Three weeks and counting

Ok... so its a little less than three weeks, but in approximately that amount of time we are going to be headed out for Samoa. The last few weeks have been insanely busy with fundraising and getting logistical details worked out, or at least attempting to. We are working hard on raising the extra funds needed for our teammates to go to the Solomon Islands. Because we are going to Samoa and the flights are less expensive we didn't have to raise extra funds, however, each of the students who are going to the Solomons have to raise $1000. So as a group we are needing to raise about $13,600. So far, we have about $6000.
We do car washes every weekend, sausage sizzles, bake sales, and various other fundraisers, but money is hard to come by. We are trusting God big time on this one!
Our other struggle right now is getting good contacts in the islands. Normally by this time we have a very good idea of what we are going to be doing, but the islands function on their own time schedule. We are working hard on finding places to stay and ministries to be involved with, but haven't had the greatest luck. I know it will all come together, probably at the very last minute! They work better when you just show up on the island ready to go...so that's what we plan to do! (As long as we know for sure that we have a place to stay!!!)
But that's just how we do things around here....it gives a whole new meaning to "Have faith!"

It's just like riding a bike....riiiiiight!

So we all know the phrase: "It's just like riding a bike!" We all know what it means when someone says that. It will come back to you, even if you haven't done it in ages.
Whoever said it....was wrong.
(Disclaimer: I cant remember a time in the last ten years, AT LEAST, that I was on a bicycle.)
I have been wanting a bike for awhile now. I'm not sure why. I don't particularly like riding bikes, and I certainly don't like"working out," but it seems as if many of my friends lately have been picking up and dusting off the old bikes to give the wheels a spin. So I thought I would participate.
After weeks of searching I found a bike to ride here in New Zealand, and launched off today, helmet and all. Those of you who know me well know that I hate all things that have to go on my head. Hats, helmets, everything.
I was quite ambitious. Believing truly that it would all come back...and its a bike...how hard can it be! ha
It did come back, after a few close calls with the pavement, trees, the ocean...
I just thought you might find it humorous, or perhaps even inspiring. Maybe you will get our your old bike and give it a try. Even though its a bit harder when you aren't 8 years old, it is still fun, and a great way to enjoy being outside.
I am not defeated. Tomorrow is a new day! I will get back on the bike and I will enjoy it...although I am not sure my legs....or tailbone (who knew!?) would agree!

Wash a Car, Save a Child!

My dear friend Patty has been volunteering with Marine Reach for 11 years, and this December she is leaving to be trained to work with Children at Risk. Over the last year, she has developed a passion to help rescue children who have been, or are at risked to be trafficked into the commercial sex trade. During our outreach to Thailand and Cambodia we were able to see the conditions that these girls, as young as 4 and 5 years old, are subjected to.
While in Cambodia we teamed with The Somaly Mam foundation. Somaly is a woman from Cambodia, formerly a victim of sexual abuse herself, who has dedicated her life to rescuing girls from brothels in the heart of Cambodia. This coming spring, Patty and our friend Hope are returning to Cambodia to do a bicycle tour to help raise money for the Somaly Mam Foundation. They are going to cycle 500 kilometers in 7 days all they way from Northern Cambodia to the coast. They have to raise $12,000 to be able to go. (All donations go directly to the Somaly Mam foundation!)
Because I have been to Cambodia, and met Somaly, I am also passionate about this issue and excited to be able to partner with Patty to raise money for these children. This last Saturday we decided to help support her in a practical way and have a car wash to raise money! We set up in a parking lot, and washed lots of cars! We also had a sausage sizzle for people who were hungry while we were washing! I spent the whole morning perfecting the art of the New Zealand Sausage Sizzle, while the students and Patty washed away!
We were able to raise almost $500 that morning! It was a great success, and lots of fun!
If you are interested in learning more about what Hope and Patty are doing in Cambodia, and after that when they move to Africa visit their blog at: th2africa.blogspot.com or for more information about the Somaly Mam foundation: www.somaly.org

Grilling sausages all day!!

Patty and Me!!!

My best friend here, Lauren!

Oh Happy Day!!!

My birthday was September 11th. It was my 21st birthday, and I was hoping that people wouldn't make it a huge deal. I'm not a big fan of big birthday celebrations in my honor. So I made sure to get up early in case there were any big suprises, I wanted to be prepared!


When I woke up, there was a note on my door from one of my small group girls. She had prepared a scavenger hunt for me and the first clue was on my door. Because I was up early, the ship was quiet, and I found my second and third clue quickly despite the fact that the notes were in broken english. (She is from Switzerland!)

Me and Caroline

Everyone started to wake up and my clues were hidden all over the ship. One was taped on a the higest point of the bow of the ship. I had to climb to find that one! And several of my clues were hidden with other students, I had to do nice things for them in order to get my next clue. This little adventure went on throughout the day, finally ending in my room which was full of all my favorite New Zealand candy. It was hidden EVERYWHERE and I am still working on finding it all. Every now and again I find some chocolate hidden in a t-shirt, or a stuck in between my curtains or up in the life jackets. It has been the gift that keeps on giving!


The director of the school took me out to lunch, and my good friend Patty took me out to coffee later in the day. I was really enjoying that my birthday had been lowkey! After Patty and I finished coffee she told me she had to pop into a restaurant to talk to one of her friends, (this isnt an unusual thing for her to do!) And when we went in, my three small group girls were in there waiting! We had a great small group dinner, plus Patty! And headed back to the ship. I must admit, I was glad my birthday had not been super celebrated and embarassing! When we walked on the ship it was so quiet, and because it was small group night, when everyone leaves the ship, I wasn't suprised. I had just mentioned how nice the quiet was when we walked into the dining hall and I was attacked with birthday balloons, streamers, party poppers, and a tray with cookies and candles!


So much for a quiet birthday....

I must say, I was truly suprised. And my best friend here, Lauren had worked hard to keep it that way! She had all my favorties. Favorite ice cream, favorite dessert, favorite movie. She did a great job! And the next day, her and I took all the leftovers, and the movie, and a laptop, and drove to the beach to enjoy a nice quiet birthday party!

All in all, I felt very loved, very celebrated, and very thankful that I have an amazing group of people here to hang out with me! I got lots of great presents, and even had my dear friend Josie from Ruel Foundation here to hang out with me! It was a fantastic 21st!

The dining hall during my party!