New Zealand!

Oxford, New Zealand. Arrived to the YWAM base around 1 pm yesterday (that would be Saturday, 14 Jan 2006). (Oxford is 22 hours ahead of the Alaska time zone and thus jet lag hasn't been bad - only two hours and a day difference.)

It is quite beautiful here. We are west and slightly north of Christchurch - tucked into a spot just south of a ridge of mountains - not high mountains but certainly more then couple of hills (lets say the tallest is around 3,000 feet or so). The weather is warm, though a bit chilly this evening, even requiring a jacket.

Nearly all the students have arrived, of which I am one. Forty-two in all with ten or so staff members. So, quite a sizable group all said and done. The variety of people spans quite a spectrum. Many are Americans, though a sizable portion are Canadians with a few other nationalities strung in as well. The ages, backgrounds, reasons for coming, and personalities are all quite different as well - as you may imagine from a group of 50 people. I think we have much to learn from one another.

I am struck by some of the similarities with England - at least in my mind. The country side dotted with sheep, the traffic similarities (mostly the fact they drive on the wrong side of the road!), a similarity in the accents - thought I suppose this is where the similarities end in my mind. I would imagine that the New Zealanders would agree.

So, finding myself here is still a bit difficult - something like existing in a reality that you know is true yet completely feeling like a person walking through a dream. Of course, reality can't be too far off as the smells of dinner are creeping in all around and I am afraid I may have to give in...