautiful skin colour hahaha! We are going to spend our First week in Suva doing traditional ministry, how that is going to look, we are not sure yet, but I'll let you know as soon as I know. The next week, we will be traveling through the Yasawa Islands, jumping from island to island as most backpackers do in Fiji. The last week in Fiji will be geared towards backpackers in Pacific Harbour/ doing debrief at Mango Bay. Then after that we will be flying back to New Zealand for one last week with the entire family for school debrief.
Outreach is only half over, but it feels like everything is coming close to an end, please be praying for us as we head out on a new part of our journey, and as well for prepairing our hearts as it all comes to an end. See you all soon!!
Much Love and Blessings,
April
ps. Mom Ill call you before i leave for Fiji (22nd)
