New Zealand...here we come!

Well, we started our adventure to New Zealand on Saturday as we departed Santo Domingo, in the DR. We were a little worried checking in at the airport because they couldn't figure out our tickets and they kept calling more helpers over to figure it out. Because we couldn't understand them, and they just kept checking their computers and asking their supervisors, I thought for sure that they didn't have us booked. But a few minutes later they figured it all out, and voila, we were able to get all our tickets. So we flew out at around 7 am and after a 5 hour flight we landed in New York, and a few hours later we took off and landed in L.A., 5 hours later. After a few hours again we took off for New Zealand. By this time it was Saturday night, and we had a 12 hour flight ahead of us. Thankfully the plane was not full and we could stretch out a little and take up a few more seats. Of all the days to skip in your week, we had to skip Sunday. It was basically non-existent for us. We took off on Saturday, skipped Sunday, and landed on Monday. That was pretty weird for me. Anyway, the view flying into New Zealand was amazing. We landed in Auckland, and then flew to Wellington. This was a beautiful flight too, as we got to fly over the North Island. And that is where we met my Aunt Jayne Penninga, who picked us up from the Airport and brought us to her home in Masterton.
Monday afternoon we slept the whole time trying to catch up on our sleep, and at night we just hung out with my Aunt and caught up with her a little. We met her friend, Dicky, who came over as well.
My Aunt lives at the Christian school where she teaches. The old and beautiful building houses the Reformed Church, the school, and my Aunt. So we got to meet all the students right away, as they all knew we were coming.
On Tuesday morning I got up early and went driving. I was so excited to drive on the other side of the road, but I wanted to practice while the roads were still empty. So I drove around and checked out the area, and practiced my driving.
Later in the day, Karen and I went up town and figured out our money situation, and worked on booking our flights to Indonesia and Papua New Guini. We did a little shopping and when my Aunt Jayne was done teaching for the day, we drove to the East Coast - CastlePoint. We walked along the beach and hiked up to the old lighthouse on the Pininsula. It was quite a beautiful drive and a nice walk. It is so windy on the coast. We found a lot of jelly fish that were washed up on the shore, which were pretty interesting.
Wednesday - In the morning we had the beautiful opportunity to talk to the school about mission work, and about the experiences we had, and the work that we hoped to do. It was a nice opportunity as we were able to challenge them to walk with the LORD and of the importance of telling others about Jesus Christ. They were pretty excited about the work that we get to do in Haiti, as we are as well. It reminded me a lot of Campfire again - challenging and encouraging children in their walk with the LORD!
After that we took my aunt's car and drove North and then to the West Coast. We checked out the city of Palmerston North, and went to the Rugby museum. They didn't have my picture on the wall, of my year of Rugby in highschool, so i think i will mail them one later, so they can add it to their gallary. New Zealand is rugby crazy. I hope they have this sport in Haiti.
We got to visit a lot of beaches on the West Coast, which were interesting, and then we drove down the coast, a beautiful highway right on the ocean.
Wednesday- today, our plan was to take the train into Wellington, through the countryside and spend the day there. However, we missed our train this morning, so instead we are doing things around Masterton today, and then, maybe if the rain stops, we are going hiking at one of the parks nearby. The children are performing their plays this afternoon, so hopefully we can see these as well.
Well, i hope to add pictures soon, but it takes awhile to download, so we will see how many i can get up.
God's blessings to you all. Please comment if you would like, and pass on your prayer requests!