Camp, Easter, & the coming of Winter

The weekend before Easter Knox had its first family camp in years at El Rancho, less than an hour from Lower Hutt on the west coast. Many asked us if we have church camps back home, to which we replied that they look pretty much the same as the one here. Bunks, the large mess hall, a confidence course and other outdoor activities, a cafe and canteen, music, and even the "camp concert" (like a talent show). It rained most of Saturday (the kids didn't mind at all), which led to most of the adults spending time in conversation and indoor games. It was a really neat time where we were able to get to know some people better than we could have on a Sunday morning after church. The speaker, a man in the church who runs Global Volunteer Network, spoke to us about loving God with our whole hearts. After 3 sessions, there was definitely a sense of renewed desire to grow closer to God. The highlight of Saturday evening's camp concert was an original composition of "God Loves Scandinavians" played on the piano accordion!

In New Zealand, Good Friday and Easter are public holidays, as well as Easter Monday. In addition, this year Easter Monday falls on ANZAC Day (Australia New Zealand Army Corps), the day when they remember the fallen soldiers at Gallipoli. As a result, everything was closed on Friday, Sunday, and at least the first half of Monday. I found it interesting that in the US, a "Christian nation", we no longer celebrate Good Friday as a public holiday. Here, because Easter is a long weekend (and this year at the end of the 2-week school holiday), many people go away for awhile.

On Thursday, Knox had a Tenebrae service; it was a contemplative service alternating readings from the Gospels with singing a verse from "When I Survey" with moments of reflection, with the lights gradually dimming throughout the service. After the last reading, the lights went out to signify to death of Jesus...but only briefly. To end the service, a candle was lit to remind us that it didn't stay dark for long. Friday morning we had a Good Friday service, which was more of a traditional family service. On Sunday we had a combined service in the big hall, complete with a child dedication. After service, we had the pastor and his wife over, as well as a new friend, an American girl who is going to university in Wellington. I made a ham (my first one), and sweet potato casserole, which they eyed suspiciously...it seemed quite strange to them that you would combine "sweet and savory" foods like kumara (sweet potato) and marshmallows!

In other news...winter has arrived. It has been cold and raining, and thus it is cold and damp in the house. No insulation + no central heat + humidity = me wearing lots of layers in the house! We just purchased an electric blanket and are looking forward to using it!