Yesterday, we headed to Wai ora (living waters in Maori). We were welcomed by the Maori community. They are the indigenous people of New Zealand. It was neat to see and hear a Maori warrior. It got really interesting when I realized I was going to have to do the traditional Maori welcome. Instead of a handshake, you touch foreheads and then noses. It is called a hongi (wikipedia describes it well). In this greeting the breath of life is exchanged. Those who know me well are probably trying to picture me do this (too bad, I didn't get any pictures). When the chief was asked how the Maori were told about the Gospel, he described to us the Maori's beliefs. When they first heard, they realized Jesus was the breath of life (I am doing a much worse job describing this, but you get the idea).
We also sang a song called E te Ariki
E te Ariki | Oh lord |
| Whakarongo mai ra ki a matou | Listen to us |
| E te Ariki | Oh lord |
| Titiro mai ra ki a matou | Look at us |
| Tenei matou | This is us |
| O tamariki | Your children |
| E whakapono ana matou | We believe |
| Ki a koe Aue! Aue! | In you |
| Te Matua te Tamaiti | The father and the son |
| Wairua tapu e | Holy spirit |
How cool that God speaks to people that have never heard of His Son and sacrifice!
1 Corinthians 9:22-23
To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.
The night before last we had small groups and it was awesome. Nikki, my leader, took us on a walk and we stopped in the woods, witnessed a glorious sunset, and sat at a table. We made hot chocolate and s'mores! Oh glorious s'mores! The other students in my group (Petra from the Netherlands and Lydia from England) have never had s'mores. It was a great time to be real with each other, and I know it will be one of my favorite things here.
*I automatically loved Lydia because one of my best friends is named Lydia!
Today, we have heard heaps (they use this word A LOT or heaps) of personal stories of God working. My idea in the past, and I think He still has to work on me a bit, of how big God is does not really do Him justice. He really is a BIG God. He doesn't just do great things in my life, my friends lives, my family, etc. He works all over! I have heard stories from all over the world this week.
We also got to hear from a man who is a Jew and believes Jesus is THE Messiah. Here are a two points I thought were interesting.
- Most Jews are Biblically (meaning the Hebrew Bible) illiterate.
- More Jews live in NYC than Israel
- We can share Christ with them by our love
To end...
Witnessing to people is about being yourself and letting God work. We share the love of Christ by having compassion and love. God does the rest. And gosh, there is nothing He can't do.
By the way, you can see the milk way galaxy and two other galaxies in the starry sky in a way I have never seen them or can describe. I am so thankful to be here. I wouldn't trade this for anything.
Blessings.
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