New Zealand Flash Backs

In just a matter of hours, we will board a plane and head back to the states leaving what I now believe is the closest thing to Heaven on Earth behind. I was doing fine with liking New Zealand and walking away until yesterday as we drove around and explored the Firth of Thames and Coromandel. A friend of mine told me today that there should be a sign before you drive towards Coromandel that says, “WARNING: If you haven’t fallen in love with New Zealand yet, you will once you visit Coromandel.”

So, as I drink some Frank Ginger Beer next to a drying rack of clothes in a beautiful house nestled in a paddock, my thoughts begin to swarm as I take a minute to reflect on what I have seen and experienced here in truly God’s country.

1.    I will return.

For real. No doubt. Without question. I might even get a real job or find a real trade so I can move to New Zealand and at least retire there. Or invest in the lottery to make it happen sooner. This isn’t a case of “I fell in love with a vacation…”  I’m not sure what it is yet. But I know without a doubt, it’s not 1st visit buzz.

2.    When Jesus sent us out to the farthest ends of the earth to share the Good News – New Zealand is as far away from Israel as you can get… that still has people inhabitants.

3.    The English language gets even more complex when you cross the International Date Line.

Things I will probably fold in to my currently vernacular:
i.    Have a go
ii.    My Shout
iii.    Get your life right
iv.    Good Onya
v.    Jandals
vi.    Beasts
vii.    Hard Case
viii.    He’s wrapped

4.    I’ve never been referred to as a “details person” until this trip.

I helped Keith coordinate some things and maybe a tour… I think I’m pretty good at coordinating things, but details? Let’s not jump ahead now, Keith. My friends who really are details people know that I’m really not… I’m sure they have plenty of stories!

5.    The healing property of the ocean increases when you realize that it’s an hour’s drive in any direction to the ocean. When I come back, days will be budgeted to sit and stare.

6.    Last couple of months, I’ve been working/wrestling with “what’s next?” Not sure what is was about NZed, but only yesterday I began to feel the “push” of home and what’s next… without any real answer. (See observation 1)

7.    The Church as a whole is in a pivotal place in New Zealand.

It could quickly go the way of “big” churches and get caught up in ridiculous traditions and politics or just as fast become an example to the rest of the world about how to truly be a light in a very dark, apathetic place. American missionaries – I put this on you. Don’t let the Followers in NZ fall into the same traps. Model/Teach/discuss the way it SHOULD be done. Please don’t force them into the way church is done in the states.

8.    There are NO SNAKES, or Poisonous spiders in New Zealand. (well there might be a white tailed spider, but it’s from OZ (Australia) so the kiwis say that doesn’t count.) I think it’s a clear indication that it’s God’s country.

9.    People are People are People.

10.     The Body of Christ is an amazing thing.

One of my favorite moments from this trip came within the first couple of days at the convention. There was an outdoor communion happening as sort of a good bye communion and one of the Fijian churches began to sing hymns in Fijian. Towards the end, they sang How Marvelous. As I tried to position myself to get a shot on video, here’s what I heard Fijian words – then repositioned to a group of Tongans singing it in their native tongue, then walked by the Americans, then the Europeans. I stood back and watched completely caught up in the moment of The Body united. So caught up that I didn’t get any video… Probably because this is something that you will just have to come over and experience for yourself one day or just wait until we’re all rockin’ in heaven.

This has no doubt been the trip of a lifetime, with great stories and memories and connections. I am so grateful for the,

“Want to go to New Zealand?” call from Keith in February. Thanks dude for an amazing 17 days of ministry, vision and crazy fun.

I’m honored that one phone call turned into all of this.