Our first week of DTS was Amazing! We got to meet so many great people! Other Pilgrimage students, Sailing students and GO Pacifiic students. Our staff is awesome! The format for the first week was orientation for the first two days followed by introductions in the form of Life Stories. We all shared with each other our pasts struggles and joys and how we want to grow in this time. It was a really good experience and helped us to start bonding as a group. We were also welcomed onto the land in a Maori Powhiri ceremony.
We also got to have a little fun with the Maori Warrior as well!
On Friday we had our first Backpacking experience. It was basically a trial run to make sure everyone had the right gear before we go out on a week long trip in 3 weeks. We all got our gear together on Thursday night, then on Friday we were driven 5 miles from base and hiked back. Then we camped out in the valley overnight. The trial run went really well! We're really excited to get back out there and go for a longer trip!
So far we've been overwhelmed by how welcoming and loving everyone is. The hospitality here is amazing! We're also in awe of this beautiful country. Even just walking back on the road we're surrounded by rolling hills and mountains in the distance. The picture below is of the waterfall that's located on base in the valley where we camped. There are really beautiful trails in the forest around it called prayer walks. The valley is a really powerful place where the presence of the Lord is really tangible. I'm excited to spend more time there.
Jeff and some other Backpackers went swimming at the base of the waterfall in the valley.
Thanks for your continuing prayer and support! We couldn't do this without you!
In Christ,
Jeff and Erin
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