A Purely Local Meal

Hi everyone,

On Wednesday, for our God and Nature class we went over to Kevin and Sandy Topp’s farm to see Kevin slaughter a lamb.  I don’t think I will ever forget the sound of the neck snapping, the suction noise as the throat was cut open and the splatter of blood splashing onto the slatted floor. Nor will I ever forget looking into the lamb's eyes just a few moments before and knowing that it was going to die, seeing it shake as it figured out what was happening, or the bright crimson stains on the crisp white wool.

I made myself watch because it is my obligation as a person who consumes meat to witness the reality of the processes by which I am allowed to do so. Kevin Topp, the pastor of the Anglican Church I go to is a sheep farmer and Kevin slaughters his sheep according to his biblical view. He snaps the neck and cuts the throat at the same time and then lets the blood drain out of the animal for the life of the animal is in its blood. Once all the blood has drained, Kevin skins and guts the sheep.

Now, I knew that this would end one of two ways for me. I would either spew or I would pass out. Luckily I caught myself before I passed out and left. I got through the slaughter, but it was the skinning and the breaking of bones in the process that got to me. And the smell; I will never forget the smell of warm blood and sheep. I wanted to watch the whole thing and make myself see what really happens in order for me to consume meat. Mentally I was down to stay the whole time, physically, my body decided otherwise.

Kevin shows us how to butcher the sheep he slaughtered the day before

Thursday, Kevin brought the sheep to the convent and we had a homemaking session on butchering. It was pretty awesome! I now know what cuts of meat come from what part of the animal and which is best used to make soup, chops, flank, and roast. A handful of students helped in the butchering. Kevin told me I would make a good butcher. Mom, Dad, I’ve found my calling. (Just kidding)

Alex Rubin with his 'tasty as' strawberry dessert

For one of our class assignments we were tasked to prepare a meal from local ingredients. The lamb that we killed and butchered was our main course. We had lamb cooked in white wine, carrots and onions, infused with rosemary and garlic. Mashed potatoes that were sourced from Christchurch (as close to Kaikoura as we could get) made by Jacob and Chad. Salad with lettuce, tomatoes, corn and walnuts from our garden prepared by Shelby. Sautéed swiss chard and bruchetta made with local garlic tomatoes, basil and onions from our garden (on homemade bread baked by Nathan). We also made butter from the cream of the raw milk by pouring it into a jar, adding some small pebbles and shaking it. Forever. Thank you Bennett and Kristen for that. For dessert we had blackberry ice cream made with raw milk from a local dairy that was prepared by Amanda and Renee. And Alex made a dessert using crushed walnuts and honey for the crust, whipped cream from the raw milk, and strawberries that he had found. It was a scrumptious dinner.

Dinner made by the students...the staff could get used to this :)

Getting to cook and eat the lamb that we slaughtered on Wednesday was an experience. I know some students were a bit put off by it and some of you may be a bit grossed out by it. As for me, I have a deeper connection with the community I am living in through the relationships formed in acquiring all of our local ingredients. Food brings people together and is one of the main ‘ingredients’ in a healthy and sustainable community.

Sincerely, 

Sarah

To Wellington and Back

Hi everyone,

A week in the Wellington area on the north island of New Zealand = a life altering experience. It’s hard to explain or even to put into words what transpired in our week, for it was far more than just events. It was a deep change in our hearts that will forever shape the course of our lives brought about through experiencing and listening to the stories of others, alongside much personal contemplation. Not only did this occur in the Wellington area but continues to occur each day in our Kaikoura home through the sharing of life in community, learning from others and our professors in the classroom and out. Traveling around Wellington was like a Thanksgiving meal in a sense; there were so many people each with a whole life of stories. The stories are like food to our hungry minds and hearts; it was taken in, digested (a process that continues still), and now is part of us, feeding our thoughts and potentially our actions.

A brilliant view crossing The Cook Straight aboard the ferry.

I will try to put into words the best I can the jist of what transpired throughout our week, even though I know it will feel dry in comparison to the richness of feeling I have about it. We took the ferry across the short stretch of brilliant, blue, ocean teaming with dolphins and boats to the North Island of New Zealand. We arrived to a Marae (a Maori meeting house) just outside of Wellington in a city by the name of Lower Hut. We were welcomed with a Powhiri (a Maori ceremony of welcome). Our whole group felt their warm welcome. 

Wellington Harbour welcomed us well.

Monday we spent the day in Central Wellington learning from the historical artifacts at the Te Papa museum and New Zealand governmental system through a tour of their parliament building (which was fascinating-I understand NZ gov. better than my own). We also were able to spend some time exploring Wellington, which has a rather great waterfront that promotes community. 

Tuesday was pact full with many great learning experiences. We started the morning learning what a sustainable city looks like. Then we met with the Hutt city mayor- his name is Ray and he loves songs so we sang him a Maori song and heard his heart for his city. That afternoon we became more aware of how to build a city designed to be community orientated and sustainable from the Hutt City Urban Planner. We then walked around restored wetlands with a firiery old fellow by the name of Russell Bell. He ended our talk by stating, “We have a world to save, and we can’t afford to follow too many rules.” His passion was catching. That evening ended with two speakers talking on the topic of Rethinking Social Justice. It was a challenging talk that brought out the statistics of the over representation of Maori young people in the justice system. Their motto was “If you want peace, work for justice.” They said the key to reducing crime is to stop young people from entering the justice system in the first place. They suggested early intervention is key. Once in the justice system imprisonment, statistically, doesn’t lead to change of lifestyle and we are in need of alternative disciplinary actions. It pulled at everyone’s heartstrings to hear about these young people and showed us the need for a change in our own country. 

CCSPers at Zealandia - a wildlife santcuary.
( left to right: Brett, Amanda, Renee, Kristen {staff}, Shelby, & Sarah)

Wednesday we met with a character of a guy who runs a Boxing Academy in a really rough part of town. It was more than a boxing club for young boys from the streets but he imparts what it means to live a life of honor upon people. After lunch we explored the forest of a no-predator zone called Zealandia where we encountered numerous beautiful native birds-many of which are lost outside of this place due to introduced predators to New Zealand. It was as if we stepped into a time warp of NZ must of looked like when the Maori settlers first arrived. Next, we spent some time at a community garden in the city and then that evening ended with a worship night at the Marae with the Maori folks whom had welcomed us. Te Kanano O Te Aroha Marae is one of few Christian Maraes. They made us feel so welcome and it was great to share in that special time with them.

Setting up camp at Ngatiawa, a contemporary river monastery,
for Passion Festival.

By Thursday we were tired and it was time to leave our new family at the Marae and head to Ngatiawa. Ngatiawa is a farm that was started as a place of retreat and rest for people whom where part of Urban Vision, working with the poor in the city. Ngatiawa is now not only a retreat center but also a place where families live in community with one another. It is a very special place. 

We camped there the rest of the weekend during what they call Passionfest. Passionfest is a festival they hold at Ngatiawa. Here is a blip from how they describe it “Passionfest is a symposium of people passionate about social justice, compassion and community-work centered around Jesus. Passionfest is the sum of what we all bring to it – our stories, our poems, our art, our dream and schemes, and our willingness to get stuck in and share hospitality with one another.” 

So much was learned and shared in our weekend at Ngatiawa helping out with and going to the many events of the festival.

One of the afternoons we went to Otaki just a short drive away and were able to hear from and have tea (dinner) with Adrian Leason and his family. He challenged us with his words and invited us to think about what we believe. He said, “You don’t know what you don’t know”. To me it meant that we don’t know what we never take the time to learn or experience. How are we to know what people and places are like if we don’t spend time with them and in them. 

Overall the weekend at Passionfest in Ngatiawa were some of my favorite and most inspiring times of the whole week. We met and connected with many people and places throughout the week, experiencing and learning a lot together as a group. We also formed a deeper bond as a community ourselves in tired times, work times, busy times, and fun, sometimes silly games. 

Sincerely, 

Shelby

Shelby among the sweet corn in our gardens here at CCSP NZ.