On Thursday night, a team from a "Revival School" came to stay at our house while they did ministry in Wanaka. The school lasts 3-months and focuses heavily on the gifts of the Spirit in ministry, namely prophecy and speaking in tongues. Definitely the most pentecostal thing I've been around in a long, long time. The group has a gift for worship and intercession. Although my worship has been much more traditional as of late, I really appreciated the ministry of the team. They are the kind to just pray at all hours and for long hours. I have been encouraged by their example to seek God in fervent prayer.
We also have a pastor from southern New Zealand staying at the house overseeing some of the church's activities while the pastor is in Seattle. He is the head leader of the denomination which the church here is a part of (probably around 20 churches in all). He's been another great encouragement. His ministry focuses on people who come from broken backgrounds or have been abused in some way. We have had many long conversations about fatherlessness, theology, the church, New Zealand Christianity, and other topics. It's been fabulous. I could get used to having a pastor around the house. My spirit of inquiry is being fully met. :)
In summary, I have made friends beyond what I thought possible for a week of being in a foreign country, been encouraged by worship styles I am not accustomed to, ran more miles that I thought I ever could (16mi on Saturday!), slept an unbelievable amount of hours and feel simply at home.
Wanaka, NZ
