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