Christchurch: The Garden City

Yesterday, my friend Scott and I decided to see what we could of Christchurch, New Zealand. We drove our normal route to get to the central part of the city. As we come closer to an intersection, at which I sadly realize an antique store I never got to go into, is past the fences. The central business district of Christchurch is completely surrounded by a 10-12 foot chain link fence. The lights at the intersection are off and it creepily reminds me of the movie "I Am Legend," or possibly a Terminator movie. The area was deserted and there were two men in Army gear making sure no one tried to get by them. They are at each street that leads to the inner part city.
I am shocked that I use to once walk those streets. As I try and look past and through the fences, the street I once barely noticed, is unrecognizable. I vaguely remember my friend Scott saying something about it looking like something from World War II. There are huge piles of rubble for what used to be buildings, like a child playing with lincoln logs, but his sibling comes and jumps on them. I did notice that a few taller buildings were still standing.
It is interesting to me that cities strive for the tallest buildings, but in a matter of seconds they fall like they were from the game of Jenga.
There was a light at the end of the tunnel for the city and the cold winter ahead, which was the World Cup of Rugby was going to be held there. They were just told this week that this will not be happening. Sad story.
This stuff has been on my heart to write about and my friend asked me to update with a new story. I hope Tulsa is swell. Enjoy an incredible Spring! Signing off...

What did the Kiwi say?

Well, for all of you that enjoy reading my thoughts online, here is another bit.

I mentioned in the earlier post about how I am on the maintenance crew on the YWAM base I serve at. It has been three days and already I am almost on overload of all the practical things I have learned.

Y'all, I re-roofed one of our dorm rooms today. It was a whole day of taking out screws, nails and then re-doing what you just undid. It has been quite the experience to say the least. I am working with a couple Kiwi bloaks. The few things I do know about handy work is sometimes worthless when they say something different. They call gravel; shingle.
"You want me to rake the shingle?" "I thought we would put the shingle on the roof..."

People are so surprised that I would want to work on the maintenance team.

I am having fun, but also getting worked. I didn't know my thumb had actual muscles (and I am a rock climber). My right thumb is getting quite the work out with hammers, paint brushes, and whatever else I hold.

That is the news as of late. Tell Tulsa Hello from me.

some news from afar...

Well, I just wanted to thank you all for your support of my last adventure! I had an incredible time in Thailand. It is truly a huge blessing to be able to do what I do.

New Zealand is too amazing. I live in an amazing country. I just recently realized I have lived here for the last year out of a year and a half of my life. Whoa.

I am planning on staying in this land for probably another year. I can't get enough of it! The visa I am currently on allows me to get a job here. I will be looking for a job in Queenstown for a time, hopefully a barista position. My plans are open for change, but for now I will go with this.

A few friends and I are really wanting to live life together. We want to see a house of people eating, praying, worshiping, joking, working, and loving each other in a house here in New Zealand. That is why we are looking towards Queenstown. A friend of ours already has a house down there and has invited us to live. We want to be intentional. Intentional with our lives. Not just living, but really walking it out with the Lord. It will look similar to the house I lived in in college. I loved that time most in my life and would love to experience that the rest of my life. Hey, maybe it is a bit of a calling on my life. I loved it too much to not continue it on.

Well, those are a few thoughts from me.

A good word from a wise man...

Wise words:

http://daltonlifsey.com/2011/02/22/responding-to-crisis-in-the-age-of-facebook-a-call-to-discernment-after-the-earthquake-in-christchurch/

news, earthquake, and some thoughts

I was surprised yesterday to hear from someone back home that the earthquake damage didn't sound too devastating. They are saying that Christchurch will never be the same. I have flashes in my mind of walking down a street in the city known as Colombo or walking around the mall we always went to on Fridays. Colombo St. was apparently central to much devastation. There were at least two buses on that street that were driving and there are no survivors in them. Building walls just fell on them.

Maybe I shouldn't read the news articles, but I hear first hand accounts from friends.

I remember walking around beautiful Christchurch with my mom. This exact time a year ago we were in the city. We were staying in a hostel by the Botanical Gardens.

Blessed? Maybe.
Lucky? I don't believe in luck.

I am not sure how to handle all that I hear or see. People aren't supposed to be going to the city, so I have no idea of which of my favorite spots are still here. A little town called Lyttleton, where the quake's epicenter was, is 60% destroyed. I had ideas of going to live in that town and working at a local coffee shop.
I have friends who's houses were destroyed.

I might be rambling...
I think I go in and out of shock.

Here is the local paper http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/

Earthquake

Hello dear friends,

As many of you are heading home from work on Monday afternoon, we have been hit by another intense quake here in Christchurch. It was a 6.3 and the news already is telling us of the great damage caused. Please lift prayers for this wonderful country and people.

Thank you,
Jordan

How you play the game | How you say your name | These are things weʼre working through without a clue

Well folks, the school is officially over. The students graduated last night with tears and smiles.

It is going to take some time to figure out what has just happened. There are still no words to update you all and I am so worn out that my communication with home was quick to go.

Life in the past five months have been wholly focused on our students, pushing back the inevitable decisions of life until after they are all gone. There has been little time to think or pray for what is next. And as of right now, I have no plans.

For 23 years, I have had a plan. Go to school, go to college, graduate, go to California then off to New Zealand, then back home for a time and get a job. The plan stopped after this school with YWAM. When next Friday comes around, I am potentially homeless (or living in a tent at someone's house).

I am going to be honest, because I have nothing else to be. My money paid for staffing the school. I am pretty sure this is the most reliance I have ever had to have in the Lord. He will have to provide money (for me to eat and have a home). I am halfway across the world, far from friend's couches and home (where my bed is so warm and my dog takes me on walks).

So, if you think of this face, prayers are quite appreciated. It is an exciting, but truly scary thought. I am not alone though. There are a few others in the same boat and the Creator of everything that exists has my back. Try resting in that...I am working on it.