There and Back Again

The journey to Wellington began bright and early on Sunday morning. We packed our belongings, lunches, and bodies into the vans, and headed to Picton for the ferry. Everyone got creative with keeping themselves busy during our 3-4 hour ferry ride to Wellington. The scenery was absolutely breathtaking. Many of us were able to see lots of new species of birds, including a white capped mollymawk (type of medium-sized albatross).

Top left: Students doing the "cool guy stretch" after our 2 hour car ride to Picton. Bottom left and right: Students and staff invented games to pass the time, including the exciting "hop on the yellow markers" game.

Upon arriving in Wellington, we were welcomed to the marae named Te Kakano o Te Aroha. We split up into two groups to attend two different church services that evening. Everyone thought the worship and sermons were great from the services they attended and were delighted to see how many young adults were in attendance. 

We had speakers come to the marae and also traveled into Wellington and around Lower Hutt to hear from individuals involved in local community development efforts. Everyone enjoyed visiting Billy Graham's boxing gym, where local boys are able to have free boxing lessons, form relationships, and build character. A few other noteworthy visits were with Ray Wallace, the mayor of Lower Hutt, to Te Papa, the national museum, and a tour of parliament, known as "The Beehive." Students also had time to explore the city of Wellington in smaller groups.

Midway through the week, students had an overnight experience with Urban Vision. They were split into smaller groups and distributed amongst various houses and flats that are part of the order. The community living experience and mission of this group left them all wanting more, and really left an impression on the students.

Top Left: Our group at Billy Graham's boxing gym in Naenae. Top Right: We visited the roastery for the fair trade coffee company named Peoples Coffee. Bottom Left: Tea time with Lower Hutt City mayor Ray Wallace. Bottom Right: While exploring Wellington, students were drawn in to the action of the Rugby World Cup sculpture.

On Thursday morning, we all headed off to Ngatiawa, the retreat center for Urban Vision. Before lunch, we all took part in various service projects in the gardens. From turning over soil, to running new irrigation lines, our small group made a big difference which was much appreciated. We also took part in community prayer, meals, and even a tea party. It was great to learn more about their community style of living and be part of it, if only for a short time.

Everyone got their hands dirty and broke a sweat helping out in the gardens at Ngatiawa .

Friday was a free day, and most students opted to travel into Wellington for the day. Despite a trip planned to spend the day on Kapiti Island for some being cancelled, 7 of us were able to see some really amazing birds at Zealandia. This mazing refuge tucked right in to the city of Wellington houses some birds extinct to the mainland. You couldn't take 5 steps without seeing a tui and we were even lucky enough to see a saddleback!

Students enjoying the sights and sounds of Zealandia. Top right: Saddleback, extinct to the mainland. Middle right: Tui. Bottom right: Takahe.

We made it back to Kaikoura just in time for the welcome home street party for the Huttons Shearwater. Kaikoura is this bird's last nesting site in the world. A large part of our group even walked in the parade. Welcome home birds!

Students and staff welcome home the Huttons Shearwater to Kaikoura.

Titiro Pukapuka

Titiro pukapuka translates from Maori to English as 'to look at the book.' There was a lot of "looking at books" this past Reading Week. This week is designed to give our students time outside of the one or two weeks that they see their professor for class to complete their work. Students delved into poetry, scientific articles, and various novels. A favorite amongst students was Against the Tide, Towards the Kingdom, a story of the Urban Vision community in New Zealand. Students will have the opportunity to serve with Urban Vision for a day next week during our Wellington trip.

A handful of staff members went diving with New Life Pastor Brent Fearnley last Sunday. We all enjoyed the tasty treasures that were brought back!

We were all excited by the sight of a New Zealand Reef Octopus

Paua, a large sea snail, also known as abalone, makes some tasty patties.

Pastor Brent (pictured left) and Caleb (staff) harvested a few crayfish, which made a delicious addition to lunch. Kaikoura actually means 'meal of crayfish.'

Caleb (staff, left and top right) and Daniel (staff, top right) cooked some fish using a traditional Maori method: make a pocket in a piece of bull kelp and cook over a fire. The bull kelp adds a unique flavor.

We had a homemaking session on plant propagation, where Emma taught us how to properly start seeds, separate plants for repotting, and make cuttings for rooting. We also tied some fragrant herbs and hung them to air dry for later use.

Emma (staff, top right) gives instructions for potting plants (top right) and drying herbs (bottom).

Mid-week, we broke out the mattresses and watched Boy. This quirky, New Zealand-made movie is about Boy, an 11-year-old kid and devout Michael Jackson fan who gets a chance to know his father, who has returned to find a bag of money he buried years ago. There was plenty of popcorn and laughs to go around, and maybe even a few tears.

We were all reminded that despite the recent warm weather, it's still winter here in New Zealand. We had some flurries, which got everyone outside, yelling, "SNOW!" According to Emma, it was the first snowfall that reached the Old Convent since August of last year.

Sarah (Biola),  Jacob (Messiah), Kris (Messiah), and Tyler (Messiah)
celebrating outside in the excitement of some snow.
If you squint your eyes, you can see it; we promise!

Needless to say, we did more than "look at books" this week. And the grand finale? Two birthdays in a row! More on that to come.

Cheers!

Trips, Treats, & Teaching

Between hiking, sea kayaking with seals, trips to the aquarium, and breathtaking beach sunrises, everyone had a great time during their weekend trips! Some students even mastered the art of driving on the left side of the road. Here are some shots from students' travels:

AJ (Messiah), Sam (Eastern), Sarah (Biola), and Allie (Wheaton) at Abel Tasman National Park 

Sarah (Biola), Matt (Messiah), and Sam (Eastern) on a hike in Abel Tasman National Park

Back at the convent, we've been served up lots of great meals. Everyone enjoyed a sweet hot breakfast of cinnamon rolls. 

Emma (Staff), Brian (Staff), and Betsy (Messiah) busy making icing for the cinnamon rolls

A small group activity favorite of the week was a visit to see the baby fur seals at Ohau Falls. The pool beneath this waterfall acts as a nursery for the seal pups. It's impossible not to smile when you see the joyful pups splashing and porpoising about in the water.

Matt (Messiah) posing with a fur seal pup at Ohau Falls

Last but not least, this week marked the beginning of class! We had Mick Duncan here for Sustainable Community Development. Through eye-opening statistics, compelling personal stories, and hands-on activities (including a lively debate), students took away new insight on this course topic.

Reading Week, here we come!