Worship and Windy Wellington

WORSHIP
After only one day in New Zealand, I had the opportunity to attend my host family's church. My travel buddy, Crissi, came with us. For me, this was an awesome experience that brought me to tears. After being greeted by Kathy and Tony's friends, the worship music began. As I stood with my New Zealand family on one side of me and my American traveling companion on the other, we began to sing. I heard all of the voices fill the air with beautiful New Zealand accents, singing familiar songs of worship. It took my breath away to think about how I was on the other side of the world with people I barely knew and in that moment, we were singing as one. Surreal. In the middle of the song, I leaned over to Crissi and said, "We are in church IN NEW ZEALAND!" After the music, the pastor delivered a most timely message... "Soul Detox"... This experience is providing me with the perfect opportunity to do so.

Bonus: We went to church on "Sausage Sizzle Sunday"- where everyone gets a sausage in a bun covered in New Zealand's famous tomato sauce that is similar to catsup only, in my opinion, sweeter and better. : )

WINDY WELLINGTON
Lower Hutt (Māori: Awakairangi) is in the Wellington Region of New Zealand. Lower Hutt and Upper Hutt are all part of what is called Hutt City. Wellington, the capital of New Zealand, is right next to Lower Hutt and is where we will be spending a lot of our time. The area is known as "Windy Wellington" and whoever came up with that wasn't kidding... and I love it! I am really enjoying the variety of island weather that often includes some wind and rain.

After church last Sunday, we spent the afternoon getting acquainted with Wellington...

Wait... Where are we?

Anne-Marie, Crissi, and Kathy at The Waterfront

Wellington's Waterfront... Architecture and Art

  The Wellington Trolley takes you up to the top of the arboretum grounds where you can see....

 AMAZING!